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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the selection process for members of the Annual Meeting Program Committee (AMPC)?
2. If a program is not accepted one year, can it be resubmitted ‘as is’ the next year?
3. My proposal was similar to a selected program. Why was that program chosen?
4. Can programs be in multiple parts?
5. Are there guidelines for having non-members of the association speak?
6. What is the Hot Topic Program?
7. Why is it important that an SIS designate one of their programs as a Sunday program?
8. What is the selection process for workshops?
9. Are advanced programs selected by the AMPC?
10. Does my proposal require group sponsorship?
11. Do I have to incorporate the theme into my proposal title?

A.  Early in their term, the Vice President/President-Elect selects the AMPC Chair and designates six (6) experienced AALL members for the committee. Committee members represent the broad spectrum of AALL library types and responsibilities within those libraries.

A.  Yes, however the AMPC recommends that you speak with your liaison for suggestions on strengthening the proposal. Your AMPC liaison is always available as a resource, during the proposal process and after the program selection phase. Each year is a new year and proposals are fresh proposals, not resubmissions.

A.  A variety of characteristics can make one proposal stronger. The selected proposal may have had a better program description or learning outcome, a more balanced speaker/program length ratio, a new concept, more interesting or novel presentation, more qualified or better-defined speakers, to name a few possibilities. Please feel free to submit your proposal the following year. Many successful proposals were previously declined submissions. Contact a member of the AMPC or check the Program Planner’s Handbook for suggestions on proposal presentation.

A.  Proposals can be multipart, i.e. Part I and Part II. The AMPC recommends that each program is able to stand on its own, if necessary. Available time slots are limited and acceptance of both programs is not guaranteed, although the committee works hard to accommodate quality proposals.

A.  The program proposer selects the speakers who are the most qualified to address an issue. Take advantage of the location in your planning by contacting local librarians to identify possible speakers from local bar associations, law firms, universities, or law schools. The AMPC works within an established budget for the Annual Meeting, so keep that in mind when selecting outside speakers. See the Program Planner’s Handbook, pp. 8-9.

A.  Approximately two months before the Annual Meeting, the AMPC solicits ideas for the Hot Topic program. Members submit proposals and the committee selects one program focusing on a “late-breaking” or timely topic that would be of interest to all members. Announcement of the Hot Topic takes place several weeks before the Annual Meeting.

A.  SISs are unrestricted in their choice of content for one Sunday program, but they must indicate which proposal is their Sunday program. SISs have full control over content; AMPC’s interest is in monitoring expenses and room requirements. Check the Tentative Schedule on p. 25 of the Program Planner’s Handbook for the time slots available on Sunday.

A.  The selection of workshops takes place separately from that of programs. Workshops undergo the same selection process as programs (committee review, ranking and comment). The information in the Program Planner’s Handbook also applies to workshops. One important difference: workshops are self-sustaining. The separate registration fees charged for workshops must cover all costs associated with the workshops including speaker fees, room charges and reproduction of handout materials.

A.  Yes. AALL members are highly experienced and have been in the profession for an average of 14 years. Members have expressed an interest for advanced programming and the AMPC is looking for proposals to meet this need.

A.  Proposals do not require sponsorship by a Special Interest Section (SIS), Caucus or Committee. The AMPC reviews and evaluates each proposal on its own merits. You can submit your proposal as an individual. If you are submitting your proposal as an individual, ask colleagues to review the proposal before submission. The online Proposal Collection site has individual sponsorship as an option.

A.  No. Think of titles that creatively describe your program and will attract the attention and interest of your colleagues.

If you have a question for the Annual Meeting Program Committee (AMPC), please contact Donna K. Bausch, dbausch@norfolklawlibrary.org.