Early Career Engagement

Volunteering to join a committee is a great way to learn more about the Society and network with leaders in the field. The Call for Volunteers opens in the fall. Be on the lookout for communications from the Society headquarters about upcoming committee opportunities. Most committees have a dedicated slot for a member under the age of 40. New this year, AOSSM modernized its Bylaws and now allows Resident members to serve on some committees.

First and foremost, AOSSM welcomes Residents to join at no charge! We want you to see all that we have to offer, what sets us apart and what makes the members of this organization so truly special. More than anything, we hope you apply to join the Emerging Leaders Program where you’ll be eligible to attend Nightcaps, webinars and social events specifically designed to help you launch your orthopaedic sports medicine career. Members in the Resident category are also eligible to join committees. You are encouraged to submit an abstract to the Annual Meeting Program Committee. Accepted papers are eligible for the Herodicus Award.

All incoming Fellows are invited to attend the AOSSM Fellows Course. This is an amazing opportunity for real world and practical insight from leaders in the field. Each year, AOSSM presents two Fellows Research Awards that recognize the best paper in Clinical Science and Basic Science by an abstract from a sports medicine fellow.

Members in the Candidate membership category are eligible to nominate themselves to represent their state and serve on the Council of Delegates. This is an excellent opportunity to join a committee, connect with other members at a grassroots level and hear from the Society’s leaders though regular, in-person updates. Candidate members are eligible to serve on any committee . Most committees have a dedicated slot for a member under the age of 40 years old. Candidate members are also eligible to apply for the Traveling Fellowship program. This is a scientific and cultural exchange that provides a unique opportunity to witness orthopaedic sports medicine techniques and surgeries from around the world. More than anything, we hope you apply to join the Emerging Leaders Program where you’ll be eligible to attend Nightcaps, webinars and social events specifically designed to help you launch your orthopaedic sports medicine career.

Candidate members can upgrade their membership to the Active category after a period of two years. The maximum time to remain in this category is 5 years. To upgrade to the Active category, you need to be board certified and current with your dues and meeting requirements. You simply need to email a copy of your board certification letter to [email protected]. There is no fee to upgrade your membership from Candidate to Active.

Hopefully you’re already aware that your membership is free while you’re in Residency. Once you become a Fellow, you are eligible to upgrade to Candidate membership at no charge. Your first year’s membership dues are underwritten by a generous grant from Össur. You’ll receive all the benefits of Candidate membership at no charge. Any questions about upgrading your membership can be directed to [email protected].

Most years, the Society receives more volunteers to fill committee vacancies than they are able to appoint to a committee. The Society tracks members who were not selected and may contact them if other opportunities present themselves through the year.  You are encouraged to volunteer next year. Be sure to include detailed information on your committee application so the Committee on Committees can be as informed as possible when making appointments. This helps set you apart from other members volunteering for the same committee. And don’t forget to click “Submit”!

That interpersonal connection is the thing we’ve all been missing. The Emerging Leaders program has designed Nightcaps. Nightcaps are small, intimate gatherings of about 20 members and led by an icon in the field. These are brief, informal and interactive GoToMeetings with a new topic each month. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share their webcams to achieve the most interactive setting possible. Fill out an Emerging Leaders application today and be on the lookout for more information on the next Nightcap.