One Unified Voice

The SFMMS & CMA represent the voices of
more than 43,000 physicians state-wide

SFMMS Election

2024 Election Results are NOW Available HERE! Congratulations to our 2025 SFMMS Leaders!

Leadership Opportunities

SFMMS provides many opportunities for our members to get involved and contribute to our organization. Through joining a committee as a volunteer leader, or as a delegate to the governing body of the CMA, you are promoting the cause of organized medicine. You will gain opportunities to connect with other leaders in San Francisco and Marin, policy-makers and representatives, and the leadership of SFMMS and CMA. Below are ways in which you can become involved with the SFMMS.

See our leadership resource: So, You're Thinking of Running for Office HERE

Ways to Get Involved with SFMMS

Be an SFMMS Survey Respondent

Attend an SFMMS Event

Submit an Article or Written Piece to SF Marin Medicine

Serve as a Student Liaison to the SFMMS Board of Directors

Join an SFMMS Working Group

Become a SFMMS Committee Member (Non-elected & Elected Positions)

SFMMS committees work on specific issues or areas of focus for the organization and make recommendations to the Board of Directors on actions or programs SFMMS should implement. The committees are an opportunity to influence the policy and advocacy of organized medicine locally while building leadership skills that can be used at the Board, in your practice, and in the community.

This role is right for you if prefer to focus on local issues and/or the operations of the Society as a membership association representing physicians in San Francisco and Marin Counties. To read a description of both elected and non-elected committees, click HERE.

Becoming the Chair of a Committee is a great way to gain experience before running to become an Officer of the SFMMS Board of Directors. Committee Chairs have traditionally served on the Committee for at least a year and/or have experience on the SFMMS Board of Directors. Once you have joined an SFMMS Committee, speak with your SFMMS staff liaison for more information.

Serve on the SFMMS Board of Directors

SFMMS' Board of Directors sets the direction and priorities for the organization and provides a voice for the membership to the California Medical Association. Board members are first nominated by the SFMMS Nominations Committee, and are elected by the general membership via electronic vote. Board members serve a two-year term.

Interested parties should begin by reviewing the role and responsibilities of Board of Directors Members, HERE

Member of the SFMMS Board of Directors: This role is right for you if you like a mix of local and state issues related to the practice of medicine; are willing to proactively bring forward issue that affect the profession and work with others to develop solutions; have an interest in exploring a leadership position within the Society or CMA; are willing to attend a California Medical Association House of Delegates if you have not already; are comfortable promoting membership in the Society and raising funds among members and colleagues for local and state Political Actions Committees; and are interested in the running of non-profit organizations. Interested candidates for these positions should either fill out the form at the bottom of this page or email Ian Knox, SFMMS Director of Operations and Governance at iknox@sfmms.org, with an expression of interest to receive more information about timelines, eligibility, and upcoming meetings. Your name will be submitted to the SFMMS Nominations Committee for consideration. Nominees are then elected to their positions by members of the Society via general election.

SFMMS Executive Committee Member: The Executive Committee is comprised of individuals already on the SFMMS Board of Directors. Six are Officers of the Board, and five are nominated by the current President of the Society in Consultation with Past Presidents and Board Members. Interested candidates for these positions should fill out the form at the bottom of this page or email Ian Knox, SFMMS Director of Operations and Governance at iknox@sfmms.org, with an expression of interest to receive more information about timelines, eligibility, and upcoming meetings. Your name will be submitted to the SFMMS President for consideration.

SFMMS Political Action Committee: This role is right for you if you are interested in local politics and policymakers, with an emphasis on the relationship with elected representatives in San Francisco and Marin Counties. PAC members should be comfortable asking questions of elected representatives on behalf of the Society, and raising funds among members and colleagues. Candidates are typically nominated at meetings of the SFMMS Political Action Committee Board of Directors. Interested candidates for these positions should email Ian Knox, SFMMS Director of Operations and Governance at iknox@sfmms.org, with an expression of interest to receive more information about timelines, eligibility, and upcoming meetings. Your name will be submitted to the Board of Directors for consideration.

SFMMS Officer (Secretary, Treasurer, Editor): SFMMS Officers are typically members of the Board of Directors for at least two three-year terms and have served on at least one SFMMS Committee. The SFMMS Board of Directors receives expressions of interest from Board Members and/or nominates from among Board members in consultation with Past-Presidents, Nominations Committee members, and SFMMS staff. Nominees are then elected to their positions by members of the Society via general election.

SFMMS President: You should be interested in being the spokesperson for the Medical Society and, by extension, the profession, and engaging in frequent interactions with the media and elected representatives. You should be comfortable speaking in front of members of the Society and the public. You should have a deep interest in the present and future of the profession in San Francisco and Marin. You should have held Officer positions on the SFMMS Board of Directors and have been involved in SFMMS Committees.

You should like a mix of local and state issues related to the practice of medicine; are willing to proactively bring forward issue that affect the profession and work with others to develop solutions; have attended a California Medical Association House of Delegates; are comfortable promoting membership in the Society and raising funds among members and colleagues for local and state Political Actions Committees; and are interested in the running of non-profit organizations. SFMMS Presidents Elect and Presidents are typically first Officers of the Board of Directors and have served on at least one SFMMS Committee. The SFMMS Board of Directors receives expressions of interest from Officers and/or nominates from among Board members in consultation with Past-Presidents. Nominees are then elected to their positions by members of the Society via general election.

Be a Delegate to CMA's House of Delegates

The House of Delegates convenes annually to debate and act on resolutions and reports dealing with myriad medical practice, public health and CMA governance issues. Policies adopted by the House are implemented by the CMA Board of Trustees, which also deals with the many interim policy issues that arise between annual sessions.

The House of Delegates consists of more than 400 delegates elected by members of component medical societies, specialty societies, CMA sections (Organized Medical Staff Section, Young Physicians Section, Ethnic Medical Organization Section, Medical Student Section, the Resident and Fellows Section) and CMA mode of practice forums. Submitting resolutions to the House of Delegates is the most direct way for members to influence CMA's advocacy agenda.

Young Physician Section/Resident Fellow Section: This role is right for you if you like a mix of local and state issues related to the practice of medicine, are looking for opportunities to network with other physicians throughout the state, and/or have an interest in exploring a leadership position within the Society or California Medical Association. You should be willing to travel within California at least once per year (expenses are covered by SFMMS). Experience with SFMMS’ Delegation to the CMA’s House of Delegates is considered an important aspect of what is required to assume leadership positions within the Society or CMA.

Interested candidates for these positions can fill out the form at the bottom of this page or email Ian Knox, SFMMS Director of Operations and Governance at iknox@sfmms.org, with an expression of interest to receive more information about timelines, eligibility, elections, and upcoming meetings. Your name will be submitted to the SFMMS Nominations Committee (YPS) or CMA (RFS) for consideration. For more information, interested candidates can visit the YPS General info page on CMA's website HERE, the RFS information page on CMA's website HERE, the YPS Assembly Bylaws, and the YPS Assembly Factsheet.

Member of SFMMS Delegation to CMA: This role is right for you if you like a mix of local and state issues related to the practice of medicine, are looking for opportunities to network with other physicians throughout the state, and/or have an interest in exploring a leadership position within the Society or California Medical Association. You should be willing to travel within California at least once per year (expenses are covered by SFMMS). Experience with SFMMS’ Delegation to the CMA’s House of Delegates is considered an important aspect of the experience required to assume leadership positions within the Society or CMA.

Interested candidates for these positions can fill out the form at the bottom of this page or email Ian Knox, SFMMS Director of Operations and Governance at iknox@sfmms.org, with an expression of interest to receive more information about timelines, eligibility, elections, and upcoming meetings. Your name will be submitted to the SFMMS Delegation for consideration. For more information, interested candidates can visit the House of Delegates page on the CMA website HERE.

House of Delegates County Delegation Chair/Vice Chair: This role is right for you if you like a broad and diverse mix of local and state issues related to the practice of medicine, have an interest in exploring a leadership position within the Society or CMA, are comfortable proactively bringing forward issues that SFMMS can champion at the state level, have attended a California Medical Association House of Delegates before, and are comfortable raising funds among members and colleagues for Political Action Committees .

Interested candidates for these positions can fill out the form at the bottom of this page or email Ian Knox, SFMMS Director of Operations and Governance at iknox@sfmms.org, with an expression of interest to receive more information about timelines, eligibility, elections, and upcoming meetings. Your name will be submitted to the SFMMS Delegation for consideration. For more information, interested candidates can visit the House of Delegates page on the CMA website HERE.

Be a CMA Representative

CMA Board of Trustees or Council Member: These roles are right for you if you like to focus on state issues, have held a position on the SFMMS Board; have attended a California Medical Association House of Delegates meeting before; are willing to proactively bring forward issue that affect the profession and work with others to develop solutions; are comfortable fundraising among members and colleagues for Political Action Committees; are interested in the running of non-profit organizations; are comfortable interacting with the media; and may be interested in running for a leadership position within the California Medical Association. Trustees are typically Past-Presidents of their County Society. The SFMMS Board of Directors receives expressions of interest and/or nominates from among Past-Presidents. Nominees are then elected to their positions by members of the Society via general election. You can learn more on CMA's Council and Committees page HERE.

CMA Councils and Subcommittees: CMA solicits participation in Councils and Subcommittees each year, usually starting in May. Any member can apply, and SFMMS may choose to endorse your application. CMA's Committee on Nominations assesses all applicants and makes a recommendation to the CMA Board of Trustees, including recommendations for Chair and Vice-Chair of the Councils and Subcommittees. The Board of Trustees' selections are ratified at the House of Delegates. This position might be right for you if you have an interest in state issues, the legislative process, and government relations, and may be interested in pursuing leadership positions within CMA. Solicitations will be included in either standalone emails to members or in ‘SFMMS Weekly Roundup’ email newsletters. If you are not receiving the weekly newsletter, please email membership@sfmms.org and request to be added to our mailing list.

CalPAC Officer or Board Member: CalPAC is the Political Action Committee of the California Medical Association. CalPAC Members are typically Past-Presidents or Board Members of their County Society, and run for the position via California Medical Association elections processes. This role is right for you if you like a mix of local and state issues related to the practice of medicine; are willing to proactively bring forward issue that affect the profession and work with others to develop solutions; have an interest in exploring a leadership position within the Society or CMA; are willing to attend a California Medical Association House of Delegates if you have not already; are comfortable promoting membership in the Society and raising funds among members and colleagues for local and state Political Actions Committees; and are interested in the running of non-profit organizations.

CMA Council on Legislation: CMA’s Council on Legislation is the body that determines the positions the California Medical Association will take on bills in the California Assembly and Senate. This is a key role in crafting the voice of organized medicine in California. This position might be right for you if you have an interest in state issues, the legislative process, and government relations. Some travel to Sacramento may be required. CMA solicits interest in the Spring of each year to determine the rosters for one-year terms beginning in the fall. This will be included in either standalone emails to members or in ‘SFMMS Weekly Roundup’ email newsletters. If you are not receiving the weekly newsletter, please email membership@sfmms.org and request to be added to our mailing list.

Submit Your Leadership Interest Form