SONOGRAPHERS’ COMMUNICATION

The Yellow Legal Pad Adventure: Volunteering for ASE

Elizabeth F. McIlwain,MHS, RDCS, RCS,FASE, Chair, Councilon Cardiovascular So-nography

It seems like yesterday I was attending my first ASE ScientificSessions. I still remember being amazed with so much ‘‘echo stuff’’in one place. Even though I had been working as a sonographer foralmost 10 years, I still thought of myself as new to the field. Meetingand being able to ask questions of the very people who had writtenthe ‘‘echo books’’ was awesome. Everyone I encountered was friendlyand welcoming.

Two people I met that year forever impacted my view of ASEand helped shape my involvement in it. Peg Knoll just walked up,introduced herself, and began a conversation. She was genuinelyinterested in me and encouraged me to be involved in ASE. Shehas inspired me to make sure I look for new faces at each ASE eventI attend, meet them, get to know them, and encourage them.

The other person was Judy Rosenbloom. During her presentationon grassroots advocacy, she asked anyone interested in helping toplease provide their contact information on the yellow legal padshe had placed at the front of the room. I had no idea what puttingmy name on that legal pad would lead to, but I willingly and expec-tantly signed up. A few months later, Judy called, asking if I wouldwork with her on a sonographer licensure task force. With that, myjourney of volunteering for ASE had begun.

Through the years I have served on various committees and taskforces: Local Society Relations, Advocacy, Education, Research,Awards, Sonography Council Board, and the Board of Directors.Each experience has been unique, educational, and rewarding.Volunteering for ASE has also provided me opportunities to attendleadership conferences, participate in meetings with other imaging or-ganizations, meet with legislators on ASE–related issues, and openeddoors to other opportunities I might have never experienced.

ASE has a dedicated and talented staff that keeps us movingforward. We truly could not accomplish all that we do without theirtireless efforts. But ASE is also a volunteer-led organization. Our Exec-utive Committee, board members, committee members, and taskforce members are all volunteers: physicians, sonographers, nurses,researchers, and students who love ‘‘all things echo’’ and give of theirtime and talents to further our cause. Without this volunteer networkASE would not be as effective as it is.

Most of the work of ASE is accomplished by the committees. Theyaddress issues relating to advocacy (if you have not read Dr. Byrd’spresident’s messages in the August and September issues of JASE,you should), education, research and the future of our field. Thereare 17 standing committees and 4 councils, each with a specific func-tion. A complete listing can be found on the Website at http://www.asecho.org/about-ase/standing-committees-and-councils.

Each November, ASE issues a call for volunteers. I always sign up.I know you are thinking: ‘‘Sign up? She is already so active!’’ But with-out volunteers, ASE could not operate and the leadership does notassume someone wants to volunteer, so they ask members to signup. They even ask us to identify areas in which we would be inter-ested in serving. Signing up and letting ASE know about my interestshas allowed me to participate in many areas and get to know more

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about my organization and my profession.It has also provided me with opportunitiesI never dreamed about and ‘‘echo friends’’ Iwould have never known.

To serve on a committee, you do nothave to be from a major medical institu-tion, have published articles or books, orhave a wealth of experience. ASE needsvolunteer representation from all aspectsfor our profession—academic facilities,large tertiary medical centers, communityhospitals, private practice, education, andresearch. We need people with varyinglevels of experience from the ‘‘sages’’ ofthe field to those just beginning their ca-reer. Each of us brings something useful

from our individual experiences that can be an integral part of com-mittee work. Committee service requires:

� An active membership (paid 2014 membership dues) to beconsidered for appointment.

� FASE status is encouraged and preferred.� Only one application is needed per member; indicate thecommittee(s) on which you wish to serve.

� Submission of a Conflict of Interest form at time of application.� Members employed full time by industry are not eligible to serveon ASE committees.

� A letter of recommendation from a FASE level or senior personin the CV ultrasound field (if you have not previously served onan ASE committee or task force).

Volunteering and working on a committee is not for the lazy or thefaint of heart. But then neither is echocardiography! For a committeeto be effective its members must be active and productive. Commit-tee members take on projects, research issues to provide accurateinformation, speak up (or respond to emails) to take part in discus-sions. It is extra work and extra time. It requires that you are willingto learn on the job, be tenacious, step up, speak up and participate.It can sometimes be arduous, but, it is always enlightening andrewarding.

I have never regretted volunteering, even on those days when Iwondered where I would find the time or what I had gotten myselfinto. The good has always outweighed the bad and I am a bettersonographer because of it. I hope this glimpse into my experienceencourages you to become more active and volunteer. When I firststarted my journey with ASE it was because I put my name ona yellow legal pad. Today we use more modern means such as email,Website notices, and electronic sign-ups. Watch for informationcoming soon on connect@asecho.org and in the e-newsletter forinformation on volunteering. If you think you might have missed itcheck the Website (www.asecho.org) in November, or contactMary Alice Dilday, the staff liaison for the committee nomination‘process, at madilday@asecho.org.

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