PART III-POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

VII. SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGS)

A. Introduction

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) within the New York State Council for the Social

Studies provide an opportunity through which members of similar interests can communicate, interact and meet to discuss their common concerns, ideas, areas of teaching, study or research. SIGs bring together these members to specifically benefit from their mutual interests. The existence of SIGs provides a service to members in that they can focus time and interest on specialized topics of interest. A SIG may be formed by members of NYSCSS seeking to explore a new area or topic or to provide interchange in an established area. NYSCSS and the SIGs are mutually interdependent and supportive. To encourage and support the SIGs in their efforts, NYSCSS provides SIGs with meeting time at the annual conference and an opportunity for publicity in TIME & PLACE.

B. Formation and Operation of a SIG

NYSCSS, through its Board of Directors encourage and support the

development and maintenance of SIGs. The following guidelines detail the

roles, duties and responsibilities of SIGs and their relationship to NYSCSS.

1. Formation of a SIG

a. Petitions for the establishment of a SIG will be received by the President

of NYSCSS. At the meeting of the Board of Directors following the receipt of

the petition the Board will accept or reject the recommendation based on the

following criteria:

· SIG must have at least 15 members who are also members of NYSCSS

   to be officially recognized. All SIG members must be members of

   NYSCSS.

· No duplication of intent, purpose or operation with another SIG or

   committee of SYSCSS may exist.

· SIGs must meet membership and fee requirements

2. Each petition to establish a SIG must contain a title for the group and be

    accompanied by a description of the purpose of the group

          3. Each petition to establish a SIG must be accompanied by a check for

          $10.00 payable to  NYSCSS to offset administrative costs.

          4. The SIG must assess from each SIG member annual SIG dues of $2.00.   

           These due will help to defray such expenses as mailings, newsletters,

           assessment to NYSCSS, etc.

          5. To assist in the establishment of a SIG, NYSCSS will announce the

          attempt to establish such a SIG in TIME & PLACE. The SIG organizer(s)  

         should submit such information to TIME & PLACE Editor. NYSCSS will provide

         space as available for the SIG to conduct an organizational meeting at the

         annual conference of NYSCSS.

         6. See Form A for Petition for the Establishment of a NYSCSS SIG

C. Operation of a NYSCSS SIG

1. All inquiries concerning particular SIG’s should be addressed, or will be   

forwarded   to the chairperson of that SIG for reply. This requires that SIGs keep the 

NYSCSS President up-to-date with regard to current leadership of the SIG.

2. SIGs should elect, at minimum, a chairperson and a treasurer.

3. Once formed and recognized by NYSCSS each SIG is responsible for insuring that

its goals and activities do not conflict with the purposes of NYSCSS.

4. All SIG membership dues must be forwarded to the NYSCSS Treasurer who will

    maintain a separate record of assets of each SIG. Each SIG’s Treasurer should

    also  maintain financial records and will work directly with the NYSCSS treasurer.

5. To remain an active NYSCSS SIG a minimum of 15 current NYSCSS members must

    also be paid members of that SIG as of January 1 each year.

6. Thirty days following the annual Conference of NYSCSS each year each SIG must

    submit a list of current members plus its annual SIG dues of $10.00. At this time

the SIG must also submit is ANNUAL REPORT TO NYSCSS (see appropriate form)

7. Each SIG will be permitted meeting time at the annual conference provided that

such time is requested of the Conference Program Chair of the 31st of October prior

to the annual Conference. SIGs may submit requests for the presentation of a

program/workshop at the annual Conference in the same manner in which all

programs may be submitted. Such programs will be reviewed by the Program

Committee in the same manner in which all other programs are selected and

determined and the SIG will be notified of that decision.

D. Termination of a SIG

Since SIGs are intended to be flexible and changing organizations, NYSCSS anticipates the occasional formation as well as the termination of SIG’s. Any SIG which permanently discontinues operation for any reason will forfeit any monies to its credit to the general Treasury of NYSCSS. Terminating procedures aredescribed below:

1. The membership of a SIG may decide to withdraw the SIG from active

status. Notification of withdrawal should be made in writing to the NYSCSS

President and to all SIG members.

2. The membership of a SIG may decide to merge with another active and

    recognized SIG. Notification in writing to the NYSCSS President and

    respective SIG members is necessary.

3. If a SIG’s membership falls below the required 15 members, it may be

granted  a year of grace for the purpose of stimulating new membership. If

the SIG fails to bring its membership up to the required number, the SIG will

be terminated.