Emily Stamm is taking over as community manager for the RAPS RegEx platform. Since she’s been on board, she’s learned a lot about RAPS members and the regulatory affairs profession. Now, she’s sharing a little about how RAPS members are finding value in the RegEx platform, and how the regulatory profession as a whole can benefit from the conversations being held.
What is RegEx?
Emily: I think of RegEx as a platform where regulatory professionals come to network, and to build and share their professional knowledge. RAPS members are collaborative and have created a strong sense of community. Members are able to reach out about issues they are facing and ask questions to colleagues with various area of expertise and experience.
What is your role in the RegEx community?
Emily: I will be continuing the amazing work of my colleague, Heather. I am here to make sure the platform is working properly, answer member questions about the community, and ensuring member communications are respectful and productive. Basically, my job is to ensure members have (continue to have) a great experience. Another part of my role will be to help develop ideas to keep members excited and engaged. We want to continue to create an environment where RAPS members feel like RegEx is a place that has something for everyone.
What make RegEx Special?
Emily: One of the definitions of “community” is “a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.” I personally feel that RegEx is a reflection of this definition and what makes it truly unique. In addition to having incredibly intelligent members who possess vast knowledge and experience in the regulatory field, RegEx is a collaborative community where members are respectful and thoughtful when interacting and problem solving with their peers. Everyone seems to be dedicated to helping others and improving the industry.
What are some ways you would encourage RAPS members to get involved on RegEx?
Emily: RegEx is an awesome perk of being a RAPS member. It’s a place where you can keep up with new (and old) topics within the field, find answers to questions by asking or simply just reading through discussions and make connections with other professionals from around the world.
I would suggest that new members take some time to log in and check out the conversations in the Open Forum. This is a great place to start and where you might find discussions and questions that may be relevant to you or discussions that you could contribute to using your experiences and knowledge. Post a comment on a conversation, with some advice or some encouragement (“Hey, I can relate!” or “This was really helpful”), or start your own discussion and ask your fellow RegEx members a question.
Not ready to jump into a conversation quite yet? Hit the “Recommend” button, similar to a “like” on social media this can provide a morale boost to the person who posted the content and help others find the best answers.
How do you think communities like RegEx provide value and leadership in the profession?
Emily: Global industries, like regulatory affairs, are constantly evolving. With the evolution of this field, finding the most relevant and up to date information can be challenging. RegEx gives professionals a place where they can find the most current information and resources on hot topics, issues, and the future of the profession. RegEx is not a just quick question and answer forum, it is a place where real conversations take place with professionals in the field. It’s also where members can find ways to be more involved with RAPS and start on the path to leadership within RAPS itself. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities that could be anything from sharing RAPS Facebook page with your social network to writing an article for Regulatory Focus, helping put together educational seminars or assisting with the planning for RAPS conferences. This is a member driven platform that continues to grow. I’m really looking forward to seeing where RAPS members take things next.