Volunteer Opportunities at SPR

Help advance prevention science through leadership, collaboration, committee service, training, communications, advocacy, and member engagement opportunities within the Society for Prevention Research.

Getting Involved with SPR

Talented volunteers are the lifeblood of every membership organization. The Society for Prevention Research offers a range of opportunities for members to contribute to advancing the Society’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities through committee service.

Annual committee work begins each fall, with volunteer recruitment beginning during the SPR Annual Meeting and continuing through the summer each year.

Most committee work is conducted through monthly Zoom meetings. Meeting schedules are developed annually and may vary by committee. In addition to meetings, committee participation often includes between-meeting email communications and opportunities to participate in projects and initiatives that support committee goals and objectives.

Committee chairs receive volunteer interest survey results and invite prospective volunteers to participate based on committee needs, available openings, and member interests.

SPR members of all career stages are encouraged to participate, including professionals, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

How Committee Service Works

Quick Navigation

Advocacy Committee

The Prevention Science Advocacy Committee works to further the identification and adoption of evidence-based prevention practices and methods. The committee advocates for the use of evidence-based prevention methods and collaborates with other committees and task forces relevant to training, publications, and special projects and activities of the Society.

The committee also collaborates with partner organizations to advocate for funding of science-based prevention research and the use of evidence-based prevention practices and methods at the local, state, and federal levels.

The committee typically meets monthly via Zoom. Committee participation includes monthly meetings, between-meeting email communications, time-sensitive action items, and optional project work.

Conference Program Planning Committee

The Conference Program Planning Committee develops the program for the SPR Annual Meeting. The committee develops the Call for Papers each summer, including thematic areas and conference priorities.

The committee also develops plenary programming and coordinates abstract review and selection processes through thematic review groups and volunteer reviewers.

Volunteer opportunities include abstract review participation and thematic review committee service during the conference planning cycle.

The committee typically begins work during the summer and meets monthly throughout the planning cycle.

Diversity Network Committee (DNC)

The Diversity Network Committee works to advocate, support, and promote diversity initiatives within SPR and encourages culturally relevant prevention research and interventions that address the needs of diverse populations.

The committee develops and oversees DNC programming and activities at the SPR Annual Meeting, including the annual DNC Reception, invited symposia, and special interest group programming.

The committee typically meets monthly via Zoom and includes opportunities for collaborative programming and project participation.

Early Career Preventionists Network (ECPN)

The Early Career Preventionists Network supports the scientific and professional development of emerging prevention scientists, serves as an entry point for involvement in SPR, and provides leadership development opportunities within the Society.

The ECPN Steering Committee oversees programming and activities, including the ECPN Lunch, invited symposia and training sessions, Student Poster Contest, Student Network Challenge, Buddy Match, Coffee Meet & Greet, and the SPR Cup in partnership with the Training Committee.

The committee also oversees awards and recognition activities, including the John B. Reid Early Career Preventionists Network Award and the Friend of ECPN Award.

The ECPN Steering Committee and subcommittees meet monthly or as needed throughout the year.

Fund Development Committee

The Fund Development Committee provides guidance and support in raising funds to advance the work and achieve the long-term strategic objectives of the Society. The committee meets on an as-needed basis.

International Committee (IC)

The International Committee works to support and expand SPR’s commitment to international prevention research and promote global health through collaboration among international researchers, students, practitioners, and policymakers.

The committee promotes communication and collaboration with international prevention-focused organizations and supports the sharing of innovations and activities occurring around the world.

The IC develops and oversees programming at the SPR Annual Meeting, including the International Networking Forum, invited symposia, and collaborative activities with other committees and task forces.

The committee also includes multiple working groups, including strategic planning, research collaboration, outreach, communications, and climate change initiatives.

Members participate in committee meetings, working groups, and collaborative projects throughout the year.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee develops plans and strategies to retain current members, recruit new members, and promote the value and benefits of SPR membership.

SPR is committed to fostering engagement among individuals from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences, and the committee actively works to build a welcoming and inclusive professional community.

Committee participation includes monthly Zoom meetings, between-meeting communications, outreach initiatives, and optional project participation.

Member Communications Committee

The Member Communications Committee works to enhance and modernize SPR communications with members, prevention researchers, policymakers, and the public.

The committee develops and implements communication strategies designed to provide members with timely information, disseminate member news, support prevention science outreach, and coordinate communications across SPR committees and initiatives.

The committee also evaluates communication metrics and supports website and content development projects.

Committee participation includes monthly meetings, email communications, and project-based work throughout the year.

Publications Committee

The Publications Committee oversees the operations of Prevention Science, SPR’s official journal, and supports editorial transition and publication policy recommendations when needed.

Committee participation includes periodic meetings, communications between meetings, and publication-related project support as needed.

Recognition and Honors Committee

The Recognition and Honors Committee identifies individuals deserving recognition for their contributions to prevention science.

The committee includes the Awards Committee and Fellows Committee, which recommend annual SPR award recipients and SPR Fellows to the SPR Board of Directors.

Committee work primarily occurs through email communications and Zoom meetings during the first and second quarters of the year.

Training Committee

The Training Committee assesses the training needs of the Society membership and develops professional development and training opportunities in prevention science for all career stages.

The committee develops and oversees annual meeting training programming, including pre-conference and post-conference workshops, and collaborates with ECPN on the SPR Cup initiative.

The committee also supports the development of graduate program resources and collaborates with other SPR committees to meet training and professional development needs across the Society.

Committee participation includes monthly meetings, communications between meetings, and optional project-based work throughout the year.

Interested in Volunteering?

Committee service is one of the best ways to connect with colleagues, develop leadership skills, contribute to prevention science, and become actively involved in SPR.

↑