Rebecca AxsonAuthored by ’23-24 Immediate Past President Dr. Anthony DeClue, PharmD, MA, BCACP
Many students are quite thrilled to be inducted as collegiate members into PLS. Indeed, it is quite an accomplishment! As Cary Grant is famous for saying, “Probably no greater honor can come to any [person] than the respect of [one’s] colleagues.”
Inducted and energized collegiates are in large part the lifeblood of our Society and much of what the Society accomplishes is from and for these student members. Still, did you realize that PLS activities and involvement is not limited to collegiate participation? You may be surprised to know that there are multiple opportunities for continued commitment and action within Phi Lambda Sigma after one graduates:
TIME
With the exception of a select few employed roles, Phi Lambda Sigma and its thousands of members are predominantly run and managed through the efforts of volunteer servant-leaders. With no more exams to study for and no more take-home projects from your instructors, consider utilizing some of your newly acquired free time in the form of volunteering within Phi Lambda Sigma.
You may participate in various capacities in formal roles within our Society, as elected or appointed members of our Board of Directors (i.e. President-Elect, Parliamentarian, Treasurer, etc.) or as a Chair or active member of many different committee offerings (Awards, Bylaws, Chapter Development, DEI, International Affairs, Member Engagement, Programming, etc).
Additionally, you’ll want to be sure to attend PLS sponsored events, such as conference receptions, Leadership Summits, and Leader Academies, to name but a few, where you can network with and inspire other recognized leaders of Pharmacy. We are busy at work developing leaders within our profession and invite you to be a part of it all!
TALENT
While we appreciate all those who engage within the global leadership and activities of our Society, local collegiate chapters are challenged and charged with advancing the mission and goals of our Society within their communities. Remain involved with the chapter that inducted you and/or get involved with chapter(s) local to your new area of residence as a practicing professional.
Be a part of membership screening and application processes, guiding chapters in continued success of appropriate recognition and incorporation of pharmacy leaders within our ranks, students and practicing professionals alike! Attend local chapter offerings and support their endeavors with your expertise as a practicing professional yourself. You may assist in public health events, serve as a keynote speaker, or help as a formal mentor for those coming behind you within the profession.
TREASURE
Whether it is work, residencies, fellowships, family, or competing organizational involvement, there is no shortage of demand on our leader members’ time and talents. Consider supporting the mission and activities of the Society through financial contributions. You could sponsor a scholarship, student travel award, induction materials for a chapter, or donate open-handedly to the Society at large for service to our Strategic Plan. When you cannot join us in-person, we still value and appreciate the donations you make and the hard work and efforts they represent in your earning of such donated resources!
You
Overall, there are many opportunities for continued commitment and action. To our upcoming graduates, congratulations on your efforts so far. We sincerely hope to stay connected with you after graduation!
Interested in writing a PLS Pill? Reach out to Marketing Intern Haley McKeefer at haley@philambdasigma.org to submit!
