Membership and Professional Development Committee

Committee and Subdivision Chairs are responsible for the successful operation and development of the committee or subdivision that they lead. They are to function proactively to design and implement initiatives that will serve the membership.

Chairs routinely communicate with their committee or subdivision leadership, set the schedule and agenda for conference calls, and ensure that projects are completed in a timely fashion.

Committee and Subdivision Chairs contribute an article to each issue of the AMP Newsletter and write a summary report to be distributed to the membership at the annual meeting.

Committees communicate in monthly conference calls, in person at the annual meeting, and by email.

Subdivision Chairs communicate with the representatives of their subdivision to the various committees in quarterly conference calls and by email.

Subdivision Chairs and Chairs-elect conduct a substantive business meeting with members of the subdivision at the annual meeting luncheons. During their luncheon session, they inform the members of the activities and accomplishments of the Subdivision Representatives to AMP standing committees, recruit members to run for elected office in the next year, and solicit ideas for topics and speakers for the next annual meeting program. Any subdivision member may present issues or topics of concern that impact practitioners of that specialty.

Committee Chairs are voting members of Council. Subdivision Chairs are non-voting members of Council. All Chairs participate in monthly Council conference calls and provide information about the activities and accomplishments of their group. They may also request Council discussion or approval of specific items of interest to the focus group.

The President-elect serves for three years as a member of Council, first as President-Elect, then as President and Past President in the subsequent two years.

The President-Elect is also a voting member of the Strategic Planning Committee as Council Liaison. The Strategic Planning Committee meets three times a year by conference call and in person at the annual meeting. The President-Elect writes a summary report of SPC activities and reports to Council at the annual meeting.

As a member of Council, the President-Elect participates in the monthly Council calls and email discussions, and may choose to work on specific projects of AMP.

The President is Chair of Council and works with members of Council to facilitate projects and other efforts. The President sets the goals and agenda for AMP, in collaboration with Council and the AMP membership. The President approves and signs all AMP public statements, contributes an article to each issue of the AMP Newsletter, and represents AMP in meetings of other societies, e.g. CAP Future of Pathology.

The President and Past President are members of the Council Subcommittee on Society Services. This subcommittee is responsible for reviewing the administrative services provided by the managing society and the Executive Officer, interacting with the Executive Officer regarding AMP management interests, and providing reports to Council at least annually.

The President writes a summary report to be distributed to the membership at the annual meeting. The President chairs the business session of the AMP annual meeting.

The primary responsibility of the Past President is to Chair the Nominating Committee. The Past President also coordinates with the AMP office regarding fundraising or other global Society tasks (e.g. membership surveys).

The President-Elect and President are voting members of Council. The Past-President, as Chair of the Nominating Committee, is also a voting member of Council.

The Chair and appropriate committee members review the website content and structure and propose changes/updates to structure and content.
The Chair and appropriate committee members are responsible for coordinating the production of the AMP Newsletter.
The Chair and appropriate committee members are responsible for determining the content of the AMP Web Library.
The Chair and appropriate committee members are responsible for ensuring that CHAMP is appropriately moderated and utilized.
The Publications Committee meets monthly by a one-hour conference call, in person at the annual meeting, and by email communication as needed.

Chair
The Secretary-Treasurer is the Chair of the Publications Committee, is a voting member of Council, and is a member of the Joint Journal Oversight Committee for The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics (comprised of both AMP and ASIP members).
The Secretary-Treasurer sets the agenda and chairs the monthly 1-hour Publications Committee conference calls. If the Director of Scientific Programs cannot attend the call, the Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for providing minutes from the call to Council.
The Secretary-Treasurer attends the monthly 1½ hour Council conference call and presents any Publications committee issues that need review by Council. If the Director of Scientific Programs cannot attend this conference call, the Secretary-Treasurer must take the minutes and distribute them
to Council for review.
The Secretary-Treasurer attends Joint Journal Oversight Committee conference calls (1-2 / year). He/she is expected to attend any scheduled meetings at the annual meeting.
The Publications Chair administers the AMP Publications Policy regarding publications describing and resulting from AMP committee or subdivision activities and special projects.
The Chair organizes and chairs the ad hoc committees that review all AMP-owned documents prior to submission of the documents to Council for approval.  If the ad hoc committee does not achieve consensus, the Chair has the final decision as to which documents are passed to Council for approval 
The Publications Chair is responsible for submitting the Publications Committee newsletter column to the AMP newsletter.
The Chair writes a summary report to be distributed to the membership at the annual meeting.

Program Committee, Chair, Chair-Elect, and Representatives:
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.

Committee
The Program Committee is responsible for overall planning and organization of the AMP Annual Meeting, including sessions and abstracts/posters.
The Program Committee consists of the Chair, Chair-Elect, the Chairs and Chairs-Elect of each Subdivision, and the Technical Topics representatives.
The Program Committee meets through regular conference calls and emails that serve as a forum for updates, discussion and planning.

Chair
The Program Chair-Elect is a two year commitment with the Chair-Elect assuming the Chair position in the subsequent year. The Program Chair-Elect gains experience and insight that facilitates his/her transition to Program Chair in the subsequent year.
The Program Chair works with the Program Committee members to identify topics and speakers for all sessions.
The Program Chair serves as the direct link to the AMP central office that administers the Annual Meeting. The Program Chair is responsible for providing the AMP Council with monthly updates on meeting planning. The Chair contributes an article to each issue of the AMP Newsletter.
The Program Chair and Chair-Elect review and select “Other” category abstracts for poster presentation at the annual meeting. The Program Chair confirms all abstract rejection decisions by the other members of the Committee.
The Program Chair prepares a summary report reviewing the annual meeting for Council’s discussion at the final council session during the annual meeting.
The Program Chair is a member of the Council Subcommittee on Society Services. This subcommittee is responsible for reviewing the administrative services provided by the managing society and the Executive Officer, interacting with the Executive Officer regarding AMP management interests, and providing reports to Council at least annually.
The Program Chair-Elect provides input into the planning of the annual meeting and assists/mentors the Technical Topics Representatives as needed.
The Chair-Elect organizes the AMP Companion Meeting at the USCAP Annual Meeting in the spring of each year, and coordinates other special AMP programs with the organizers of those programs.
The Program Chair and Chair-Elect are both voting members of Council.

Representatives
The Program Committee Representatives consist of the Chairs and Chairs-Elect of each Subdivision plus the Technical Topics representatives. Each of these is an elected position. The Chair-Elect serves for one year and automatically becomes Chair in the subsequent year.
The Program Committee Representatives communicate with invited speakers to confirm availability for annual meeting attendance, titles of presentation, secure permission to post the presentations on the AMP Web Library, and ensure adherence to the speakers’ reimbursement budget.
The Program Committee Representatives review all abstracts submitted for the annual meeting within their subdivision topic.
The Program Committee Representatives judge the Technologist Award posters.

Technical Topics Representatives to the Program Committee
Technical Topics Representatives to the Program Committee are non-doctoral technologists and serve staggered two-year terms as members of the Program Committee, to mirror the number and service terms of the Subdivision Chairs and Chairs-Elect.
Technical Topics Representatives are responsible for planning the Technical Topics portion of the Annual Meeting Program.
Technical Topics Representatives review and select Technical Topics abstracts for poster presentation at the annual meeting.
Technical Topics Representatives administer the Technologist Award poster competition.

Clinical Practice Committee (CPC), Chair and Representatives:
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.

Committee
The Clinical Practice Committee addresses issues pertaining to the clinical practice of molecular pathology, including practice guidelines for molecular diagnostics. Projects may include member surveys of testing practices as well as numerous formal communications to groups outside of AMP.
The Clinical Practice Committee oversees the work of several Working Groups each year.
The Clinical Practice Committee is responsible for the AMP Test Directory and oversees/assists the work of the Test Directory Editor.
The Committee meets monthly by conference call, in person at the annual meeting, and by e-mail communication. At least one Committee representative (preferably both) from each subdivision will participate in each monthly conference call of the Committee.
The Chair writes a summary report to be distributed to the membership at the annual meeting.

Chair
The term of office for Chair is two years.
The Chair will represent the Clinical Practice Committee and report to Council.
The Chair will contribute an article for each issue of the AMP Newsletter.
The Chair communicates with their committee members, sets the schedule and agenda for conference calls, and ensures that projects are completed in a timely fashion.
The Clinical Practice Committee Chair is a voting member of Council.
The Chair may propose Junior members and/or ad hoc members (for special projects) to be approved by Council. Requests for ad hoc members for special projects may also be communicated by the Chair to the Membership and Professional Development Committee.
The Chair writes a summary report to be distributed to the membership at the annual meeting.
Representatives
The term of office for Committee Representatives from each Subdivision is two years. Starting with the 2008 elections, each Subdivision will have two representatives to the Clinical Practice Committee. Committee membership is staggered such that four representatives are replaced each year.
Subdivision Representatives work with the Chair and Chair-Elect of each Subdivision in quarterly conference calls to help coordinate Subdivision-specific projects to propose for CPC action and to provide feedback to Subdivision members about Committee progress.
 

Membership and Professional Development Committee
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.
The AMP Membership and Professional Development Committee (MPDC) provides recommendations to Council and assistance to other committees regarding matters of membership and professional development. The committee plays an important role in helping AMP respond to the needs of its members and in facilitating the development of leaders in the field of molecular pathology.

Responsibilities
Regular and timely notification to members about opportunities for special projects within or outside of standing committees and subdivisions.
Coordination of members’ qualifications/interests, committee preferences, expertise.
Coordinate requests by committee or subdivision chairs or Council for ad hoc members to work on projects, and determination of appropriate term limits of ad hoc members to facilitate participation by all AMP members.
Match member volunteers with committees.
Assess feedback from member volunteers about their experiences interacting with the Membership Committee and on individual projects.
Assess feedback from standing committees about ad hoc members.
Address other concerns to enhance professional development and benefits of AMP members.


Nominating Committee, Chair and Representatives
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.

Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending the recipients of the AMP Award for Excellence in Molecular Pathology and the AMP Leadership Award to AMP Council for review and final selection.
Members of the Nominating Committee develop a slate of candidates for the next election comprising both Subdivision Representative positions and Council-level positions. Nominating Committee members also notify candidates of election results.
The Nominating Committee meets at least monthly by conference call to develop the ballot. At least one Nominating Committee representative (preferably both) from each subdivision will participate in each monthly conference call of the Nominating Committee. In addition, the Committee meets in person at the Annual Meeting.

Chair
The Chair of the Nominating Committee is the AMP Past President and works with representatives from the subdivisions to organize and administer the nomination and election process. The Chair also recruits candidates for Council positions and the Technical Representative to the Program Committee.
The Nominating Committee Chair will contact the recipients (Excellence and Leadership) following Council approval and will submit articles for each AMP Newsletter.
The Chair routinely communicates with the committee members, sets the schedule and agenda for conference calls, and ensures that the ballot is completed and that candidates are notified in a timely fashion.
The Chair of the Nominating Committee is a voting member of Council.

Representatives
The term of office for Chair and Subdivision Representatives is two years. There are two representatives from each Subdivision, serving overlapping terms for continuity.
Representatives develop a slate of candidates for their subdivision for the next election and offer suggestions for Council-level positions. Representatives ensure that candidate statements are obtained from each candidate and submitted to the AMP office. Representatives also notify candidates of election results by telephone.
Subdivision Representatives work with the Chair and Chair-Elect of their respective Subdivision during quarterly conference calls to help coordinate Subdivision-specific candidates for election.

Professional Relations Committee (PRC), Chair and Chair-Elect:
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.

Committee
The Professional Relations Committee interacts with various groups, including other professional societies and U.S. Federal agencies such as the FDA, CMS, CDC, and HHS regarding issues of professional practice, regulatory policies, and reimbursement.
The Committee meets at least monthly by conference call, in person at the annual meeting, and by e-mail communication.

Chair
The Professional Relations Committee Chair serves as the primary liaison between AMP and other organizations and works with the Committee to develop AMP positions on emerging issues affecting molecular pathology.
The Chair-Elect is a two year commitment with the Chair-Elect assuming the Chair position in the subsequent year.
The Chair contributes an article for each issue of the AMP Newsletter.
The Chair communicates with the committee members, sets the schedule and agenda for conference calls, and ensures that projects are completed in a timely fashion.
The Chair is a voting member of Council and will participate in monthly Council conference calls.
The Chair writes a summary report to be distributed to the membership at the annual meeting.

Committee Members
The members of the Professional Relations Committee are appointed by Council. Ad hoc members may be appointed if a particular issue requires additional expertise.
Professional Relations Committee members will draft position statements, and represent AMP at meetings of the groups with which AMP interacts (see committee responsibility #1 above) as needed.

Strategic Planning Committee (SPC), Chair
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.

Committee
The Strategic Planning Committee carries out long range assessments regarding opportunities and challenges in the molecular pathology profession and other environments that affect AMP interests.
The Strategic Planning Committee is responsible to, but separate from, Council.
The Strategic Planning Committee makes recommendations to Council to assist them in the following:
      identifying goals to maximize AMP’s growth and progress;
      identifying external threats or internal weaknesses that could prevent AMP from attaining its goals;
      identifying external opportunities and internal strengths that can help AMP attain its goals;
      instituting a strategy for the allocation of resources in a manner that will allow AMP to reach its goals.
The Strategic Planning Committee communicates regularly with Council via the President-Elect, who is the SPC liaison to Council.
The Strategic Planning Committee prepares a Summary Report for Council’s discussion at their first meeting at the Annual Meeting.

Chair
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee are appointed by Council and serve staggered three-year terms.
The Strategic Planning Committee Chair is appointed by Council.
The Strategic Planning Committee Chair routinely communicates with the committee members, sets the schedule and agenda for conference calls, assigns and monitors the progress of tasks, submits the final draft of the SPC Summary Report to the President, and is available to present the Summary Report to Council in person at their first meeting at the Annual Meeting.

Committee Members
The Strategic Planning Committee Chair routinely communicates with the committee members, sets the schedule and agenda for conference calls, assigns and monitors the progress of tasks, submits the final draft of the SPC Summary Report to the President, and is available to present the Summary Report to Council in person at their first meeting at the Annual Meeting.
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee have extensive experience in molecular pathology and are senior members of AMP. Member of the Strategic Planning Committee may not be members of Council, and if former members of Council, must have been off Council for at least one year.
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee make recommendations to Council regarding replacement members of the committee and the Chair.

Training & Education (T&E) Committee, Chair and Representative
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.

Committee
The Training and Education Committee oversees and implements important projects and issues such as training programs and certifications in molecular pathology, mentoring of trainees, and education in molecular pathology (e.g. MGP Board Review Course, Pathology Outreach Program). Responsibilities, projects, and accomplishments include:
      Selecting the recipients of the Young Investigator Awards (YIA) at the Annual Meeting
      Selecting the Junior (Trainee) Representatives to the Committee
      Addressing training and certification requirements
      Addressing accreditation of training programs in molecular pathology/genetics/microbiology
      Compiling curriculum materials
      Developing workshops and continuing education opportunities at AMP meetings and other occasions
      Surveying educational offerings in molecular pathology
      Communicating with the American Board of Pathology and other certification agencies
      Initiatives for Trainees (Trainee luncheon at the annual meeting)
      Organizing mentoring opportunities at AMP meetings or other occasions
      Oversight of public and professional education initiatives, e.g. AMP Liaison to Lab Tests Online and the list of FDA approved/cleared tests on the AMP website
The Committee meets monthly by conference call, in person at the annual meeting, and by e-mail communication.

Chair
The term of office for the T & E Chair is two years.
The Chair may propose Junior members and/or ad hoc members (for special projects) to be approved by Council. Requests for ad hoc members for special projects may also be communicated by the Chair to the Membership and Professional Development Committee.
The Chair will contribute an article for each issue of the AMP Newsletter.
The Chair communicates with the committee members, sets the schedule and agenda for conference calls, and ensures that projects are completed in a timely fashion.
The Chair of the Committee is a voting member of Council.
The Chair writes a summary report to be distributed to the membership at the annual meeting.

Representatives
Starting with the 2008 elections, each Subdivision will have two representatives to the T&E Committee. Committee membership is staggered such that four representatives are replaced each year.
Representatives are responsible for bringing member concerns on T&E issues to the Committee for discussion.
Subdivision Representatives work with the Chair and Chair-elect of each Subdivision in quarterly conference calls to coordinate Subdivision-specific projects and to provide feedback to Subdivision members about Committee progress.
The elected members of the T&E Committee also select at least one Associate member to be the "Junior Member" of the Committee each year.
The T&E Committee members review poster presentations to select the recipients of the Young Investigator Award at the annual meeting.

Junior Member
The term of office for the Junior Member is one year.
The responsibilities of the Junior Members of the T & E Committee include:
      Bringing any issues from the trainees to the Committee in an objective manner;
      Overseeing and moderating the trainee listserv, including starting discussion threads or raising questions as needed;
      Organizing the format and speakers for the Trainee Luncheon at the annual meeting;
      Regularly updating the book lists for study and review.

Subdivisions
All General Responsibilities for Committee & Subdivision Chairs apply to this elected position.  Please review at this link.

AMP has four subdivisions to represent the focused specialties of the membership: Genetics, Hematopathology, Infectious Disease and Solid Tumors.  AMP members may choose to ally with one or more or all of these subdivisions to reflect their individual clinical practice and interest(s). 

Elected officers of subdivisions include:
      Chair
      Chair-Elect
      Two (2) representatives to the Nominating Committee
      Two (2) representatives to the Clinical Practice Committee

      Two (2) representatives to the Training and Education Committee

Chair and Chair-Elect
Each Subdivision Chair-Elect is a two year commitment with the Chair-Elect assuming the Chair position in the subsequent year.
The primary responsibility of the Subdivision Chair and Chair-Elect is to serve their members’ interests on the Program Committee. These officers communicate between their members and the Program Committee to plan topics and speakers for subdivision-specific plenary sessions and workshops for the AMP annual meeting.
The Chair and Chair-Elect will participate in the conference calls (usually twice per month) of the Program committee.
The Chair and Chair-Elect review all abstracts submitted for the annual meeting within their subdivision concentration. Abstracts that are unacceptable are referred to the Program Committee Chair for final decision and rejection.
Subdivision Chairs and Chairs-Elect conduct a substantive business meeting with members of the subdivision at the annual meeting luncheons. During their luncheon session, they inform the members of the activities and accomplishments of the Subdivision Representatives to AMP standing committees, recruit members to run for elected office in the next year, and solicit ideas for topics and speakers for the next annual meeting program. Any subdivision member may present issues or topics of concern that impact practitioners of that specialty.
Each subdivision will conduct quarterly conference calls with all elected officers of the subdivision. The Chair will set the agenda and circulate to the participants of these calls. At least one representative (preferably both) from each standing Committee will participate in each conference call of the Subdivision.
The Chair will also participate in monthly Council calls as a non-voting member. If the Chair is unavailable to represent the members, the Chair-Elect should fill this role.

Representatives
The responsibility of the elected Subdivision Representatives to standing committees (Nominating, Clinical Practice, Training and Education) is to represent the interest of the subdivision members in each committee’s activities and projects. They participate in the meetings, conference calls, and email discussions of each committee and provide feedback during subdivision discussions.
Subdivision Representatives meet together with the Chair and Chair-Elect of each Subdivision in quarterly conference calls to help coordinate Subdivision-specific projects.
 

Approved by Council, August 2007

05/08/2008