It has been a very meaningful journey for me within ISOLS. I joined the Board in 2019 during the Athens Congress, and later, in 2022 at the Los Angeles Congress, I was honored to be appointed as Chairman of the Membership Committee.
Currently, the Membership Committee is composed of six members from different regions of the world, ensuring strong geographic representation. We are now expanding the committee by incorporating three additional members, with the goal of bringing new perspectives, fresh ideas, and greater global engagement in the leadership of our Society.
Over the past few years, we have seen a steady and progressive increase in membership. This reflects not only growing awareness of ISOLS, but also the increasing value that the Society provides. ISOLS offers a unique platform for scientific exchange, international collaboration, educational opportunities such as fellowships, and access to a truly global network dedicated to limb salvage and musculoskeletal oncology.
Importantly, we have not only focused on recruiting new members, but also on reactivating colleagues who had become less engaged over time. As ISOLS has evolved into a more dynamic and active society, many of these members have reconnected, which has been very encouraging.
We have also worked to make the membership process more inclusive, efficient, and accessible, while maintaining the high standards that define ISOLS
At the same time, the Board has been actively working on updating the Society’s bylaws. This process has been essential to modernise ISOLS, building on the strengths of the previous structure while incorporating new elements that reflect the current needs of a global and evolving scientific community. The Membership Committee has actively contributed to this effort, helping ensure that inclusivity, representation, and growth remain central to the Society’s future.
In parallel, the work of the different committees has significantly increased the value and attractiveness of ISOLS. The Education Committee has developed high-quality webinars and strengthened fellowship opportunities; the Research Committee has promoted collaborative research lines on key topics in our field; and the Diversity Committee has played a crucial role in incorporating broader perspectives and fostering equity within our global community.
This entire process of growth has also been strongly supported by an excellent Secretariat, which has significantly improved communication with our members. This has allowed us to stay closely connected as a global community, despite the geographical distances that separate us.
As part of our ongoing efforts, the Membership Committee is also actively engaging with both new and existing members through targeted surveys. Our goal is to better understand what we are doing well, identify areas where we can improve, and capture new ideas that can help us move forward as a Society.
We believe this is the right way to create a virtuous cycle, listening to our members, implementing improvements, and continuously reassessing our progress. Only by maintaining this mindset, with the humility to recognize that we can always improve, will we be able to continue advancing together for the benefit of science, research, and, most importantly, our patients.
On a personal level, it is a great honor and a true privilege to serve ISOLS and contribute to its continued growth and development. I am particularly proud to do so representing Latin America, a region that today has a strong and growing presence within the Society. This has been facilitated in part by the close relationship with SLATME, the Latin American Society of Musculoskeletal Tumors, and we aim to replicate this model of regional collaboration with other societies around the world.
Being part of the ISOLS Board and leading the Membership Committee has been an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing me to contribute to a global community that is deeply committed to advancing our field and improving patient care.