Special interest group

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A Special Interest Group (SIG) is a community within a larger organization with a shared interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge, learning or technology where members cooperate to affect or to produce solutions within their particular field, and may communicate, meet, and organize conferences. The term originated on CompuServe, an early online service provider, where SIGs were a section of the service devoted to particular interests.[1][2][3]

Technical SIGs

The Mathematical Association of America[4] and the Association for Computing Machinery include several SIGs.

Non-technical SIGs

Organizations which are not technical may also have Special Interest Groups which are normally focused on a mutual interest[5] or shared characteristic of a subset of members of the organization.[6] An important example for this are trade unions. For identity-based advocacy groups, see identity politics. JALT, the Japan Association for Language Teaching, has several SIGs. Together they organize a Pan-SIG conference each year.

See also

References

  1. ^ CompuServe. Trs-80.org (1980-07-01). Retrieved on 2014-06-16.
  2. ^ SIGs. Gsbrown.org (2010-04-08). Retrieved on 2014-06-16.
  3. ^ Modems - The Secret Guide to Computers. Computercraft.com. Retrieved on 2014-06-16.
  4. ^ "SIGMAA: Special Interest Groups of the MAA". Mathematical Association of America. 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  5. ^ The Community Discovered Special Interest Groups, groups for specific interests within an educational organization.
  6. ^ Friends General Conference Summer Gathering Adult Young Friends Program, a young adult-focused SIG in a Quaker organization.

External links