Transition & Membership
Q: If I’m a current member of an SME committee, will I be automatically added to a CI Community of Interest (CI), or do I need to fill out a form?
A: If you are a current SME Committee member, you will be automatically transitioned into your CI.
Q: Who is included in each Community of Interest?
A: All members of the current SME Committee will transition to the corresponding Community of Interest. If you no longer wish to participate as a volunteer in your assigned Community of Interest, please submit your request through the
Community of Interest Opt-Out Form.
Q: Do I have to be a current APS member to participate in a Community of Interest?
A: Yes. As with committee participation, only active APS members may participate in a CI. If your membership lapses, you will be re-added to your previous CI upon renewal.
Participation & Meetings
Q: I am currently a member of an SME Committee. Will my term length be extended when I transition to my Community of Interest?
A: Communities of Interest do not have term lengths.
Q: The standard SME committee structure required participation in two meetings per year to remain in good standing. Will Communities of Interest (CIs) have annual meetings, or is that only for Coordinating Committees (CCs)?
A: The attendance requirement has been removed for Community of Interest participants. However, CI members will be invited to meetings held by the Coordinating Committees, though attendance is not mandatory.
Q: Will the annual meeting session submission process remain the same as under the SME Committee structure?
A: Yes. This process will continue to be led by the Coordinating Committee of each Community of Interest and will follow the same procedures and requirements.
Leadership & Governance
Q: Do all Communities of Interest have a Coordinating Committee and a Chair/Vice-Chair?
A: Yes. Every Community of Interest is led by a Coordinating Committee. The Coordinating Committee includes the current SME Committee Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary (if applicable). Additional volunteers may be appointed as needed.
Q: What is the process for electing members of the Coordinating Committees?
A: Coordinating Committees will aim to maintain a Vice Chair, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair, similar to the SME Committees. The election process for incoming Vice Chairs will remain unchanged, with volunteers being solicited for the position within each Community of Interest. Coordinating Committees will communicate updates regarding leadership transitions to APS staff after annual meeting.
Q: Does the Coordinating Committee that leads each Community of Interest only contain three people (Vice Chair, Chair, and Past Chair)?
A: No. While these three roles are always part of the Coordinating Committee, up to seven additional volunteers may be appointed to assist with CI activities. The total number of Coordinating Committee members is capped at ten to ensure efficiency and structured workflow.
Additional Questions?
Reach out to us at
apsmembership@scisoc.org.
