HOD Volunteer Opportunities

There are several ways to be involved in the HOD with or without being a delegate. You can review the descriptions for these opportunities below.

Reference Committees (Chair and Member positions available)

Reference Committees listen to deliberations during the HOD meeting and analyze resolutions to determine the will of the body. Serving as a Chair, Member, or Secretary is a great way to contribute to the decision-making process, collaborate with peers, and gain valuable governance experience. These roles offer a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the profession.

Charges:

• Attend the HOD meeting in New Orleans, LA from May 15-17, 2026.
• The number of required committees is determined by the volume and content of resolutions submitted. Each Reference Committee has responsibilities both prior to the annual HOD meeting and onsite during the meeting:
  • Prior to the meeting:
    • Review all resolutions assigned to your committee.
    • Contact resolution sponsors for additional information as requested by the chair. Report this information back to your committee.
    • Chairs and Members attend a virtual committee orientation.
  • During the meeting:
    • All Reference Committee members are seated on stage during their respective hearing and then again on the final day of the HOD to present their committee’s report back to the HOD.
    • Carefully listen to ALL testimony, take notes which will assist you during deliberations, and any other duties assigned by the chair.
    • After the hearing concludes, the reference committee will meet privately to deliberate and develop a recommendation to the HOD for each resolution based upon what the committee feels is the will of the House.
    • On the third and final day of the HOD, chairs and members join your committee on stage to present your report to the delegates.

Time Commitment:

• 2-6 hours leading up to the HOD meeting (resolution review, orientation)
• 2-3 hours for each committee’s hearing
• 2-6 hours in developing the report of recommendations

Experience:

• Committee chairs MUST be credentialed delegates. Members can be delegates but are not required to be. Previous HOD experience is recommended but not required.
• Students are encouraged to apply for a committee member position. There will be one student member position for each committee.

Application Deadline: Closed

Credentialing Committee Member

Credentialing Committee Members are essential to the success of the House of Delegates (HOD) meeting. This team ensures delegates are properly credentialed, conflict of interest disclosures are complete, and all materials are distributed efficiently. This role is perfect for detail-oriented individuals who enjoy organization and supporting governance processes.

Charges:

• Attend the HOD meeting in New Orleans, LA (May 15-17, 2026). Active Committee involvement May 14-15, 2026.
• Ensure delegation compliance, credentialing (checking in) delegates for the HOD meeting, ensuring completion of conflict of interest disclosures, passing out delegate ribbons and other materials as needed, and answering questions (meeting schedule, room locations, etc.).

Time Commitment:

• 1 hour for a Zoom call to review COI disclosures in early May
• 5 hours (3:00-7:00 pm) the evening before the HOD meeting opens
• 8-10 hours on the first day of the HOD meeting

Experience:

• Previous HOD experience is suggested but not required.

Application Deadline: Closed

HOD Elections Committee Member

The Elections Committee plays a key role in the process of the House of Delegates (HOD). Serving on this committee is an excellent opportunity to contribute to fair and transparent elections while gaining insight into leadership selection.

Charges:

• Attend the HOD meeting in New Orleans, LA from May 15-17, 2026.
• The House Elections Committee will collaborate with AAPA’s Governance Committee in determining the questions to be asked during the “Meet the Candidates” forum conducted during the HOD meeting. The committee will consist of three members: one member from the Governance Committee, one member from the House, and the chair of the Tellers Committee.
• The House Elections Committee will be responsible for implementing all elections in the House.

Time Commitment:

• 1-2 calls prior to the HOD

Experience:

• The Elections Committee’s “one member from the House” MUST be a credentialed delegate.

Application Deadline: Closed

HOD Teller

Tellers play a critical role in maintaining the security and integrity of the House of Delegates (HOD) voting process. Serving as a teller is an excellent opportunity to observe the inner workings of the HOD, learn governance processes, and contribute to fair and orderly proceedings.

Charges:

• Attend the HOD meeting in New Orleans, LA from May 15-17, 2026 (and Teller’s Orientation on May 14, 2026, whenever possible).
• Maintain security on the HOD floor.
• Ensure the integrity of the voting and balloting processes for the HOD.
• Assist delegates and House Officers in the performance of their duties.
• Collect delegate passes when not in session.
• Distribute materials as needed to the delegates.

Time Commitment:

• 1 hour the evening before the HOD meeting for the teller’s orientation.
• 1 hour the first morning of the HOD meeting prior to the meeting beginning to assist with preparation.
• The greatest number of tellers is needed during the General Sessions (which are closed sessions) on the morning of day one and the morning and possibly afternoon of the third and final day of the HOD. There is less work for tellers to do during the Reference Committee hearings (afternoon of day one and all of day two), but this is the best time to see and hear the bulk of the activities of the HOD.  This is also the best time to ask questions and learn the process.
• The time requirements for the tellers will depend on their personal schedules and the number of available tellers. Please tell the Tellers Committee Chair about any scheduling conflicts.

Experience:

• No previous HOD experience is necessary. Students are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: Closed

HOD Mentor