Great Organization! How Do I Get Involved?

AED members often ask how they can become more involved with the organization. AED involvement is strongly encouraged and warmly welcomed in many ways:

• Participate in AED Conferences: Attending AED conferences is one of the easiest ways to get involved. AED conferences provide numerous opportunities for learning, networking and exchanging ideas. Submitting research studies or workshop ideas for presentation is a particularly good way to acquaint other members with you and your work.
  
  
• Donate to the Academy: AED Online Giving is a simple way for you to make a big difference. Your tax-deductible gift can be targeted to a specific AED program, or applied to the AED General Fund. Find out more, or make an online donation today. 
  
  
• Spread the Word! Advertise the ICED by using an AED slide in your next professional or public presentation. Email info@aedweb.org to request the 2013 ICED slide.
  
  
• Join a Committee or Task Force: Check out the AED Organizational Chart for a complete picture of what makes AED tick. Join a committee or task force, or run for a board of directors position, to make your voice heard among this active group of eating disorders professionals.
  
  
• Join Special Interest Groups (SIGs): Join a SIG and participate in SIG activities. SIGs provide opportunities for collaboration with other AED members who share your interests within the eating disorders field. If no current SIG reflects your interests, you could develop and chair a new SIG.
  
  
• Interact with Other Members Through the AED Email Listserv: Active participation in the AED listserv provides invaluable opportunities for interaction between AED members. Increasing your familiarity with colleagues can lead to collaborative relationships with other AED members and committees that will further enhance your career and your involvement in the organization.
  
  
• Volunteer for AED Tasks: Volunteering for various tasks at conferences, teaching days and as a member of the AED board or committees enables you to become familiar with the inner workings of the AED and its governance structure. For example, each year the Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee (MRRC) asks for volunteers to help staff the Membership booth at the AED annual meeting. Booth volunteers become acquainted with MRRC members, as well as new and long-time AED members, and could lead the way to serving on the AED Program Committee.

The AED headquarters office (Phone: +1-847-498-4274; E-mail: info@aedweb.org) and Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee are happy to work with members who are interested in taking AED brochures and conference materials to other professional meetings. We can send a package to you or have brochures sent to a meeting in which you are involved.

We look forward to your active participation in the Academy!