Rules of Procedure

These RULES OF PROCEDURE (hereinafter called "RULES") apply to the SIAM Activity Group on Linear Algebra. The SIAM Activity Group (hereinafter called "SIAG") to which these RULES apply is formed under the aegis of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (hereinafter called "SIAM"), and shall operate according to the bylaws of SIAM. The SIAG shall not affiliate with any other organization without first obtaining the written approvals of the SIAM president and SIAM chairman of the board. No provisions of these RULES shall be construed so as to contradict the bylaws of SIAM.

Articles

Article I: Purpose

It is the purpose of the SIAM Activity Group on Linear Algebra to identify and explore the links between linear algebra and other applied sciences, to stimulate the applications of linear algebra, and to foster research in linear algebra and its applications. Within the framework of SIAM, the group will conduct activities that implement its purposes.

Article II: Activities

Subject to the conditions of ARTICLES III and IV, the SIAM Activity Group on Linear Algebra will conduct sessions at regular SIAM meetings, conduct special meetings, and participate in organizing publications in the areas of linear algebra and its applications.

The SIAG shall not present awards or otherwise recognize scientific achievement, professional service, or the like without prior approval by both the SIAM Major Awards Committee and the SIAM Council of the award criteria, the method of selection of recipient(s), the nature of the award, and all other aspects, if any, of each such award must have the prior approval of the SIAM Board of Trustees.

Article III: Meetings

With the approval of the SIAM Program Committee, the SIAG may organize special paper sessions at SIAM meetings, and conduct special one- or two-day meetings immediately before or after a regular SIAM meeting. Other SIAG meetings may be organized only with the approval of the SIAM president and vice president for programs.

Article IV: Publications

With the approval of the appropriate managing editor, the SIAG may have articles and news columns in SIAM News and on special occasions, a portion of a SIAM journal may be devoted to topics suggested, organized, and/or prepared by the SIAG. No separate SIAG publications are permitted without the specific written approval of the publications committee.

Article V: Membership

Membership in the SIAG shall be open to any SIAM member, but to no others.

Article VI: Officers

Section 1. There shall be a chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, and program director, all of whom shall be members of the SIAG. In the third year of operation and after every subsequent three-year period, the SIAG will hold an election to fill those four offices for three years. In conducting the election, the SIAG must provide the opportunity for any modestly-sized group of SIAG members to nominate candidates for these positions.

On the initial formation of the SIAG, the SIAM President shall appoint a chairperson with the approval of the SIAM Council.

Officers must be regular members in good standing.

Section 2. The SIAG chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the SIAG, coordinate the completion of the bi-annual charter report to the SIAM Council, and represent the SIAG at meetings of the SIAG chairs. In the absence of the chairperson, the line of succession is the vice-chairperson, secretary, and program director.

Section 3. The secretary of the SIAG shall keep a record of the affairs of the SIAG. The secretary is responsible for the production and distribution of SIAG newsletters and for ensuring that the information about the SIAG on the SIAM website is correct.

Section 4. The program director will have responsibility for SIAG conferences and programs, including participation in the SIAM Annual Meeting. The program director will coordinate these activities with the chairperson who has overall responsibility for the direction of the SIAG. The program director will serve as the conference organizer or delegate such responsibilities to an individual approved by the chair and other officers.

Article VII: Fees

A yearly membership fee may be assessed each member of the SIAG at the time of payment of annual SIAM dues. This fee shall be established by the SIAM Board of Trustees.

Monies shall be collected and accounted for by SIAM. Such monies shall not be used for purposes other than support of the activities of the SIAG from which they were collected, except that such monies may be assessed on a per-member basis for costs incurred by SIAM in providing services to the members of the SIAG.

Article VIII: Contracts

No officer or member of the SIAG may apply for a grant to support SIAG activities or enter into any contract to support such activities or to provide services without specific approval in writing by the president and treasurer of SIAM or the managing director acting on behalf of the treasurer.

No SIAG or any officer or representative thereof shall have any authority to contract debts for, pledge the credit of, or in any way bind SIAM.

Article IX: Funds for Support

Requests for funds to support SIAG activities may be made in writing to the treasurer of SIAM. A loan or grant to the SIAG in the amount of $100 or less can be made by the treasurer. Only one such loan or grant may be made to the SIAG during any fiscal year. Other loans or financial grants to the SIAG shall be approved by the board.

All requests for funds shall be substantiated by a proposed budget for expenditures.

Article X: Reporting

All distributions of said funds shall be in the form of disbursements from SIAM, which disbursements shall be made on receipt of substantiating vouchers.

Each SIAG must submit a written report on its activities to the SIAM Council at each meeting of the council and be represented in person by invitation. This report shall be in a form that can be published in SIAM News.

Article XI: Changes

Changes to these RULES may be made at any time by the SIAM Council and SIAM Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the SIAM President. Changes to these RULES may be made by the SIAG with the approval of the council and the board.

Article XII: Period of Operation

The SIAM Council may authorize the operation of the SIAG for an initial period of three years. Each new SIAG must submit a set of RULES to the council. The SIAG may not begin its activities until its RULES have been approved. In approving the RULES, the council shall specify the period of activity of the SIAG.

Each period of activity of the SIAG will be three years. Each period of activity must be renewed by the council. The SIAG shall apply to council for renewal six months prior to the end of each three-year period of activity. The application for renewal shall describe how the SIAG will continue to complement SIAM activities and describe its support of the functions indicated in its RULES. The activities of the SIAG shall not be continued to a new three-year period of activity without council approval.

In the event there is no activity of the SIAG in any three-year period herein designated, the SIAG shall be considered terminated at the end of that three-year period and any continuation of the SIAG's activities will be contingent on the establishment of a new SIAG according to the practices established for the initiation of a SIAG.

Approved by the SIAM Council, July 19, 1982, and the SIAM Board of Trustees, July, 1982.

The SIAM Activity Group on Linear Algebra (SIAG/LA) remains active; it has been renewed every three years by the SIAM Council and Board. See the most recent Charter renewal application for their current statement of activities and plans; a copy is located in the SIAG/LA Archive.