What is a Special Interest Group?

A Special Interest Group (SIG) is a collaborative working team focused on one compelling topic of mutual interest.  The International ESD Workshop (IEW) offers an excellent atmosphere for members of a SIG to meet face-to-face in an informal setting as well as for the SIG to attract interested individuals.  SIGs also offer a unique opportunity to extend the experiences and interactions at IEW.

Identifying the Opportunity to Form a SIG

Although SIGs may be formed at any time during the year, IEW offers unique opportunities to form a SIG at the workshop.  A SIG may be formed just for the duration of IEW or members may choose to extend activities beyond the workshop.  IEW strongly supports but does not drive SIGs.  The formation of a SIG may be the outcome of a discussion group seeking an opportunity for follow-up interactions after the workshop.  It may also result from discussions started during formal IEW activities that individuals would like to continue after the close of IEW.  Or, it may be sparked from interactions at another event where there is interest in meeting at IEW and continuing discussions there.  When there is a group of identified individuals interested in collaborating on a topic a SIG may be formed.  IEW is an excellent nurturing ground to initiate the formation of a SIG.

Forming a SIG at IEW

The IEW SIG Chair or any other IEW Committee Member may be contacted to express interest in forming a SIG at IEW.   We can assist in identifying a meeting time/place for the kick-off as well as in advertising the details to workshop attendees.  As an outcome of the kickoff meeting, a SIG topic and name should be selected that describes the intent and focus of the team.  A brief, one paragraph description of the SIG is helpful in focusing activities as well as in encouraging and attracting new members.  For SIGs that will plan to continue after the IEW event, an attendee contact list can be distributed to the members.  Also, it may be helpful for a scribe to volunteer to capture and document highlights from the discussions; this maximizes visibility and provides a quick reference for current and new members.  Each SIG discussion thus captured should then be circulated to the members. 

Maintaining a SIG

A SIG is a flexible and cooperative engagement.  The timeframe of a SIG is determined by the membership.  A SIG may be very brief in duration to solve an immediate problem or question.  Or it may iteratively tackle complex challenges and evolve over time as deemed appropriate and as supported by the members.  Membership can change over time and participation levels may change as appropriate for each individual.  Rigid meeting procedures can be followed but are not required to be successful.  At a minimum, proctored discussion groups and a scribe to document highlights are helpful in maintaining focus on the consensus goals and objectives.  SIG outcome summaries, when distributed to members and to the IEW SIG Chair, whether after every discussion or after each achieved milestone, help to maximize visibility, support, and participation on SIG activities.  With SIG agreement, the IEW SIG Chair may advertise to attract other individuals to contact,  join, and participate in the SIG.

Retiring a SIG

The SIG may be discontinued or retired at any time the members deem appropriate.  It is helpful to document the final results and distribute them to the membership, with a courtesy copy to the current IEW SIG Chair.  Results from a closing SIG are helpful for current and future SIGs.

IEW 2009 SIG

Name of SIG

SIG head, Affiliation

Purpose: (e.g.) To develop guidelines...

Objective: (e.g.) To use guidelines...

First Task: (e.g.) To collect from SIG members and others the following information:

   1)….

Second Task: (e.g.) SIG Leader will organize inputs, without attribution, in a report that will be sent to members for comments.

Members:

Name1, affiliation; email (Leader)

Name2, affiliation; email

Name3, affiliation; email

Etc.

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1 Refs…