Virtual Environment Technical Group

Hello VETG Members!  As we approach another conference, one responsibility for our TG is to have an election for new officers prior to the conference.  Toward that end, we need nominations for the different positions on the ballot.  Below are listed the different positions available, with a brief description of the responsibilities of each position.  What I need is nominations for the positions sent to me, Shawn Doherty (dohertsh@erau.edu), by close of business (COB) on Friday, September 17^th (one week from today).

Please recognize that the starred roles must be filled by a full (non-student) member of HFES and a member of the TG, as per HFES requirements.  It is possible for the Newsletter Editor role to be shared with a student in conjunction with a full, non-student, member of HFES.  All positions are for 2 years, save the Program Chair-Elect who will serve in that capacity for 1 year, then automatically transition to a 2 year Program Chair term.

You may nominate yourself or someone else, with their authorization.  This is your chance to get involved and add another accomplishment to your CV!

The positions that need to be filled this year include:

Chair*
Program Chair-Elect * (1 Year Term followed by Transition to 2 Year Program Chair)
Secretary
Webmaster
Newsletter Editor*
Communications Director

Descriptions for each position are included below and are two year positions except for Program Chair-Elect, who will become the Program Chair after the initial year of shadowing the current Program Chair, Shannon Bailey.

Please consider engaging with the TG in a leadership role!

Shawn
VETG Chair
dohertsh@erau.edu

Position Descriptions:

Chair:  The TG chair has overall responsibility to ensure that the group meets its minimum requirements. The chair works with the HFES executive director in scheduling the TG's annual business meeting and arranging other events; with the newsletter editor regarding timing, content, distribution method, and cost of newsletters; and with other officers to ensure that TG activities are being carried out. The chair also represents the TG as a member of the Council of Technical Groups.

Program-Chair (Elect):  The program chair is responsible for overseeing the technical review of proposals submitted for the HFES Annual Meeting. A Handbook for program chairs is made available online each year.  The program chair-elect may assist the program chair with the technical review of papers for the annual meeting.

Secretary:  The secretary is involved in recording transcripts of all official business of the TG, including the annual business meeting.  The Secretary is also responsible for the preservation of legacy documentation for the TG.

Webmaster:  The Webmaster is responsible for maintaining and updating the TG’s Website.

Newsletter Editor:  The newsletter editor is responsible for producing at least two newsletters per year and distributing them to TG members. The newsletter is the vital link between a TG's officers and its members, and its quality and frequency are often associated with members' level of satisfaction with their TG affiliation. TGs that do not produce newsletters are subject to disaffiliation from HFES. This position may be appointed or elected. In some cases, two or more persons, one of who may be newsletter editor-elect, share the editorship.

Communications Director:  The Communications Director is responsible for VETG Social Media updates, for the purpose of raising awareness of VETG activities and encouraging participation. The majority of these may occur during the Annual Meeting, so attendance at the Annual Meeting is important for the person in this role.