Formation of Special Interest Groups

The aim of Special Interest Groups (SIG) is to enable members to share expertise and best practices, keep abreast with emerging trends in their field of specialty and stay connected with colleagues. They foster the development of dynamic communities within their respective specialties across countries and continents.

The ECHA Articles allow ECHA members to form special interest groups (SIG) in different areas of high ability.  If you are interested, please see the details below.

SUB-COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Article 14

  1. The Committee may form sub-committees to provide support in specially defined aspects of the Society’s field of activity. The Committee may form Special Interest Groups in order to study one or more aspects of high ability. The latter may also give substance to ECHA conference themes.
  2. Sub-committees and Special Interest Groups operate in accordance with the Society’s aims.
  3. Sub-committees and Special Interest Groups are established, either on the initiative of the Committee itself, or on the initiative of at least five members

In order to apply for the formation of a SIG, the following should be provided:

  • An official application letter to establish the SIG signed by five ECHA members in good standing (e-signature is sufficient). These ECHA members must be from at least two different countries.
  • Two of the signatories from two separate countries must affirm in a separate signed statement that they would serve on the SIG advisory board. The third member of the advisory board could be from any country but it cannot be the leader of the SIG. The fourth member could be an ECHA Committee member or someone appointed by the ECHA Committee.
  • A name of the SIG (please note that we deliberately refer to high ability in the name of our organization, so the inclusion of the concept of giftedness in the title of the SIG would need further elaboration).
  • Description of the purpose of the SIG.
  • A brief mission statement of the SIG (which can be published on our ECHA website).
  • The SIG’s intended group of addressees within ECHA. A work plan for the SIG that includes, but is not limited to, responses to the following questions:
    • Does the SIG plan to have its own bylaws?  Will it have its own website or would it like to have a place on the ECHA website? How will it participate in ECHA activities (newsletter, Facebook group, symposia at ECHA conferences, etc).
    • What will be its meeting agenda, especially meeting frequency?

For further enquiries please contact ECHA at admin@echa-site.eu