The Chicago
Software Process Improvement Network (C-SPIN) was established on June 30,
1994. Since its establishment the C-SPIN has grown to support
approximately 1200 members from over 150 companies in the
This document contains the mission, charter and other specific information on the C-SPIN. The C-SPIN website can be found at http://www.c-spin.net/.
C-SPIN is loosely tied to the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), a federally
funded research and development center sponsored by the U.S. Department of
Defense through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition,
Technology, and Logistics. The SEI's core purpose is to help others make
measured improvements in their software engineering capabilities. For
more information on the SEI and on various SPINs please, see the SEI website at
http://www.sei.cmu.edu/sei-home.html.
The C-SPIN is a
leadership forum for the free and open exchange of software process improvement
experiences and practical ideas. We promote achieving higher levels of process
maturity, software quality and mutual respect. Our goals are to enhance skills
and support technology transition through an active program of networking,
speakers, forums, publications, recognition of excellence, and mutual support.
In carrying out
its mission, the C-SPIN intends to accomplish the following objectives in a
measurable way:
·
Promote knowledge sharing of systems
& software process improvement tools, techniques and industry best
practices
·
Provide opportunities for C-SPIN
individuals to improve their own professional presentation skills
·
Sustain C-SPIN as a viable,
cutting-edge organization
The C-SPIN is
organized as a Steering Committee and regular non-Committee membership. The Steering Committee members
take roles as officers and/or as chairs of C-SPIN standing Committees. Since no fees are collected to operate the C-SPIN, there
is no remuneration for services for any of the positions/roles in running the
C-SPIN.
The C-SPIN will
maintain a general membership that has no voting rights. It is C-SPINs purpose to provide the value
added services as identified in the
Has
final decision authority; set direction; coordinate all Committees; governance.
The
Steering Committee consists of those C-SPIN participants who have committed to
actively take on the roles and responsibilities of the various functions
necessary to run the C-SPIN. The Steering Committee operates as a consensus
based decision-making team. The Steering
Committee is comprised of the Chair person of each respective C-SPIN Standing
Committee. The specific Standing
Committee chairs will act without oversight from the Steering Committee unless
directed by the Steering Committee or requested from the Standing Committee
chair. Each Standing Committee chair may
deem it necessary to ask for help for the Committee tasks. That help may come from various entities,
including, but not limited to, other Steering Committee members and individuals
from the general membership.
Steering Committee Positions:
Chair
Chairs C-SPIN programs and chairs C-SPIN Steering
Committee meeting, sets agenda, ensures all other Standing Committees are on
track/task; Helps establish future direction of the C-SPIN
Vice-Chair
Serves as Chair Person when Chair Person is
unavailable. Assists the Chair Person as
required and requested. May serve as chair to another Standing Committee.
Secretary
Official note keeper and scribe of the C-SPIN. Responsible
for publishing agendas prior to C-SPIN programs and Steering Committee
meetings, publishing meeting minutes and outcomes after the meeting, and
taking, counting, recording, and announcing votes especially when e-mail and/or
telephone polling is done. Works closely with and/or chairs the Publication
Committee.
Treasurer
Establishes and tracks funds and budgets. Responsible for all monetary related issues
and concerns with regards to the functioning of the C-SPIN. Chairs the Finance Committee.
Standing
Committee Chairs
·
Speakers & Presentation Committee Source speakers; preview presentation; make recommendations; skills
development; presentation evaluation forms
·
Publication Committee Obtain/edit
content; write content; publish newsletter; website
·
Public Relations Committee Media releases;
program announcements; liaison to SEI,
other SPINs and other organizations; member surveys; outreach (new members and
organizations)
·
Facility / Logistics Committee Secure location;
secure food if sponsored; obtain equipment
·
Fund Raising Grants; Corporate Sponsors
·
Finance Committee (Treasurer) Establish/track
budgets; funds
·
Membership Committee Track members;
maintain and backup membership database; retain members; attract new members;
check in at meetings
The Steering
Committee can, at any time, form ad hoc Committees for those tasks that are not
covered by Standing Committees.
Participation in
the C-SPIN is open without discrimination to all individuals, companies,
academic institutions, and government organizations that are interested in furthering the objectives of the
C-SPIN.
Any C-SPIN
participant may petition the Steering Committee to become a Steering Committee
member. Steering Committee approves appointment of all Steering Committee members
at Steering Committee meetings by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the
participants in the vote. At least fifty (50) percent of the C-SPIN Steering
Committee must participate in the vote for the vote to be valid. Steering Committee elects
Steering Committee members to specific roles.
The Steering
Committee will meet quarterly and as needed in whatever format the Steering
Committee determines (i.e., in person, teleconference). Items brought to the
Steering Committee are discussed and if needed, distributed by the Secretary or
designate for an e-mail vote. Once an
e-mail vote is called, the e-mail vote must be received within the period
specified by the Steering Committee. The
Secretary or designated substitute will report the results of the vote within
one week after the voting is closed. A
simple majority of the voting Steering Committee members is required for the
motion pass.
The Steering
Committee will review the role assignments annually.
Any fees for
meetings or special events are determined by the Steering Committee. If participant fees are required for any
C-SPIN sponsored event, the Steering Committee will determine the appropriate
participant fees.
C-SPIN programs
will normally take place during the first week
of each month at a place determined by the Steering Committee. No programs are presented in December, July
or August. All programs will be posted
on the C-SPIN website.
The Steering
Committee may decide to dissolve the C-SPIN organization. This decision must be approved by a
two-thirds majority of all Steering Committee members. If no vote or an abstention vote is received
by the end of the voting period, it will be counted towards the majority.
If
the Steering Committee decides to dissolve, a communication will be made to the
general C-SPIN membership. At least 90
days before any final action is taken, one or more members may, at their
discretion, assume the role of the Steering Committee and reverse the
dissolution decision.