Call for Volunteers

As a member-driven association, AAA is always looking for volunteers to give their time and expertise. The organization benefits from the ideas and experiences shared by members from diverse backgrounds, scientific disciplines, life experiences, and geographic locations. Whether you just joined AAA or you’re a long-time member, the most important quality of volunteers is that they’re passionate about advancing our work, want to see the anatomical sciences grow, and share a desire to give back.

There is a wide range of opportunities for getting involved, from social media ambassadors to committee and task force members, from newsletter contributors to Board service. Some positions require a multiple-year term of service, while others fill short-term needs through "micro-volunteering."

Micro-volunteering assist with small projects, such as member surveys, outreach activities, task forces, or reviewing applications. Choose your level of commitment, learn more about available opportunities, and express your interest. If you have questions or just want to gain insight about volunteering, feel free to reach out to Board members, committee members, or staff.

Learn new skills and advance your association!

We are building an energetic, inclusive, and innovative group of volunteer leaders. Together, we can accomplish incredible things, move the association forward, and advance the anatomical sciences. 

Ways to Get Involved from Day 1 of Membership

  • Keep up with our Anatomy Now email newsletter, Advocacy and Policy updates, and other important emails
  • Participate in important member calls-to-action. 
  •  Follow us on our social media channels and like, share, and comment on our posts. We also periodically hold campaigns and contests that you can participate in.
  •  Stay active on the Anatomy Now community and add discussion posts to keep the conversation going with your peers worldwide.
  •  Participate in our live webinars and contribute questions to the conversation.
  •  Attend our in-person annual meeting and join us at the Annual Member Business Meeting.
  •  Be sure to vote in our annual leadership election (taking place in the first quarter of each year) as well as any potential member votes that may come up at the conference or throughout the year.

Mentor Match Program - Open

Our members-only mentoring program, Mentor Match, was developed to assist student, postdoc, and early-career faculty members with their transition into the field of anatomy and help them meet their professional development and networking goals.

Mentor Match helps you find and connect with others interested in a mentoring relationship. Your mentor or mentee can be right down the street or on the other side of the world. Participants will self-select based on areas of interest and/or needs.

Mentors and mentees are critical to this program's success. View the program requirements.

Enroll Today

We are firmly committed to welcoming, developing, and maintaining scientists, educators, and volunteers in a culture that embraces individuals with diverse life experiences. Volunteer leaders must reflect those values. We encourage members from all regions, all anatomical sciences, and all aspects of our membership to apply, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, mental or physical ability, age, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.

Application Process

  • Applications are solicited annually through a Call for Volunteers
  • Applications are reviewed and scored by the committee chairs and members; scores, needs of the committee, and comments from the reviews are taken into consideration when choosing new members
  • The new committee members are approved by the full Board of Directors
  • After Board approval, notifications are sent out. Feedback is given if requested by the applicant
Make an Impact- pathway for volunteering for the American Association for Anatomy

Why Volunteer?

The best people to ask are those who already have! Read how they describe their AAA volunteer motivations, experiences, and learnings.

Volunteering for Committees: Frequently Asked Questions

Due to the large number of volunteers — at any time, we may have up to 150 people serving on committees! — AAA cannot provide complementary registration or travel reimbursement to everyone. Some committee members, such as those serving on the Committee for Early-Career Anatomists, are provided with certain monetary benefits due to the nature of their required duties.

For the same reason we cannot offer free registration or travel support to our Annual Meeting, we cannot provide free membership packages for volunteers. We do, however, offer unmatched networking opportunities, the chance to work side-by-side with thought leaders worldwide, and the unique opportunity to help guide and shape your professional association!

The time commitment varies by committee. Meeting times and the intensity of various commitments are detailed on each committee’s landing page. Most committees meet face-to-face at the Annual Meeting and hold regular conference calls to discuss committee business.

Every year, we receive many more volunteer applications than available spots on committees, which is a wonderful problem to have, but one that means we sometimes have disappointed candidates. We strive for diversity, and committee chairs review applications to their committee through a lens that also considers other factors related to background, expertise, and other criteria. We always hope that candidates will re-apply if they weren’t successful the first time.

Yes! You may apply again to be on any committee with an open slot.

Committee scopes and rosters are available online. We always encourage prospective candidates to reach out to current members of the committee in which they’re interested to ask them about their experiences and duties, to ensure that the committee will be a good fit for their interests and availability.

Commitment: Serving as an Association leader is an honor and a reward, but it requires a demonstrated commitment to the organization and its mission and goals.

Time to serve: Perhaps the most important component of successful volunteerism is time to serve. Participating fully in Association activities requires extra time to prepare for and attend conference calls and travel to in-person meetings.

Good health: The often hectic or strenuous pace of volunteer leadership should not be taken lightly. It requires a healthy mental and physical condition.

Ability to think strategically: Whether at the Board level or on task force, volunteer leaders must be able to leave personal agendas and politics at the door in order to work on behalf of the Association. Visionary leaders must see past daily operations and focus on larger needs.

Exemplary personal conduct: Leaders’ behaviors and attitudes can greatly influence others in the Association. You are the “face” of the Association and should be sensitive to issues of confidentiality and interpersonal matters.

Communication and teaching skills: By virtue of the position, volunteer leaders serve as mentors and teachers to future leaders and current members. Enthusiasm and passion for the mission and goals of the Association are visible characteristics that other members can emulate.

Adapted from: John B. Cox, Professional Practices in Association Management: The Essential Resource for Effective Management of Nonprofit Organizations (ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership; 2nd Edition 2007), page 7.