In This Section

CEWG Charter

Mission and Purposes 

The mission of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group is to advance cancer diagnostic, therapeutic, and prevention strategies by fostering a fundamental understanding of cancer evolution amongst its members and the broader cancer research community. 

The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group will accomplish its mission by working to:

  • Facilitate transdisciplinary approaches to the study of cancer evolution and translate novel cancer evolution insights into new early detection, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies to improve outcomes significantly and sustainably for cancer patients. 
  • Promote the incorporation of multiomic molecular (genetic, epigenetic, genomic, karyotype, transcriptomic, proteomic, epiproteomic, metabolic), cellular and tissue concepts and techniques, as well as novel data science tools into well-designed cancer evolution studies of multiclonal cancer cells and of host immune system and tumor microenvironment co-development. 
  • Recommend scientific and educational programs to provide ongoing forum(s) for the scholarly discussion and development of effective approaches to the conduct and interpretation of cancer evolution studies, including an annual Cancer Evolution Special Conference, an ongoing monthly Cancer Evolution Seminar Series, and cancer evolution sessions at AACR Annual Meetings. 
  • Foster collaborations with individuals interested in this scientific area and with relevant AACR scientific working groups that are engaged in other scientific disciplines. 
  • Assist with the professional advancement of early- and mid-career investigators engaged in cancer evolution research. 
  • Establish a community of cancer evolution experts and other individuals interested in advancing progress in cancer evolution. 

Article I:  Working Group Membership 

Section 1 

Membership in the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group is free and open to all members of the AACR interested in the above listed scientific areas. AACR members may indicate their wish to join the group via the AACR annual dues invoice or by submitting a request by email to the designated AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group staff liaison.  

Article II. Working Group Leadership 

Section 1 

The leadership body of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group shall consist of both an Executive Committee and a Steering Committee.  

Section 2 

The responsibilities of all AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members will include, but are not limited to: 

  • Encouraging and maintaining active participation in AACR activities, initiatives, and programs involving any aspect of cancer evolution research. 
  • Promoting AACR programs pertinent to cancer evolution research as well as other areas of cancer research and cancer-related science and technology. 
  • Representing the field of cancer evolution by serving as liaisons and scientific/medical advisors to the AACR Board of Directors, internal AACR staff, and relevant external bodies. 
  • Establishing priorities for the scientific and professional goals of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group and its members. 
  • Providing input to the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group’s Co-Chairs and AACR leadership on important issues e.g., suggestions for new Executive and Steering Committee members; formation and membership of standing or ad hoc subcommittees to carry out the work of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group; and recommendations of individuals to be nominated for service on various AACR Committees, Association Groups, and Editorial Boards. 
  • Conceptualizing and developing AACR Annual Meeting, Special Conference, and Educational Workshop scientific content, including symposia and other sessions of interest to the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group’s membership, for approval by the AACR Board of Directors or relevant Annual Meeting or Standing Committees (e.g., AACR Education and Training Committee; AACR Special Conferences Com

Section 3 

All active AACR members in good standing are eligible to serve on the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees.  

Section 4 

The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group leadership body shall abide by the following provisions: 

  • The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group’s overarching leadership will consist of three categories of Officers: Co-Chairs, Co-Chair-Elects, and Immediate Past Co-Chairs. This leadership body shall also include at least five additional members appointed by existing Officers, each serving three-year terms. All such committee roles shall constitute positions within the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group’s Executive Committee, which will serve as the representative voice of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Steering Committee and membership at large. Following the inaugural year of the Working Group’s existence, additional Working Group Executive Committee members shall be nominated and appointed by the existing Working Group Officers in a rotational sequence of two, two, and one individual(s) to ensure continuity of an overall odd number of individuals serving within the Working Group’s overarching leadership body. Specifically, two individuals shall be appointed to serve 2022-2025 terms, followed by two individuals appointed to serve 2023-2026 terms, followed by one individual to serve a 2024-2027 term. This sequence shall be subsequently repeated in 2025 when two individuals are appointed to serve 2025-2028 terms.  
  • All AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Steering Committee members shall each serve staggered three-year terms. New Steering Committee members shall be nominated by existing AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members. All such members shall rank order any submitted nominations, after which the ordered list of recommended nominations shall be submitted by the AACR staff liaison to the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Officers for final approval. Once the list of top candidates is ratified by the Working Group Officers, formal invitations to serve on the Steering Committee shall be issued to all top ranked individuals until all vacant positions are filled. Each year following the inaugural year of the Working Group’s existence, five additional individuals shall be nominated and appointed as Working Group Steering Committee members to each serve three-year terms.  
  • The overall composition of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees must reflect the scientific, racial, ethnic, gender, and geographic diversity of the AACR’s membership and strive to reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of the cancer research community. The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee shall be comprised of two Co-Chairs, two Co-Chair-Elects, and two Immediate Past Co-Chairs in addition to at least five additional members, with the total number of Officers never to exceed four individuals depending on the first or second year of the elected Co-Chairs term. The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Steering Committee shall consist of fifteen total members unless deemed otherwise by AACR leadership. The number of AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Officers, Executive Committee, and Steering Committee members may be modified at the outset of the group’s formation to achieve the overarching scientific goals of the working group and may be subject to change as deemed necessary by AACR leadership. The maximum number of Working Group Steering Committee members shall not exceed thirty individuals.  
  • AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Officers and Executive and Steering Committee members may not serve for consecutive terms within the Working Group’s leadership. Per the parameters of this Charter, individuals may be nominated, elected, and invited to return to the Working Group’s leadership body as an Officer or member of the Executive Committee or Standing Committee after spending at least one year removed from the Working Group’s leadership. The only exception to this parameter shall be if an individual serving on the Working Group’s Steering Committee is selected to serve as a member of the Working Group’s Executive Committee or is nominated and elected to the position of Working Group Co-Chair-Elect. 
  • Term limits for all newly elected AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members will begin at the time of the AACR Annual Meeting immediately following their election and will terminate as of the AACR Annual Meeting three years later. 
  • Term limits for the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair-Elects and Immediate Past Co-Chairs shall be restricted to one year, while the term limit for AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs shall be for two years. Each of these roles shall be held in succession, for a total term of four years. The only exception to this parameter shall be for the two inaugural AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair Elect positions, which shall extend for a period of two years prior to the transition of both individuals to AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair positions, which shall extend for a period of two years prior to final transition to AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Immediate Past Co-Chair positions for a period of one year.   
  • In some instances, and when deemed appropriate by the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee and AACR leadership, representatives from other organizations interested in the Working Group’s primary scientific discipline area shall be appointed to the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Steering Committee. Such individuals would serve a term limit as determined by the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group’s leadership and as is deemed appropriate given the member’s position within the other organization.  

Section 5 

AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Officers shall be elected as follows: 

  • The election slate for AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair-Elects shall be developed by a Nominating Committee consisting of nine AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group members in good standing. Four of these members shall be the current Co-Chairs and Immediate Past Co-Chairs of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee. In the absence of Immediate Past Co-Chairs, other Executive Committee members may serve on the Nominating Committee. The remaining five members of the Nominating Committee will be appointed by the Executive Committee Co-Chairs, with one of these five individuals also serving as Nominating Committee Chair. 
  • The Nominating Committee shall identify four primary and four or more alternate candidates in ranked priority to stand for election to the position of AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair-Elect. 
  • All members of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Nominating Committee are ineligible from standing for election to the position of Working Group Co-Chair-Elect until their committee term has expired. Current members of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees, with the exception of current Officers, are eligible to be nominated. In the event that such an individual is elected, the current Working Group Co-Chairs must name replacement Executive and/or Steering Committee members to populate any vacated positions.   
  • Once four candidates for the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair-Elect positions have been finalized, a ballot will be developed summarizing each candidate’s professional background. This ballot will also contain vision statements from each candidate outlining their intended goals for the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group. Ballots will be issued electronically to all Working Group members for a popular vote. In lieu of an electronically submitted ballot, Working Group members may also vote by mail. All mailed ballots must be submitted and received by AACR’s staff liaison to the Working Group no later than the advertised voting deadline. Any mailed votes received after the advertised deadline will not be counted.  

Section 6 

AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair-Elects shall be elected by popular vote of AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group members and will assume office at the AACR Annual Meeting immediately following their election. Upon expiration of the existing Co-Chairs terms of office, the newly elected Co-Chair-Elects will assume the positions of Co-Chairs, while the Co-Chairs will assume the role of Immediate Past Co-Chairs. The Immediate Past Co-Chairs will subsequently retire from the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee upon the expiration of his or her term of office. 

Section 7 

AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee Leadership Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs shall preside over all AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee meetings and all other meetings and functions of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group. 
  • The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs, in collaboration with the Working Group’s staff liaison, shall prepare all reports deemed necessary to update the AACR Board of Directors on the Working Group’s activities. 
  • The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs shall serve as the main point of contact between AACR and the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees, oversee any Working Group subcommittees (if applicable), and direct all Working Group initiatives approved by the AACR Board of Directors. 
  • The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair-Elects shall assume the duties of the Co-Chairs in their absence and shall oversee all activities delegated by the Co-Chairs. 
  • The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair-Elects, in consultation with the Working Group Co-Chairs, shall appoint all new members of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees required to replace outgoing members at the beginning of their term of office. All new Executive and Steering Committee members shall be selected and confirmed according to the parameters outlined in Article II, Section 4. 
  • The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Immediate Past Co-Chairs shall serve to preserve programmatic and leadership continuity as well as to assist in the functions and programs of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees, as needed. 

Section 8 

AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members are expected to attend regular meetings of the Working Group’s leadership. If an extended absence is required by a member because of extenuating circumstances, an exception may be granted by the Working Group’s Officers. An Executive or Steering Committee member who has not asked for an exception and has failed to attend three consecutive Working Group leadership meetings or teleconferences shall be considered to have resigned.  

Reinstatement shall be considered by the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee only upon receipt of a written petition from the member facing resignation. Any AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive or Steering Committee member may be dismissed upon unanimous vote of the remaining AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members for failure to perform his or her duties and responsibilities. Grounds for dismissal include but are not limited to failure to perform duties and responsibilities as assigned by the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs; failure to attend three consecutive Working Group leadership meetings or conference calls without an exception; and failure to act in accordance with this Charter, the Policies of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees, or with the Bylaws and Policies of the AACR. 

Section 9 

In the event of a vacancy in the office of AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chair, a Co-Chair-Elect shall assume the office of Co-Chair for the remainder of the unexpired term and shall subsequently continue as Co-Chair for the next term of office. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Co-Chair-Elect, the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group shall hold an election following the procedure outlined in Article II, Section 5. In the event of a vacancy of an AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive or Steering Committee member’s seat, the Co-Chair-Elects shall appoint a Cancer Evolution Working Group member in good standing to serve for the remainder of the term of office associated with the vacated position. 

Section 10 

Formation of the inaugural AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees shall begin with the submission of a formal proposal to the AACR Board of Directors for consideration and approval. Submitted proposals shall outline primary and alternate Officer and member recommendations that adequately reflect the scientific diversity necessary to accomplish the goals of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group. Term limits associated with the inaugural AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group leadership body shall reflect those set forth by AACR’s established policies as outlined in Article II, Section 4. The term limits associated with the inaugural AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs, Co-Chair-Elects, and Executive Committee members shall be extended if deemed appropriate by the members of the inaugural AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees in collaboration with AACR leadership.  

Article III. Working Group Meetings and Quorum 

Section 1 

The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group shall hold an Annual Town Hall Meeting for all Working Group members and any individual interested in the Working Group’s programs during the AACR Annual Meeting, or at any such other AACR meeting or Special Conference as deemed appropriate by the Working Group’s leadership. 

Section 2 

 AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group leadership meetings and teleconferences may be called by any Working Group Co-Chair or, in case of a Co-Chair’s absence or disability, by the Co-Chair-Elects. Notice of all meetings and teleconferences shall be given to all AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members at least seven calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. 

Section 3 

The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group leadership will conduct meetings via teleconference as needed. In-person meetings may be organized with the approval of AACR leadership. 

Section 4 

A simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum at all AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee meetings. 

Article IV. Working Group Committees 

Section 1 

The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs, with the approval of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee and AACR leadership, may establish standing and/or ad hoc committees to carry out the work of the Working Group’s leadership. The number of committees to be appointed shall depend upon the approved programs and activities of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group, and the financial resources available. 

Section 2 

The AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Co-Chairs, in consultation with the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive Committee, and with the approval of AACR leadership, may dissolve any standing and/or ad hoc committee as deemed appropriate. 

Article V. Working Group Financial Support 

Section 1 

Members of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group and its leadership body will be expected to assist with fundraising specifically designed to raise funds in support of ongoing and future Working Group programs, initiatives, research grants, travel awards, scientific achievement awards, and other Working Group-led efforts.  

Section 2 

The AACR Foundation staff shall work to procure the funds needed to meet the goals of the Working Group. 

Section 3 

Generated funds will cover the cost associated with staff required to manage the activities of the Working Group. The number and extent of Working Group activities shall be dependent on the amount of funds raised. Funds raised for the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group will be specifically designated for the Working Group’s programs. 

Article VI. Working Group Program Administration  

Section 1 

An AACR Staff Liaison shall be appointed by the AACR Chief Executive Officer to oversee the program administration of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group. This appointed individual will provide scientific support and perform all administrative functions necessary to execute the initiatives of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees in keeping with the policies of the AACR. 

Section 2 

AACR shall be informed of and approve all AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group activities. Approval is based on feedback from the AACR Board of Directors, the compatibility of the proposed activity with AACR’s mission, staff availability to complete the tasks necessary to implement the activity, and the overall feasibility of the proposed initiative(s) contingent upon financial resources. Written program proposals accompanied by an estimated budget shall first be submitted to the AACR Chief Executive Officer for approval, prior to submission to the AACR Board of Directors. 

Section 3 

All official communications originating from the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committees and sent to the Working Group’s membership shall first be approved by the AACR. The AACR staff liaison to the Working Group shall be included on all communications, facsimiles, letters, etc. relevant to the activities of the Working Group that are generated and distributed by Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members. 

Article VII. Working Group Charter Amendments 

Section 1 

Any member of the AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group may submit a written proposal to amend this Charter. However, only AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members may raise such an amendment for consideration by the Working Group’s leadership. 

Section 2 

A two-thirds vote of all AACR Cancer Evolution Working Group Executive and Steering Committee members is required for any proposed Charter amendment to be considered further by AACR’s leadership. All proposed amendments must be first reviewed and approved by the AACR Chief Executive Officer prior to consideration by the AACR Board of Directors.