INS SIGs – Special Interest Groups

Question: What is the purpose of the Special Interest Groups established by the INS?

Answer: SIGs may be established to facilitate the formation of research, clinical, and training specialties of an intra- or cross-disciplinary nature and to increase the exchange of knowledge within research arenas of special interest, and for other reasons in keeping with achieving the mission of the INS. The purpose of the SIGs is to: advance knowledge about an area of interest; encourage scholarly inquiry related to research, training, or clinical practice; and encourage international research or clinical collaborations, networking, and/or promote the use of research to improve the area of interest and public good.

Question: What is the governance structure supporting the SIGs

Answer: The formation and professional conduct of SIGs falls within the purview of the INS Science Committee. The INS Science Committee has been formed to facilitate and promote neuropsychological science internationally in keeping with the mission of the INS, including fostering international research collaborations and the training of the next generation of neuropsychological scientists. The Science Committee appoints one member to serve as the SIG Liaison. This person is tasked with interfacing with the various SIGs and INS administration. All SIG Chairs report to the INS-SIG Liaison who reports to the Science Committee.

Question: What is the process of forming a SIG?

Answer: SIGs represent the coming together of a group of people with shared interests. These shared interests can be related to methodology or a content area. Currently, the INS is NOT accepting applications for additional SIGs. We do encourage you to contact the SIG Committee Chair, Dr. Ruchika Prakash, at sig@the-ins.org (and cc Prakash.30@osu.edu) if you are interested in forming a new SIG at a later time.

Once the call for SIG application opens, please email the completed INS-SIG application form to sig@the-ins.org. Two members of the INS SIG Committee will independently review the form using the rating form available here. All INS-SIGs must have a non-US/Canada co-chair and have at least 20 members to start the SIG. Once approved by the INS SIG Committee, the application is forwarded to the INS Board of Directors, who provide the final authorization for the respective SIG. At the time of approval, the SIG Chair will provide the SIG Co-Chairs with an official INS email address for members and a separate one for the SIG leaders. All SIGs must use official INS addresses for communications with its members.

Question: Who can be a member of the INS-SIGs?

Answer: You must be an INS member to join any of the INS-SIGs. All INS members, across categories, can join a SIG. Students and trainees are encouraged to join a SIG. There is no additional fee for joining any of the INS-SIGs.

Question: What are the various positions a SIG must create?

Answer: Each SIG needs to have a minimum of two SIG chairs, at least one from a country not including United States or Canada. SIGs are allowed to have a third co-chair if desired. The SIGs are encouraged to maintain a diverse governing board/committee and membership. Each SIG may create internal positions at their own discretion, but these must be reported to the Science Committee, including changes to SIG leadership. The SIG Chairs will provide description of each position within their SIG to the INS-SIG Liaison.

Question: What is the election procedure for the leadership positions at SIGs?

Answer: Upon creation of a SIG, the first term of the SIG Chairs is self-appointed. The SIGs will have an election within three years of the creation of a SIG. The SIG Chairs will be elected by the membership at large. The SIG Chairs must get final approval from the INS Board of Governors. The SIG Chairs will remain in the position up to three years, with a potential to be re-elected. The SIG Chairs total term may not exceed six years. SIG Chairs may choose to step down, at which point an election to identify a replacement must be held. Repeated short interval SIG Chair terms are discouraged.

Moreover, the SIG needs to have a pre-defined approach to election, managing a tie, and other issues that may arise in the election. If an election is contested, it will be presented to the SIG Liaison who will present it to the Science Committee. The SIG Chairs shall be responsible for the conduct of elections. The SIG Chairs shall prepare a ballot including all duly nominated candidates and shall transmit the ballot to each Member of the SIG. The non-US/Canada candidate with the most votes will be selected as the non-North American SIG Chair. The American/Canadian or non-US/Canada candidate with the most votes will be selected as the 2nd Chair. If there are no non-US/Canadian candidates, a North American candidate may be appointed temporary SIG Chair until a non-US/Canada chair can be appointed. Vacancy cannot exceed a six month-period. It is acceptable for a SIG to have two non-US/Canada Co-Chairs.

Question: Can the SIGs have their own social media accounts?

Answer: The SIGs will not have independent social media accounts. Each SIG may nominate a SIG Communications Chair who can either be nominated by the SIG Chairs or elected during general elections of the SIG. The Communications Chair will be in close contact with the SIG Liaison and INS Social Media Chair/Co-Chairs. They can be contacted through social@the-ins.org. Specific SIG information will be posted to social media by the social media team.

Question: Can the SIGs collect their own membership fees?

Answer: Donations or contributions are at the SIG’s discretion; however, no membership fees are to be required. The budget for the SIG will be submitted to the Science Committee for the annual Board of Directors’ meeting. All funds collected belong to the INS and will be processed through the INS Office. Plans for collecting funds should be discussed with the Science Committee and INS Executive Director prior to initiation.

Question: Can the SIGs publish manuscripts, opinion pieces, or create and publish other documents on behalf of INS?

Answer: INS welcomes members of various SIGs to collaborate in service of scholarly publications. Please include the following disclaimer for scholarly publications resulting from collaborations among SIG members:

Question: What are some of the reasons a SIG may be dissolved?

Answer: A SIG may be dissolved by the Science Committee for not fulfilling the purposes of the SIGs. We encourage SIGs to maintain a minimum of 20 SIG members to remain active. It is allowable to include up to five, or fewer, inactive members in that count. Action to dissolve a SIG shall require approval from the Board of Directors.

Question: Can SIG membership be terminated?

Answer: Yes. SIG membership, upon review by the INS Science Committee and Board of Directors, may be terminated if an individual is found to be in violation of the INS Code of Conduct. Examples include claims of inappropriate conduct, like psychological bullying, physical intimidation or aggression, or harassment, including sexual harassment.