The Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee (SPC) has the responsibility for selection of the topics and sessions to be included in the Annual Meeting program. In most instances, the President-Elect may select a Chairperson and Co-Chairperson to preside at most sessions. Subcommittees of the Scientific Program Committee have responsibility for determining various aspects of the program such as grading and selecting General Sessions, Posters, and Course submission.

Term

Three years; volunteer leaders will be eligible for reappointment for an additional three year term at the conclusion of their first term.

Expected Time Commitment

The whole Committee meets once a month. The smaller subcommittees meet once a week or bi-weekly as needed, when developing their tracks.

Responsibilities

• All members are expected to attend (or provide advance notice of absence) and actively contribute to any scheduled SPC and/or subcommittee meetings.
• Each member is asked to join at least two subcommittees, including one selection subcommittee (general sessions/courses/posters).
• Most subcommittees will be responsible for identifying topics and speakers to invite to present as part of certain Annual Meeting tracks (e.g., clinical updates, technology), which are then reviewed and approved by APA's President and the Chair of the SPC.
• Selection subcommittees review the results of the grading process for submitted sessions or posters to identify the submissions to be recommended for acceptance to be presented at the meeting.
• All submissions are reviewed by three members of the SPC, and each nonmedical student member is expected to grade at least 100 submissions.