{"id":504,"date":"2026-08-30T10:38:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:38:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/committees-2\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T07:56:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:56:37","slug":"ambassadors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/about\/ambassadors\/","title":{"rendered":"State Ambassadors"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"504\" class=\"elementor elementor-504\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12ecec7f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"12ecec7f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbb8093 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dbb8093\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b13f90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b13f90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"429\" src=\"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/header.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1193\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/header.png 858w, https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/header-300x161.png 300w, https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/header-768x412.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b188ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8b188ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Current SGS State Ambassadors<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b7cd9a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3b7cd9a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4423004 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4423004\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">South Carolina<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd0b3a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fd0b3a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"273\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Abdalla-Straker.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-1045\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42addec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"42addec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Dr. Abdalla Straker, DBA MSG<\/strong><\/p><p>President, Straight Road International<br \/>Columbia, SC 29229<\/p><p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:president@straightroadint.org\">president@straightroadint.org<\/a><\/p><p>Phone: (803) 622-3597<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93573a8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"93573a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f129bf9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f129bf9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-877267a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"877267a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SGS State Ambassadors<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26a0a2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26a0a2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you would like to represent your state and be listed on this page please read more below and apply.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-403472d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"403472d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Role<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-251091a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"251091a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Southern Gerontological Society (SGS) State Ambassadors serve as local contacts and liaisons between SGS and academics, practitioners, and students within each of its 14 states, and are instrumental in the overall success of SGS by extending its relevance and visibility in each state.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13208b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"13208b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mission<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc8b738 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc8b738\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The mission of SGS State Ambassadors is to create a reciprocal relationship which increases SGS awareness, membership, and participation among practitioners, academics, and students in the Ambassador\u2019s state while also providing support and additional opportunities for the Ambassador.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e33301 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4e33301\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Structure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f343d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f343d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If a state organization exists whose membership is similar in scope to SGS, the SGS Membership Committee will extend an invitation for that organization to appoint a SGS State Ambassadors with the goal of collaboration amongst both organizations. If the state organization declines, the SGS Membership Committee will appoint 1-2 Ambassadors from interested members in that state.<\/p><p>In states where no such organization exists, the SGS Membership Committee will appoint 1-2 Ambassadors from interested members in that state. SGS will provide guidance to assist in creating a space for those interested in gerontology in that state to network in the absence of a statewide organization.<\/p><p>State Ambassadors commit to serve for two (2) years and may extend their service at the discretion of the Membership Committee.<\/p><p>The SGS Membership Committee will work to develop 2 new states per year.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca003b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ca003b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Benefits<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6259727 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6259727\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>If the Ambassador is located within a partnering organization, SGS and the partnering organization will swap organizational memberships at no cost to either organization.<\/li><li>SGS will offer a free conference registration to Ambassadors.<\/li><li>SGS will budget funds to support projects of the Ambassadors as long as those funds help increase the exposure of SGS within the state. Funds will vary based on the SGS budget.<\/li><li>SGS will provide logistical and in-kind support for partnership projects when possible.<\/li><li>Ambassadors will have the opportunity to gain leadership experience and development opportunities.<\/li><li>Ambassadors will be recognized as a leader within their state through promotion by SGS on social media, website, and other forms of communication.<\/li><li>When planning locations for future conferences, states with an active Ambassador program will receive preference.<br \/><br \/><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b381c17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b381c17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Responsibilities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cdfb36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cdfb36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Become familiar with the Southern Gerontological Society, its membership benefits, volunteer and leadership opportunities, and other resources<\/li><li>Join the SGS Membership Committee and will attend meetings when available.<\/li><li>Build SGS awareness, membership, and reciprocal relationships by attending local and regional aging meetings, conferences, and presentations in their state<\/li><li>Encourage submission of articles to SGS-related professional gerontological publications:<br \/>&#8211; Journal of Applied Gerontology (JAG)<br \/>&#8211; Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine (GGM)<br \/>&#8211; SGS Communications<\/li><li>Attend and promote attendance and participation in SGS Annual Meetings<\/li><li>Initiate and coordinate local SGS initiatives and activities appropriate to their state<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e55b82e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e55b82e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa42d30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa42d30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you are interested in being an SGS Ambassador, please contact Amanda James at <a href=\"mailto:admin@southerngerontologicalsociety.org\">admin@southerngerontologicalsociety.org<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Current SGS State Ambassadors South Carolina Dr. Abdalla Straker, DBA MSG President, Straight Road InternationalColumbia, SC 29229 Email: president@straightroadint.org Phone: (803) 622-3597 SGS State Ambassadors If you would like to represent your state and be listed on this page please read more below and apply. Role Southern Gerontological Society (SGS) State Ambassadors serve as local [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":336,"parent":679,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-504","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=504"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1269,"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/504\/revisions\/1269"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/679"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southerngerontologicalsociety.org\/sgs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}