Mini-Conferences perform a valuable function in Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) Meetings.  They provide opportunities to focus on areas of research in plasma science and interdisciplinary discourse not ordinarily covered in the regular program, and encourage participation from scientists who do not usually attend DPP Meetings.  To ensure that Mini-Conferences fulfill their mission in DPP Meetings, the 2008 Program Committee will use the following guidelines in selecting Mini-Conferences and endorsing their programs:

1. The theme of a proposed Mini-Conference must be one that is not ordinarily covered in the regular program.  The proposal for the Mini-Conference must make a compelling argument why focus on the proposed theme will represent value added to the DPP Meeting.
    
2. Mini-Conference organizers may solicit participation from selected presenters.  Mini-Conference organizers are encouraged to provide a tentative list of solicited presentations in their proposal, but they should not issue formal solicitations until the Program Committee has approved the Mini-Conference.
   
3. The oral program of a Mini-Conference must include a combination of solicited and unsolicited papers.  Solicited papers should take up no more than 75% of the time allotted for a Mini-Conference.
   
   The deadline for receiving proposals for Mini-Conferences is Friday, May 16, 2008.  In order to encourage unsolicited contributions, the approved Mini-Conferences will be announced on Friday, June 6, 2008.  Direct communications from the Mini-Conference organizers to potential participants are strongly encouraged.
   
4. The Program Committee reserves the right to suggest changes in thematic content and the list of solicited presenters for a Mini-Conference to ensure scientific balance and broad participation. There will be a limited number of mini-conferences.  Proposals should be submitted to the Program Chair, Amitava Bhattacharjee (amitava.bhattacharjee@unh.edu), with a copy to Saralyn Stewart (stewart@physics.utexas.edu) as early as possible but no later than Friday, May 16. Please include the following information:

(1) Mini-conference title
(2) Mini-conference organizers/affiliations
(3) Preliminary presenters list
(4) Planned relative length of time-allocations for solicited and contributed talks
(5) Audio visual equipment request
(6) Brief description (will, or will not include a poster session)

If a mini-conference is approved for inclusion in the technical program, mini-conference papers must be submitted by Friday, July 18.  Presenters must select mini-conference subject category 11.0.0 and must include a brief mini-conference title in the Special Instructions.  Mini-conference presenters are allowed one additional first author paper submission in the regular technical program.

Note: Mini-conference presenters will be required to pay the day-to-day registration fee, or the weeklong APS member registration fee.