SIGGIS+Bylaws

**Special Interest Group on ** **Geographic Information Systems (GIS) **
 * Bylaws of the Association for Information Systems (AIS) **


 * Article 1. Name and Scope **

a) This organization will be called “Special Interest Group on Geographic Information Systems”. For brevity, the organization is referred to by the acronym SIGGIS. It is a Special Interest Group of the Association for Information Systems.

b) The scope of SIGGIS is to discuss, develop ideas and promote research, stimulate curriculum and teaching, dialogue on the role of spatial information systems, technologies and concepts, as applied to management of information systems, business intelligence (BI), decision support systems (DSS), and knowledge management (KM).


 * Article 2. Mission and Purpose **

The mission of SIGGIS is to be a forum that brings together members of AIS. Although there is considerable research on GIS technology and geographic information science, there has been relatively little research in management of spatial information systems, and spatial-based business intelligence, DSS, and KM. SIGGIS will address gaps that involve the GIS and spatial aspects of these knowledge areas and incorporate the expertise the IS discipline can bring to bear on them.

a) The purpose of SIGGIS shall include


 * Promotion of geographic information systems as a new area of specialization in information systems, that can be incorporated into IS research, as well as teaching, curricula, and practice.
 * Promotion of GIS as a critical area of global attention in information systems, enhancing its profile and reputation, and opening up new jobs for IS graduates
 * Developing a cross disciplinary and multifaceted focus, bringing together research, practice, training, and education
 * Linking to other AIS SIGS seeking ways to leverage their specialty in SIGGIS activities
 * Seeking out other like-minded organizations (academic, industry, government) as partners in the activities of SIGGIS

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">b) The activities of SIGGIS shall include
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Encouragement and support of research in GIS
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Tracks at IS conferences
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Pre-conference workshops and meetings
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Special issues of IS journals
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Curriculum, course development, teaching, and their dissemination
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Online initiatives to meet in ways that lower the footprint
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Collecting and disseminating information on this emerging area to create a coherent body of knowledge.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Provide expert advice for decision-making bodies


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 3. Charter **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">SIGGIS will exist until dissolved as provided in Bylaw 8 of the AIS.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 4. Officers **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The elected officers of SIGGIS are the Chair, the Chair-Elect (or Vice-Chair), and the Past Chair. All elected officers of SIGGIS serve a maximum of two years as determined by the Executive Committee. The order of succession is as follows: the Chair-Elect becomes the Chair and then Past-Chair in subsequent years. A Secretary/Treasurer and other officers as needed are appointed by the Chair and approved by the SIGGIS Advisory Board (defined in Article 8). The Secretary/Treasurer is appointed for 3 years. Other appointed officers serve a two-year term. Appointed officers may be re-appointed for a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">b) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Chair is the principal officer, responsible for leading SIGGIS and managing its activities. The duties of the Chair are:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Calling and presiding at SIGGIS Executive Committee and business meetings
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Conducting SIGGIS activities in accordance with the policies of AIS and the SIGGIS Advisory Board
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Representing SIGGIS to the AIS through the VP SIGs
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Making all appointments and filling vacancies as authorized in the Bylaws

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">c) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The duties of the Chair-Elect are:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Assisting the Chair in leading and managing SIGGIS
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Presiding at meeting when the Chair is absent.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">d) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The duties of the Past-Chair are: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">e) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The duties of the Secretary/Treasurer are: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">f) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The duties of any other appointed officers are negotiated with the Executive Committee.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Assisting the Chair as needed
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Conducting the annual election according to Article 6 of these Bylaws.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Maintaining the record and correspondence of SIGGIS
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Keeping and distributing the minutes of business and Executive Committee meetings of SIGGIS
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Planning, administering and monitoring the financial affairs of SIGGIS.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 5. Executive Committee **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The executive committee comprises the Chair, Chair-Elect, Past Chair, Secretary/Treasurer and the Chair of the SIGGIS Advisory Board. No person may hold two positions on the SIGGIS Advisory Board. A quorum of the Executive Committee consists of 3 members. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">b) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The general duties of the SIGGIS Executive Committee will be to advice the Chair on all matters of interest to SIGGIS. Specific duties or responsibilities may be specified in these bylaws or assigned by the Chair. All major management policy decisions of SIGGIS must be approved by a majority of the SIGGIS Executive Committee <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">c) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">All members of, or candidates for, the SIGGIS Executive Committee must be voting members of AIS and SIGGIS.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 6. Elections **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">By December 15 of each year the Chair will appoint a nominating committee that will propose at least one consenting candidate for the office of SIGGIS Chair-Elect. The nominating committee will complete its slate by March 1 each year and will notify the membership as soon as possible of its nominee. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">b) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A petition from 1% (or at least 10) of the voting members of SIGGIS will place other consenting candidates on the ballot. Petitions must be received by the Secretary/Treasurer (or designate) of SIGGIS no later than February 1 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">c) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The ballot of candidates selected by the nominating committee and by petition must be emailed to all SIGGIS members by March 15. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">d) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The election will be completed by the Past Chair by April 15, following the election procedures of the AIS. Of all the ballots returned in an election, the candidate receiving the largest number of valid votes wins. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">e) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The elected officers will take office on July 1.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 7. Vacancies and Appointments **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Should the Chair leave office before his/her term expires, the Chair-Elect will assume the duties of Chair. Vacancies in positions appointed by the SIGGIS Chair may be filled according t the procedures for making the original appointments as provided herein. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">b) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Should a vacancy be unfilled, either because of inadequacy of these bylaws or because of a dispute of for any other reason, the SIG Chair may fill it, by appointment, with approval of the Executive Committee.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 8. The Advisory Board **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Executive Committee will appoint an Advisory Board with the purpose of allowing members outside of the SIGGIS Executive Committee to participate in setting policy and direction for SIGGIS. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">b) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The role of the Advisory Board is to bring industry, government and academic knowledge and trends to the attention of the Executive Committee and SIG as well as recommend initiatives, activities, and strategies to the SIG. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">c) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Following his/her term the Past Chair will become a member of the Advisory Board for a three-year term. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">d) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The Advisory Board will select one of its own members to be its Chair, who will then be a member of the SIGGIS Executive Committee.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 9. Membership, Dues and Voting Privileges **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A person becomes a member only after enrolling and paying the required dues in AIS and in SIGGIS. The dues for SIGGIS are proposed and recommended by the SIGGIS Executive Committee, and approved by the AIS Council through the VP SIGs.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 10. Reports and Records **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The SIGGIS chair is responsible for filing reports about SIGGIS as required by the AIS through the VP SIGs.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 11. Amendments **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">a) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by the SIGGIS Executive Committee, the AIS VP SIGs or a petition form 1% of the voting members of SIGGIS. All proposed amendments must be approved, prior to being submitted for a vote of the membership, by the Chairman of the SIG Board and by the Constitution & Bylaws Committee of AIS, after the Executive Director of AIS has provided advice.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">b) The ballot on the proposed amendment(s) will be conducted among the eligible voters by AIS Headquarters following the procedures of the AIS for voting bylaw amendments, unless a different procedure has been approved by the SIG Governing Board Executive Committee. The proposal is adopted only if at least 2/3 of the effective votes of returned ballots approve it, and only if at least 10% of the ballots are returned. The Secretary-Treasurer will send a clean copy of the amended bylaws to the Executive Director of the AIS and to the Chairman of the SIG Board.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 12. Dissolution **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">a) Should SIGGIS be dissolved its assets will be supervised by the AIS through the VP SIGs.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 13 Meetings. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">a) SIGGIS will conduct at least one business meeting each year. All meetings sponsored by SIGGIS must be open to all members of the AIS. SIGGIS may hold business meetings only in places that are open to all members of AIS. When appropriate, these meeting may be virtual.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Article 14. Inconsistency **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">a) The Constitution, Bylaws and policies of the AIS take precedence over any conflicting provision of these bylaws or internal policies of SIGGIS