In-Cooperation Events issues and challenges Alex Wolf SGB Chair

Benefits relatively lightweight mechanism SIGs and SIG members –community involvement, promotion, and coordination –reduced registration fee Event organizers –credibility and exposure –use of ACM and SIG logos –access to ACM publication program (ICPS) –dissemination via ACM DL

Concerns uneven and questionable practices Requests for cooperating status after ACM publicized as the publisher and promoting the appearance of the proceedings in the DL Status rescinded by SIG after finding out that other SIG leaders chose not to cooperate Cooperation being granted to events sponsored by organizations producing events of uneven quality

Concerns uneven and questionable practices Chapter chartered by an individual who worked for a conference management firm began requesting cooperating status from various SIGs to promote the proceedings as an ACM publication and increase attendance –chapter was placed on probation and the individual offered their resignation Members and volunteer leaders reporting ACM-branded activities for questionable practices

Response Need to refocus effort on vetting requests Share best practices Document SIG-specific criteria/guidelines Publicize on ACM web site Good examples: SIGPLAN SIGCSE

Criteria some things to consider Dates –is there conflict with other related events? –is there potential overlap of audience? –is it a good time of year with regard to workload of the proposed audience? Finances –who is taking the financial risk? –is there a profit or other financial motive? –are there other sources of funding?

Criteria some things to consider Organizational quality –are the organizers and sponsoring organization credible in the technical area? –do you know the organizers and do they have the time to make this event a success? –is this audience part of your membership? –will the attendees of this conference be sought as members of your SIG?

Criteria some things to consider Technical quality –are you familiar with members of the program committee? –will the technical content attract the audience that the organizers have in mind? –does this event substantially overlap with an existing event, enough to impact on it? –will the proceedings meet the quality standards of ACM publications?

Action items Review/renew your policies and process for considering cooperating status Document the policies and process –make them visible on your web site –provide them as part of your yearly report Designate a point person for executing the process