Message from the EAST President
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Dear Members of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST),
Effort Over Result
One of the wonderful opportunities that you have as EAST’s President is to join in the new member orientation. Congratulations to the Membership and Recruitment Committee, led by Dr. Libby Schroeder, for their work and participation in the orientation session. In addition, thank you to the EAST staff who made this meeting happen. Kinga and Nakia supported the orientation and they worked to highlight all that EAST offers for members. One of my favorite parts of the orientation was hearing from a founding member of EAST, Dr. Lenworth Jacobs. He talked about the origins of EAST as an organization where early and midcareer trauma surgeons could find a home to share research and to learn from one another how to be leaders in their field. It is clear that that ethos is still alive and well in EAST.
One of the other interesting aspects of the orientation was the opportunity to interact with new members in a question and answer breakout room format. In my breakout room, one new member asked what committee to join so that they would have the best chance at becoming a leader in the organization. I have heard many variations on this question over the years. I always answer the question by asking other questions – why do you want to be a leader in the organization in the first place? What do you hope to accomplish? What legacy do you want to leave? How do you want to change the field in which we all work? How do you want to mentor the next generation? Ultimately, what is your passion? Focus on answering these questions and the path comes into focus.
Another important point is that leadership in EAST and other organizations is not the end goal. Getting involved in any organization is about understanding your strengths and using those strengths to help move the mission of the organization forward. You can do that in any position in the organization. The key is to make sure that you are passionate about whatever it is that you are working on. When you are passionate about something and it connects with your core values, then you will be more engaged and you will make positive contributions. The leadership roles and the accolades may follow – but – they are not the end goal.
I am not saying that leadership is not important. Leadership is important. Having leadership positions in an organization can help you accomplish important and meaningful things. Therefore, having those roles may be necessary for you to accomplish the things that are most important to you. EAST offers various leadership roles ranging from committee chairs and project leads to executive positions within the organization. Each role comes with its own set of responsibilities and opportunities to make a meaningful difference. Through these roles, leaders can spearhead initiatives, drive change, and mentor the next generation of trauma care professionals.
After you think about where you want to put your efforts, you have to show up and volunteer. Volunteering within EAST not only serves the community and the organization but also sets a foundation for individual leadership development. By stepping forward to volunteer, members demonstrate readiness to take on additional responsibilities and show their commitment to the organization's goals and values. You have an opportunity each year to volunteer to be on a committee. When the call for volunteers comes out – fill out the form. This gets you in the door so you can start making a difference that matters to you.
In a professional context like EAST, where leadership roles are often filled based on demonstrated commitment and expertise, volunteering provides a visible platform for members to showcase these qualities. It is a proactive way to contribute to the organization's mission while honing skills that are essential for leadership. Volunteering in various capacities—whether in organizing conferences, participating in committees, or leading community outreach initiatives—allows members to interact with established leaders and peers in meaningful ways. This visibility is crucial in a large organization, as it can lead to recommendations for formal leadership positions based on observed performance and dedication.
I will close this message with some global thoughts that I have found important over the years and then some practical tips and strategies that you can put into practice today as you consider how to help contribute to EAST or any organization. First, the global thoughts:
Effort Over Result: Focus on the effort put into volunteering without an excessive preoccupation with the outcomes. This approach reduces anxiety and increases satisfaction from the act itself, which in turn fosters a genuineness that people can recognize and trust. Trust is the foundation of leadership and this is one way to foster that trust.
Process Orientation: When you are working within an organization like EAST, concentrate on the quality and integrity of your work in the present. It is easy to get distracted by potential and future personal gains. Having a process focused attitude ensures that the work done is of high quality and benefits the organization. High quality and visible work lays the solid groundwork for future leadership opportunities.
Now some practical tips and strategies that you can put into practice today to help you contribute to EAST and to its members.
- Finding Opportunities to Volunteer
- Stay Informed: Regularly check the organization’s website and announcements for calls to volunteer.
- Express Interest: Proactively reach out to committee chairs or current leaders to express interest in upcoming projects or positions. You can do this even if you are not currently on the committee.
- Balancing Career Goals with Volunteer Efforts
- Set Clear Goals: Identify what skills or experiences you hope to gain through volunteering and seek opportunities that align with these goals.
- Manage Time Wisely: Balance clinical and other responsibilities and volunteering without compromising the quality of work in either area. This is the hardest to execute. The first step is to set priorities and then to get control of your calendar to reflect those priorities. Be realistic about the time it takes to do deep and good work and block that out on your calendar and be disciplined about focusing on the work in the time allotted to it.
- Networking and Mentorship
- Seek Mentorship: Engage with experienced leaders within EAST who can provide guidance and advocate for you when opportunities arise.
- Build Relationships: Use volunteering as a chance to build lasting relationships with peers and leaders alike, which can be crucial for career advancement.
Thank you all for everything that you do for EAST. We are a volunteer organization. Your time and effort is valuable and we certainly cannot achieve the mission of EAST or to continue to be the organization that Dr. Jacobs talked about during the new member orientation without your dedication and your help.
Warmest regards,
Ben L. Zarzaur, MD, MPH, FACS
President, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma