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    Program Classification Guidelines

    Thank you for your interest in producing a program! In order to best allocate staff time, we classify any program affiliated with the Section as either a Committee Program or a Section Program. You will start your program planning process by deciding which type of program you want to hold.

    Key Differences Between Section Programs and Committee Programs

    Section Programs

    • Affiliation with a DR Section Committee is not required
    • Tiered registration pricing
    • Majority of logistics managed by DR Staff
    • Subject to DR Staff and Leadership proposal processes and scheduling
    • Funded by the Section
    • Can be for CLE credit
    • Max annual number depends on staff capacity
    • Co-sponsorship is sought from ABA entities or other organizations

    Committee Programs

    • Must be produced on behalf of a DR Section Committee (see the list of committees here)
    • Registration is free to anyone
    • Majority of logistics managed by a planning committee (see below for a division of responsibilities)
    • Planning committee determines content and date/time
    • Funded by the planning committee (if applicable)
    • Not for CLE credit
    • Max of 2 per committee per bar year
    • Co-sponsorship is not sought from ABA entities or other external organizations

    What Category Does My Program Fall Into?

    Program Type Flowchart

    Program Type Flowchart

    I Have Categorized My Program. Now What?

    I Want to Hold a Committee Program

    • Division of Responsibilities
      • The program organizer is responsible for assembling a planning group for their Committee Program. The planning group may include non-ABA members.
        • Planning group responsibilities include:
        • Creating the program title and description.
        • Creating the Zoom program with a planning group member’s account or securing a venue for an in-person program.
        • Assuming any incurred costs, such as catering, virtual platform account subscription, etc.
        • Tracking registrations, if desired.
        • Developing program content and inviting speakers.
        • Marketing the program, including through committee listservs and ABA Connect. Please note that any graphics would need to be created using a template provided by staff (see "Next Steps" below).
        • Gathering program feedback from attendees.
        • Recording the program and distributing it to attendees, if desired.
        • All other program planning logistics not included in the below list of staff responsibilities.
    • Dispute Resolution Section Staff responsibilities are limited to:
      • Adding the Committee Program to the DR Section Events Calendar.
      • Giving moderator approval of any committee listserv messages advertising the program (the planning group drafts and sends the messages via ABA Connect).
      • Using the main DR account to share social media posts advertising the program (the planning group drafts and posts the content on their personal accounts).
      • Adding the program information to Section weekly email blasts (the planning group sends staff the program information via the form linked below).
      • Should a planning group request it, staff can provide basic information on recommended planning timelines, program best practices, graphics tutorials and templates, and technology options.
    • Next Steps
      • Assemble your planning group to complete the responsibilities listed above.
      • Once you have your program information final, submit this form to alert staff to add your program to the DR calendar and the weekly email blasts.
      • If you want, you can use one of these templates to create a flyer for your program that adheres to ABA branding. Be sure to make a copy of the template before you start inserting your program information.
      • If you want to create any additional graphics, use these specifications.
      • Tag the DR Section in any social media posts you make to promote your program.
      • For any questions about Committee Programs, please contact Maria Bartolo at [email protected].

    I Want to Hold a Section Program

    We typically produce a few types of Section Programs. Here is more information on each type:

    • The Section’s largest event is our annual Spring Conference, with dozens of programs and hundreds of attendees. We put out our request for program proposals each August. If you are interested in submitting a Spring Conference program proposal, keep an eye on our social media in the late summer for more information.
    • The Section also holds a few smaller multi-day events per year that we call Institutes. Each Institute’s programming is curated by its planning committee. If you want to propose a new Institute, you will need to submit this Proposal Form to the Section’s Executive Committee.
    • The Section also holds webinars once per month. The webinar guidelines and proposal form can be found here. Your proposal will need to be approved by the Section’s Educational Programs Committee.
    • If you have any questions about Section Programs, please contact Melissa Buckley at [email protected].