ACTFL encourages members with shared interests to network and share information within the larger structure of ACTFL.
I. General
To facilitate these activities ACTFL has established Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to provide continuous networking and information sharing on a specific topic or area of interest to a subset of ACTFL’s overall membership. SIGs operate under the aegis of ACTFL and are a vital component of ACTFL’s member service activities.
II. SIG Formation
- SIGs may be formed by a group of members or by the ACTFL Board. The ACTFL Board approves the formation of each SIG and periodically reviews the activity of all SIGs to ensure they are fulfilling their mission.
- The official name of any SIG is: ACTFL [SIG NAME] Special Interest Group (ACTFL [SIG ABBREVIATION] SIG) (e.g. ACTFL Teacher Development Special Interest Group (ACTFL TD SIG)).
- SIG membership is an optional addition to ACTFL membership. To belong to a SIG the individual must be a current ACTFL member and choose SIG membership when renewing/joining. All SIG memberships are valid for the same period of time as the ACTFL membership. Once a member, the member would be able to click through the available communities on ACTFL Central to participate in any SIG.
- All SIGs must go through the following steps to be approved by the ACTFL Board:
- Any current ACTFL member may submit a SIG proposal
- Write an explanation of how the proposed SIG fits within the mission and vision of ACTFL and its strategic plan
- Explanation should include the following:
- Provide evidence that no other SIG current meets the needs that will be addressed by the proposed SIG, specifically including why the creation of a new SIG, rather than a focus group within an existing SIG is warranted (e.g. is the score broad enough to warrant a separate SIG?)
- Explanation should include the following:
- Show evidence that the petitioners represent an active and functionally unitary interest of a group of ACTFL members
- Demonstrate the relevant body of knowledge for the topic, as available within the profession and based upon the scholarly and scientific literature and other resources as appropriate
- Define the mission, vision, and specific purpose of the proposed SIG
- Once the scope and purpose have been defined and approved by ACTFL staff, the proposed-SIG must collect one hundred and fifty (150) signatures of support from current ACTFL members within a twelve-month period. If they fail to collect the minimum number of signatures in that timeframe, the SIG must be resubmitted with a new mission and scope.
Once the above requirements are satisfied, the proposed-SIG will then have a face-to-face interest meeting at the next annual ACTFL Convention, where the proposed mission and scope will be finalized and approved by a two-thirds majority of those present. If approved, SIG will then be open for members to join following the Convention. An online call for elections would occur in December, with new Officers on-boarding in January.
To ensure sustainability and saliency, the SIG will hold candidate status for a period of 6 months, at the end of the candidate period, the ACTFL Board of Directors will vote on permanent status for the SIG. (That approval may only be delayed or rescinded if the SIG does not meet the minima criteria for SIG status.) A majority vote by the Board of Directors is required for final approval.