Operational guidelines for Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Regional Chapters (RCs)

Purpose of Special Interest Groups and Regional Chapters
1. To provide opportunities for the members of ARATA to address discrete areas of concern within the scope of assistive devices, rehabilitation, rehabilitation technology, and service provision.
2. To increase opportunities for participation and leadership in ARATA.
3. To promote and advance the purposes and activities of ARATA.
Relationship of SIGs & RCs to ARATA
1. SIGs and RCs are elements of the ARATA structure and will act in a manner that is consistent with the Bylaws and policies of ARATA. Individual SIGs and RCs may undertake activities that are compatible with ARATA as stated above. The manner in which these activities are determined and approved will be at the discretion of the individual SIG or RC.
2. Communication between SIGs and RCs and the ARATA Board will be the responsibility of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on SIGs.
3. If a SIG or RC conducts a function¹ as an entity of ARATA or invokes the name or uses the logo of ARATA, the SIG or RC must obtain permission from the Secretary of ARATA. This is not meant to be restrictive as permission will be freely given in all cases for legitimate activities; however, it is necessary for ARATA to be aware of activities in which it may have exposure.
4. If a SIG or RC undertakes a function which is described or otherwise falls within the domain of activity of an ARATA Standing Committee the SIG or RC must provide information and (if appropriate) co-ordinate the activity with the Chairperson of the Standing Committee involved. In some cases it will be necessary to plan well in advance with the appropriate Standing Committee (eg if the development of a document for distribution is anticipated).
The SIG & RC Standing Committee
1. The Special Interest Group and Regional Chapter Standing Committee will consist of the respective chairpersons of the active SIG and RCs and a Chairperson appointed by the President.
2. Responsibilities of the SIG and RC Standing Committee include:
  1. Conduct meetings at the ARATA national conference.
  2. Disseminate pertinent information from the ARATA Board.
  3. Share activity of each SIG and RC which may be of interest to other SIGs and RCs.
  4. Provide educational opportunities for combined SIG or RC topics.
  5. Promote SIG and RC involvement in education, research, and public policy with dissemination to individual SIGs and RCs.
  6. Recommend the formation of new SIGs or RCs.
  7. Compile an annual and semi-annual report on SIGs and RCs for submission to the Board.
Standing Committee Chairperson
1. The chairperson of the SIG and RC Standing Committee is appointed by the President of ARATA. Responsibilities of the Chairperson include:
  1. Serve as spokesperson on SIGs and RCs to the Board.
  2. Present an annual and semi-annual report on SIGs & RCs to the Board.
  3. Preside over meetings of the Standing Committee.
  4. Assist in organising the SIG & RC sessions in the national conference.
SIG and RC Officers
1. A SIG Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson will be elected to specified terms (not more than two years) at the ARATA National Conference by members of the SIG in attendance. A RC Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson will be elected to specified terms (not more than two years) at an RC meeting by the members of the RC in attendance. Only ARATA members in good standing are eligible for office. Any other officers, committees, and committee chairperson will be appointed by the SIG or RC Chairperson as necessary.
2. Responsibilities of the SIG or RC Chairperson:
  1. Attend the ARATA Annual Conference and conduct meetings and other business.
  2. Assume responsibility for an annual report and reports of any meetings or other significant SIG or RC activities to the Standing Committee.
  3. Coordinate SIG or RC affiliated activities for the annual conference.
  4. Disseminate information pertaining to the SIG or RC via the ARATA newsletter in accordance with pre-determined deadlines.
  5. Conduct or be responsible for activities assigned to the SIG or RC by ARATA.
  6. Appoint committees or individuals for SIG or RC activities as appropriate.
3. Duties of the Vice-Chairperson:
  1. Assume the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence;
  2. Perform such duties as are assigned or delegated by the Chairperson.
Elections
1. The SIG elections will be determined by a vote of SIG members present at the first business session of the SIG at the ARATA National Conference. (Nominations may be mailed to the SIG Chairperson.)
2. The RC elections will be determined by a vote of RC members present at the first business session of the RC held at or following the ARATA National Conference.
Formation and Dissolution of SIGs or RCs
1. It is presumed that it will be in the interest of ARATA and its membership to form new SIGs or RCs and also to terminate, combine and/or split SIGs or RCs from time to time as a result of emerging technology, problems, new areas of interest. The formal recommendation of these actions will reside with the SIG Standing Committee, with final approval by the Board. The initiation of such action may come from any member of ARATA, who will be obliged to petition for the action. Criteria for the formation of a new SIG or RC:
  1. The proposed SIG or RC will have a unique role or focus (ie it will not overlap in any significant way with an existing SIG or RC).
  2. The proposed SIG or RC will be compatible with the purposes and interests of ARATA.
  3. There must be a demonstrated interest. This will be documented by the signatures of the ARATA members who will form a viable SIG or RC and who agree to join and take an active role in the SIG or RC.
2. A SIG or RC may be declared inactive or dissolved whenever the Standing Committee determines that there is insufficient interest to continue. If the condition is deemed temporary the Committee may choose to declare it inactive for a specified term. A change from inactive status to active status will require a petition as in the case of the formation of a new SIG or RC. If the latter does not occur within the specified term the SIG or RC will automatically be dissolved.
Newsletter
1. ARATA maintains a newsletter (ARATA News) which is published quarterly.
2. Space is available for SIG and RCs in each issue. SIGs and RCs are encouraged to use this medium rather than developing individual newsletters. This does not obviate the prerogative of SIGs or RCs to issue occasional bulletins of special or timely interest to their individual memberships. The regular use of ARATA News is appropriate for communications in the interest of economy and the dissemination of SIG and RC activities to the wider audience of the ARATA membership.

Footnotes

¹ A function is defined as a meeting, instruction course, exhibit, publication, advocacy participation or any other activity in which information exchange or other public interaction occurs [back].