Call for APPD Leadership Positions

APPD Board Members are expected to represent the APPD membership and provide leadership to the organization. Board members should think and act strategically, setting goals that reflect members' needs and position APPD to positively influence pediatric education now and in the future.

Shared responsibilities include:

• Organizational leadership
• Oversight of APPD programs and services
• Financial management, including approving the annual budget and reviewing the CPA’s financial audit
• Proactive identification and attention to the evolving needs of APPD members

Board members are expected to attend and participate in regular Board calls and meetings (2 in-person meetings per year during the Annual Spring and Fall Meetings, 1 in-person meeting during summer, and monthly virtual meetings). Board Members often represent APPD at 1-2 meetings of other national organizations annually and may also help lead APPD meetings and calls. They should become familiar with APPD’s finances, policies, and programs, and promote APPD’s mission in the community. A Board Member may spend one to several hours a week on APPD related responsibilities.

Personal characteristics desired of all Board Members are:

• Collaborates effectively with individuals and organizations.
• Acts selflessly and prioritizes APPD’s best interests.
• Adapts readily and demonstrates flexible thinking.
• Demonstrates creativity, duty, and practicality.
• Displays kindness and respect toward others.

Lastly, Board members are also encouraged to support APPD financially based on their ability.

Note regarding APPD Officers: President-Elect, President and Immediate Past President shall be current categorical program directors, or at the time of the APPD election shall have left their position as categorical program director within the last two years and have had at least five years’ experience as a categorical pediatric program director. The Secretary-Treasurer position is open to any member type. However, APPD policy states that four of the seven APPD Board members must be current categorical program directors or have been a categorical program director within two years of their election to the APPD Board.

The President (six-year term, 2026-2032) – to serve as President-Elect (2026-2028), President (2028-2030), and Immediate Past President (2030-2032). The President serves as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the APPD and its membership. Among many important duties, the President prepares the agenda for and presides at APPD Annual Meetings and all meetings of the Board of Directors monitors the organization’s progress toward setting and achieving goals related to the strategic plan and the APPD mission / vision / values and is responsible for managing evolving concerns and opportunities. The President is assisted by the other officers, Board of Directors and APPD management, and may seek aid, as needed, from other members and non- members, including persons specifically requested to provide liaison between the APPD and other organizations.

Competencies for the APPD President include the following:

• Ability and time.
• Knowledge and substantive experience in GME program leadership to lead APPD in making responsible, vision and mission-driven decisions.
• Strong interpersonal and group dynamic skills are essential to keep meetings running smoothly and to deal with any conflicts that may arise.
• Ability to listen, analyze, think strategically and creatively, and work well with people individually and in a group.
• Ability to consider multiple viewpoints about controversial issues and to communicate APPD's perspective effectively with members and stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare for, attend, participate, and lead board and committee meetings (including conference calls), ask questions, take responsibility, follow through on a given assignment, and evaluate oneself.
• Willingness to develop certain skills if one does not possess them, such as understanding financial statements and learning more about the substantive program areas of APPD.
• Honesty; sensitivity to and tolerance of differing views; a friendly, responsive, and patient approach; community-building skills; personal integrity; a developed sense of values; and concern for the APPD’s development.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Team-building skills.
• Previous involvement and demonstrated leadership within APPD.

One At-Large Member of the Board of Directors (three-year term, 2026-2029) – charged to contribute a broad perspective and diverse insights to the Board, and to be available to take on tasks as needed. This person should work well with others, be innovative, and able to commit to 3 in-person Board Meetings per year, monthly virtual meetings and regular email communication. At-Large Members are expected to fulfill the expectations and responsibilities of all APPD Board Members.