To the members of ACM SIGGRAPH:

Over the past year the ACM SIGGRAPH Executive Committee (EC) has been examining the structure and operations of our organization. A major part of this effort has been to examine the structure and function of the EC itself, including a review of the bylaws under which we operate. The result is a proposal for a substantial change to our structure and to the bylaws that define the structure. We think that this change will allow us to be more flexible, efficient, and strategically focused so that we can better pursue current and future opportunities.

The proposed new bylaws can be read below or at the following link: http://www.siggraph.org/about/proposed-new-bylaws.

This also includes an explanation of the reason for the proposed changes, a set of associated polices that have been approved by the EC contingent upon the approval of the bylaws, and a proposal for a new type of ACM SIGGRAPH member - an Associate member.

I strongly encourage members to read these documents and contact me or other EC members if there are any questions and/or comments.

Scott Owen

ACM SIGGRAPH President

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Over the past year the ACM SIGGRAPH Executive Committee has been examining the structure and operation of our organization to improve our processes, enable better strategic oversight, and more efficiently communicate with, and serve our membership. A major part of this effort has been to examine the structure and function of the Executive Committee itself, including a review of the bylaws under which we operate.

The result is a proposal for a substantial change to our structure and to the bylaws that define the structure. We think that this change will allow us to be more flexible, efficient, and strategically focused so that we can better pursue current and future opportunities.

There are five reasons for these changes:

1. Under the current bylaws, most directors have specific operational or logistical roles. In order to best focus on the strategic aspects of our organization, and best prioritize the time of your Officers and Directors, operational and logistical roles will be delegated to standing committees with appointed positions, and the directors will all have global, strategic responsibilities. This means the Executive Committee will act more like a traditional board of directors focused on strategic issues facing the organization. It is expected that the directors will still serve on the standing committees so that they can better understand some of the issues, but the directors will not have the primary responsibility for the committee; the committee chairs will have that responsibility.
   
   
2. In the new bylaws, all voting Executive Committee members will be elected by the members of ACM SIGGRAPH. Currently, some of the voting positions are appointed.
   
   
3. The new bylaws create a new type of member called an Associate Member, to enhance and expand the communities we serve. Associate Members pay no dues to ACM SIGGRAPH and do not have the same benefits as full members. In a new Executive Committee policy that depends on these bylaws, all Chapter members will automatically become Associate ACM SIGGRAPH members. This will help provide better support for Chapters and is the result of a long-standing desire to better incorporate Chapter members into ACM SIGGRAPH. Please see the document on the
   Associate member proposal for more information.
   
   
4. The current bylaws contain specific operational details that are traditionally found and better handled in policies, not in bylaws. Examples include the duties of specific positions and specifics of the awards program. The new bylaws remove these details. The following new policies have been adopted to cover items removed from the bylaws:
   
   

• Awards Program

• Role of Past President

• ACM SIGGRAPH Values

• ACM SIGGRAPH Mission

• Ex-Officio Members of the EC

• Role and Duties of CAG Chair

• Standing Committees

• Nominating Committee Process

  Please see the document on ACM SIGGRAPH Proposed Policies for more information.