SIGs are community-led groups supported by ALPSP, providing a space for participants to share knowledge, discuss areas of interest and support engagement across the community. They are not formal decision-making bodies and do not speak on behalf of ALPSP unless specifically authorised to do so.

• A SIG may be proposed either by someone willing to lead it or by someone who is not; in the latter case, ALPSP will promote the opportunity and identify a suitable member to take on the role,
• ALPSP reserves the right to approve, decline, pause or close a SIG where appropriate.

• Proposed SIG scopes must be in line with ALPSP’s Code of Conduct.
• If two or more SIG proposals are very similar, ALPSP may discuss with the proposers whether the groups should be merged or kept separate.

• SIGs will administer themselves, set up calls, organise agendas and minutes as needed.
• SIGs will receive access to a dedicated ALPSP channel for all communication between the group. As of June 2026, our designated communication platform is Groups.io.
• For consistency and to support an inclusive experience for all SIG participants, Groups.io should remain the sole ALPSP-promoted platform for the SIG. Alternative channels should not be promoted through ALPSP communications, Groups.io, or as part of the SIG joining process.
• Leaders are asked to use their own Teams or Zoom accounts for virtual meetings. Meeting invitations should be communicated via the Groups.io channel (either by email or within the channel itself).
• ALPSP staff and members of the Membership and Marketing Committee may join SIG meetings as observers but cannot be relied upon for the taking of minutes or other administration.

• Participants do not need to be ALPSP members, unless otherwise specified.
• If numbers are low and there is little engagement or activity, a SIG maybe closed after discussion with ALPSP and the SIG Leaders.
• ALPSP reserves the right to remove individuals from a SIG, or restrict participation, where conduct is inconsistent with ALPSP’s Code of Conduct, creates risk for ALPSP, or undermines the purpose of the group.

• SIG Leaders responsibilities are to:
  • Lead and facilitate a vibrant and inclusive SIG community
  • Maintain momentum by encouraging participation and ongoing engagement
  • Plan and organise regular meetings (virtual or in-person)
  • Set agendas and guide discussions to ensure meetings are valuable and productive
  • Identify relevant topics, trends, or speakers of interest to the group
  • Work closely with ALPSP to coordinate activities, share updates, and align with wider initiatives
  • Act as a point of contact for SIG members and support communication within the group
• Leaders time commitment is approximately 1–2 hours per month (depending on the group’s activity).
• At least one SIG Leader for each group must be an ALPSP member, and ideally leaders should be from different organisations (considering size, geography, STM vs HSS etc). Groups may have 2-4 leaders to share responsibilities.
• SIG leaders are expected to provide quarterly activity updates to ALPSP and attend quarterly meetings.
• If a SIG Leader wishes to step down from their role, they should inform their co-chairs and ALPSP (admin@alpsp.org). ALPSP will discuss a suitable replacement with the remaining leaders and may advertise for and appoint a new leader.

• SIG leaders are responsible for setting up meeting times and cadence.
• There may be the possibility of setting up an in-person meeting at the ALPSP Conference if several members of the SIG are going to be present. Leaders are asked to contact ALPSP to provide support for this.
• A SIG may decide to have sub-groups (by theme or activity), a sub-group may be encouraged to form into a separate SIG if there is sufficient interest.
• SIGs may propose conference sessions, seminars, webinars, networking events or training courses; proposals would be sent to MMC/Education committee/Conference programme committee or Training committee as appropriate.
• SIGs may submit content to the ALPSP blog. If they wish to publish other external content, they should contact ALPSP (admin@alpsp.org) to ensure that this is within ALPSP marketing guidelines and to provide marketing support.
• SIGs may wish to use social media or other online platforms to share updates, encourage discussion or promote relevant activity. Any external communications connected to an ALPSP SIG must be discussed with ALPSP in advance and should follow the ALPSP Code of Conduct and brand guidelines. SIG leaders should contact the Membership Manager in the first instance if they would like support.
• SIGs must not take on financial commitments, set up bank accounts, agree sponsorship arrangements, enter partnerships, use the ALPSP logo or branding, or issue public statements on behalf of ALPSP without prior approval.
• SIGs may use AI tools to support their activities, for example for notetaking, summaries or drafting. SIG members are responsible for using AI tools appropriately and should not enter confidential, personal, commercially sensitive or unpublished information into AI tools unless they have the right to do so and the risks have been considered. SIG leaders should contact the Membership Manager if they would like further guidance.
• ALPSP may access and use materials produced by the SIG for oversight, record-keeping, promotion, reporting and wider member or community benefit, where appropriate.

Group members' email addresses will be visible to SIG Leaders to enable effective communication and administration of the SIG. Leaders must use these details only for ALPSP SIG-related purposes and not for personal use, marketing, recruitment, or communications outside the scope of the group's activities.

SIGs may share relevant external resources with their members. However, where external resources relate to policy, guidance, standards, commercial services, or material produced by another association or organisation, SIG leaders should ensure these are shared in a balanced and contextual way. ALPSP may provide additional context, signposting or clarification where appropriate.

• SIGs are overseen by ALPSP’s Membership and Marketing Committee (MMC).
• Leaders are expected to provide regular activity updates to ALPSP for this purpose.

• SIG leaders and SIG members agree to follow ALPSP’s Code of Conduct.
• If any person believes they have been subject to bullying, harassment and/or discrimination as part of any ALPSP Activities, or considers that someone else is being harassed or discriminated against during such activities, they should contact the ALPSP Chief Executive, ALPSP Staff or a member of ALPSP Board of Directors, as soon as possible via our website or email.