SIGDOC Program Review 2008

Brad MehlenbacherSIGDOC Chair

brad_m@unity.ncsu.edu www4.ncsu.edu/~brad_m

February 11, 2008

Back up 4.0

History

• Special Interest Group on Design of Communication (2004-present) Computer Documentation (1997-2003) Systems Documentation (1982-1996; started 1975)

• Website redesign in 2005 (www.sigdoc.org)• Emphasizes study and publication of processes,

methods, and technologies for communicating and designing artifacts such as printed and online information, documentation designs and applications, multimedia and Web-based environments

• Found viable 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004

Financials

• Fund balances June 2004 = $41,385 June 2005 = $43,750 June 2006 = $48,281 June 2007 = $56,294

• Fund balance up 36% from 2004• Small surplus generated in all four

conferences (2004-2007)

Membership/Volunteers

• Board concern about declining membership (highest priority)

• Membership — currently 233• Membership has decreased

18% since 2004 (primarily among affiliate members) (June 2002 = 374 members) (June 2003 = 350 members) June 2004 = 284 members June 2005 = 245 members June 2006 = 259 members June 2007 = 233 members

• Volunteer growth Full slate for SIG election Added Information Director-

Webmaster Added three new Members-at-

Large

• Good representation (5 academics and 4 industry)

• Enthusiastic European colleagues

Conferences/Membership Benefits

• SIGDOC conferences resulted in surpluses

• Two European conferences since 2005

• SIGDOC 2008: September 22-24, 2008, in Lisbon, Portugal (www.sigdoc2008.net)

• Redesigned Website (www.sigdoc.org)

• E-Newsletter distributed 4 times/year

• Awards sponsored: Rigo (individual contributions), Diana (institutional contributions), Graduate Competition

• Others strategies for recruitment?

Publications

• Restart journal (previously Journal of Computer Documentation) Quarterly, peer-reviewed Special issues with 3-4 articles solicited by guest editors Michael Albers, ECU, general editor Cost minimal (ECU providing infrastructural support)

• Membership enthusiastic — few competing journals IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Technical Communication Technical Communication Quarterly