The USASP is looking to fill three seats on the board of directors, as well as the President-Elect. The USASP is committed to (1) transparency in the nomination and election process and (2) board membership that reflects the diversity of the membership of the USASP. Therefore, the USASP will accept nominees who meet the criteria for any of the seats described below.
DEADLINE November 3, 2025
Members will be asked to vote in early December
Board Member and Officer Responsibilities
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Attend the in-person board meeting at the Annual Scientific Meeting (2026 meeting in Philadelphia, board meeting will be held in the morning of March 23)
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Attend at least 2 virtual meetings (October/November and January/February)
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Participate in USASP committees (1-2) to provide feedback and updates to the board
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Participate in strategic planning
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Timely response to email discussions and responses to asks for voting, etc.
General Eligibility Criteria for Open Positions:
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An active member of the USASP in good standing (at least one year of membership)
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Recent experience serving on USASP committees or working groups or comparable experience in other organizations.
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An active member of the International Association for the Study of Pain
President-Elect:
Term: 4 years (1 year as President-Elect, two years as President, one year as Past President)
The President serves as the “face” of the USASP, works to ensure the health and continued growth of the Association, and advances the short and long-term goals established by the Board of Directors. The President will chair monthly meetings with the Executive Committee (composed of the President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and a Board representative) and semi-annual meetings with the Board of Directors. The President will work closely with USASP administrative staff to ensure that all aspects of the organization run as smoothly as possible.
Additional responsibilities include appointing the incoming Chair of the Scientific Program Committee (SPC) and working with the SPC chair to organize the annual scientific meeting, chairing the nominations committee, and chairing the committee on committees (when serving as President and then Past-President).
Once elected, the successful candidate will spend the first year as President-Elect, working closely with the President to learn about Association and Board processes and ongoing projects. In the second year, the President-Elect will become the President, working with the Immediate Past President. In the third year, the President will mentor the new President-Elect, and in the fourth year, will become the Immediate Past President.
Eligibility Criteria: Mid- to Senior-career individual (Assoc./Full or Senior Scientist/Director) with an established track record of leadership in local, national, and/or international organizations.
Board of Directors (three open positions)*:
Term: Three years
Directors on the Board provide advice to the President and guidance on issues brought to the USASP and support the Board’s decision-making process. Directors will serve concurrently on at least one other USASP Committee and/or Task Force as the liaison between the Committee/Task Force and the Board.
The below criteria for open seats are defined based on the required characteristics to balance the experience and expertise on the Board.
We want to find balance in our representation of members on the board, this call hopes to reflect this.
Seat 1: An early career representative whose primary designation** is Basic Research-Preclinical Animal or Basic Research-Preclinical Human
Early Career Representative, who shall have at least completed a terminal degree (e.g., MD, PhD, RN) but either still be in training (i.e., post-doctoral fellow) or be within five (5) years of having completed training at the time of election.
Seat 2: Mid- to Senior-career investigator (Assoc./Full or Senior Scientist/Director) is Clinical Care and/or Patient Advocacy
Seat 3: Mid- to Senior-career investigator (Assoc./Full or Senior Scientist/Director) is in Behavioral and Social Sciences or Population Health and Health Services
**Primary Designation is how an individual’s career classification is self-identified on their USASP membership profile.
Nominating Materials:
Please indicate in your application materials which seat/position you would like to be considered for (e.g., Director Seat #1, Director Seat #2, etc.).
The Nomination Committee will only consider a member for one seat/position on the ballot within an election year. The following materials will be required for a complete application:
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a Curriculum Vitae
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evidence that they meet the criteria listed above for a seat or position
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a one-page personal statement of why they would like to serve the USASP on the Board or as an Officer. Nominees are expected to include their experience and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
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a picture to accompany their personal statement on the election and ballot material
Nomination Process:
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Deadline for submissions: November 3, 2025
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Please submit materials using the Fourwaves submission portal
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The Nominations Committee will review submitted materials, and applicants that meet the criteria for the position sought will be included on the ballot.
At the USASP, we believe that diverse voices and approaches are required to address the substantial challenge and cost of reducing the burden of pain. We strive to entwine diverse perspectives into all aspects of our work, including our membership and leadership, our interactions with other professional organizations and the community, our educational activities and engagement with early career investigators, and our national role in advocating for improved pain relief. Therefore, the USASP will continue to support incorporating individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged/ underprivileged backgrounds to enhance our diversity, promote equity, and model an inclusive and accessible organization.
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