How to volunteer: Roles & vacancies
Roles & vacancies
The OPTN needs knowledgeable and engaged people to fill committees and Board of Directors roles. Volunteers who serve on OPTN committees make crucial decisions that shape the national transplant network's ability to serve transplant patients, living donors, family members of deceased donors, and professionals involved in organ donation and transplantation. The term of service begins on July 1st of each year.
Committee job descriptions
- Serve three year term (Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC) members serve two year terms)
- Travel to and provide committee updates at two regional meetings annually (travel costs to regional meetings are not reimbursed by the OPTN)
- Provide input and perspectives from the OPTN geographic region to the committee
- Attend monthly committee meetings and teleconferences to participate in the development, prioritization, and implementation of committee projects
- Commit to working with a diverse group of individuals
- Serve three year term (Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC) members serve two year terms)
- Attend monthly committee meetings and teleconferences to participate in the development, prioritization, and implementation of committee projects
- Commit to working with a diverse group of individuals
- Committee Vice Chairs serve a two year term before advancing to Committee Chair role (OPTN Patient Affairs, Ethics, and Transplant Administrator Committee Vice Chairs serve three year terms)
- Serve concurrently as a member on the OPTN Policy Oversight Committee
- Travel to two in-person meetings annually
- Participate in monthly teleconference calls
- Participate in regular leadership calls with Committee Chair, Immediate Past Chair, and UNOS staff
- Assist the Chair in leadership and oversight of the Committee and fill in for the Chair as needed
- Participate in workgroups as needed
- Assist the Chair in leadership and oversight of the Committee and fill in for the Chair as needed
- Assist the Chair with meeting preparation
- Review meeting summaries, proposals, and other reference documents
- Present committee projects and public comment proposals to OPTN committees and other stakeholders
- Serve two year term (OPTN Patient Affairs, Ethics, and Transplant Administrator Committee Chairs serve three year terms)
- Serve one year on the committee as Immediate Past Chair following Chair term
- Lead monthly teleconference calls
- Participate in regular leadership calls with Committee Vice Chair, Immediate Past Chair, and UNOS staff
- Travel to and facilitate two in-person meetings (expenses reimbursed)
- Oversee committee work groups
- Present committee projects and public comment proposals to OPTN Board, committees and other stakeholders
- Travel to two in-person Board meetings annually
- Attend meetings with Board leadership and Committee Chairs, as necessary
- Serve two year term
- Participate in bylaw revision projects
- Participate in member-specific reviews
- Travel to three multiple day in-person meetings annually
- Participate in six to eight conference calls annually
- Participate in subcommittee calls as needed
- Review approximately 65 cases annually
Board of Directors job descriptions
- Associate Regional Councillors/Councillors-Elect serve a two year term before advancing to the Regional Councillor role
- As Associate Councillor/Councillor-Elect, serve a concurrent two year term on the Membership and Professional Standards Committee
- As Councillor, serve a concurrent two year term on the OPTN Board of Directors
- Lead two regional meetings annually
- Travel to two in-person Board meetings annually
- Lead regional nominating committee meetings
- Present on Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC) activities at regional meetings
- Associate Councillors serve as an alternate to the Regional Councillor when needed
Learn more about Board of Directors member descriptions
For more information about OPTN Regions, visit https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/about/regions/
- Serve two year term (Patient and Donor Affairs, society, and general public representatives serve three year terms)
- Travel to two in-person Board meetings annually (expenses reimbursed)
Learn more about Board of Directors member descriptions
Board officers are selected by an annual national membership election.
- President (serves as Chair of the Executive Committee)
- Vice President/President-Elect (serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee)
- Vice President of Patient and Donor Affairs
- Treasurer (Serves as Chair of Finance)
- Secretary
Learn more about Board of Directors member descriptions
The OPTN President is selected via national election of OPTN membership. The position requires a three year commitment to Board leadership, including:
- One year service as Vice President/President-Elect, with concurrent service as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC)
- One year service as President
- One year service as Immediate Past President
- Serve concurrently on the Board’s Executive and Nominating Committees
- Travel to at least three in-person Board Committee meetings annually
- Travel to approximately 8 regional meetings annually
- Perform an annual performance evaluation of the Executive Director
- Appoint incoming OPTN committee members
- Participate in weekly hour long calls with the Executive Director
- Participate in monthly hour long calls with Board or Board subcommittee
- Respond to important issues affecting the national transplant system
Learn more about Board of Directors member descriptions
Questions about volunteer service? Contact unethelpdesk@unos.org.