DermWorld Academy Insider: Why you should apply to be Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
June 5, 2023
The American Academy of Dermatology is currently accepting applications for the role of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer. In this role, you can help shape the future of the Academy and ensure that your impact is felt for the next several years. You can find information about the position or submit an application at the AAD website.
In this exclusive DermWorld Academy Insider interview, Daniel D. Bennett, MD, FAAD, who is the Academy’s current Secretary Treasurer after spending three years in the role of Assistant, shares his insight on the position, what it means to him, and why he believes members should apply.
DermWorld: What inspired you to originally apply for the role of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer?
Dr. Bennett: Over several years before I applied, I’d had escalating involvement in the Academy’s governance structure, and through that, I had been able to see some of the work done by the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and the Secretary Treasurer within the organization. I had also become aware of a number of significant leaders in our specialty who had previously served in the role, and I simply aspired to do the kind of work I had seen them do in leading the organization.
DermWorld: What were some of the most fulfilling aspects of the position for you?
Dr. Bennett: I can think of three. The first is the opportunity to work closely with fantastic member leaders on the board and other member leaders involved in the Academy, mostly within the council, committee, and task force (CCTF) structure.
The second is similar, the opportunity to work closely with our incredible professional staff.
And finally, putting those together, the opportunity to expand upon or develop new skills and learn from all of these incredible people that I get to work so closely with. It’s an opportunity to learn not just about the Academy, but more broadly about the operations of non-profit member organizations, about board management, and about stakeholders and the health care space in general.
DermWorld: In what ways has the position given you the ability to shape the Academy’s future?
Dr. Bennett: There are two things I want to make clear about this role. First, these roles have important budgetary oversight but are not limited to that. The Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and Secretary Treasurer also have significant operational responsibility, and the Secretary Treasurer is a key leader of the Academy in partnership with the President and CEO.
It’s also important to stress the fact that the person selected to be the next Assistant Secretary-Treasurer will serve in that role for three years, with responsibilities escalating month by month, until ultimately, they serve for an additional three years as Secretary Treasurer.
Serving in this position gives you the opportunity to serve for six years as an officer of the organization, with three of those as the primary inward-facing budgetary and operational leader of the organization. In that capacity, the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and the Secretary Treasurer are given incredible opportunity to help develop the Board’s vision of where we’re going to go and to make sure that the Board’s vision is reflected in our budget and operations. We help ensure that the Board’s vision is manifested in everything that we do so that we deliver high member value today while also challenging the status quo so that we continue to serve members into the future.
It is a long haul, but it’s never boring. The role comes with continually escalating leadership, responsibilities, and opportunities, especially over the first three years while in the role of Assistant Secretary-Treasurer before transitioning to Secretary Treasurer.
DermWorld: What qualities in a person do you believe make for the most effective Assistant Secretary-Treasurer?
Dr. Bennett: I don’t want to box people in too much, but I do believe that there are certain things that you really do need in order to thrive in this role. Ultimately, we need someone who has a strong commitment to the profession and specialty, and specifically to the Academy. It needs to be someone with a broad knowledge of dermatology and a strong track record of work within the Academy. I think it needs to be someone who has some experience with budgets and operations and non-profit board leadership, but I want people to keep in mind that we have extremely talented budgetary and operational staff. The Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and Secretary Treasurer are not the organization’s accountants. We work closely with finance and operations staff and the CEO. It’s not necessary to have an accounting background!
Importantly, the Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and Secretary Treasurer need to be able to set aside personal agendas so that they can focus on the priorities and objectives set by the Board. In that context, these individuals must be good listeners, critical thinkers, collaborative, and focused on serving our members through serving the Board.
DermWorld: Why do you think other members should apply for this position?
Dr. Bennett: I think people should apply if they’re interested in having the opportunity to help lead and represent the largest dermatology member organization in the world, and the only member organization that represents almost all American dermatologists. Simply being able to do that is a real privilege. In addition, it’s an incredible opportunity to work with and learn from incredibly talented professional staff and highly engaged member leaders from all over the United States and the world.
