Committee: Annual Conference Committee (ACC)
Position: Poster Chair
Term Dates: January 1, 2026-June 30, 2027
The Annual Conference Committee provides oversight of the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo. They decide on the content of the conference, including both concurrent sessions and poster fairs. The Poster Chair on the committee is responsible for the development and oversight of the 2027 annual conference poster fairs. This position reports to the chair of the ACC and is a member of the ACC Executive Team, as well as the full ACC. In total, this is a one-and-a-half-year commitment.
Position updated July 2025
NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership to learn about available opportunities.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
- Think strategically about the role of the poster fairs at the NAFSA annual conference, and select poster fair themes that fit the conference theme and meet the professional development needs of NAFSA's audience.
- Assist in poster presenter preparation and training.
- Work closely with NAFSA staff to develop promotional materials for the fairs, coordinate the fairs, and enhance the poster fair attendee and poster presenter experience.
- Contribute to the overarching creation of a comprehensive and cutting-edge program for the annual conference.
- Recruit, train, and lead a team of volunteer Poster Fair Organizers who help solicit poster proposals, review the proposals, and prepare the accepted poster presenters.
- Solicit and review proposals for poster fairs alongside Poster Fair Organizers.
Commitment
Volunteer Commitment:
- Appointed in November 2025 and begin in January 2026. The term lasts 18 months and ends after the annual conference in 2027.
- Attend the virtual Winter Leadership Meeting (virtual) in early 2026, the in-person ACC meeting in October 2026, the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference, and the NAFSA 2027 Annual Conference.
- Participate in twice-monthly conference calls during the 18-month period.
- Work closely with the senior director and program manager of NAFSA conference program staff.
- Meet deadline targets and respond to phone calls and email correspondence in a timely manner.
- Attend leadership meetings at NAFSA annual conferences when possible, and commit to visibility and engagement during events and activities.
- In general, the time requirement is two hours per week, except during specific periods such as the month-long proposal review and rating process in the winter.
Expense Reimbursement:
- Travel and expenses are reimbursed for attendance at the ACC fall meeting.
- Annual conference registration fees are waived for the NAFSA 2027 Annual Conference & Expo.
- Operating expenses incurred remotely, such as copying or phone calls, are not reimbursed. Large copying jobs should be referred to NAFSA staff.
Qualifications
- NAFSA membership for the full volunteer term.
- Ability and willingness to serve and travel to conferences and meetings
- Understanding of NAFSA annual conference programs, services, and attendees, gained through attendance at three or more NAFSA annual conferences
- Broad knowledge of the professional needs of international educators
- Enthusiasm and ability to mobilize colleagues
- Cooperative team player with strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills
- Demonstrated strategic planning, management, networking, and delegation experience
- Understanding of NAFSA, its leadership structure, and its organization-wide perspectives and strategic priorities
- Ability to manage unconscious bias in the assessment and decision-making processes
Benefits and Appreciation
NAFSA appreciates its volunteer leaders with a strategy that develops, celebrates, and supports them throughout the year.
- Leaders in this role receive a discount on conference registration for the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo in appreciation of their service.
- Each year, leaders in this role receive complimentary access to two NAFSA e-learning courses, during quarter 1 and quarter 4.
- Leaders in this role are invited to an invite-only appreciation reception at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Leaders in this role are asked to attend online and onsite leadership community gatherings throughout the year, with themes focused on the NAFSA International Education Professional Competencies 2.0.
- Leaders in this role are recognized with special signage at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
