You will gain a broader view of our profession at the local, national, and global levels. You will meet other medical laboratory professionals in government, education, industry, research, and clinical practice. That network will enhance your professional and personal life. You will have an opportunity to develop leadership skills that you can then apply in your workplace. Working together you will help improve the medical laboratory profession by advocating for fair regulations, financial sustenance, and higher quality patient care in the clinical laboratory profession.

To volunteer for a national committee, see the instructions above. Or contact your state society to volunteer locally.

Each constituent/state society is organized a bit differently, but they all have numerous opportunities to become an active member. Each of these activities requires member contributions to organize and manage.

• Typical committees on which you can serve include membership, bylaws, finance, and government affairs.  
• Constituent state societies produce journals or newsletters to facilitate communications among their members. 
• Workshops and seminars are sponsored to provide continuing education. 
• State societies also sponsor their own annual meetings, usually held in late winter or spring of each year.  
• Members who meet the necessary eligibility requirements can serve on the state’s board of directors and hold elected office such as president, president-elect, secretary, or treasurer.  

Select your state to contact your constituent society and get more information.

ASCLS has several committees and forums doing work on behalf of ASCLS and the profession.

• Abstract and Proposal Review Committee
• Annual Meeting Steering Committee
• Ascending Professionals Forum
• Awards Committee
• Body of Knowledge Committee
• Bylaws Committee
• Choosing Wisely Committee
• CLEC Steering Committee
• Developing Professionals Forum
• DCLS Oversight Committee
• Diversity Advocacy Council
• Government Affairs Committee
• Judicial Committee
• Leadership Academy Committee
• Leadership Development Committee
• Marketing and Communications Committee
• Membership Committee
• Mentoring Committee
• Nominations Committee
• P.A.C.E.^® Committee 
• Patient Safety Committee
• Scientific Assembly
• Virtual Learning Steering Committee

All committees have Position Descriptions and Committee Charges for each Society year. Members can volunteer for appointment to a committee during the Call for Volunteers each year.

Members interested in participating on committees but who are not appointed can ask the committee chair to be accepted as an interested observer so they can learn about the work of the committee. Interested observers are invited to calls, included in the committee Connect Community, and may participate in the work of the committee.

Members can also volunteer to serve as editor of ASCLS Today or editor-in-chief of Clinical Laboratory Science journal, or can run for election to positions on the national Board of Directors.

Time commitments vary with each committee or project. National committees are tasked with goals each year and volunteers may meet monthly via online communication to meet these goals. The frequency of state committee meetings will vary from every two weeks to once a year. Meetings may be in person or online.

Individuals serving on committees should plan to devote an hour or two each month to reviewing materials and preparing for meetings, developing materials pertinent to committee projects, or communicating about committee work. 

Typical national committee appointments are for three years but can vary by committee and position. Reappointment for another term is often an option. Each year committees set their goals for what will be accomplished that year, but some projects may extend across years. Generally, the goals of a committee are broken down to smaller parts, and the commitment will be to complete these shorter parts.

Multiyear appointments to committees offer incoming individuals the opportunity to be acquainted with procedures before accepting leadership responsibilities. Ideally, the outgoing person will mentor and guide the incoming person on their duties and responsibilities. Societies have job descriptions and operating procedure documents available for most positions.

The Laboratory Legislative Symposium, a two-day meeting held in March, provides up-to-the-minute information on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the profession. Attendees also learn about the legislative process and how to present their views on Capitol Hill. On the second day the attendees visit their legislators' offices.

Members can also volunteer for the Government Affairs Committee at both national and state levels. Contact your state society for more information on state level government affairs activities.

ASCLS invites all members to join Scientific Assemblies for no additional expense.  The Scientific Assemblies offer members opportunities for scientific, professional, and personal growth.

Using our online member communities, the Scientific Assemblies provide active discussion lists for regular member communication. ASCLS members can participate in one or more of the following scientific assemblies:

• Chemistry/Urinalysis
• Education
• Generalist
• Hematology/Hemostasis
• Immunology/Immunohematology
• Informatics
• Laboratory Administration/Consultant/Quality/Accreditation/Industry
• Microbiology/Public Health
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Point of Care Testing
• Phlebotomy

Your state society may also have local educational activities in these specialties.

Visit the ASCLS Event Calendar for information on other events in your area. Or select your state to request information.

ASCLS has three major conferences each year: the Annual Meeting, the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC), and the Laboratory Legislative Symposium. These meetings are held live or virtually as needed. Live meetings and conferences offer continuing education with the added value of being able to see the speaker in person, to ask your questions, and to hear the questions and answers of other participants. The conference format also provides opportunities for networking with your professional colleagues from across the nation. Most state societies and some regions also sponsor annual meetings, usually in the late fall or spring. Visit the ASCLS Event Calendar for those dates.

The Annual Meeting is held each year in late June. It is held in conjunction with other professional associations and called the Joint Annual Meeting (JAM). The participation of other societies enlarges and enriches the educational offerings and opportunities for networking. 

The Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) is held in February each year. This conference is an important annual event for faculty, administrators, directors, advisors, and others in medical laboratory science education. 

The Laboratory Legislative Symposium, a two-day meeting held in March, provides up-to-the-minute information on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the profession. Attendees also learn about the legislative process and how to present their views on Capitol Hill. On the second day the attendees visit their legislators' offices to discuss the most urgent issues affecting laboratories.

Membership in ASCLS is required to serve on national committees and in leadership positions. State societies may require membership in ASCLS for certain leadership positions. Contact your state society for more information.  

Membership is not required to attend Medical Laboratory Professionals Week activities and educational meetings.

Visit Medical Laboratory Professionals Week or contact your state society.