The San Antonio Area HIV Health Services Planning Council was established in 1994. Its responsibility is to determine the needs of the HIV affected community within the San Antonio TGA and to develop priorities and set percentages of funds. The purpose of the Planning Council is to ensure the availability of quality comprehensive health and social services to individuals affected by the HIV epidemic. San Antonio's Planning Council is a 29-member planning body made up of volunteer community members who have been appointed by the CEO to serve a two-year term. The CEO appoints individuals who have a wide range of viewpoints and expertise they can bring to the Council. These individuals include health care providers, public health officials, consumers, people of various race and ethnic orientations, as well as people from different parts of the TGA. At least one-third (33%) of the Planning Council members must be people living with HIV. These members bring the consumer's point of view to Planning Council discussions. Council members typically commit two to ten hours a month to attend Council and Committee meetings.