Purpose
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Special Interest
Groups (SIGs) are small groups of people within the larger Rose
City Astronomers organization that share a common interest in a
particular area of astronomy and meet separately to pursue their
specific subject more in depth.
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SIGs need to follow
RCA’s club bylaws which also include the IRS requirements for a
501c3 organization.
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Examples of SIGs are
(but not limited to): Astrophotography, Cosmology, Advanced
Projects, Telescope Making and so forth.
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These guidelines
outline SIG creation, maintenance, leadership duties, and
dissolution.
Policies and
procedures to establish a new SIG:
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Proposals for any new
Special Interest Group are to be presented to the SIG Director. If
tentatively approved, a formal proposal is then presented to the
board.
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The board must give
final approval to the SIG name, topics to be covered, and the SIG
Leader.
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The SIG leader must be
a current club member who agrees to uphold RCA policies and
procedures.
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There must be at least
4 additional current RCA club members who want to participate in
order to start a new SIG.
Policies and
procedures to maintain an existing SIG:
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SIGs are supported by
RCA Board.
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SIG’s are meant to
operate as informal groups with little funding needs. Outside
funding sources (such as fundraisers) need board approval.
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Regular meeting are to
be held and open to all RCA members. Meeting times and places are
to be advertised through the usual club news outlets, i.e.
newsletter, general meeting announcements, or on line.
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Every effort will be
made to keep a SIG going if it has good attendance.
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The club's official
address is to be used for official correspondence with vendors,
etc.
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Assets obtained by a
SIG belong to the RCA and not the leader of the SIG or other
individuals (as defined by the IRS requirements for a 501c3
organization).
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SIG leaders will
report to the SIG director regularly on their status,
accomplishments and future goals.
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Non RCA members may
visit SIG functions as guests but are encouraged to join RCA for
long-term participation.
Policies and
procedures to terminate a SIG:
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The board may
terminate a SIG at any time with or without cause.
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A SIG shall be
terminated if a SIG leader resigns and no qualified replacement is
found.
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Any left over funds
and/or equipment belonging to the SIG shall be turned over to RCA
in a timely manner (as required by the IRS to meet RCA’s 501c3
regulations).
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A final report on
attendance and accomplishments will be reported by the SIG leader
to the SIG director. The SIG director will then forward the report
to the board.
SIG Director:
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Is an appointed
position by the board and serves as a director on the RCA board.
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Helps RCA members
launch SIGs by connecting interested participants with each other
and assists with initial organization and meeting place.
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Coordinates with the
board and other committees to see that SIG's are supported and
their needs are being met to the extent possible.
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Sees that RCA and SIG
policies and procedures are adhered to.
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Sees that the SIG
leaders provide pertinent information about the SIGs to the
newsletter and webmaster in a timely manner.
SIG Leaders:
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Coordinates their SIG
activities and keep others informed.
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Conduct SIG meetings
on a regular basis that are focused and meet the needs of the SIG
participants.
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Are responsible for
promoting attendance at SIG meetings.
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Implement SIG and RCA
policies and procedures outlined here and above, etc.
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Arrange for a
substitute leader if needed and inform the SIG Director in a
timely manner.
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Make every reasonable
effort to inform all interested parties, if a meeting must be
cancelled or moved,
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Provide pertinent info
about the SIGs to the SIG Director, newsletter editor and
webmaster in a timely manner.
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Should provide an
occasional article for the club's newsletter.
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Report to the board
yearly on their status, attendance, accomplishments and future
goals. This is to be done by July 1st of every year to satisfy IRS
non-profit requirements.
For further information
contact the RCA President. |