Sam Frederick volunteers with the ACA’s Professional Development Committee (PDC) and serves as the PDC Liaison on the Conference Planning Committee. Sam has been on the committee since April 2022. 

Q: What made you want to get involved as a volunteer with the ACA? 

A: I was involved with the ACA student chapter during my master’s program at the University of Toronto, which was my first introduction to the association. After graduating and settling in a new province, I was interested in further opportunities to network in the field and contribute through the ACA. 

Q: What interested you about the Professional Development Committee? 

A: I’ve appreciated the opportunities through the ACA to be a lifelong learner, and I wanted to see more of the behind the scenes in how these workshops are developed and contribute to expanding the offerings based on members’ needs and interests. 

Q: What has been the most interesting or rewarding aspect of volunteering on the Professional Development Committee? 

A: It’s been really interesting to follow the current interests and trends in the field and see how they influence the workshops that are offered and that people request. There have been some common themes throughout the time I’ve been involved with the PDC but some newer topics coming up in recent years. 

Q: How has volunteering with the ACA helped you build connections or community? 

A: I've met a lot of people through volunteering with the ACA, not only those I’ve worked directly with on committees but also presenters and facilitators from the workshops and conferences I’ve been involved with. It’s been a great way to learn from what others in the field are doing across the country and find unexpected opportunities for collaboration. 

Q: Which areas of PDC are you excited to contribute to in the future?  

A: We have some fun plans for a celebration of the ACA’s 50th that I’m excited to see come to fruition. It’s also been great to get feedback from folks about the kinds of training and workshops they’re interested in and to seek out new and returning facilitators for those skillsets. 

Q: What do you wish more people realized about the Professional Development Committee, or about volunteering for the ACA more broadly? 

A: You don’t need to be settled or established in your career or to have loads of experience to serve on a committee. All perspectives are valuable, especially with the PDC where we want to offer learning opportunities that people from all stages in their studies or careers would benefit from, and what better way than having those perspectives directly on the committee. I would love to see more early and emerging professionals involved in the ACA! 

* Image credit: Sam Frederick