Title: Gearing Up for Washington!

Author:

Section/SPIG: HIV/AIDS

Issue Date:

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The weeks remaining until the Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., are dwindling. The final program is set, plans are being finalized for Section activities and events, and my year as Chair is coming to a close. It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as the chair of the HIV/AIDS Section. It's been a great year and I think we've accomplished a lot. We assembled a great Section Leadership Group, had a very successful Mid-Year Meeting at APHA, and created some new partnerships within and outside of APHA. Each year, the size of our Leadership Group has grown, and I'm looking forward to a large turnout of members who are interested in stepping up to the plate to carry the torch forward.

I remember the first time I attended an HIV/AIDS SPIG meeting. We were in Washington, and I ventured forth to a business meeting to find out what was happening and to meet others involved in HIV/AIDS. It wasn't hard, folks. I simply showed up. When I left that meeting, I'd volunteered to assist with the program for the next year's Annual Meeting and, well, the rest is history. In these intervening years, we have achieved Section status (a feat not easily accomplished!), assembled impressive programs to offer at each Annual Meeting, placed members on APHA committees and task forces, and continue to experience growth and interest in the Section.

I look forward to turning the gavel over to the very capable Mike Case, but plan to stay very involved in Section activities. There are several committee chair positions that are available and a need for committee members. That is where you come in! If you want to serve on a committee, all you have to do is SHOW UP! It's that simple! We're a bunch of friendly, hard-working folks and we'll gladly welcome you as a partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS. You don't have to have a PhD or a fancy-sounding title to get involved (but we gladly welcome those of you who do!). Just bring your enthusiasm, your ideas, your commitment to this field, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and help. I'll be one of the first ones to shake your hand and thank you for stepping up. We're all in this together.

As I first said in Atlanta in 2001: In the fight against HIV, EVERYONE is a V.I.P.!

See you in Washington in November!