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1. Purpose:
The purposes of Special Interest Groups within AAATE are:
- to provide opportunities for the members of AAATE to address discrete areas of concern related to assistive technology.
- to increase opportunities for participation and leadership in AAATE.
- to promote and advance the purposes and activities of AAATE.
2. Relationship between SIGs and AAATE:
- SIGs are elements of the AAATE structure and will act in a way that is consistent with the Articles of Association and policies of AAATE. Individual SIGs may undertake such activities as they deem appropriate and compatible with AAATE. The way these activities are determined and carried out will be at the discretion of the individual SIG.
- Communication between SIGs and AAATE Board will be the responsibility of the President-Elect.
- If a SIG carries out an activity as an entity of AAATE or invokes the name or uses the logo of AAATE, the SIG must obtain permission from the AAATE Board through the President-Elect. This is not meant to be restrictive, as permission will be freely given in all cases for legitimate activities.
3. SIG members:
SIG members must be registered members of AAATE. The same AAATE member may be a member of more than one SIG.
4. SIG Officers:
A Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson will be elected from among the SIG members to two-year terms by the members of the SIG. Any other officers, committees and committee chairpersons will be appointed by the SIG Chairperson as necessary.
- Duties of the SIG Chairperson:
- Conduct meetings and other business.
- Assume responsibility for an annual report and reports of significant SIG activities to the AAATE Board.
- Conduct or be responsible for activities assigned to the SIG by AAATE.
- Appoint committees or individuals for SIG activities as appropriate.
- Duties of the Vice-Chairperson:
- Assume the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence
- Perform duties as assigned or delegated by the Chairperson.
5. Formation and dissolution of SIGs
It will be in the interest of AAATE and its membership to form new SIGs and to terminate, combine and/or split SIGs from time to time. The authorization for these actions will reside with the AAATE Board. The initiation of such action may come from any member of AAATE.
- Criteria for the formation of a new SIG:
- The proposed SIG will have a unique role or focus.
- The proposed SIG will be compatible with the purposes and interests of AAATE.
- There must be a demonstrated interest, documented by signatures of at least 10 (ten) AAATE members who agree to join the SIG.
- Dissolution or de-activation of a SIG:
A SIG may be declared inactive or dissolved whenever the AAATE Board determines that there is insufficient interest to continue.
6. Newsletter:
AAATE has a newsletter which is published quarterly. Space will be reserved for SIGs in each issue. SIGs are encouraged to use this medium rather than developing individual newsletters.
7. Budget:
A budget is allocated to SIGs by the AAATE Board. Budget allotments are made to the individual SIGs as follows:
- Budget applications are forwarded by each SIG Chairperson to the President-Elect.
- The President-Elect will review the applications and forward the requests with recommendations to the Board.
8. Annual report:
The President-Elect will present to the AAATE Board an annual report on SIGs, based on the annual
reports from each SIG Chairperson.
January, 1997
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