During the last year the steering committee will choose one of three options:
- Apply for status as a Study Group
A Study Group consists of scholars working in a collaborative fashion on a narrowly defined topic, requiring active participation. Normally a Study Group is assigned one session in the Annual Meeting for invited papers or a panel discussion. Study Groups are strongly encouraged to work toward publication of the results of their work. Study Groups normally have a six-year term which is renewable once. If a particular Study Group wishes to continue longer than this, it must take a two-year hiatus, and apply for new status as a Consultation in the third year. Responsibility for Study Groups resides with each Study Group’s chairperson and steering committee, answerable to the Executive Committee (via the Program-Units Committee).
- Apply for status as a Section
A Section is the most broadly defined program unit, representing areas of general interest, and it offers presenters the most access for unsolicited papers. Normally Sections are responsible for two sessions at the Annual Meeting. Often one session is used for invited papers or a panel discussion, while the other session is constructed from presentations submitted by members at large in response to the general call for papers. Sections may also use the their two assigned sessions to address different topics within their area of study. At a minimum, one of the two sessions must be constructed from papers submitted in response to the general call for proposals. Sections normally have a six-year term and are renewable indefinitely, contingent on the demonstration of continued viability and compliance with the goals for all program units and the Society at large. Responsibility for Sections resides with each Section’s chairperson and steering committee, answerable to the Executive Committee (via the Program-Units Committee).
- Disband
If you wish to apply for renewal, you must complete this application by September 30 of the third year of your term.