The leadership structure of an FMIG should reflect the unique strengths and needs of that individual group. Although the number of leaders and the responsibilities of each position can be decided by the FMIG, it is suggested that each group have at least a president and a treasurer. Below are a few examples of leadership structures at several FMIGs of varying sizes.

School A:
President
Vice President
Secretary/Treasurer
Community Service Coordinator
Social Events Coordinator
Public Affairs Coordinator
Clinical Skills Coordinator
Residency Fair Coordinators
Class Representatives (from all 4 classes)
Resident Advisors
Faculty Advisors

School B:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Community Service Chair
Professional Development Chair
Public Relations Chair
Membership Chair
Social Chair
M1 Representatives (3)

School C:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
M1 Representative

School D:
President
Vice President
Recruitment
Communications
Secretary
Tar Wars
M1 Representatives
M3/M4 Representatives

Recruiting students to hold leadership positions in your FMIG is an important step to building a strong foundation for your group. The most effective way to recruit leaders is to sell the position by highlighting some of the benefits of the position. These include:

• Personal opportunity to explore the family medicine specialty 
• Meeting family medicine doctors 
• Forming a relationship with the dean/department of family medicine 
• Free dinners and fun activities
• Building a resume/curriculum vitae
• Becoming involved in a national family medicine professional organization

The best strategy for continuing a strong FMIG is to have outgoing officers recruit volunteers to run for their positions in the upcoming year. Another way to guarantee candidates is to publicize the election several weeks in advance to give members the chance to consider running for office and do some research about what is involved.

Keep in mind that finding new leadership doesn't end with elections. That's just the start. Use the rest of the year to find volunteers to coordinate special events. For example, interested third- and fourth-year students can plan events for Part II of the Boards, residency dinners, interviewing workshops, etc. Upperclassmen, due to their busy clerkship schedules, may only want to be in charge of one event. Try to accommodate all interested students' schedules and needs—it's the best way to capitalize on good leadership and expand your programming.