Speak Easy is introducing an additional group format, called a Special Interest Group or SIG. The objective of a SIG is to generate a common interest, in addition to our speech, for members to share as a further vehicle for speech development. This could include Networking groups getting together for a drink, movie or meal; a sporting interest; family outing; a nightclub or band - any opportunity to share leisure time and develop speech fluency in an everyday environment. These are gatherings that may involve partners, family or other public activities. This contrasts to the traditional meetings which cater to members-needs in a clinical environment.

Special Interest Groups will be governed by the Executive Committee, through the SIG Convenor. The following guidelines have been set:

• SIG's must be registered with the Executive Committee through the Convenor (Mike Pavey), primarily for promotion purposes.
  
  
• Each group is responsible for documenting their aims (included in the SIG Registration Form) which is registered with the Convenor. The aims are communicated to all existing and potential members to effectively match individual/group expectations/objectives.
  
  
• Each group requires a key contact(s) to be listed in the Newsletter and Website
  
  
• A SIG can include any group of financial members with a common objective.
  
  
• The key objective of each group should be to provide a forum to develop better communication skills and not necessarily advocate one particular technique.
  
  
• Social groups should encourage friends or family to attend to help the desensitisation of group or social situations. Friends or family who attend, who don't have a stuttering history, are not required to be financial members.
  
  
• The group must not engage in any behaviour that is damaging to the organisation
  
  
• Support groups for people who stutter openly are ok, however these should be advertised as such so that people understand the objective of the group

If you have any questions regarding starting up your own SIG, please contact Mike Pavey or download the startup kit (You will need Acrobat Reader 3.0 or higher to view this.)

Mike Pavey
SIG Convenor
pavey@melbpc.org.au
9787 9092
0425 340 207