Trash? Nope. 5 reasons to Open Your ADCES Emails
Sep 18, 2024, 12:04 PM
By Lauren Plunkett, RDN, LD, CDCES, Member Affiliates Council
For some folks, the act of volunteering in any capacity, professional or otherwise, is a self-sacrifice worth the investment in time and energy. As a member of ADCES®, your level of engagement is a personal choice, and it would be of no surprise to your fellow members if your inbox is deserving of its own zip code. If you agree with this sentiment, promotional emails requesting you to rally for your state or community of interest are swiped left faster than a notification ping!
I know how this feels because I trashed all of those messages in my first few years of membership. At some point, the tides turned and here I am, writing this blog.
These days, I volunteer for the Member’s Affiliate Council, the Annual Conference Planning Committee, the Plant-Based Community of Interest and as an ADCES spokesperson.
I don’t blame you if you’re thinking, Hey Lauren, cool it. Why are you such an overachiever? Don’t you have a social life? What have you got to prove?
And the truth is, I don’t identify as an overachiever, I’ve never had much of a social life (I like my cats), and seeing as I’m about to reach my 31st year of living with Type 1 diabetes, I have a lot to prove. Mostly to myself. And part of me believes that having a greater awareness of ADCES activities could help me live a higher quality life.
Also, as a human-blender that is part “solo-preneur,” part health coach and fitness instructor, I crave like-minded professional relationships. I also recognize that being challenged in thought is incredibly important. Opposition is a good thing, and it inspires healthy debate.
Without a doubt, there is no better place to exert your voice than in the various groups at ADCES. Due to the diversity of professional backgrounds and communities, there is a place for a range of folks; from the vocal and opinionated to the newest educators who might be looking for a mentor.
If it wasn’t for my mentor, I may not have found my voice or figured out how to aim my words in the right direction. I’m grateful for every heavy box of handouts she made me carry and each awkward conversation at tabling events that I wasn’t experienced enough to have.
At any rate, there are specific reasons why I am encouraging you to open those emails, comment on posts you are interested in or get active within your state.
Here are five tips for maximizing your experience and engagement as a member of a professional organization like ADCES:
- Choose Your Level of Involvement: Your engagement level is a personal choice. Start small and gradually increase your participation based on your interests and time availability.
- Seek Like-Minded Professional Relationships: Join groups or committees that align with your professional goals and interests to build valuable connections with others who share your passions.
- Embrace Opposing Views: Don’t shy away from diverse perspectives. Healthy debates and challenges can lead to growth and innovation, so participate actively and consider different viewpoints.
- Find Your Niche Community: Identify the groups that resonate most with your skills, values or goals, whether it’s a specialized community or a broader interest area.
- Volunteer Strategically: Choose volunteer opportunities that align with your professional growth goals, whether it's participating in a council, planning committee or a community of interest.
Humans often seek to be creatures of comfort and routine to feel safe. Sometimes we need to be jolted out of our comfort zone to elevate our skillset. You are one of thousands of other diabetes professionals that could inspire a colleague to venture into new ideas. In a rapidly changing technological environment, innovative minds are more than welcome. Take the step to join in on a discussion today!