INTERNATIONAL SPINAL CORD SOCIETY
GUIDELINES
for the
Organization of
ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS




TIMETABLE
O:
secretariat ISCoS through L: local organizer

Pre-Conference

- 4 -6 YEARS
O
Ask for nomination for venue.
L
Propose nomination for venue.
O
Confirm venue by AGM (election)
O
Obtain information from the potential organizers regarding time of year, climate, location, transport (high/low season).
O
Publish announcement in Newsletter and Spinal Cord.
L
Publish announcement in other journals, both local and international.
O
Put on website.
O
Contract between ISCoS and local organizers signed.
O
Select main subjects (Scientific Committee proposal).
O
Division of responsibilities between local organizers as described in contract.
This is communicated to each (Secretariat, Scientific Committee, Council) by electronic mail immediately.
L
Check for clashes or links with other relevant conferences.
L

Give information of all your important activities to secretariat.

 

- 2 – 3 YEARS
O
Confirm venue and dates.
O+L
Select Expert Speakers (Scientific Committee Proposal).
O+L
Publish announcement including main topics for the meeting in Newsletter, Spinal Cord (in each issue until the congress has been held) and in other journals, both local and international, put on website.
L
Write to companies re-Commercial Exhibition - Appoint travel agents and airlines.
L

Obtain CME (Continuing Medical Education) points for the meeting and make this public.

 

- 1 YEAR
O+L
Re-confirm above.
L
Set Registration Fee and develop final budget.
L
Call for abstracts at Annual Scientific Meeting and announce closing date for receipt.
O+L
Announce titles of Expert Lectures, after confirmation of acceptance.
O+L
Define subjects for seminars or instructional courses before or after the meeting.
O+L
Publish announcement in Newsletter, Spinal Cord and in other journals, both local and international, put on website.
L

Distribute publicity material:

  • to those who can disseminate it at the Annual Scientific Meeting
  • in the country where the conference is to be held
  • via journals
  • on the web

 

- 11 MONTHS
L

Call for abstracts and workshops/symposia on the website of the Society, preferably as a link to the homepage of the host organising committee. This must include registration and accommodation booking forms.

 

- 7 MONTHS
Closing date for receipt of abstracts + registration of presenting author. This must be strictly adhered to. If the registration fee is not paid the abstract will not appear in the Abstract Book. If the abstract is not accepted a full refund should be possible.
Select Scientific Programme (ISCoS Scientific Committee together with Host Scientific Committee).
O+L

Put the scientific programme on the web as soon as possible.

 

- 5 MONTHS
L
Deadline for informing authors of acceptance or rejection, distributing instructions for presentation and instructions for publication in Spinal Cord. Those who wish to publish elsewhere must be informed that they must insert "Read before the Annual Scientific Meeting of ISCoS on..."
L
Provisional Programme must be available on the homepage for the meeting. This is essential, so the speakers know when they are speaking and delegates who cannot attend the whole conference can select sessions of particular interest to them.
L
Invited speakers, workshop presenters, etc., deadline for abstract submission for these to be published in the Abstract Book, and deadline for receipt of the Guttmann Lecture manuscript at Spinal Cord.
L
Poster presenters informed on what (maximum) size posters should be and when they are to be erected and taken down.

Use e-mail, airmail or air speeded post or local package delivery to corresponding secretaries.

 

- 3 MONTHS
 

Deadline for reduced registration fees.

 

- 2 MONTHS
L
Notify session Chairs. At this time it should be known who has registered for the meeting.


Conference

Scientific sessions usually last for three days; in addition there are usually the following:
Day -2, -1 or day 0: (depending on pre- or post- workshops)
Executive Committee Meeting (21/2 hours)
Nominations Committee (11/2 hours)
Scientific Committee

(2 hours)

Education Committee (11/2 hours)
Prevention Committee (1 hour)
Editorial Board

(11/2 hours)

 

For all committee meetings computer projection to be available.
Council Lunch (on budget of congress)
  Afternoon
Council Meeting (3 hours)
Followed by Council Dinner

(on budget of congress)

 

Pre- and post- congress meetings: workshops day before or after (day 0 or day 4) of the Annual Scientific Meeting proper
Opening Reception: Evening of Day 0 or Day 1
Day 2: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (usually 1 hour before lunch)
Society Dinner:

usually evening of day 2 - Official guests selected by Organizing Committee in consultation with President.

 

The meeting must be opened and closed by the President
or the one he appoints as his representative!

 

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