I. ESTABLISHMENT

The Research Triangle Park Software Process Improvement Network, hereafter referred to as the RTP-SPIN, was established in June, 1991.

II. MISSION

The RTP SPIN exists to promote software process improvement by providing a forum for discussions of software improvement experiences and ideas. Meetings and membership are free and open to all interested in furthering software process improvement.

III. OBJECTIVES

In carrying out its mission, the RTP-SPIN intends to accomplish the following objectives within the software community:

Promote the advancement of software quality
Improve software productivity
Promote software process maturity
Transfer software improvement knowledge and innovation to all participants
Share experiences with participants and other SPINs
Promote cooperation between industry, academia, government and SEI with respect to software process improvement technology

IV. MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the RTP SPIN is free and open to all individuals, companies, universities, and government organizations who are interested in furthering the objectives of the RTP-SPIN.

V. ORGANIZATION

The RTP-SPIN is organized as a Leadership Council, Standing Committees and participants. Leadership Council members, Standing Committee members, and general participants receive no remuneration for their services.

A. LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

The RTP-SPIN will consist of a Leadership Council with participants who have committed to actively take on the roles and responsibilities of the various functions necessary to run the RTP-SPIN. The following specific roles are defined:

Chair, Leadership Council
Chair, Meeting Operations
Chair, Membership
Chair, Publicity
Chair, Volunteer Coordination

1. The responsibilities of the Leadership Council will be as follows:

Manage the affairs of the RTP-SPIN organization
Maintain coordination with other SPIN organizations
Approve the establishment of the mission and charter of the RTP-SPIN
Review the operation of the SPIN periodically to determine improvements in its operation

2. The responsibilities of the Chair, Leadership Council will be as follows:

Drive strategic planning for the RTP-SPIN
Lead Council meetings
Ensure Charter is maintained and approved
Ensure positions are filled

B. STANDING COMMITTEES

B.1. Meeting Operations

The responsibilities of the Chair, Meeting Operations will be as follows:

Recruit speakers
Find meeting rooms (for both the RTP-SPIN and Leadership Council meetings)
Plan seminars
Evaluate other activities and make appropriate plans
Create announcements about activities and send to mailing list
Maintain meeting history (for both the RTP-SPIN and Leadership Council meetings)

B.2. Membership

The responsibilities of the Chair, Membership will be as follows:

Take registration for meetings (for both the RTP-SPIN and Leadership Council meetings)
Send registration list to meeting site contact
Maintain RTP-SPIN membership list

B.3. Publicity

The responsibilities of the Chair, Publicity will be as follows:

Publicize meetings beyond the mailing list (e.g. News and Observer, Software Engineering Newsgroup, American Society for Quality, etc.)
Maintain RTP-SPIN Website(s)

B.4. Volunteer Coordination

The responsibilities of the Chair, Volunteer Coordination will be as follows:

Publicize our needs for volunteers at the SPIN meetings, on the mailing list and beyond
Work with other Chairs to create a brainstormed, prioritized activity list of SPIN needs (either new or existing functions) to solicit volunteers for help in growing the SPIN
Maintain the activity list
Serve as the primary contact for all inquiries related to “helping” the SPIN (email, meeting questionnaire, ad-hoc requests, respondents to volunteer calls, etc.) – then matching volunteers to other chairs and work

VI. ROLE ASSIGNMENTS AND TERMS

Any SPIN participant may petition the Leadership Council to become a Council member. The Leadership Council approves appointment of all Committee Chairs. The Leadership Council will have a maximum of 12 members. At most 3 people from the same company may be Leadership Council members. At most 2 people from the same company may hold a Leadership Council Chair position. All positions on the Leadership Council will be approved for one (1) term, for twelve (12) months, with a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms.

The Leadership Council operates as a consensus based decision-making team. All Leadership Council members have equal voice in the decision making process. Decisions are approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the participants in the vote.

VII. PARTICIPANT FEES

There are no fees for being a member of the RTP-SPIN or any of the SPIN meetings. For special training seminars, conferences, or special events, the Leadership Council will determine any applicable fees.

VIII. MEETINGS

RTP-SPIN meetings will take place at least five (5) times a year at a place determined by the Chair, Meeting Operations Committee. These meetings are open to anyone. Communication regarding these meetings will be via e-mail sent to the RTP-SPIN distribution list, posting on the RTP-SPIN web site, and any other available communications mechanisms.

The Leadership Council will meet at least twice (2) a year. The Leadership Council meetings are open to only Leadership Council members. Leadership Council Members will be informed of the meeting via e-mail at least 14 days in advance. At least three (3) Leadership Council Chairs, or their designee, must be present for a quorum.

IX. CHARTER REVISIONS

Charter revisions are approved at Leadership Council meetings by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the participants in the vote. At least fifty (50) percent of the RTP-SPIN Leadership Council must participate in the vote for the vote to be valid.

X. DISSOLUTION OF ORGANIZATION

The RTP-SPIN organization can be dissolved only with the unanimous agreement of all Leadership Council members, together with a majority vote at a meeting publicized in advance to all current participants of the RTP-SPIN for the purpose of taking this vote.