EC Meeting, Jan 23-25, 2026

There are 12 out of 18 EC, and 4 CHI SC members in attendance in-person and virtually.

Member Updates

EC members shared progress across conferences, publications, communications, and operations. Key themes included CHI planning, improving peer review systems, financial oversight, and volunteer engagement. There was more extended discussion on improving centralized resources for conference organizers and increasing participation in some initiatives (e.g., financial hardship waivers for ACM Open Article Processing Charges). We also discussed how to support committees in creating strong by-laws that delineate their relationship to the EC. Positive notes included increased awards nominations, strong conference financial performance, and ongoing negotiations for reduced payments (e.g., Grammarly).

Conference Returns

Discussion focused on models of how and whether conferences can have access to their financial surplus. This can be a strong incentive for conferences in terms of budgeting, and would also require ways to track the surplus and what percentage conferences have access to. It would also be important to ensure that there is no duplicate funding (e.g., that there are no redundant community support programs) and that the SIG can still offer community-wide support. The conference team will consider how to take the idea forward and make a proposal.

SIGCHI in Africa

The group emphasized building SIGCHI with African communities, not transplanting existing community structures. Priorities included early community input, mentorship, training, and local empowerment. Ideas included advisory structures, summer schools, and mentorship pipelines to support volunteer development. Creating pathways for participation (e.g., shadowing, open calls) and fostering long-term community growth were key goals. A working group and stronger coordination with the CHI Steering Committee were suggested.

Chair and Site Selection Updates

We heard about efforts in the EC/SC working group on CHI chair selection, and discussed how to identify leadership for CHI 28, with emphasis on local African representation. With respect to site selection, we discussed the best approach to site visit logistics and selection processes (e.g., budget, timelines, coordination).

Online and Federated SIGCHI Events

We discussed alternatives to traditional conferences to improve accessibility, including virtual or federated events. Ideas ranged from “SIGCHI Online” to regional or thematic gatherings and para-conference models. Key tensions included maintaining community cohesion, ensuring audience engagement, and financial viability. Many emphasized that “conferring” (networking, interaction) is more important than presentations alone. There was no consensus on a single model, but agreement on exploring community needs and socializing and getting feedback on the idea.

Volunteer Development & Future Leaders

The group explored building a stronger volunteer pipeline through structured onboarding, mentorship, and skill development. Challenges include lack of visibility into opportunities, barriers for newcomers, and over-reliance on informal networks. Proposed solutions include tailored onboarding (e.g., welcome emails), skills libraries, mentorship programs, and increased use of SIGCHI spaces (like lounges or booths). Incentives, recognition, and clearer pathways to leadership roles are key. Collaboration with conferences and continuous engagement (e.g., AMAs, events) were emphasized to sustain long-term participation.

Finances

Financial discussions focused on budgeting, reserves, and major expenses. SIGCHI maintains strong reserves but faces high operational costs (e.g., Kandasoft contract). Questions were raised about value for money. Opportunities to save costs include renegotiating contracts and reassessing spending priorities. Issues with low uptake in funding programs (e.g., financial hardship waivers) suggest communication gaps. The discussion emphasized strategic planning for future budgets.

Open Call and Membership Updates

We discussed reopening the continuous open call. We also discussed the membership survey, which is close to being ready, and how the questions can be designed to help guide future decisions, including around volunteer development.

Coffee Hour with CHI SC

Members of the CHI SC joined us to discuss shared goals, including supporting volunteer pathways in Africa ahead of CHI 28, and experimenting with an online or federated conference.

Chapters Updates

Efforts are ongoing to strengthen SIGCHI chapters through initiatives like nominations for distinguished speakers.