Message from the EAST President
Friday, September 6, 2024
Dear Members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST),
Leadership Comes in Many Forms
In my last message, I focused on how to get involved in EAST and the importance of being passionate about the work you do for the organization. Passion for the work, not a pursuit of leadership positions, should guide your involvement. Leadership does, however, offer an opportunity to move forward the work you find meaningful and impactful. A common question from members is: How are the leaders of the organization chosen?
For many, obtaining leadership in EAST may seem like a black box. I want to shed some light on that process and, more importantly, offer concrete steps you can take to serve EAST and potentially step into a leadership role in the future. It is important to remember that leadership is not just a title—it is a responsibility to serve. I have been imbuing my messages with thoughts from stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius is one of the more well-known practitioners of stoicism. In his book, Meditations, he wrote that "The fruit of this life is a good character and acts for the common good." Leadership in EAST should not be seen as a reward but as an opportunity to serve others and help advance the organization's mission.
The Process
The actual process for choosing leaders is outlined in the Bylaws of EAST. The Nominating Committee, chaired by the Immediate Past President and consisting of the current President, President-Elect, and two at-large members, is responsible for proposing a slate of new leaders each year. This committee is tasked with filling roles such as President-Elect, any upcoming executive vacancies (Secretary, Treasurer), and at large board positions.
One key feature of the Nominating Committee is that no sitting member of the committee can be nominated for a position. Starting each summer, the Nominating Committee reviews a list of members who have held committee chair, board, or executive positions. This list is a starting point, not the only route to leadership, but it allows the committee to see who has contributed to the organization.
Members of the committee submit 3-5 names for each position. Over the course of several meetings, the list is narrowed down to one candidate per position. Once the slate is proposed, it goes to the voting members of EAST for final approval by November 1st each year. Members of the organization have until December 1st to propose an alternate slate or slates. To do this, the alternative slate or slates must obtain signatures from 20% of the membership and use an approved form. A copy of the form will be made available upon request. If no alternative slate is received, the Nominating Committee’s slate is elected by acclimation. If there is an alternative slate, an election will be held via email and/or first class mail. The election must be held over 30 days from the date of transmission of the ballot. The number of ballots needed to be returned is dictated by Tennessee state law since EAST is incorporated in Tennessee. If an appropriate number of ballots are returned, then the slate with the most votes will be elected. If not enough ballots are returned, the Nominating Committee’s slate wins by default.
Leadership as Service
I feel strongly that the path to leadership in EAST should not be driven by a desire for recognition but by a commitment to serving the organization. As another stoic philosopher, Epictetus, reminds us, "The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control." You cannot control whether you will be chosen as a leader, but you can control how you contribute and what kind of member you are. In my opinion, the best leaders are those who focus on the work and contributions they can make for the greater good. By focusing on your passion and the mission of EAST and having an inclination towards action, leadership opportunities will naturally follow.
Concrete Steps to Leadership
Here are a few actions you can take to serve the organization and potentially move toward leadership roles:
- Contribute Actively to Committees
- The most direct way to get involved is through committee work. Volunteering for committees, leading projects, and taking on responsibilities—especially in areas where you are passionate—demonstrates your commitment and allows you to build a visible record of contribution.
- Develop Relationships with Peers and Leaders
- Building relationships within EAST is critical. Engaging with current leaders and peers creates opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and personal growth. Strong, meaningful connections are often what bring members into consideration for leadership positions.
- Focus on Continuous Learning
- Leadership requires constant growth. Seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills, whether through EAST initiatives, educational opportunities, or hands-on experiences in your career. Continuous learning will make you a more effective and adaptable leader. Having a growth mindset helps here so that you can learn from mistakes and not dwell on them.
- Align with EAST’s Mission, Vision and Strategic Goals
- The members who rise to leadership positions are often those who best embody the values of EAST. Acting with integrity, accountability, and transparency in all your interactions and contributions will naturally position you as someone worthy of leadership. Working on projects that advance the EAST mission is also important.
Final Thoughts
Leadership in EAST is not a goal in itself but a platform to further the work and mission of the organization. Remember the wisdom of the Stoics: focus on the actions within your control, serve others selflessly, and contribute meaningfully to the organization. Through these efforts, leadership will emerge as a byproduct of your service. Leadership comes in many forms and you do not have to be a board member to be an important leader in EAST.
I would like to thank all members for your commitment to EAST and for all that you do to support our mission. Together, we will continue to grow as an organization, guided by our shared values and dedication to the greater good.
Warmest regards,
Ben L. Zarzaur, MD, MPH, FACS
President, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma