Resurrection & Penance
April 2000 Local SIGs column
The process of starting a CHI local SIG can appear daunting. The process of running a CHI local SIG ongoing -- i.e., keeping things going and going -- probably appears even more daunting; indeed, there have been a few cases of CHI local SIGs becoming dormant.
Several previous columns have addressed the topics of starting a local SIG and keeping it going; for example, the January '99 column tells the tale of "Starting a SIGCHI Local Group in the Netherlands," the April '97 column, "The Social Design of a Local SIG," describes key elements of the design of a sustained community, the January '97 column is about "Ensuring a Local SIG's Future: Fitting Into & Creating a Culture," and the April '99 column provides advice regarding the many "Challenges Facing CHI Local SIGs." But, if a CHI local SIG has stopped functioning, how do you get it going again?
What Leads to Local SIG Dormancy?
The primary reason a few local SIGs have died appears to be the disappearance of the one key energetic leader -- often the one who got the local SIG going in the first place. CHI-Atlanta (Georgia) stopped functioning a few years ago when its founder moved from the area. Lone Star CHI (Dallas / Ft. Worth, Texas) became dormant more recently when its leader moved from the area, and LA SIGCHI (Los Angeles, California) has suffered multiple periods of dormancy when different leaders moved away. CapCHI (Ottawa, Canada) became dormant in 1997 when the person who ran the chapter single-handedly for a long time burned out. After about 2 years of regular meetings, SwissCHI experienced an "unplanned intermission" of several months during 1998, because no one wanted to take the lead in setting up new meetings. A CHI-Austin (Texas) "pause" occurred for similar reasons.
This is a problem local SIGs must try to avoid. It is very important to involve others who can play key leadership roles; such involvement readies others to take over if necessary and reduces the chance of leadership burnout. But, sometimes involving others can be difficult. Indeed, many local SIGs report difficulty finding volunteers and integrating those they do find within the leadership core.
Other developments can lead to dormancy. Dormancy struck NUCHI (Northern Utah) and TriCHI (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) when significant changes in the makeup of the industrial landscape in those areas greatly lowered the number of people interested in a local community. Poor economic conditions contributed to MosCHI's (Moscow, Russia) dormancy. And though it is still kicking, KC-CHI (Kansas City, Missouri) has seen its meetings decrease in frequency after a major sponsor withdrew its support.
Getting Restarted
Not surprisingly, getting restarted is almost like getting started. However, the process of activating ACM's charter of the chapter is abit easier than the process of obtaining the initial charter. ACM also has various documents (e.g., chapter by-laws) on file that those resurrecting the chapter will need.
Keys include bringing together others who are also interested in resurrecting the chapter. Reexamine what you want the chapter to be. No two CHI local sigs are alike (see the January '98 column on "Diversity Within Unity: The Purpose of a Local SIG"), and lots of things may have changed that should affect what your local sig should be (see the July '97 column on "Dealing with Change"). Find out what your area now needs that could be provided by a CHI local sig (see the April '98 column on "Reaching Out and Being Reached"). Proceed carefully; those served by the local SIG when it entered dormancy may lack trust in what you claim the local SIG will now do.
Divy up responsibilities, and be prepared to shift people's roles as you figure out what each can do best. Secure new sponsors if needed (see the July '98 column, "Brought to you by ..."). Create new representations of the chapter's brand (e.g., a new logo or website design) and plan a special (re-)kickoff event to spur enthusiasm.
Some restartup monies are available from SIGCHI and can be requested from me, SIGCHI's Local SIGs Chair. Last year, restartup funds were provided to 3 CHI local SIGs.
It Can Be Done
CHI-Atlanta has stormed back from death to become a chapter with more than 200 members. CapCHI is also going strong again (see the July '99 column, "CHI Local SIGs in the Americas Outside of the U.S."). SwissCHI's first talk following its period of dormancy drew a record attendance. NUCHI appears to be resurrecting buoyed by additional but beneficial changes in the industrial landscape. CHI-Austin is active again, and Vladislav Valkovsky is planning to transform the dormant MosCHI into a chapter spanning all of Russia that will operate almost entirely via the internet.
So, while conditions may sometimes lead to the death of a CHI Local SIG, resurrection is possible.
Note that I wonder if it is only coincidence that I chose to write a column about resurrection after conditions led to the absence of a Local SIGs column from the January '00 issue of this publication. Resurrection is, indeed, possible. ;-)
Penance
In view of the absence of a Local SIGs column from the previous issue of SIGCHI Bulletin, I extend this column just abit with a list of CHI Local SIG programs and services compiled by leaders of 31 CHI Local SIGs from 13 countries at CHI 99. As you'll see, CHI Local SIGs provide a variety of programs & services, though not all chapters provide all of the programs and services listed. (They all can't, and they all shouldn't. What a Local SIG offers or should offer is constrained by a great number of factors.) Perhaps this list will motivate those readers only somewhat familiar with what their Local SIG offers to investigate further. (See the inside of the back cover for a list of the CHI Local SIGs.)
- meetings / workshops / conferences
- speaker meetings (local & non-local speakers)
- presentation of the UCD process & a variety of topics
- panel meetings
- industry lab tours
- full-day events; two-hour events; ...
- reviews/highlights of conferences
- share methods, equipment specifications, course curricula, ...
- social events (sometimes including demos)
- tutorials (sometimes with course credits)
- speakers notes/urls/etc.
- job listings
- consultants directory
- HCI library
- tutorial notes
- conference proceedings
- conference videos
- membership directory
- list of education facilities in area that have HCI offerings
- calendar of local HCI-related events
- website
- web sign-up/membership
- highlight links to SIGCHI website
- discussion lists
- virtual environment for collaboration
- sense of community
- professional feedback
- chance to meet potential employers/employees
- networking with local "colleagues"
- volunteer opportunities
- recognition (e.g., name in member directory)
- opportunities to present own work
- funding opportunities (e.g., help seeking sponsorships to enable members to attend international events)
- collaborative research
- t-shirts, tote bags, ...
- door prizes, raffles, ...
- food
- fun
For up-to-date samplings of specifics of CHI local SIG programs, subscribe to the chi-announcements mailing list (see the SIGCHI website for instructions). I compile and post a CHI local SIG program sampler for chi-announcements early each month.
Richard I. Anderson, Local SIGs Chair
P.S. For an update on the status of Brazil's CHI local SIG, see Clarisse Sieckenius de Souza's report elsewhere in this issue about HCI in Brazil.
