Sections                  
 
 
 
 
  SYMPOSIUM MANUAL    
Need for Organization and Planning
The first step in the planning of any symposia is to know the objective of the event. The symposium should also be conducted in accordance with the objectives of the Society as specified in Section A2 of the Society Bylaws. The symposium steering committee created by the section is responsible to the Executive Committee of that section as well as to society Headquarters. Once formed, the steering committee has the responsibility to request the Executive Committee of the Society for permission to proceed with planning and execution of the symposium (see Section IIB for details). Although a symposium may be conducted somewhat independently of section activities, the section reviews its affairs. Primary responsibility of the Symposium Steering Committee is to formulate and then organize a technical program that is not only current, but also of sufficient interest to attract an audience from the 17 sections, international member and the maritime industry.

Planning a symposium requires an organization capable of anticipating all the important events that will occur before, during, and after the meeting. Specific calendar benchmarks must be identified so that adequate time will be available to handle all the important aspects that the symposium steering committee wishes to accomplish. In this regard it is important to note that the committee explore calendars of events in other sections as well as important religious, local, and national holidays. Most important of all is that there be frequent communication between the Symposium Steering Committee and the Executive Committee of the local section hosting the symposium. In addition to the chairman of the steering committee being a member of the Section's Executive Committee, it is helpful to involve current or past officers of the local section on the Steering Committee.