By Laura Palmer
Have you ever wondered how to start volunteering with CAHL? Volunteering with the California Association of Healthcare Leaders (CAHL) offers a unique opportunity to give back to your community as well as develop professionally. With over 15 committees, CAHL is committed to serving our members and communities.
A Gateway to Professional Growth
Volunteering with CAHL is more than just professional development- it’s about giving back. CAHL has a variety of volunteer opportunities that help to support healthcare executives in advancing the field of healthcare management. By engaging with CAHL, you contribute to meaningful initiatives that help shape the future of healthcare while gaining valuable experiences that benefit your professional development.
CAHL’s mission aligns closely with the goals of ACHE, which focuses on providing tools, resources, and services to help members succeed in their careers and get to know and be involved in the communities we serve. Whether your interests lie in leadership, program development, mentoring, or helping others, CAHL will help you succeed.
Benefits of Volunteering with CAHL
- Professional Networking: Volunteering allows you to connect with others who share your values, it helps to foster new relationships and opens doors to new opportunities.
- Skill Development: CAHL provides opportunities to develop new competencies and skills essential for success in healthcare management.
- Recognition & ACHE Service Credits: ACHE members earn service credits for their volunteer efforts, contributing toward recertification and recognition milestones, which can be valuable for career advancement.
- Make a lasting Impact: Have a positive ripple effect in your community and help elevate healthcare.
How Volunteering Works with CAHL
CAHL offers flexible ways to get involved, depending on your availability and professional goals. You can participate in specific committees, contribute to ad hoc projects, or assist with events. Here are the main ways to volunteer:
Committees: Driving Impact Through Collaboration
CAHL’s board consists of 15 committees that play a crucial role in delivering valuable services to members. These committees focus on various areas such as program development, FACHE, membership engagement, and mentorship.
- What to Expect: Committees typically meet monthly and/or quarterly and provide members with an opportunity to actively contribute in a structured setting and participate in a variety of ways.
- Benefits: Serving on a committee for a full year allows you to develop a deep understanding of CAHL’s initiatives and make meaningful contributions to healthcare leadership development.
Ad Hoc Volunteer Opportunities: Flexibility and Impact
If you prefer shorter-term commitments, ad hoc volunteer roles are ideal. These include assisting with specific events, serving as speakers at education sessions, writing a newsletter article, or providing mentorship to emerging healthcare leaders.
- Benefits: Ad hoc opportunities allow you to engage with CAHL without the long-term commitment of committee membership. They offer flexibility, helping you contribute based on your availability and expertise.
Earning ACHE Volunteer Service Credits
One of the key benefits of volunteering with CAHL is the ability to earn ACHE volunteer service credits. ACHE recognizes the time and expertise of its members who contribute to advancing healthcare leadership, awarding points that contribute to recertification and professional recognition.
- Points Accumulation: Points are awarded based on the volunteer activities you participate in, tracked during each ACHE convocation year (April–March).
- Three ACHE Recognition Levels:
- Service Award: 30 points
- Distinguished Service Award: 75 points
- Exemplary Service Award: 125 points
For Information on specific activities and points awarded, view the ACHE Recognition Program Flyer (PDF)
To review your points for activities and services conducted, go to My ACHE, and click on “My Volunteer Service” in the right-hand column
Please email any questions to recognitionprogram@ache.org.
Join CAHL: A Path to Contribution and Growth
Getting involved with CAHL is easy. By visiting the CAHL website you can explore the range of committees and volunteer opportunities available. To participate:
- Visit the CAHL Committees and Volunteer Opportunities to review the committee options and find one that aligns with your professional goals.
- Once identified, submit your interest by completing the CAHL Volunteer Commitment form.
Getting started: Orientation
CAHL will reach out to you and guide you through the next steps.
- A volunteer Coordinator from the Membership Volunteer Growth Committee will personally reach out and help with placement and connection.
- Each Committee will connect with you and share more about their committee, the exciting goals and initiatives, help set expectations and provide next steps. This is a chance to ensure a good fit.
- Members are encouraged to join a monthly new member volunteer networking event and complete CAHL’s volunteer orientation.
- CAHL welcomes feedback, insight, and support. Membership Volunteer Growth Committee Volunteers will reach out after to check in for continued success.
Reach out to cahlmembership@gmail.com if you have any questions or need guidance on the process.
Conclusion
Volunteering with CAHL is a powerful way to advance your healthcare leadership career while giving back to the profession. Leaders who volunteer show genuine compassion, building trust and inspiring others through selfless acts that create a positive impact and elevate their ability to lead with purpose and empathy.
Volunteering with CAHL offers more than just a chance to give back—it provides a platform for professional growth, skill development, and career advancement. Let’s help lift up our communities through service. By getting involved, you contribute to the development of future healthcare leaders while earning valuable recognition and building meaningful connections within the healthcare community. Your expertise and time are invaluable, and CAHL provides the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare leadership in California.
Join CAHL and be part of shaping a brighter future for healthcare management in California.
