Candidates for Member-at-Large, Memberhip

Position Description

Member-at-Large (Membership)

Role Type: Elected Board position
Term Length: 2 years with the potential of one renewal
Reports To: Board of Directors
Time Commitment: Approximately, 2-3 hours per month that includes a 1-hour Board meeting the 2^nd Tuesday of the month, 8:00-9:00AM ET (New York Time) and an additional 1-2 hours reviewing new membership applications as well as planning and implementing membership engagement activities.

Purpose of the Role

The Member-at-Large (MAL) Membership) serves as a representative of the organization’s diverse membership, with a primary focus on member engagement, retention, growth, and meaningful participation in the Academy’s mission. The MAL Membership leads and advances the Academy’s commitment to membership growth and engagement as a core strategy for strengthening, diversifying the suicide prevention research workforce.

This role ensures that membership engagement efforts are intentional and aligned with the Academy’s mission to grow and support its membership on a global scale. The Academy believes that it is important that its members are meaningfully engaged and consider it one of their professional homes.

A. Core Responsibilities and Duties

The MAL Membership position’s core responsibilities include:

1. Membership Growth, Retention and Value

• Contribute to the development and evaluation of global membership recruitment and retention strategies.
• Help identify and articulate the value proposition of membership, particularly as it relates to research, training, mentorship, and collaboration.
• Support initiatives that enhance member benefits (e.g., research networking, professional development, dissemination opportunities).

2. Membership Representation and Engagement

• Promote inclusive engagement strategies that reflect the diversity of the Academy’s membership across disciplines, career stages, and geographies.
• Participate in regular outreach to members through forums, meetings, surveys, or informal listening sessions.

3. Research Mission Alignment

• Encourage member participation in research-related activities, such as subcommittees, special interest groups (SIGs), or collaborative projects.
• Help identify opportunities to engage members in knowledge translation, cross-border and cross-sector collaborations.

4. Governance and Strategic Contribution

• Participate fully in Board meetings and relevant subcommittee or SIG work.
• Review and provide input on organizational policies, strategic plans, and initiatives with an eye toward member impact and engagement.
• Uphold ethical and confidential responsibilities consistent with Board service.

5. Communication and Advocacy

• Assist in communicating the Academy’s priorities, initiatives, and opportunities to the membership.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Academy at meetings, conferences, and partner events, when appropriate.
• Promote a culture of transparency, collaboration, and mutual respect.

B. Desired Qualifications and Attributes

• Active member in good standing with the Academy.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Academy’s mission and values.
• Experience or strong interest in member engagement, community-building, or professional societies.
• Ability to represent diverse perspectives and engage constructively across disciplines and roles (e.g., researchers, clinicians, trainees, advocates, individuals with lived experience).
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to commit to time needed to carry out the duties of the Board position.