2015 MW AGM

IN ATTENDANCE

Presiding Officer: Jim Smiley, Coordinator

Officers: Jim Smiley, Coordinator, Program Scott Petersen, Treasurer

James Essex, Publications

Non Officer Voting Members: 4

Non Members: 4

JALT Executives: Mark Brierley, SIG Representative Liaison

Recording Secretary: Cameron Romney

OFFICER REPORTS

Jim Smiley, Coordinator

Jim reported that the SIG is in good shape, the publications are on track, the SIG has been doing well with outreach to chapters and the membership numbers are good.

However, Jim noted that while the SIG is in good standing, there is a lack of volunteers to be officers. If not enough members will step forward to have multiple people in all officer positions, then he would move to dissolve the SIG.

Scott Petersen, Treasurer

Scott reported that the SIG is in good financial health with significant funds to cover all current and up coming expenses.

Travis Holzclaw, Membership

No report.

James Essex, Publications

No report.

Jim Smiley, Program

The SIG sent Greg Goodmacher as a featured speaker to the Pan-SIG conference in Kobe in May. At the national conference, the SIG sponsored Cameron Romney as a featured speaker and held a lively discussion at the SIG forum.

NEW BUSINESS

Jim suggested that the SIG sponsor Marcos Benevides as a featured speaker at the 2016 Pan-SIG conference in May. This was accepted by the membership and officers. Jim mentioned that he had been in contact with Okinawa Chapter about a possible co-sponsored event with Cameron Romney as the speaker. The details are still under discussion. Member Cameron Romney nominated John Campbell-Larsen to be the SIG’s 2015 Best of JALT recipient for his presentation, “From a page full of text, to a mouth full of air” presented on behalf of the SIG at both Nara Chapter and Shinshu (Nagano) Chapter meetings. This was accepted by both the membership and officers. There was discussion about what to do about the SIG website, if the SIG were to be dissolved as the hosting fees were due soon. As the SIG was not dissolved, the website hosting contract will be renewed.

OFFICER ELECTIONS

Mark Brierley, the SIG Representative Liaison, suggested that a discussion of whether or not to dissolve the SIG be moved to after the election. He also suggested that the SIG begin by nominating and electing the non-coordinator positions first. This was accepted by the membership and officers.

Treasurer: Scott Petersen agreed to act as the SIG treasurer for only one more year and was unanimously elected. Marcus Grandon agreed at act as co-Treasurer for the year in order to take over for Scott next year.

Membership: Travis Holzclaw (not in attendance, but spoken for by Jim Smiley) agreed to act as membership chair for only one more year and was unanimously elected.

Publications: James Essex agreed to continue as publications chair and was unanimously elected.

Program: Greg Goodmacher agreed to be the program chair provided that someone else could help him, specifically with Pan-SIG planning. He was unanimously elected.

Coordinator: Non-member Adam Murray stepped forward to become the coordinator, agreeing to become a member immediately following the AGM. He was unanimously elected. Outgoing coordinator Jim Smiley noted that this has happened before with a non-member volunteering, being elected and then not actively managing the SIG.

Member-at-large: Jim Smiley was unanimously elected to help with the transition to the new coordinator.

NON ELECTED OFFICERS

A Website Editor was not found. Mailing list editor was not found.

Layout editor: Jeanette Dennisson agreed to work with Scott on learning how to layout Between the Keys.

Pan-SIG 2016 Representative: James Essex agreed to continue representing the SIG on the Pan-SIG 2016 planning committee.