Call for Volunteers: Vice Chair of the AAAL Online Conference
The EC has approved a plan for identifying a leader in charge of organizing the AAAL online conference to be held in 2028. The online conference for 2026 and 2027 will be held on a pilot basis, organized by already designated volunteers. To keep momentum, we are appointing the 2028 Online Conference Chair who will serve for three years between 2026 and 2029, as Vice Chair (shadowing the 2027 team), Chair (organizing the 2028 conference), and Past Chair (assisting—minimal work). We are looking for members who are interested, qualified, and committed to serve as the Vice Chair in 2026-2027.The Vice Chair will work in close collaboration with the Online Conference Chair of 2027, the Conference Planning Team, and the Business Office to ensure the effective planning, coordination, and execution of the event for 2028. During the second year (2027-2028), they will become the Chair and organize the 2028 Online Conference. During the third year (2028-2029), they will support the President Elect in appointing the new Vice Chair.
Expectations for the Online Conference Vice Chair (Year 1: 2026-2027)
- Shadow the 2027 Online Conference Chair and Planning Team.
- Assist the Chair and collaborate with the Second Vice President, Business Office, and the Conference Team Technical Specialist, apprenticing and providing ongoing support to the Online Conference Chair.
- Develop a budget for the annual conference to be held during the year when they are Online Conference Chair.
- Form an Online Conference Planning Team to assist with the 2028 conference programming and logistics.
- Participate actively in all planning team meetings (which includes attending monthly online meetings with the online conference planning team) and contribute to decision- making.
- Contribute to post-conference reporting, evaluation, and recommendations for improvement.
Expectations for the Online Conference Chair (Year 2: 2027-2028)
- Collaborate with the First Vice President, who serves as the In-Person Conference Chair, the Business Office, and the Conference Team Technical Specialist to organize the conference. Tasks include:
- oversight of conference budget and expenditures
- publicizing and marketing the conference
- defining, organizing, and overseeing all program review and content
- overseeing the adjudication of proposals
- creating the conference program
- Participate actively in all planning team meetings (which includes chairing meetings (e.g., monthly online conference planning team meetings, meeting with the in-person planning team (when necessary), meeting with the AAAL Business Office).
- mentoring the incoming Vice Chair; and
- any such other matters as may be considered by the Online Conference Chair to constitute “the program.”
- Serve as a non-voting, ex officio member on the Executive Committee, pending membership approval of the Bylaws amendment.
Expectations for the Online Conference Past Chair (Year 3: 2028-2029)
- Assist the President Elect in appointing a new Vice Chair.
- Play a role of consultant for the Online Conference Chair.
Qualifications
- Prior service to AAAL or experience in conference organization, academic event planning, or equivalent leadership roles.
- Familiarity with online conferencing platforms and willingness to engage with evolving technologies.
- Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative skills.
- Experience using digital technologies (e.g., Zoom) and/or running an online conference.
- Commitment to AAAL’s mission, values, and commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Note:
- The Chair receives an online conference registration waiver.