The Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting provides the focus of The College's efforts and an opportunity for the exchange of information in a comfortable setting. More than 50% of the members attend each year. The program has a central theme developed over four days. The program format includes large general sessions, small interest groups and workshops. General sessions and workshops are well attended. Interest groups are attended by less than 50% of registrants. Themes for previous years are: 2005: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 2004: Clinical Psychiatry in the Genetic Revolution 2003: Psychiatry and Medicine: Integration Redux 2002: How Modern Neuroscience and Clinical Practice Inform Each Other 2001: Educating Psychiatrists for the 21st Century 2000: Challenges & Opportunities for the 21st Century 1999: Bridges to the Future 1998: Diversity in Psychiatric Treatments: Conflict or Integration? 1997: Aggression and Human Survival 1996: Thriving in an Evolving Health Care System 1995: Psychotherapy in Psychiatry-What does the Future Hold? 1994: Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges in an Era of Regimentation and Regulation 1993: Toward DSM-IV: Important Controversies in Diagnosis and Treatment 1992: Memories, True, False and Absent 1991: Psychiatry and Public Policy Programs are uniformly excellent, and leading scholars, clinicians, and researchers present well-prepared discussions of important topics. When necessary to obtain the services of a particularly outstanding scholar or researcher, they are invited to participate in the program and are compensated for their expenses. Often members of The College are themselves expert in a certain area and are invited to participate in the program. An important reason why members attend the annual meeting is that they appreciate and enjoy the social events and the contacts with friends. As previously indicated, a high percentage attend with their spouses, who also enjoy the meetings. ACP News The College publishes an in-house newsletter four times a year. Advancement to Fellowship Status Members are given the opportunity to advance within the organization from Membership Status to Fellowship Status through contributions to the field of psychiatry and service to The College. Members may serve The College in one of three ways: By serving on a College component* (committee, editorial board or task force). See Committees. By serving on the annual meeting faculty as a presenter, workshop leader or interest group leader. By serving as a site inspector for the Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education. *The President-Elect appoints members and fellows to components. Programs The College Gives out Awards, administers The PRITE® exams, and grants Fellowships. These programs may be referenced via the Programs link in the header of this page.