Thank Heavens for Volunteers

In my last blog, I talked about my decision to retire from active registration and certification in the ARRT and NMTCB. As I mentioned, this was not without a lot of thought on my part. For one, it's hard to mark time to take the CME tests in the JNMT or to go to local meetings to get the CMEs since I don't get any credit for the lectures I cover as a member of the press.

For many technologists, attending local or national SNM meetings is a very helpful way of getting the majority of the required CME credits.

When you are attending these conferences, however, do you consider all the effort and time that the organizers have put into creating and organizing this educational opportunity?  Have you ever thought about helping your local or national societies by joining a committee, helping organize a meeting or even volunteering to lecture on a topic at a local meeting?

Organizations such as the SNMTS cannot operate without the voluntary participation of members. As you attend educational sessions this year, be grateful for the time that volunteers devoted to bring you these educational efforts and think about contacting your local society to see how you might help out with the next one.

Meanwhile, SMNTS is looking to honor those technologists who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the field of nuclear medicine technology by awarding the outstanding technologist award at the upcoming annual SNM meeting in New Orleans. They are also looking for nominations for the outstanding technologist educator award, which honors those who have made significant contributions in education and in promoting nuclear medicine technology.

If you know of an outstanding technologist or educator who you want to thank for all their work, visit the SNM website before Feb. 15 to nominate them for this honor. Meanwhile, think about what you can do to help your fellow technologists by volunteering to help the society on a local or national level.