Hi, I'm writing to vote "yes, merge" on the SIG email list issue. I think we might expect significant overlap or relatedness in issues, ideas, and comments throughout the SIG lists. (Plus, reading about activities/programs developed by all SIGs is motivating.)
Thanks, Layna Layna White Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts UCLA Hammer Museum Controlled Vocabulary SIG Chair -----Original Message----- From: Richard Rinehart To: [email protected] Sent: 8/27/01 6:24 PM Subject: fate of the MCN SIGs Hello everyone, I knew that subject line would get you to read this :) As some of you may know, one of my roles on the MCN Board of Directors is to act as Board liaison to the MCN Special Interest Groups (or SIGs). Since I came onto the board a few years ago, one of the things I've been working on is to allow the SIGs to become more effective by outlining the roles, duties, and support that MCN SIGS can expect. This effort to give the SIGs more structure took the form of the SIG Charter (http://www.mcn.edu/sigcharter.htm) which outlines duties of SIG Chairs, rules for creating or dissolving a SIG, etc. The reason I'm writing to you all now is to get some feedback and present some opportunities which I hope some of you will take advantage of. In particular there two questions before us about the SIGs. The first is that the SIG charter states that MCN should encourage and support active SIGs, and that a lack of activity over a long period could indicate a lack of interest among the membership in that SIG topic. If interest in any one SIG wanes, perhaps that topic's time has passed, and thus might be reason for dissolving a SIG - OR - it might just mean that the SIG needs a revitalization, fresh ideas, new members or Chair. There are a few SIGs which for one reason or another are not as active as they might be, in several cases Chairs have had to step down due to other commitments. I've already written to those SIG Chairs, and their memberships, and the next step is to write to the general membership for input and ideas. There are several SIGs which currently present opportunities for leadership and I would strongly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity. Becoming a SIG Chair is a natural way to network in your professional area of interest and participate in leading MCN. MCN Board candidates are culled in large part from the pool of SIG Chairs. If you are interested in leading one of these SIGs, or have any other info, feedback, or ideas, please let me know or post ideas to this list by Friday, Aug. 31. On the other hand; it's not the worst thing in the world if a particular SIG has served it's purpose, and now it's time to retire in favor of new topics. Most of our current SIGs are in healthy, active shape, and you can see a full list of SIGs at http://www.mcn.edu/sig.htm. The SIGs which are being considered for dissolution are: Archaeology and Anthropology Libraries and Resource Centers Small Museums The Internet Education South/Central America Scandinavia Italy The second SIG question is, should we re-combine all the separate SIG email lists with this main MCN-L? Some SIG Chairs and Board members believe that the separate SIG lists have fractured the MCN community, hindered cross-fertilization, and that while such a strategy might work for lists with much larger memberships, that it merely serves to dilute MCN email conversation. Others believe that it reduces unwanted email, and provides more intimate forum for people with similar interests. What do you think? Would you like to see the MCN SIG email conversations come back home to this list? Please post your thoughts to this list or me directly by Friday, Aug. 31. So! There you have it. You can write me directly, but I encourage you to write to this list in the spirit of discussion about the fate of our SIGs. After Friday, Aug. 31 I'll collect input into a recommendation for the MCN Board to make a decision. Thanks! -- Richard Rinehart --------------- Digital Media Director, Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive www.bampfa.berkeley.edu --------------- Instructor, Department of Art Practice art.berkeley.edu --------------- University of California, Berkeley
