• Conduct leadership development and prepare members to serve in volunteer leadership positions within AGA.
• Strive for diversity at all levels within the association, including governance, committee structure, staffing and program development. Diversity is an inclusive concept that encompasses race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation and disability.
The planning process
In revising the plan, AGA leadership decided to focus in some interesting and innovative ways. Before Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2014, Anil Rustgi (immediate past president) and I appointed 4 task forces each composed of scientists, academic clinicians, community practitioners, and AGA staff. The task forces were assigned to consider 1 of 3 topics, reflected in the triangular figure of our plan (Figure 1): research and innovation, practice and quality, and education and training. We also assigned AGA leadership and staff to focus on additional AGA areas including advocacy, publications, communications and organizational vitality.
The task forces identified key goals and strategies at meetings during DDW and subsequent teleconferences. Input from more than 75 members and staff helped shape the initial plan. In July 2014, the AGA Governing Board met for a 3-day retreat during which ideas were distilled into the plan we have today.
Reference
1. Mycoskie B. Start something that matters. New York, NY: Spiegel and Grau, 2011.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this plan and those who will use it and improve upon it in the future. We all look forward to a bright future for gastroenterology. This article appeared previously in Gastroenterology (2015;148:1053–4). The author discloses no conflicts.
