QUESTION:      Our MEC has decided to completely revise our Medical Staff Bylaws, which have had only piecemeal amendments over the last decade. As Chief of Staff, I asked at the last staff meeting (and again by e-mail) for volunteers to serve on the Bylaws Committee. Only one physician offered to serve. What can I do?

ANSWER:      Unfortunately, apathy is an issue in many medical staffs. The pressures on practicing physicians today are considerable. Perhaps “Bylaws” simply doesn’t strike many as interesting. But Bylaws are so important to the culture of safety and collegiality! Those who have helped craft new Bylaws come away from that experience not only more engaged, but also with a good understanding of how good bylaws documents can help anticipate problems and help solve them. How about making personal calls to the physicians you (and the other key leaders, such as the current or immediate past officers and department chairs and the CMO) identify as being thoughtful, fair-minded and who relate well to colleagues? It’s good to have some experienced former leaders on a Bylaws Committee as well as some new blood – draw from physicians you are considering for the “leadership pool.” Current leaders should always be on the lookout for potential members to comprise an informal leadership pool. Experiences in the pool over the course of several years can give them some insight and know-how to prepare them to progress to other leadership roles. Not every staff member has the aptitude and willingness to serve in a leadership role. Those who have the potential but not all the fully developed skills can be nurtured along by current leaders. (Those of you who have attended our Complete Course for Medical Staff Leaders will recognize the “leadership pool” as a term coined by our colleague Dr. Randy Reid!) Today, waiting for volunteers may simply not be enough.