Annual Conference Invited and Plenary Sessions Chair

A critical role in our conference planning, this position is a two-year commitment that serves the SCUP community by assisting us in building a rewarding annual conference experience.  The volunteer in this position serves as a plenary and invited session chair for one year on the conference committee before assuming the role as conference chair. This model creates a succession plan for an existing conference chair, and provides an incoming chair significant experience on the committee before moving into the role of chair. This model also allows SCUP to take a longer view toward the program planning of each year’s conference.

Year One: Plenary and Invited Session Chair

• Serves as lead for planning plenary and invited sessions
• Researches and initiates conversation on potential plenary and invited session speakers to invite to the conference, with consideration for: committee interests, budget, and conference timing
• Coordinates with conference chair and SCUP staff in the invitation of presenters to the conference
• Prepares update reports for conference planning committee members

Year Two: Conference Chair

• Facilitates conference committee meetings toward the planning of the next year’s conference
• Other committee positions are pre-established and include: four Planning Academy Conveners,  plenary and invited presenters chair, and SCUP staff
• Coordinates with SCUP conference committee liaison in the development of meeting agenda and goals for each meeting
• Provides overall program direction to the conference planning committee in the development of:
  • Topic emphasis for online session submission
  • Final selection of juried concurrent session submissions submitted through the Call for Proposals
  • Selection of plenary speakers and other invited presenters
• Assists in the promotion of the conference, by:
  • Encouraging peers and others to attend
  • Creating a message of invitation for the conference website
  • Formally inviting conferees to attend the next year’s conference during the closing plenary session