WEB SIGMAA Charter (Revised 2008)

Article I. Identification

Section 1. Name

The name of this SIGMAA is The Special Interest Group of the MAA on Mathematics Instruction Using the Web which shall normally be shortened to simply SIGMAA on Mathematics Instruction Using the Web. The acronym shall be WebSIGMAA.

Section 2. Purpose

This SIGMAA is formed for the purposes of

  • educating its members about the use of the World-Wide Web for instruction in mathematics at the undergraduate level, whether for on-line courses or as an adjunct to the in-person classroom and laboratory;
  • encouraging and facilitating projects of members who use the World-Wide Web for mathematics instruction;
  • creating an interactive community of members of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) who are interested in use of the World-Wide Web in mathematics instruction; and
  • providing outreach by serving as a resource for all members of the MAA who wish to use the World-Wide Web in undergraduate instruction.

Article II. Activities

Section 1. Typical Activities

This SIGMAA will engage in activities such as, but not limited to, the following:

  • sponsoring talks, panel discussions, presentations of papers, and receptions at national or sectional MAA meetings;
  • maintaining a web site that includes links to projects of members, a geographical list of members available to present workshops at local and regional meetings, and notices of upcoming events;
  • publishing an on-line newsletter containing technical articles valuable for the members of the SIGMAA and articles publicizing projects of members;
  • maintaining a list server and on-line discussion groups for members of the SIGMAA;
  • facilitating projects of members of the SIGMAA by bringing together members who are undertaking similar efforts or whose needs for information and whose expertise mesh;
  • holding an annual meeting in connection with a national meeting of the MAA.

Section 2. Relationships with MAA Activities

  • This SIGMAA will coordinate its undertakings with other units and activities of the MAA, especially those involved with electronic publication and with the use of computers in the teaching of mathematics. Coordination will include sharing of meeting agendas and minutes with the MAA Committee on Technology in Mathematics Education (CTiME) and regular consultation with editors of the Mathematical Digital Sciences Library (MathDL) project and the Journal of Online Mathematics and its Applications (JOMA).
  • No activity of this SIGMAA, including publications, shall be represented as coming from the MAA at large, but rather from this SIGMAA, unless such activity and representation have been approved by the Executive Committee of the MAA.
  • Reports of this SIGMAA's activities shall be included in an annual report submitted by the SIGMAA to the MAA Committee on SIGMAAs, with copies to the chair of the Coordinating Council to which the SIGMAA is assigned.

Article III. Meetings

Section 1. Frequency and place of meetings

A general membership meeting of the SIGMAA shall be held once each calendar year, in conjunction with the January Joint Mathematics Meetings. Other activities may be scheduled at sectional meetings of the MAA. SIGMAA business may also be conducted by e-mail provided that a quorum is attained, as defined in Section 5.

Section 2. Conduct of meetings

The SIGMAA Chair presides over the annual general membership meeting. The Chair circulates an agenda via e-mail one month in advance and asks for additional agenda items at that time. The Chair shall allow ample time for discussion and seek to achieve consensus. When a consensus is not reached, decisions shall be made by a vote using Robert's (simplified) Rules of Order.

Section 3. Meeting by e-mail

When the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee determines that an issue requires the attention of the entire SIGMAA membership before the next general meeting, the committee can decide to conduct a general meeting by e-mail, with ample time for discussion allowed. Members shall be given at least two weeks to vote on any issue put to a vote by e-mail.

Section 4. Votes by e-mail

For votes by e-mail, the e-mail address of record for each member of the SIGMAA shall be deemed to be the address currently on file with the MAA, unless a different address has been communicated directly to the Vice Chair for Membership before the distribution of e-mail ballots.

Section 5. Quorum

A quorum at membership meetings, including e-mail meetings, shall consist of at least twenty members of this SIGMAA, including at least two members of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee. For meetings by e-mail, those counted in the quorum shall be those voting, including any self-identified as abstaining.

Article IV. Membership.

Section 1. Requirements

Membership in this SIGMAA shall be open to any MAA member.

Article V. Administration of the SIGMAA.

Section 1. SIGMAA Officers and the Executive Committee

  • The WebSIGMAA Executive Committee consists of five officers: the Chair, Vice Chair for Programs, Vice Chair for Membership, Vice Chair for Web Communications, and Secretary/Treasurer. The WebSIGMAA Executive Committee acts on behalf of the membership in carrying out day-to-day business.
  • Of the five members of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee, the four other than the Chair are elected in the fall preceding their term of office, as specified in Section 3, while the Chair is elected a year earlier and serves as Chair-Elect during the extra year. The Chair Elect serves as an advisor to the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee and does not vote in this capacity. However, a candidate for Chair-Elect may be simultaneously a candidate for an office on the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee and, if elected to both positions, serves on the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee while Chair-Elect.
  • For one year following the expiration of his or her term, the immediate Past Chair serves as an advisor to the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee but in that capacity is not considered a member of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee and does not vote. However, the immediate Past Chair is permitted to hold any position on the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee after having assumed office under the same nomination and election procedures required of any member under this Charter, thereby continuing as a voting member of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee.
  • Decisions of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee are by a majority consisting of at least three votes. Voting may be conducted in person or by e-mail. A quorum consists of four members.
  • From time to time the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee may establish additional committees having specific missions and constituted from the general WebSIGMAA membership. A majority of a committee determines its actions, unless the Executive Committee specifies otherwise. The WebSIGMAA Executive Committee may at any time dissolve such a committee or change its membership and powers.

Section 2. Duties of Officers

  • The Chair presides at WebSIGMAA general membership meetings, organizes and directs the activities of the SIGMAA, and acts as its chief spokesperson. The Chair provides liaison with the administration of the MAA and with other organizations. The Chair also regularly communicates with members of the SIGMAA about the activities of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee and of this SIGMAA in general.
  • The Vice Chair for Programs is responsible for all programs of the SIGMAA, solicits proposals for special sessions, workshops, conferences, and other events from the membership of the SIGMAA, presents proposals to the Executive Committee, and coordinates the implementation of those proposals approved by the Executive Committee, including providing liaison with the Associate Secretary of the MAA on matters related to national meetings of the Association. Criteria for accepting a proposal shall include having objectives concordant with the goals of this SIGMAA and of the MAA.
  • The Vice Chair for Membership supervises the maintenance of the membership roll and has primary responsibility for membership development and retention. The Vice Chair for Membership assists the Secretary/Treasurer, as needed, with correspondence and finances.
  • The Vice Chair for Web Communications is responsible for dissemination of information to the membership of the SIGMAA through electronic media and oversees the contents of the web site of this SIGMAA. The Vice Chair for Web Communications assists the Secretary/Treasurer, as needed, with correspondence and with recording and disseminating the activities of this SIGMAA.
  • The Secretary/Treasurer records minutes of official meetings of this SIGMAA and its Executive Committee, keeps records of other affairs of the SIGMAA, handles correspondence, and prepares written reports for submission to the MAA as required. The Secretary/Treasurer also is responsible for all finances of this SIGMAA, drafts the budget in accord with the directives of the Executive Committee of the SIGMAA, works with the appropriate staff of the MAA in the disbursement of funds, and prepares financial reports as required by the Executive Committee of the SIGMAA and by the MAA.
  • In the event that the Chair is absent or temporarily unable to act, another member of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee fulfills the duties of the Chair, in the successive order of Vice Chair for Programs, Vice Chair for Membership, Vice Chair for Web Communications, and Secretary/Treasurer.

Section 3. Elections and terms of office

  • Nomination and election of officers will take place by electronic ballot of the membership in the month of October. The electronic ballot will indicate that write-in votes are permitted. The winner will be the candidate receiving the most votes. Ties will be broken by a fair, unbiased random device supervised by the MAA.
  • Election for Chair Elect will be held in the fall of odd numbered years, while elections for the other four offices will be held in the fall of even numbered years. The term for Chair Elect begins on January 1 following the election, and this person’s term as Chair of the SIGMAA begins the following January with the other four officers.
  • Should an office other than Chair become vacant midterm, the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee, in consultation with the most recent Nominating Committee, shall appoint a member of the SIGMAA to fill that office for the remainder of the term of office. Should the office of Chair of the SIGMAA become vacant midterm, the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee shall appoint a member of the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee to fill the office of Chair for the remainder of the term and, should this appointment create a vacant office, shall fill the vacant position according to the rules just given.
  • The officers serve two-year terms, starting January 1 of odd numbered years. An officer may be nominated for and may run for re-election under the same conditions that apply to an initial election to the position. An individual currently serving as an officer may be nominated for Chair-Elect.
  • The WebSIGMAA Executive Committee appoints a Nominating Committee of three members.
    • The Nominating Committee confers with the Vice Chair for Membership, other members of the Executive Committee, the immediate Past Chair, and with other members of the SIGMAA concerning the qualifications of potential candidates for offices. It is the responsibility of the Nominating Committee to maintain a balance between the need for experience on the Executive Committee and the need for renewal and leadership development.
    • The term of service of each member of the Nominating Committee is three calendar years. Terms overlap so that each year the term of one member expires. The member whose term is next to expire serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee for the year. No member of the Nominating Committee shall serve concurrently on the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee. If a member of the Nominating Committee leaves the position early, the WebSIGMAA Executive Committee may appoint a new committee chair and/or a new member with whatever term is needed to re-establish the rotation with a committee chair of sufficient experience.

Article VI. Finances.

Section 1. Dues supplement

An annual MAA dues supplement shall be assessed each member of this SIGMAA. This fee will be used to support in part the activities of this SIGMAA, and the manner of collection and disbursement of these funds will be determined by the MAA Executive Committee. The initial amount of this dues supplement will be 10 US dollars per year. This SIGMAA may formally request a change of this amount by sending such a request to the MAA Committee on SIGMAAs, which after consideration will forward a recommendation to the MAA Executive Committee. The MAA Executive Committee may also initiate a request for a change of the dues supplement.

Section 2. Expense budget

This SIGMAA shall submit an expense budget for each calendar year to the MAA Director of Programs and Services no later than March 15 of the preceding year. It shall include the projected cost for any regularly planned activities, including receptions, room charges, equipment, etc. at national meetings. The budget is subject to the approval of the MAA Executive Committee.

Section 3. Application for funding

This SIGMAA may apply to the MAA for specific funding beyond what is provided from dues. All requests for funds shall be substantiated by a budget for the proposed expenditures.

Article VII. External Funding

Section 1. Contracts and grants

No officer or member of this SIGMAA may apply for a grant to support an activity of this SIGMAA or enter into any contract to support such activity or to provide services without specific approval in writing by the President of the MAA or designee thereof. If this SIGMAA wishes to apply for external funds, it shall coordinate this activity with the MAA Subcommittee on Externally Funded Projects and go through the standard procedures for applying for external funding under the auspices of the MAA.

Section 2. Debts and credit

Neither this SIGMAA nor any of its representatives shall have any authority to contract debts for, pledge the credit of, or in any way bind the MAA.

Article VIII. Changes to this Charter

Section 1. Changes proposed by the SIGMAA

Changes to this Charter may be proposed by this SIGMAA if a recommendation for such changes is supported by a two-thirds majority of the members voting. The proposed changes must then be submitted for consideration to the Committee on SIGMAAs, which will forward a recommendation on approval to the MAA Executive Committee.

Section 2. Changes initiated by the MAA

Changes to this Charter may also be initiated by the MAA Executive Committee, which will forward such a request to the MAA Committee on SIGMAAs. In turn the Committee on SIGMAAs will work with the SIGMAA to develop specific new language for the charter that is acceptable to the SIGMAA. The Committee on SIGMAAs will then forward the revised charter to the MAA Executive Committee to be considered for approval. In this event, changes must be approved by the Board of Governors.

Article IX. Dissolution.

Section 1. Reasons for dissolution

This SIGMAA shall be dissolved for either of the following reasons:

  • Failure to maintain at least 50 members for two consecutive years
  • Reasons agreed to by a majority vote of the Board of Governors

Section 2. Unspent funds

If dissolved, any unspent funds of this SIGMAA shall be returned to the general fund of the MAA.