Membership

Get Involved with AGA

Your support can help us achieve our vision: a world free from digestive diseases.

There are many ways you can get involved with AGA. By serving in a volunteer leadership role you can make a real difference for patients by advocating for their needs, all while advancing the GI field and making lifelong friends. 

AGA diversity statement

AGA welcomes volunteers who bring diversity across all dimensions, including (but not limited to) gender, race and ethnicity, geography, sexual identity, practice setting, diverse perspectives and institution type, who are committed to supporting AGA’s diversity policy and advancing AGA’s commitment to the Equity Project.

See what positions are currently open for applications by visiting the Get Involved board on the AGA Community (members-only). In addition to what is listed below, we post short-term opportunities to Get Involved — such as speaking at an event or participating in a focus group — as well as opportunities that arise to serve on subcommittees, task forces or as an AGA representation for various initiatives.

Get Involved

Current opportunities

Volunteer positions

Help shape future AGA strategic initiatives by serving in a multi-year leadership role.

AGA Institute Chairs and Vice Chairs

AGA maintains a council to address the diverse needs and specialties of its members. The AGA Institute Council is comprised of elected representatives from 13 special interest groups — called sections — within AGA membership. Each section is led by a chair and vice chair who serve two-year terms in each position. Nominations for vice chair and nominating committee members are held within six to seven sections each year. Nominations are due by Nov. 1 and elections are held the upcoming spring.

AGA Institute Council Section Nominating Committees

The winners of the election for Nominating Committee meet by teleconference to finalize the ballot of the nominated candidates for vice chair and for the nominating committee in the following section election. It is chaired by the immediate past chair of the section.

AGA Abstract Review for DDW

Each year the AGA Council invites members and nonmembers to review the submitted science and help the council identify the science that should be presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) as either oral or poster presentations, as well as which submissions are not appropriate for presentations either due to quality or previous publication/presentation. You can express your interest via this survey or email AGACouncil@gastro.org and list your area of expertise. Invitations for reviewers goes out in August and the review happens in early December.

Poster Visitors at DDW

This initiative, which started in 2018, asks AGA leaders to engage with poster presenters and encourages continued, active participation in the meeting, as well as with AGA membership. Those interested can fill out this survey. This event only takes place at DDW; those interested must attend the meeting.

Each year, we select approximately 80 new members to join approximately 20 committees and center advisory boards. Nominations from other members are accepted but not required — self-nomination is very common. Committee membership terms are two years, with a potential third-year renewal. Applications are due by Nov. 1 each year for terms beginning on June 1.

The AGA Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting members to serve on the governing board and the following year’s committee. Two committee positions are designated for early-career members, defined as members in practice or research who are less than 10 years out of fellowship. Another eight members are selected for an election slate. Four of the eight are then elected by AGA membership to serve the following year. Nominations are open from Aug. 1 to Oct. 1 each year. Terms are for one year only.

Each year, depending on the year, a vice president and two or three councillors are selected to serve on the governing board. Every five years, a secretary-treasurer elect is also selected. There are currently 13 positions on the AGA Institute Governing Board. These positions are eligible for self-nomination. Nominations are open from Aug. 1 to Oct. 1 each year. Learn more about attributes that will help you be successful as a volunteer leader. Most terms are three years.

AGA’s Congressional Advocate Program creates a national grassroots network of engaged gastroenterologists interested in advocating for our profession and patients. Congressional Advocates are mentored and receive advocacy training by AGA leadership and staff. New members are accepted on a rolling basis — sign up to become a Congressional Advocate.

Micro-volunteerism

For  GIs looking to get involved, we offer short-term opportunities that will fit into your busy schedule.

AGA Career Compass is the app helping fellows in training and postdoctoral fellows navigate through each career stage with resources and mentorship. Join other experienced and emerging leaders keen to share their expertise and guide the future of the field. Download the app to become a mentor in Connections Corner, which matches early career members with more experienced colleagues based on shared interests, experiences and needs. Learn more.
The AGA Young Delegates are a group of engaged early career GI professionals representing AGA on a variety of short-term initiatives. We keep Young Delegates apprised of new volunteer opportunities that require less time, or are “smaller asks” for participants, who already lead busy lives but want to engage with AGA. This program accepts new participants year-round — sign up to become a Young Delegate.

Leadership development

AGA has several programs designed to prepare you for future leadership roles, within AGA and the field.

The Future Leaders Program provides a pathway within the organization for selected participants to network, connect with mentors, develop leadership skills, and learn about AGA’s governance and operations while advancing their careers and supporting the profession. We accept applications every other year for this 15-month program. The next call for applications will be fall 2021.
Funded by NIH, the AGA FORWARD Program supports underrepresented minority physician scientists. The FORWARD Program allows participants to develop their leadership skills, strengthen their research and management skills with mentorship from top GI investigators, and network with underrepresented minority leaders who are shaping the future of academic medicine. We will be issuing our new call for applications in fall 2021 for the 2022-2023 program.
Since 2014, the Women’s Leadership Conference has brought together women from varying work settings to develop and leverage the skills of both early career and accomplished women in GI. This exclusive event for the women of AGA is an empowering experience that will help you grow professionally, personally and maximize your impact in the field along the way. Registration for the next conference opens in 2022 and will be posted on AGA University.
This is a one-year program preparing early career GIs for future leadership positions in scientific publishing. Editorial fellowships are offered at AGA’s journals Gastroenterology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CGH), Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (CMGH) and Techniques and Innovations in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (TIGE). Up to two members are selected per journal per year. Applications are due in March each year.