Community Advisory Team Position Opportunities
Being part of a Society of Actuaries (SOA) Community Advisory Team is a great opportunity to share your ideas and be a leader in your field while making a difference with your peers. Individuals who are volunteering with the SOA for the first time are required to complete a Volunteer Agreement, which is required of all volunteers. The SOA Global Engagement Team provides webcast training for newly elected Community Advisory Team members. The SOA also provides the Community Best Practices Handbook as a reference for questions that arise regarding Community operations.
Roles within the Community Advisory Team
Chairperson: Elected by the Community Advisory Team, the Chair serves as the main contact to the broader SOA and sets Community objectives and priorities. They develop meeting agendas and preside over regular Community Advisory Team meetings and special meetings of their Community. The Chair monitors progress against the established goals of the Community, oversees performance management, screen and appoint Community Advisory Team openings, and seek support to carry out the purposes of the Community. The Chair attends the biannual SOA Council of Community Chairs meeting.
Vice Chairperson: Elected by the Community Advisory Team, the Vice-chair steps in to fill the Chair’s role when they’re unavailable or unable to fulfill their duties. During that time, the Vice-chair has all the same responsibilities and powers as the Chair. Additionally, the Vice-chair may take on any tasks assigned by the Chair or the team. They attend the biannual SOA Council of Community Chairs meeting and are typically elected as the next chairperson.
Secretary: Elected by the Community Advisory Team, the Secretary keeps track of the team’s decisions and assignments, takes and shares meeting notes and sends out any necessary notices as outlined in the Communities Bylaws. They find volunteer replacements in the case of absences. The Secretary and Budget Manager roles may be combined into a single role pending specific Community structure.
Budget Manager: Elected by the Community Advisory Team, the Budget Manager reviews financial statements prepared by SOA staff, presents financial reports to the Community Advisory Team, and collaborates with SOA staff to develop the annual Community budget. The Budget Manager and Secretary roles may be combined into a single role pending specific Community structure.
Research Manager: The elected leader who volunteers for this role represents the team on the Community Research Committee, sharing results of ideation around Community-specific research. They actively participate in committee activities and meetings and in the selection of research project ideas with a focus on the overall SOA strategy. They serve as a two-way communication liaison, keeping the Community Advisory Team informed by providing updates on relevant research developments and findings.
Content and Engagement Work Group Manager: The elected leader who volunteers for this role attends regular volunteer meetings and shares updates with the Community Advisory Team related to content production and engagement activities. They support the Content and Engagement Work Group in identifying and recruiting subject matter experts to assist with content production and requesting resources on behalf of the Content and Engagement Work Group to further their goals.
Professional Development Committee Liaison: The elected leader who volunteers for this role represents the Community Advisory Team on the Professional Development Committee attending their quarterly meetings. helping ensure high-quality programs that empower members. They collaborate with other volunteers to develop and deliver relevant educational content, ensuring access to valuable learning opportunities. They serve as a conduit of communication between the Community Advisory Team and Professional Development Committee and may be asked to provide planning support for the SOA’s major events, such as the annual Health Meeting, ValAct Meeting or ImpACT Conference.
Elected Member: The elected volunteer in this role, unless appointed to fill a vacancy, works with other Community volunteers to create an annual plan of activities for the Community. They actively participate in most Community Advisory Team calls and in-person meetings, and work to make sure Community resources are used responsibly and effectively.
Community Advisory Team Duties
- Attend and participate in monthly Community Advisory Team calls.
- Review the agenda and all background documents prior to the call.
- Time commitment: 60 to 90 minutes per month
- Attend and participate in virtual and/or in-person planning meetings.
- Time commitment: Length of virtual meetings vary. Community Advisory Teams that hold in-person meetings typically meet one day per year, but frequency and schedule vary.
- Participate in polls and/or votes in a timely manner.
- Time commitment: Negligible, requires only a few clicks to indicate calendar availability or vote on a specific topic.
- Volunteer for additional tasks and roles.
- Time commitment: Varies depending on the project or role.
- Actively participate in all Community Advisory Team discussions.