Volunteer with AAAL
Are you interested in fostering and participating in meaningful connections with applied linguists? AAAL has just the place for you!
The American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) offers a plethora of opportunities to become involved with the association. We welcome, value and need the participation of all members, including international and emeritus members of our association. Volunteers serve as Committee Members, Strand Coordinators, Strand Reviewers, and Task Force Members (working on project-based tasks as needs arise). This wonderful opportunity provides you, as a AAAL member, to connect (or reconnect) with peers while giving back and contributing to the success of the association and field.
Committee members are often appointed by the Second VP prior to the AAAL Membership Assembly or nominated by the AAAL Nominating Committee and elected by the AAAL Membership. To express interest in serving, please review the information below and complete the short form at the end of the document.
Volunteer opportunities exist in the following areas:
- Book Award Committee (Three-Year Term): The purpose of the Book/First Book Award Committee is to acknowledge a book or first book (in alternating years) that makes an exceptional contribution to a specific area of specialization or to the field as a whole. Members are typically established scholars with multiple, high-impact publications.
- Research Article Award Committee (Three-Year Term): The purpose of the Research Article Award Committee is to acknowledge a paper with broad significance and impact on the field of applied linguistics. Members are typically established scholars with multiple, high-impact publications.
- Distinguished Public Service Award Committee (Three-Year Term): The purpose of the Distinguished Public Service Award Committee is to acknowledge work by (a) non-AAAL member(s) that raises public awareness of important social issues involving language through the AAAL Award for Distinguished Public Service. Members are typically established scholars in the field with a demonstrated commitment to public service.
- Distinguished Scholarship and Service Award Committee (One-Year Term Serving March to March): The Distinguished Scholarship and Service (DSS) Award committee is responsible for identifying recipients of the DSS award, which is normally given at the annual conference. The purpose of the Distinguished Scholarship and Service Award is to recognize and honor a distinguished scholar for her/his scholarship and her/his service to the profession in general and to the American Association for Applied Linguistics in particular. Members are typically established scholars in the field who have served as long-time AAAL members.
- Graduate Student Council (One-Year Term Serving March to March): Specific duties of the GSC shall include but not be limited to: planning and execution of graduate student events at the annual conference, surveying the needs of graduate students, developing professional development services outside of the annual conference and encouraging engagement of graduate students within the organization. Members are graduate students in who are active scholars in the field.
- Graduate Student Award Committee (One-Year Term Serving March to March): The purpose of the Graduate Student Award Committee is to support attendance by student members of AAAL of the annual conference.
- Member at Large (Three-Year Term): Members-at-Large represent the perspective of members at Executive Committee meetings. Members-at-Large is asked by the President to take on special duties/projects during their term, including but not limited to participating in Standing Committees, chairing an ad hoc committee, overseeing a AAAL initiative, or serving as the AAAL liaison with relevant external associations/institutions. Typically established scholars and active in the field of applied linguistics.
- Nominating Committee (One-Year Term Serving July to July): The Nominating Committee prepares the slate AAAL Leadership Election for the following positions: One nominee each for the positions of Second Vice President, Member-at-Large, and FFAL Trustee; Eight nominees for the Nominating Committee; As needed, two nominees per open position on the Dissertation Award Committee; Book/Best First Book Award Committee; Research Article Award Committee; and Outreach Award Committee; as needed, one nominee for Secretary or Treasurer. Members are typically established scholars in the field who have served as long-time AAAL members.
- Public Affairs and Engagement Committee (Three-Year Term): The Public Affairs and Engagement Committee is an important means by which AAAL members can bring their collective expertise to bear on issues of social importance and inform public debate by speaking to issues of social and professional importance. Members are scholars who are interested in public engagement.
- Resolutions Committee (One-Year Term Serving March to March): The resolution process is an important means by which AAAL members can make their voices heard on issues internal to AAAL’s governance and operations. The Resolutions Committee is charged with the responsibility for processing all resolutions proposed by the membership before they are acted upon by the general business meeting of AAAL, including those calling for amendment to the Bylaws as outlined in Article XII: Amendments. The Resolutions Committee may also originate courtesy resolutions. Members are active AAAL members.
- Committee for Online Education and Outreach: The Committee for Online Education and Outreach is an important means by which AAAL can provide opportunities for learning and engagement that is not tied to an in-person context.