Note from the Associate Editorial Director: Connect and collaborate with CDI leadership peers

by Linnea Archibald

Often, those in CDI leadership positions are promoted because of their skill and expertise as a CDI professional in a lower position within their department. The day-to-day work of a CDI specialist, however, doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the challenges posed by leadership roles. As a result, a leader may feel isolated and a bit lost, even after years of experience as they tackle leading their team through the ever-changing world of CDI.

That’s why ACDIS launched the CDI Leadership Council in late 2019. The Council exists to connect forward-thinking CDI supervisors, managers, and directors through personalized insight-sharing and networking experiences that forge valuable relationships, advance strategic priorities, and illuminate industry trends. The applications for the 2022/2023 term are now open through August 31, and we encourage all eligible leaders to apply.

Practically speaking, Council members routinely help each other problem-solve on our dedicated Council Forum thread, share their experiences in the monthly Council eNewsletter, the CDI Leadership Insider, participate in Council-led panel discussions on survey data or present case studies from their organization on bimonthly webinars (for which they also earn ACDIS CEUs), and network over email.

Council members must meet a few participation and eligibility requirements, but there are no membership fees and you do not need to be an ACDIS member to join the Council’s ranks. Council members have access to the following benefits:

• Research insights: Throughout the year, members have the opportunity to take up to eight succinct sponsor and editor-designed surveys on topics essential to their work and receive early access to research findings. Members must participate in at least 75% of offered surveys to maintain their council standing and benefit access.
• Virtual network building: With an exclusive online community and bimonthly members-only calls, plus small-group professional networking, council members will have ongoing access to fellow CDI leaders who share their enthusiasm for peer-to-peer exchange and bring a fresh perspective to business challenges and opportunities.
• Custom experiences: Council members may receive exclusive invitations to opportunities tailored to their areas of interest and expertise, such as the annual CDI Leadership Exchange. This intimate event brings together up to 40 industry leaders for roundtable-style idea sharing, problem solving, and networking.

We encourage all eligible CDI leaders to apply with our simple form. Before throwing your hat in the ring, please review the complete ACDIS Leadership Council application details on the ACDIS website to ensure you meet experience and participation requirements.

Applications close August 31 and applicants will be notified of membership appointments in early September. Our meetings will begin October 14 and proceed on an every-other-month basis through August 2022. Meetings always take place on the second Friday of the month at 2-3 p.m. eastern. I hope you’ll consider applying by clicking here.

And as always, feel free to reach out if you have questions.

Editor’s note: Archibald is the associate editorial director of publications and membership for ACDIS. Contact her at larchibald@acdis.org.