It is all about Study Groups! This space is designed for study group participants. Whether your role is coordinator, moderator or speaker, you should use this reference tool as a guide in preparation for your study group session.
Study Group sessions are planned by ACR members in an effort to network with those who share a common interest in a popular area of rheumatology. Attendees use these sessions for discussion as well as dissemination of information for common disease interests, related disease groups and specialized fields of study.
As Study Groups are non-CME activities, the coordinator is responsible for all aspects of the session. The ACR will provide meeting space, assign a time slot and promote the sessions in the registration brochure and program book publications.
The Study Group coordinator is the primary contact. However, feel free to contact the ACR staff liaison Stacey Boyd at (404) 633-3777 ext. 804 or should your need further assistance.
We are delighted that you have chosen to share your expert opinions with the international rheumatology community at the 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C. and we look forward to working with you.
Study Group Coordinators
ELIGIBILITY
Any ACR member interested in coordinating a study group is eligible to submit a study group application ‐ membership status must be current at the time of submission and of the annual meeting.
Application
Applications must be submitted by the study group coordinator on the official online application form no later than December 6, 2011.
Applications must include a copy of the final program, in order to be considered complete. Required elements include the name of the study group, title and duration of each presentation, each confirmed speaker’s name and contact information (include academic degree(s), institution, city and state, phone number, email address, and ACR membership status), reason for study group and total budget.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Review Process
All study group applications must be reviewed and approved by the ACR. Approval of applications will be at the ACR’s discretion and will depend upon several factors, including space availability. Priority will be given to programs that address educational needs or interests of the ACR membership that are not addressed in the official ACR programming. The decision of the ACR is final.
Each study group is expected to present fair and balanced educational content. Following the ACR’s review and approval, study group coordinators will then be given the opportunity to make minor modifications to the program.
Stipend
Approved study groups will receive an annual stipend of up to $750. The stipend may be used to pay an honorarium and/or travel expenses for a non‐ACR member speaker, printing of syllabi and/or evaluation forms, rental of non‐standard audiovisual equipment, or shipping materials to the convention center. The maximum honorarium for a non‐ACR member speaker is $250 and the maximum travel reimbursement is $500. Upon request of the study group coordinator, the ACR will provide no more than two non‐ACR member speakers with complimentary registration to the general scientific sessions. Speakers who are ACR members are not eligible to receive honoraria, travel reimbursement or complimentary registration. A budget must be submitted with the application form. If rental of non‐standard audiovisual equipment is required, it should be listed on the study group application.
The costs of non‐standard audiovisual equipment will be limited to the available funds in the $750 stipend. If the application is approved, the ACR staff will notify the study group coordinator and these costs will then be deducted from the allotted stipend.
The ACR will distribute the stipend, according to the budget on the application form. The budget section of the form must be completed at time of submission in order to receive the $750 stipend. Any unused funds will remain the property of the ACR and will not be allocated to future applications.
Collecting dues or registration fees from study group attendees and/or accepting financial support from industry or other third parties is not permitted.
Receptions serving food or beverages may not be linked to a study group, without the prior approval of the ACR.
ASSIGNMENT OF DATE AND SPACE
The duration of each study group may not exceed the assigned time slot of 60 or 90 minutes. Assignment of dates and times will be at the ACR’s discretion. The ACR will provide meeting space at no additional charge. Each study group must be held in the assigned space. Each room will be arranged with theater seating. Room assignments will be confirmed, after the ACR scientific program has been finalized. An audiovisual technician and standard audiovisual equipment, consisting of an LCD projector, screen, microphone and pointer, will be provided for each study group. The cost of any additional audiovisual equipment or of an alternative room set‐up will be deducted from the $750 stipend. Special requests must be listed on the application form.
EVALUATIONS AND SPEAKER AGREEMENTS
As the study groups are not CME activities, the ACR will not provide attendee evaluations or speaker agreements. If the study group coordinator desires an evaluation of the session, it is the responsibility of the study group coordinator to develop, distribute, collect and tabulate such attendee evaluations. Each study group evaluation must include the following disclaimer: “This activity is not an official program of the American College of Rheumatology.”
It is recommended, but not required, that each study group coordinator provide a speaker agreement for each non‐ACR member speaker.
Download a Sample Evaluation: 
PDF format or 
Word format.
Download a Sample Speaker Agreement: Word format.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
Study group coordinators may produce educational materials that are based on the presentations of the study group. However, these materials may not be associated with or reference the ACR or its annual meeting. Funding from industry or third parties to produce such educational materials is not permitted.
Study Group Speakers
As Study Groups are non-CME activities and not considered part of the Annual Scientific Meeting sessions, Study Group speakers and moderators are not required to complete an ACR speaker agreement or provide a disclosure of commercial relationships to confirm their participation as speaker/moderator.
Study Group speakers/moderators should contact their session coordinator directly to obtain instructions and details regarding their speaking engagement.
Study Group speakers are required to:
- Register for the Annual Scientific Meeting
- Make their own housing and travel accommodations
Study Group speakers are not required to:
- Submit a syllabus to the ACR
- Complete a disclosure
- Complete an ACR speaker agreement (although one may be required by your session coordinator)
