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<span class="s1">Dear Chapter Leaders,</span></p>
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<span class="s1">Based on feedback from the Chapter Leaders when we received the Internet of Food Chapter application we have decided to re-instate the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and we will be accepting applications again.</span></p>
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<span class="s1">I want to thank you all for your input and supportive comments to re-establish SIGs to support non-geographic interest groups. SIGs were once a valuable benefit of ISOC membership, but were dissolved in the lean budget years when we were unable
to provide even modest staff support. I am pleased that we are again able to offer SIGs as an opportunity for member collaboration.</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; widows: 1;">
<span class="s1">SIGs allow members with mutual interest in specific topics to engage with one another in an organised way. Many successful membership organisations have introduced SIGs to meet member demands for such opportunities to collaborate.</span></p>
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<span class="s1">For the Internet Society, SIGs represent a mechanism for to satisfy the interests of current members and attract new ones as the Internet continues to evolve and branch into new areas.</span></p>
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<span class="s1">We need only look to daily news reports or our own Community Forums on Connect to appreciate the potential for SIGs: Internet of Things, Smart Cities, Bitcoin / Electronic Payment Systems, Women & Technology, etc.</span></p>
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<span class="s1">Like Chapters, SIGs will need to undergo an application process, submit bylaws, and meet certain standards, providing evidence that they remain viable and supportive of ISOC’s mission. SIGs will have access to the same resources (tools, workshops,
funding, etc) as Chapters.</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; widows: 1;">
<span class="s1">Unlike our geographic Chapters, SIGs will not be provided a vote in Trustee elections. SIG members will continue to be represented in elections by the Chapter or Organization Member to which they belong. (Just as now, Individual members will
need to join a Chapter or Organisation if they wish to be represented in Trustee elections.) </span></p>
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<span class="s1">Recognising that interest in some SIG topics will rise and fall, we will charter new SIGs for a two-year provisional period. SIGs that remain active after two years will be eligible for permanent status.</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; widows: 1;">
<span class="s1">Lastly, both the InterPlanetary Networking Chapter and Disability and Accessibility Chapter have been contacted to see if they could be moved to a SIG status to better support their global and cross geographical activities and membership development.</span></p>
<p class="p3" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; widows: 1;">
<span class="s2">You can find more information about SIGs <a href="http://www.internetsociety.org/who-we-are/internet-society-special-interest-groups-sig" data-mce-href="http://www.internetsociety.org/who-we-are/internet-society-special-interest-groups-sig"><span class="s3">http://www.internetsociety.org/who-we-are/internet-society-special-interest-groups-sig</span></a>.
A full outline is available <a href="http://www.internetsociety.org/doc/internet-society-special-interest-groups-sig-outline">http://www.internetsociety.org/doc/internet-society-special-interest-groups-sig-outline</a> .</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; widows: 1;">
<span class="s1">Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; widows: 1;">
<span class="s1">Warm regards</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; widows: 1;">
<span class="s1">Joyce</span></p>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; ">Joyce Dogniez, CMM</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; ">Director of Chapters</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; ">Internet Society</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; "><a href="mailto:dogniez@isoc.org">dogniez@isoc.org</a></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; ">tel: +352 621 266 189</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium; ">Skype: joycedogniez</div>
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