This guide is intended to provide assistance in developing, organizing, and operating vocational instructional program (VIP) advisory committees. It is designed to be useful for secondary or postsecondary programs that offer training for an occupation or cluster of occupations. The guide is a compilation of suggestions, illustrations, and problem-based examples of procedures. It begins with a content overview outlining chapter purposes and audience and a self-assessment checklist that can help readers determine the usefulness of each chapter. The first section, "The Mission," explains what a VIP committee is, why it is important, what its functions are, and how to organize one. The second second, "The Structure," addresses committee structure, including charter; member qualifications, skills, and responsibilities; and officers. The third section, "The Activity," is composed of a chapter on effective operation, including typical problems faced by a VIP committee; a chapter on strategies and techniques for meetings, orientation, recordkeeping, recognition, reporting, self-evaluation, conflict resolution, technical assistance, and public relations; and a chapter comparing group activity techniques and assessing their effectiveness. Appendixes include an informational brochure for prospective members, an outline of a new member handbook, resources available from the states, addresses of state vocational directors and advisory committees, instructions on the use of six group management tools, descriptions of exemplary programs, and references. (SK)