Members are expected to attend at least one meeting per year, in order to maintain membership. There are no dues or fees. Members are encouraged to actively participate on one of our many committees or strategic priority teams:

Committees:

• Bylaws Committee
• Membership Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Steering Committee

Strategic Priority Teams:

• Community Health Centers
• Family History & Early Onset Colorectal Cancer
• Policy Action
• Professional Education & Practice Implementation
• State-Based Initiatives
• Public Awareness & Social Media

The committees focus on maintaining the structure and function of the ACS NCCRT; strategic priority teams focus on producing materials, products or studies or convening meeting to advance issues or areas of interest and impact. The work is most often conducted by conference calls or email exchange with an occasional in-person meeting.

Generally, ACS NCCRT members find that the more they put into the ACS NCCRT, the more they get out of it.

The ACS NCCRT is a national coalition of public, private and voluntary organizations, and invited individuals dedicated to reducing the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer in the U.S. through:

• coordinated leadership;
• strategic planning; and
• advocacy.

The ACS NCCRT’s ongoing mission is to reduce the incidence and mortality from this disease by achieving screening rates for colorectal cancer that are equivalent to screening rates for other cancers.

It takes many voices to create an effective coalition – a coalition committed to raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer. The ACS NCCRT comprises over 200 member organizations with expertise in the areas of:

• colorectal cancer prevention;
• diagnosis;
• treatment;
• patient support; and
• education.

How the ACS NCCRT Functions

The ACS NCCRT acts as a catalyst to stimulate work on key issues around colorectal cancer. The work of the ACS NCCRT is guided by its strategic plan with direction and input from an active Steering Committee. Both the ACS and the CDC are permanent members of the ACS NCCRT Steering Committee which oversees all committees and task groups. Through the efforts of several task groups, the ACS NCCRT advances initiatives that focus on:

• provider education;
• public education;
• health policy;
• quality; and
• disparities issues.

A fundamental premise of the ACS NCCRT is that collective action among the member organizations will be more successful in reducing the burden of disease, and reducing that burden faster, than if we worked alone. A core principle of the ACS NCCRT is that it will not duplicate or take on roles of member organizations, but rather fulfill those roles that would otherwise go undone.

Together members work hard to share information, identify needs and opportunities, and address gaps in research, programs, activities, and services relating to colorectal cancer. The strength of such a partnership, united in mission, enhances the work of each member and thus effectively furthering the cause of colorectal cancer prevention and early detection in the United States.

The ACS NCCRT consists of member organizations and invited individuals who reflect a broad involvement in colorectal cancer prevention and early detection. Applications for membership will be reviewed by the ACS NCCRT Membership Committee and submitted to the ACS NCCRT Steering Committee for approval.

General Criteria for Membership

Organizations or invited individuals must meet one or more of the following criteria listed below to be considered for membership:

• Have a strong interest in reducing colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality;
• Have outstanding expertise and reputation in colorectal cancer information and research;
• Have special expertise in colorectal cancer prevention, early detection and treatment;
• Have the ability to deliver colorectal cancer education; and
• Have the ability to deliver colorectal cancer screening services.

Categories of Membership

Members of the ACS NCCRT are grouped into three categories:

• organizational/institutional;
• invited individuals; and
• corporate.

Organizational/Institutional Membership

• medical professional organizations;
• federal agencies;
• cancer centers;
• state health departments;
• hospitals;
• advocacy organizations; and
• voluntary organizations.

Member organizations shall designate a representative member and an alternate member. Each member organization shall have full membership rights including the right to attend ACS NCCRT meetings, to participate in discussion, to vote, to be a candidate for elective office, and to accept appointment to committees and task groups. Members with governmental affiliation (designated as non-advocacy members) will abstain from voting on policy issues.

Individual Membership includes invited individuals with outstanding expertise in reducing colorectal cancer morbidity and mortality, and a commitment to quality of life for colorectal cancer survivors. Individual members shall have all of the participatory benefits of organizational/institutional members. Individuals must be invited to apply.

Corporate Membership

Companies and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to:

• colorectal education; and
• screening.

They may also make products that aid colorectal cancer screening, prevention, and treatment (the efficacy of these products must be supported by scientific research).

Corporate associates shall have all of the participatory rights of organizational or institutional members with the exception of voting rights and or the right to serve as an elected officer of the ACS NCCRT. Corporate members are, however, encouraged to seek and accept appointments to task groups and vote on matters within that task group.