PCOGS Glossary
Learning the language and process of a Society can be daunting. Here are some of the words and definitions you'll hear at a PCOGS event!
Activities
Activities are organized by volunteer members and are an opportunity to connect with new and old friends of the society in a fun and social way. There are lots of options, some free and some require payment (and/or signing up in advance) in addition to your registration fees. You are highly encouraged to participate, along with your companions and children.
Caucus
Geographic divisions of PCOGS
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Seattle (To include the states of Washington, Alaska, Northern Idaho above latitude 45 degrees, and the Province of British Columbia, Canada),
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Portland (To include the States of Oregon and Idaho below latitude 45 degrees),
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San Francisco (To include the states of Hawaii and Utah, the northern half of California including the area delineated by a line from the southern boundary of Carmel Valley extending eastward to the southern boundaries of Fresno and then past the southern edge of Ely to the Eastern border of Nevada),
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Los Angeles (To include the portion of California northward stopping at the border of the San Francisco Caucus and extending south to a line drawn from the Southern edge of Orange County extending eastward to the southern border of Coachella and then to the Arizona border and the southern half of Nevada below the border of the San Francisco Caucus),
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San Diego/Arizona (To include the States of Arizona, New Mexico, and the portion of California below the southern boundary of the Los Angeles Caucus).
Companion
Partners/Spouses/Friends/Family. Any person that the PCOGS Fellow or Guest chooses to have accompany them to the Annual Meeting or events. These individuals do not attend the scientific sessions. All companions and family members receive name badges upon registration, which will allow their participation in meeting activities, meals, and the hospitality suite.
Exhibitor Hall
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about new technologies, medications, and innovation in our field. Additionally, their financial support is critical to the financial success of our meetings: they help subsidize the cost of our meeting to keep meeting registration costs as low as possible. Meeting attendees receive a raffle card to fill out with vendor signatures, then turn in a fully completed card for a raffle for a free future meeting registration.
Fellow
A member of PCOGS.
Guest
Guest: One of several types of non-member (non-Fellow) attendees
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Year 0 (optional year): Personal Guest - "no strings attached"; these guests attend meetings as a guest of a single member (Fellow) of PCOGS, but are not under any obligation to continue in the membership track.Y
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Year 1: Caucus Guest
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Year 2: (optional attendance at meeting) Guest of the Board of Directors
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Year 3: Society Guest; presents their original research paper; thereafter eligible for membership
Hospitality Suite
Guests and all other paid attendees are invited to the hospitality suite during posted open hours. Here you will find more snacks, drinks, socializing, and photo albums from years past. It's a fun place to connect, relax and socialize. The Hospitality Suite is stocked, staffed, and managed by volunteer members/companions (who also stay in the suite). Please honor any private spaces in this room, and thank them for their volunteering!
Presidential Address
This is a special moment in the PCOGS annual meeting in which the PCOGS President addresses the Society. This is often a moment to share perspectives, insights, reflections, predictions, and wisdom. All attendees and their registered companions are encouraged to attend.