Early-Career Special Interest Group Director (ECSIG)

To support students and early-career professionals (0-5 years of practice) in their journey toward a fulfilling career in pelvic health physical therapy. The SIG aims to foster connections, facilitate engagement, and provide access to valuable resources and opportunities that prepare individuals for success in this specialized field.

1. Promote Engagement: Highlight relevant membership benefits, events, courses, and professional opportunities to foster participation.

2. Develop Educational Resources: Propose programming and resources tailored to the needs of students and early-career professionals.

3. Build Community: Facilitate information exchange and cultivate a strong sense of community within the SIG.

4. Drive Audience Engagement: Coordinate targeted activities and campaigns to enhance engagement with the ECSIG's audience.

5. Strengthen Connections: Actively connect with current and prospective student and early-professional members to encourage involvement.

6. Establish Task Forces: Form and appoint task forces as needed to support the SIG’s objectives and initiatives effectively

The group shall consist of four (4) Directors serving at any given time, with the goal of fostering leadership development and ensuring representation from both student and early-career perspectives. Directors must be either:

• Enrolled students in an entry-level PT or PTA program, or

• Licensed PTs or PTAs within their first five (5) years of clinical practice

At the time of election or appointment, student applicants must have at least 11 months remaining in their academic program. By the start of the term, early-career professionals must not have surpassed their fifth year of practice.

This flexible composition allows the Academy to elect a well-rounded mix of students and early-career professionals without prescribing a fixed number from each group, enabling more responsive and inclusive engagement based on applicant interest and leadership potential.

The group may establish task forces to support its initiatives

1. Report to the Board of Directors

2. Fulfill duties as charged by the Board of Directors

3. Propose any new initiatives to the Board Liaison for approval.

4. Propose a timeline for its charges to the Board (if one was not provided) 

5. Create task forces to carry out initiatives (contingent on Board approval)

6. Schedule meetings and committee work to execute charges

7. Submit a quarterly progress report to the Board of Directors

8. Submit a final report at the conclusion of each assigned charge to the Board of Directors

9. Adhere to all APTA and APHPT policies, procedures, expectations, and guidelines

• Each director serves a 2-year term. Directors may serve one (1) successive term (if re-elected). 
• 1-2 hours for monthly meetings
• Additional time as needed by the different initiatives hosted by the ECSIG

SIG directors shall demonstrate a willingness to commit volunteer time required.

1. 1. Be an SPT, PT, or PTA member in good standing at the close of nominations and must maintain membership throughout their term.

      1. If SPT: Must be a 1st or 2nd year SPT at the close of nominations

      2. If PT or PTA: Must be in their 0-3 years of practice at the close of nominations

Each director serves a 2-year term. Directors may serve one (1) successive term (if re-elected). 

Elections are held annually, with 2 directors elected each year to ensure continuity and balance:

Eligible members that can vote include:

• Student members

• Early-professional PT and PTA members who have graduated within the last 5 years preceding elections

Funding: No SIG director shall expend any money not provided in the Academy’s organization budget as adopted by the Academy Board or spend any money in excess of the budget allotment except by permission of the Academy Board of Directors. 

Onboarding: Orientation of the new Directors shall be done by the outgoing director(s), Board Liaison and Staff Liaison. 

Resignation: A SIG Director shall submit a Volunteer Resignation form and inform their Board Liaison. In the event of resignation prior to the end of the respective Director’s term, the Academy Board will appoint another member to serve the remainder of the term.

Internal Structure: At the start of each year, the ECSIG will convene to assign responsibilities aligned with the SIG’s objectives for the upcoming year. Below is a recommended rotation of roles to ensure equitable distribution of duties. The SIG is required to inform their Board Liaison of the finalized role assignments.

1. Director A:

   1. Prepare and distribute agendas for monthly meetings.

   2. Submit quarterly progress reports to the Academy.

   3. Provide key updates to the Board and Staff Liaisons.

   4. Draft and submit proposals and annual funding requests to the Academy.

2. Director B:

   1. Oversee and supervise SIG task forces.

   2. Report task force progress to the SIG leadership team.

   3. Act as the Liaison to other SIGs.

3. Director C:

   1. Assist in recruiting prospective SIG directors.

   2. Record and maintain meeting minutes for all SIG meetings.

   3. Organize and manage the SIG’s master file directory.

4. Director D:

   1. Respond to member inquiries about the SIG.

   2. Oversee the SIG’s marketing efforts, such as maintaining the SIG’s Instagram account, creating graphics, and drafting email communications.

   3. Moderate SIG webinars and serve as the primary contact for invited speakers.