There are several options for holding an annual community planning session, including:

1. During CANVAS at one of the following times: • After the section business meeting. • After a community symposia or session. • Another time during CANVAS.
2. At another event throughout the year.
3. Virtually, through Zoom or another web meeting platform.

If the community leaders plan to hold their planning session at CANVAS, leaders should schedule their annual planning session and notify the section chair and community members of the time and place of the meeting. Find more information about setting up a community planning session here: www.sciencesocieties.org/canvas/submit/function. During the meeting, community leaders should take meeting minutes and send a written report to the section chair. Results of the vice leader election should be included in the Community Annual Activity Tacker Form, due by the end of the calendar year.

Annual Planning Meeting Agenda

1. Review the community’s activity over the past year.
2. Discuss ideas for future activity, including developing sessions and symposia for CANVAS. Prioritize ideas, plan specific actions, and organize community members to help future activity take shape.
3. Elect a new vice leader, who will become the community’s presiding leader after one year of service.

Activities and Competitions

Communities should work with their sections to incorporate student activities and competitions into their programs to mentor and attract undergraduate, master’s students, and PhD candidates into greater participation with the Societies. This could include poster/oral paper competitions and awards. Contact Nate Ehresman (nehresman@sciencesocieties.org) to initiate a competition.

Proceedings and Publications

We highly recommend communities and sections take advantage of the Societies’ journal publications. Should you desire to develop proceedings or a publication out of your symposia, the Societies request first right of refusal to publish.