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Volunteer Leadership Opportunities 

Find volunteer opportunities that match your skills and interests as we work together to advance the specialty. Whether you’re looking to contribute at the national (AAO), constituent (regional) or component (state) level, we can help find the best fit for you. Explore the available opportunities below and complete our brief Volunteer Interest Form to be considered for future opportunities.  

AAO Councils play a key advisory role to the Board of Trustees and House of Delegates, ensuring our organization stays proactive and effective in serving members and the specialty. Council members are nominated by each constituent organization and may serve up to six years (four years for the Council on New & Younger Members). 

Position details 

  • Current openings: see chart below 
  • Term length: two-year terms, renewable twice (once for the Council on New & Younger Members) 
  • Term start date: immediately following the AAO Annual Session 
  • Eligibility requirements: AAO Active Members in good standing (Student Members may serve on the Council on New & Younger Members)
  • Deadline to apply: varies by constituent organization* 

*To be considered for any of the below council positions, please contact your constituent organization for details on the application process (click links below). 

Council 2025-26 Open Positions
(Constituent-nominated) 		2026-27 Open Positions 
(Constituent-nominated)
Council on Communications (COC)SWSOMSO, MASO
Council on Government Advocacy (COGA)NESO, SAORMSO
Council on Membership, Ethics & Judicial Concerns (COMEJC) SWSONESO
Council on New & Younger Members (CONYM)MSOSAO
CONYM Resident Representative (One year)SAO, SWSON/A
Council on Orthodontic Benefits (COB)PCSOMASO, RMSO
Council on Orthodontic Education (COE)N/ANESO
Council on Orthodontic Practice (COOP)MSON/A
Council on Scientific Affairs (COSA)SAON/A

AAO Standing and Special Committees are similar to Councils, but these members are appointed based on expertise, rather than by constituent organizations. Committee members serve two-year, renewable terms (up to six years total) and are typically nominated from within the respective committees. 

Position details 

  • Current openings: see chart below 
  • Term length: two-year terms, renewable twice (exceptions may apply) 
  • Term begins: immediately following the AAO Annual Session 
  • Eligibility requirements: AAO Active Members in good standing
  • Deadline to apply: varies by Committee (see chart below)
Committee 2025-26 Open Positions 2026-27 Open Positions How to Apply 
Committee on Conferences & Meetings 11Apply Here
Committee on Technology 24Apply Here
Special Committee on Inclusion & Engagement 22Apply Here
Special Committee on Women Orthodontists 21Apply Here

 

The National Advocacy Network (NAN) is an award-winning grassroots advocacy leadership program designed to maximize AAO member influence across the United States and Canada for offense and defense relating to AAO advocacy priorities. NAN leaders help chart the future for our success by enhancing the specialty and protecting patient health and safety through grassroots advocacy influence driving evidence-based policy the AAO can support. 

Recruitment for many states and provinces is ongoing for the Component Advocacy Liaison (CAL) and AAO Political Action Committee (AAOPAC) Captain roles. Want to know more? Click here for details about the time commitment, role descriptions, and what you’ll gain from being a CAL or AAOPAC Captain. Anyone interested in learning more is invited to text the word “NAN” to the number 52886 or email [email protected]. 

Constituent and component organizations provide excellent opportunities to get introduced to volunteer leadership and make a tremendous impact at the grassroots level. These opportunities also provide a natural pathway to involvement at the national level through AAO positions (Councils, Board of Trustees and House of Delegates) that are nominated by constituents. 

To learn about available and upcoming leadership opportunities at the constituent level, click the links below to learn more or inquire. To learn about component leadership opportunities, contact your component society (found on the constituent websites linked below).