SEPG 2007 SEPG 2007 SPIN Panel SPIN Panel SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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SEPG 2007 SEPG 2007

SPIN Panel SPIN Panel

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Agenda Agenda Atlanta SPIN - Atlanta SPIN - Abi Salimi Abi Salimi Philadelphia SPIN - Chad Philadelphia SPIN - Chad Haggerty Haggerty Boston SPIN - Boston SPIN - Donna Johnson Donna Johnson Great Lakes SPIN - Great Lakes SPIN - Mary Watson Mary Watson Austin SPIN - Austin SPIN - Jeff Smith Jeff Smith

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Each SPIN will cover Each SPIN will cover Introduction Introduction Steering Committee and Planning Steering Committee and Planning Funding and Sponsorship Funding and Sponsorship Speakers and Locations Speakers and Locations Meetings and Logistics Meetings and Logistics Communication and Feedback Communication and Feedback Membership Membership Collaboration with other Groups Collaboration with other Groups Challenges and Lessons Learned Challenges and Lessons Learned

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Atlanta SPIN – Introduction Atlanta SPIN – Introduction

Founded in 1998 as a non-for-profit organization Founded in 1998 as a non-for-profit organization to provide a forum for the free and open to provide a forum for the free and open exchange of software process improvement exchange of software process improvement experiences and ideas experiences and ideas The Atlanta SPIN provides the following to its The Atlanta SPIN provides the following to its members: members:

l l Educational opportunities in software

Educational opportunities in software development and software process development and software process improvement improvement

l l Networking opportunities

Networking opportunities http://www. http://www.AtlantaSPIN AtlantaSPIN.org .org

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Atlanta SPIN – Steering Committee and Atlanta SPIN – Steering Committee and Planning Planning 12 person steering committee consisting of a 12 person steering committee consisting of a president, a vice president, two secretaries, a president, a vice president, two secretaries, a treasurer, and directors in charge of various treasurer, and directors in charge of various committees. committees.

l l Develop yearly plans

Develop yearly plans

l l Meet every month to discuss the status of

Meet every month to discuss the status of plans, the logistics of the upcoming meeting, plans, the logistics of the upcoming meeting, and unexpected items and unexpected items

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Atlanta SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship Atlanta SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship

A budget of about $6000/year A budget of about $6000/year Sponsorships - tiered Sponsorships - tiered

l l

Contributing Members ($50), Gold Sponsors ($750/year), Contributing Members ($50), Gold Sponsors ($750/year), Platinum Sponsors ($1250/year), Meeting Sponsors Platinum Sponsors ($1250/year), Meeting Sponsors ($100/meeting), and Signature Event Sponsors (price varies) ($100/meeting), and Signature Event Sponsors (price varies)

Example benefits to the sponsors, depending on the Example benefits to the sponsors, depending on the level of sponsorship. level of sponsorship.

l l

logo and URL link on SPIN home page logo and URL link on SPIN home page

l l

name & link in SPIN announcements name & link in SPIN announcements

l l

name mentioned at SPIN meetings/events name mentioned at SPIN meetings/events

l l

feature in newsletter feature in newsletter

l l

dissemination of relevant announcements/offers from the dissemination of relevant announcements/offers from the company to our members company to our members

Steering committee location are provided free of charge Steering committee location are provided free of charge by a local company by a local company We manage our own Web site. We manage our own Web site.

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Atlanta SPIN – Speakers and Locations Atlanta SPIN – Speakers and Locations Speakers are identified through Speakers are identified through

l l

conferences conferences

l l

local contacts local contacts

l l

requests from individuals interested in requests from individuals interested in speaking speaking

l l

Software Engineering Institute Software Engineering Institute

l l

call for abstracts call for abstracts

l l

past speakers past speakers

l l

sponsors providing speakers sponsors providing speakers

l l

steering committee members giving talks steering committee members giving talks Locations Locations

l l

a local company (free) a local company (free)

l l

hotels (discounted rate) hotels (discounted rate)

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Atlanta SPIN – Meetings and Logistics Atlanta SPIN – Meetings and Logistics

12 meetings a year 12 meetings a year Before meeting: Before meeting:

l l

Identify speaker, ask for and review the abstract, and invite the speaker Identify speaker, ask for and review the abstract, and invite the speaker

l l

Announce the meeting through e-mail, posting on our web site, and other Announce the meeting through e-mail, posting on our web site, and other mechanisms mechanisms

l l

Ask for the full presentation and produce hard copies Ask for the full presentation and produce hard copies

l l

Prepare name tags, feedback forms, and award certificate Prepare name tags, feedback forms, and award certificate

l l

Order food Order food

During the Meeting During the Meeting

l l

Greet people as they come in to meeting and have them sign in Greet people as they come in to meeting and have them sign in

l l

Welcome members, thank sponsors, & recognize board members Welcome members, thank sponsors, & recognize board members

l l

Distribute the survey and the presentation material Distribute the survey and the presentation material

l l

Make announcements Make announcements

l l

Introduce the presenter and the topic Introduce the presenter and the topic

l l

Present the award to the presenter Present the award to the presenter

l l

Ask about job openings and those looking for a job Ask about job openings and those looking for a job

l l

Collect the sign-in sheet and the completed surveys Collect the sign-in sheet and the completed surveys

l l

Announce next month’s meeting Announce next month’s meeting

l l

Give a free book away Give a free book away

After the meeting, the following tasks typically take place: After the meeting, the following tasks typically take place:

l l

Clean and organize the room Clean and organize the room

l l

Post the presentation on the Web site Post the presentation on the Web site

l l

Process survey feedback and provide to the steering committee for review Process survey feedback and provide to the steering committee for review

l l

Provide survey feedback to speaker Provide survey feedback to speaker

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Atlanta SPIN – Communication and Feedback Atlanta SPIN – Communication and Feedback

Web Site Web Site

l l

Monthly meeting announcements Monthly meeting announcements

l l

SPIN mission, steering committee members, previous SPIN mission, steering committee members, previous presentations presentations

l l

Joining and sponsoring SPIN Joining and sponsoring SPIN

l l

Resources Resources

E-mail E-mail

l l

Monthly meeting announcements Monthly meeting announcements

l l

Availability of discounted trainings (opt out option) Availability of discounted trainings (opt out option)

Brochures Brochures

l l

Announce signature events Announce signature events

l l

SPIN mission and activities SPIN mission and activities

TechLINKS TechLINKS, a local magazine/Web site , a local magazine/Web site

l l

Promoting SPIN activities and events Promoting SPIN activities and events

Member Feedback Member Feedback

l l

Feedback forms after every meeting Feedback forms after every meeting

• Rate the meeting and speaker

Rate the meeting and speaker

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Atlanta SPIN – Membership Atlanta SPIN – Membership

800+ members 800+ members Online registration and removal Online registration and removal Automatic population of an Excel spreadsheet Automatic population of an Excel spreadsheet Periodic maintenance of the file to address failed Periodic maintenance of the file to address failed messages messages Members automatically receive the meeting Members automatically receive the meeting announcements announcements

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Atlanta SPIN – Collaboration with Other Groups Atlanta SPIN – Collaboration with Other Groups

Agile Atlanta Agile Atlanta Atlanta Quality Assurance Association (AQAA) Atlanta Quality Assurance Association (AQAA) Local Universities Local Universities SEI SEI

l l

Enabling communication between SPIN founders and possible Enabling communication between SPIN founders and possible participants and among regional SPIN groups participants and among regional SPIN groups

l l

Creating, maintaining, and distributing the Creating, maintaining, and distributing the SPIN Directory SPIN Directory on the

• n the

SEI Website SEI Website

l l

Distributing the SPIN start-up information to anyone who is Distributing the SPIN start-up information to anyone who is interested in forming a SPIN interested in forming a SPIN

l l

Arranging for members of the SEI technical staff to speak at Arranging for members of the SEI technical staff to speak at SPIN meetings SPIN meetings

l l

Implemented a Implemented a SPIN Meeting Calendar SPIN Meeting Calendar to assist presenters to assist presenters looking to speak at SPIN meetings looking to speak at SPIN meetings

l l

Hosting a SPIN Hosting a SPIN BoF BoF at at SEPGs SEPGs

l l

Others… Others… http://www. http://www.sei sei. .cmu cmu. .edu edu/collaborating/spins/ /collaborating/spins/

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Atlanta SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Atlanta SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Learned Learned Losing about 15-25 percent of volunteer steering Losing about 15-25 percent of volunteer steering committee members committee members

l l Other members have to step in

Other members have to step in Lack of consistent participation in gene Lack of consistent participation in gene ral ral meetings meetings

l l Decided on fixed locations

Decided on fixed locations No shows at the monthly steering committee No shows at the monthly steering committee meeting meeting

l l Set expectations at the beginning and enforce

Set expectations at the beginning and enforce

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Philadelphia SPIN – Introduction Philadelphia SPIN – Introduction

Founded in 1997 as a Special Interest Group (SIG) of Founded in 1997 as a Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Philadelphia Section of the American Society of the Philadelphia Section of the American Society of Quality (ASQ) with the objectives to Quality (ASQ) with the objectives to

l l Raise the level of awareness of the importance of

Raise the level of awareness of the importance of software quality software quality

l l Present different techniques of implementing software

Present different techniques of implementing software quality concepts quality concepts

l l Provide a forum for best practice exchange

Provide a forum for best practice exchange

l l Have local members speak of success stories that

Have local members speak of success stories that have lead to productivity improvements have lead to productivity improvements

l l Be a resource to software professionals

Be a resource to software professionals

l l Create a networking opportunity with other software

Create a networking opportunity with other software professionals professionals http://www. http://www.asqphilly asqphilly.org/spin/SPIN.html .org/spin/SPIN.html

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Steering Committee and Philadelphia SPIN – Steering Committee and Planning Planning 6 person steering committee consisting of a 6 person steering committee consisting of a Chair, Treasurer, Programs, Publicity, Chair, Treasurer, Programs, Publicity, Membership, and Scribe. Membership, and Scribe.

l l Meet yearly for planning the program year

Meet yearly for planning the program year

l l Meet after meetings and use e-mail

Meet after meetings and use e-mail throughout the program year throughout the program year 5 meetings a year, planned based on 5 meetings a year, planned based on membership feedback membership feedback

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship Philadelphia SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship Small budget from ASQ Small budget from ASQ

l l Enough to cover costs of food and beverages

Enough to cover costs of food and beverages Sponsorships Sponsorships

l l No formal sponsorship program, but

No formal sponsorship program, but considering it for the future considering it for the future

l l Locations are provided free of charge by local

Locations are provided free of charge by local companies companies

l l ASQ provide Web-site free of charge for

ASQ provide Web-site free of charge for communication to our members communication to our members

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Speakers and Locations Philadelphia SPIN – Speakers and Locations Maintain list of past and future speakers and Maintain list of past and future speakers and locations locations Utilize the following resources for speakers and Utilize the following resources for speakers and locations locations

l l

Member suggestions via feedback forms Member suggestions via feedback forms

l l

Committee Members contacts Committee Members contacts

l l

Call or e-mail presenters of various Call or e-mail presenters of various conferences who are local conferences who are local

l l

Call or e-mail presenters who have Call or e-mail presenters who have presented at nearby presented at nearby SPINs SPINs (NY,NJ, Boston) (NY,NJ, Boston)

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Meetings and Logistics Philadelphia SPIN – Meetings and Logistics

Five meetings a year (September, November, January, Five meetings a year (September, November, January, March, and May) March, and May)

l l

Pre-meeting Pre-meeting

• E-mail announcement, and e-mail reminder (-2 days)

E-mail announcement, and e-mail reminder (-2 days)

• Create sign-in sheet, badges, speaker certificate and gift

Create sign-in sheet, badges, speaker certificate and gift

l l

Meeting Meeting

• 6:00 PM Check-in/Networking/Light Dinner

6:00 PM Check-in/Networking/Light Dinner

l l Sign-in sheet, badges

Sign-in sheet, badges

• 6:30 p.m. Presentation

6:30 p.m. Presentation

• 7:30 p.m. Networking

7:30 p.m. Networking

• 8:00 p.m. Close/Feedback Form

8:00 p.m. Close/Feedback Form

l l

Feedback Analysis Feedback Analysis

• Meeting review and new speaker and locations

Meeting review and new speaker and locations

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Communication and Philadelphia SPIN – Communication and Feedback Feedback

E-mail and the web-site are primary communications E-mail and the web-site are primary communications methods methods

l l Members e-mailed only for meeting announcements

Members e-mailed only for meeting announcements and updates to the web-site (job opportunities and and updates to the web-site (job opportunities and training) training)

l l Web-site contains information on program year,

Web-site contains information on program year, steering committee, and presentation of past steering committee, and presentation of past meetings meetings Member feedback Member feedback

l l Yearly on-line survey

Yearly on-line survey

• Overall satisfaction, topics of interest

Overall satisfaction, topics of interest

l l Feedback forms after every meeting

Feedback forms after every meeting

• Rate the meeting, speaker and location

Rate the meeting, speaker and location

• pportunities
• pportunities

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Membership Philadelphia SPIN – Membership 450+ membership maintain in Excel file with 450+ membership maintain in Excel file with name, e-mail, company and history of name, e-mail, company and history of attendance attendance New members join by e-mailing New members join by e-mailing PhillySpin@yahoo.com PhillySpin@yahoo.com, manually added to file , manually added to file Member is removed when e-mail bounces twice. Member is removed when e-mail bounces twice.

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Collaboration with Other Philadelphia SPIN – Collaboration with Other Groups Groups

SIG of Philadelphia Section of ASQ SIG of Philadelphia Section of ASQ

l l Joint meeting once a year

Joint meeting once a year

l l Small Budget

Small Budget SEI SEI

l l Sharing across SPINS and speakers

Sharing across SPINS and speakers Northeastern SPINS Northeastern SPINS

l l Philadelphia, NJ, NY, and Boston

Philadelphia, NJ, NY, and Boston

l l Meet monthly to share and collaborate

Meet monthly to share and collaborate

Philadelphia SPIN

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Philadelphia SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Philadelphia SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Learned Learned

Steering committee volunteers Steering committee volunteers

l l Strong commitment, but as a volunteer time allocation

Strong commitment, but as a volunteer time allocation can be difficult can be difficult Speakers and Locations Speakers and Locations

l l Utilize your membership professional contacts and

Utilize your membership professional contacts and company resources company resources

Philadelphia SPIN

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Boston SPIN – Introduction Boston SPIN – Introduction

Founded in 1992 as the third SPIN organization Founded in 1992 as the third SPIN organization

l l First open meeting held January 1993

First open meeting held January 1993

l l Planning committee composed of industry,

Planning committee composed of industry, government, private industry, academia, and government, private industry, academia, and consultants (about 8 people) consultants (about 8 people)

l l Created a charter for the Boston SPIN organization

Created a charter for the Boston SPIN organization and established it as a non-profit organization and established it as a non-profit organization

l l Established Boston SPIN as an independent group

Established Boston SPIN as an independent group with funding to be solicited from sponsor companies with funding to be solicited from sponsor companies and organizations and organizations

l l “SPIN year” runs from September through June

“SPIN year” runs from September through June http://www. http://www.boston boston-spin.org

• spin.org

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Boston SPIN – Steering Committee and Boston SPIN – Steering Committee and Planning Planning

Boston SPIN Committees Boston SPIN Committees

l l

Steering Committee: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Steering Committee: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and two At-Large Members (elected by membership at June and two At-Large Members (elected by membership at June meeting) meeting)

l l

Standing Committees: Membership, Program, Library, Standing Committees: Membership, Program, Library, Newsletter, Roundtables (chairs appointed by steering Newsletter, Roundtables (chairs appointed by steering committee) committee)

l l

Ad Hoc Committee: Nominating (appointed by steering Ad Hoc Committee: Nominating (appointed by steering committee) committee)

l l

Volunteers: Publicity, Web Designer, SEI Contact Volunteers: Publicity, Web Designer, SEI Contact

Boston SPIN Committee runs the organization Boston SPIN Committee runs the organization

l l

Committee consists of Steering Committee members and chairs Committee consists of Steering Committee members and chairs

• f Standing and Ad Hoc Committees
• f Standing and Ad Hoc Committees

l l

Meetings held monthly before the open meeting Meetings held monthly before the open meeting

l l

Frequent email exchanges between meetings Frequent email exchanges between meetings

l l

Program Committee, with input from the Steering Committee, Program Committee, with input from the Steering Committee, plans the programming and handles speaker arrangements plans the programming and handles speaker arrangements

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Boston SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship Boston SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship

Sponsors support the Boston SPIN Sponsors support the Boston SPIN

l l

Services support: Services support:

• Meeting space, reproduction, web site hosting

Meeting space, reproduction, web site hosting

l l

Monetary support: Monetary support:

• Varying levels of monetary support dictate term of

Varying levels of monetary support dictate term of sponsorship (2-year, 1-year, 3-month, 1-month) sponsorship (2-year, 1-year, 3-month, 1-month)

• Sponsors receive recognition of support at open meeting and

Sponsors receive recognition of support at open meeting and through the newsletter, email meeting announcements, and through the newsletter, email meeting announcements, and web page web page

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Boston SPIN – Speakers and Locations Boston SPIN – Speakers and Locations

Speakers Speakers

l l

Potential sources to find speakers: local volunteers, well-known Potential sources to find speakers: local volunteers, well-known local and national names, well-known companies, conference local and national names, well-known companies, conference speakers, authors, SPIN Committee contacts and suggestions, speakers, authors, SPIN Committee contacts and suggestions, membership suggestions (feedback forms and surveys), membership suggestions (feedback forms and surveys), roundtable facilitators roundtable facilitators

l l

List of past speakers maintained on web site List of past speakers maintained on web site

l l

Program chair maintains list of possible future speakers based Program chair maintains list of possible future speakers based

• n suggestions and volunteers
• n suggestions and volunteers

Popular meetings Popular meetings

– –

Well-known national speakers Well-known national speakers

– –

Well-known local speakers Well-known local speakers

– –

“Hot” topics (Agile, Outsourcing, CMMI) “Hot” topics (Agile, Outsourcing, CMMI)

Less popular topics Less popular topics

l l

Audience participation (10 minute madness Q&A the experts) Audience participation (10 minute madness Q&A the experts)

l l

Tales of the past Tales of the past Boston SPIN programs: Boston SPIN programs: http://www.boston-spin.org/talks.html http://www.boston-spin.org/talks.html

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Boston SPIN – Meetings and Logistics Boston SPIN – Meetings and Logistics

Meeting criteria Meeting criteria

l l

Set time, day of the month, and location Set time, day of the month, and location

l l

Meeting location: central location, large enough to hold 120+ Meeting location: central location, large enough to hold 120+ people, refreshment area, resource table, roundtable and people, refreshment area, resource table, roundtable and committee meeting space committee meeting space

l l

Meeting announcements: minimum of 2 emails to membership, Meeting announcements: minimum of 2 emails to membership,

• ther local organizations, newspapers, web site
• ther local organizations, newspapers, web site

Ten meetings per year Ten meetings per year

l l

Roundtables and networking precede open meeting Roundtables and networking precede open meeting

l l

Open meeting format: announcements (slide presentation), Open meeting format: announcements (slide presentation), speaker presentation, Q&A, closing (gift presentation, book speaker presentation, Q&A, closing (gift presentation, book raffle) raffle)

Meeting attendance: Meeting attendance:

l l

Range: 40-120; typical: 70 Range: 40-120; typical: 70

l l

Factors affecting meeting attendance: Factors affecting meeting attendance: weather, job market,

weather, job market,

speaker, topic speaker, topic

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Boston SPIN – Communication and Feedback Boston SPIN – Communication and Feedback

Communication to membership Communication to membership

l l

Membership list: meeting announcements, Boston SPIN-related Membership list: meeting announcements, Boston SPIN-related information, surveys information, surveys

l l

SPIN Plus list: courses, other group meetings, tools, non-SPIN SPIN Plus list: courses, other group meetings, tools, non-SPIN surveys surveys

• anything SPI related that does not pertain directly to Boston SPIN

anything SPI related that does not pertain directly to Boston SPIN

l l

Web site: upcoming meeting notice and roundtable topics, Web site: upcoming meeting notice and roundtable topics, schedule for SPIN year, past programs and newsletters, speaker schedule for SPIN year, past programs and newsletters, speaker slides, job opportunities, sponsors slides, job opportunities, sponsors

l l

Resource table at all meetings: conference and training notices, Resource table at all meetings: conference and training notices, vendor advertisements, slide handouts vendor advertisements, slide handouts

Feedback from membership Feedback from membership

l l

Email surveys: satisfaction with meeting location/ facility, SPIN Email surveys: satisfaction with meeting location/ facility, SPIN itself, and services offered by SPIN; ideas / suggestions for itself, and services offered by SPIN; ideas / suggestions for programming and ways to improve SPIN programming and ways to improve SPIN

l l

Feedback forms at meetings: feedback on evening’s speaker Feedback forms at meetings: feedback on evening’s speaker and presentation, request for volunteers, general comments on and presentation, request for volunteers, general comments on SPIN itself, suggestions for speakers and topics SPIN itself, suggestions for speakers and topics

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Boston SPIN – Membership Boston SPIN – Membership

Membership list Membership list

l l

Maintained by Membership Chair Maintained by Membership Chair

• List validated periodically: emails sent out to all members

List validated periodically: emails sent out to all members requesting verification to stay on list requesting verification to stay on list

• Bounced emails removed after repeated attempts over time

Bounced emails removed after repeated attempts over time

l l

900+ members 900+ members

l l

List is proprietary: only membership chair and backup committee List is proprietary: only membership chair and backup committee member have access to list member have access to list New members email: New members email: withall withall@ @rcn rcn.com .com

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Boston SPIN – Collaboration with Other Boston SPIN – Collaboration with Other Groups Groups

Joint meetings with other local organizations Joint meetings with other local organizations

l l

ASQ – meeting hosted by ASQ, programming by Boston SPIN ASQ – meeting hosted by ASQ, programming by Boston SPIN

l l

SQGNE – panel discussion, hosting organization alternated SQGNE – panel discussion, hosting organization alternated

Advertisement of meetings Advertisement of meetings

l l

Meeting announcements exchanged with other organizations for Meeting announcements exchanged with other organizations for distribution to membership distribution to membership

l l

Links to other local organizations maintained on SPIN web site Links to other local organizations maintained on SPIN web site and other local organizations link to Boston SPIN and other local organizations link to Boston SPIN

l l

Publicity sent to variety of papers and organizations Publicity sent to variety of papers and organizations

SEI SEI

l l

Announcements from other Announcements from other SPINs SPINs

East Coast East Coast SPINs SPINs

l l

Philadelphia, NJ, NY and Boston Philadelphia, NJ, NY and Boston

l l

Monthly conference call to share and collaborate Monthly conference call to share and collaborate

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Boston SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Boston SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Learned Learned

Challenges Challenges

l l

Finding sufficient volunteers Finding sufficient volunteers

l l

Recent challenge in finding new meeting space Recent challenge in finding new meeting space

l l

Maintaining a high level of meeting attendance (translates to Maintaining a high level of meeting attendance (translates to interest) interest)

l l

Dealing with non-performing or poorly performing volunteers Dealing with non-performing or poorly performing volunteers

Lessons Learned Lessons Learned

l l

Constantly look for new ways to attract members (organization Constantly look for new ways to attract members (organization needs to evolve) needs to evolve)

l l

Communicate with the committee and keep the committee informed Communicate with the committee and keep the committee informed

l l

Keep committee meetings short and succinct; start and end open Keep committee meetings short and succinct; start and end open meeting on time meeting on time

l l

Attract speakers with practical knowledge to offer to the attendees Attract speakers with practical knowledge to offer to the attendees (case studies or examples) and/or speakers with national (case studies or examples) and/or speakers with national recognition recognition

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Great Lakes SPIN – Introduction Great Lakes SPIN – Introduction

Founded in 1997 as a forum for the free and open Founded in 1997 as a forum for the free and open exchange of software process improvement experiences exchange of software process improvement experiences and practical ideas. and practical ideas. The GL-SPIN is non-profit and promotes achieving The GL-SPIN is non-profit and promotes achieving higher levels of process maturity and software quality higher levels of process maturity and software quality through an active program of networking, publications, through an active program of networking, publications, recognition of excellence and mutual support. recognition of excellence and mutual support. The GL-SPIN provides the following to its members: The GL-SPIN provides the following to its members:

l l

Ten monthly technical seminars (at no charge) Ten monthly technical seminars (at no charge)

l l

Monthly networking opportunities. Monthly networking opportunities.

l l

Educational opportunities in software development and software Educational opportunities in software development and software process improvement process improvement

l l

http://www. http://www.gl gl-spin.org

• spin.org

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Great Lakes SPIN – Steering Committee and Great Lakes SPIN – Steering Committee and Planning Planning

A 10 person all-volunteer steering committee consisting A 10 person all-volunteer steering committee consisting

• f a Leader, Co-leader (assistant), Treasurer,
• f a Leader, Co-leader (assistant), Treasurer,

Membership Liaison, Government Liaison, Network Membership Liaison, Government Liaison, Network Liaison, Meeting Liaison, Sponsor Liaison, Web-master Liaison, Meeting Liaison, Sponsor Liaison, Web-master Liaison, Training Coordinator, University Liaison. Liaison, Training Coordinator, University Liaison.

l l

Develop yearly plans Develop yearly plans

l l

Meet every month to discuss the status of plans, the logistics of Meet every month to discuss the status of plans, the logistics of the upcoming meeting, and unexpected items the upcoming meeting, and unexpected items

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Great Lakes SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship Great Lakes SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship

A budget of about $3000/year A budget of about $3000/year Sponsorships - tiered Sponsorships - tiered

l l

In-Kind Sponsorship (rooms, paper supplies, servers, etc.), In-Kind Sponsorship (rooms, paper supplies, servers, etc.), Silver (Meeting) Sponsor - $500, Gold Sponsor - $1,000 per Silver (Meeting) Sponsor - $500, Gold Sponsor - $1,000 per year, Palladium Sponsor - $2,500 per year and Platinum year, Palladium Sponsor - $2,500 per year and Platinum Sponsor - $5,000 per year Sponsor - $5,000 per year

Example benefits to the sponsors, depending on the Example benefits to the sponsors, depending on the level of sponsorship. level of sponsorship.

l l

Training registration cost reduction for public training program. Training registration cost reduction for public training program.

l l

Logo published monthly on the back of the meeting tri-fold Logo published monthly on the back of the meeting tri-fold

l l

Company Sponsorship published on web site for the year of Company Sponsorship published on web site for the year of sponsorship (link to sponsor's web site if desired). sponsorship (link to sponsor's web site if desired).

l l

Company Sponsorship and logo monthly on the GL-SPIN Company Sponsorship and logo monthly on the GL-SPIN General Membership Meeting 'Welcome' Sign. General Membership Meeting 'Welcome' Sign.

l l

Certificate of Recognition Certificate of Recognition

Steering Committee and general meeting locations are Steering Committee and general meeting locations are provided free of charge by a sponsoring university provided free of charge by a sponsoring university We manage our own web site via a host service We manage our own web site via a host service provider. provider.

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Great Lakes SPIN – Speakers and Locations Great Lakes SPIN – Speakers and Locations

Speakers are identified through Speakers are identified through

l l Conferences and local contacts

Conferences and local contacts

l l Recommendations from membership

Recommendations from membership

l l Requests from individuals interested in speaking

Requests from individuals interested in speaking

l l Software Engineering Institute

Software Engineering Institute

l l Past speakers

Past speakers

l l Sponsors providing speakers

Sponsors providing speakers

l l Steering committee members giving talks

Steering committee members giving talks Locations Locations

l l 2006 at a local university (room free, catering at cost)

2006 at a local university (room free, catering at cost)

l l Prior to 2006 – alternated between two local

Prior to 2006 – alternated between two local universities (room free, catering at cost) universities (room free, catering at cost)

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 35 35

Great Lakes SPIN – Meetings and Logistics Great Lakes SPIN – Meetings and Logistics

9 general meetings a year – Sept thru May 9 general meetings a year – Sept thru May Steering Committee meets 11-12 months – additional months for planning Steering Committee meets 11-12 months – additional months for planning Presentation roster planned (in-advance) for the year and commitment from Presentation roster planned (in-advance) for the year and commitment from speakers obtained as much as possible for the meeting date. speakers obtained as much as possible for the meeting date. Before meeting: Before meeting:

l l

Announce the meeting through e-mail, posting on our web site, posters posted at Announce the meeting through e-mail, posting on our web site, posters posted at specified locations and other mechanisms (primarily email notices) specified locations and other mechanisms (primarily email notices)

l l

Prepare feedback forms Prepare feedback forms

l l

Order food and confirm room and facilities availability. Order food and confirm room and facilities availability.

During the Meeting During the Meeting

l l

Greet people as they come in to meeting and have them sign in Greet people as they come in to meeting and have them sign in

l l

Welcome members, thank sponsors, & recognize board members Welcome members, thank sponsors, & recognize board members

l l

Distribute the feedback survey Distribute the feedback survey

l l

Make announcements Make announcements

l l

Introduce the presenter and the topic Introduce the presenter and the topic

l l

Q and A session and meet the presenter Q and A session and meet the presenter

l l

Collect the sign-in sheet and the completed surveys Collect the sign-in sheet and the completed surveys

l l

Announce next month’s meeting Announce next month’s meeting

After the meeting, the following tasks typically take place: After the meeting, the following tasks typically take place:

l l

Clean and organize the room Clean and organize the room

l l

Post the presentation on the Web site (if/when available) Post the presentation on the Web site (if/when available)

l l

Process survey feedback and provide to the steering committee for review Process survey feedback and provide to the steering committee for review

l l

E-mail “Thank you” to the speaker E-mail “Thank you” to the speaker

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 36 36

Great Lakes SPIN – Communication and Great Lakes SPIN – Communication and Feedback Feedback

Web Site Web Site

l l

Monthly meeting announcements Monthly meeting announcements

l l

GL-SPIN Charter, mission, steering committee members, previous presentations GL-SPIN Charter, mission, steering committee members, previous presentations

l l

Sponsorship information, industry events, resource links Sponsorship information, industry events, resource links

l l

Working groups Working groups

E-mail E-mail

l l

Monthly meeting announcements Monthly meeting announcements

l l

Availability of discounted trainings (opt out option) Availability of discounted trainings (opt out option)

Tri-folds (distributed monthly) Tri-folds (distributed monthly)

l l

Announce general meeting speaker, topic and location Announce general meeting speaker, topic and location

l l

SPIN mission, web-link, Steering Committee and meeting dates & speakers SPIN mission, web-link, Steering Committee and meeting dates & speakers

GLITR, a local, daily e- GLITR, a local, daily e-zine zine

l l

Promoting SPIN activities and events Promoting SPIN activities and events

Print posters posted at specified locations Print posters posted at specified locations SEI Web Page and (email) announcements SEI Web Page and (email) announcements Member Feedback Member Feedback

l l

Feedback forms at the conclusion of every meeting Feedback forms at the conclusion of every meeting

• Rate the meeting and speaker – solicit recommendations for improvement

Rate the meeting and speaker – solicit recommendations for improvement

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 37 37

Great Lakes SPIN – Membership Great Lakes SPIN – Membership

450+ members representing over 125+ entities (multiple 450+ members representing over 125+ entities (multiple insurances, government and military, academia, various insurances, government and military, academia, various commercial industries) in multiple disciplines (IT, commercial industries) in multiple disciplines (IT, engineering, quality) engineering, quality) Feedback Summary and membership and attendance Feedback Summary and membership and attendance charts generated in an Excel spreadsheet and charts generated in an Excel spreadsheet and distributed to the Steering Committee following each distributed to the Steering Committee following each general meeting general meeting.

.

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 38 38

Great Lakes SPIN – Collaboration with other Great Lakes SPIN – Collaboration with other Groups Groups

Working groups, affiliates and collaboration Working groups, affiliates and collaboration

• rganizations:
• rganizations:

l l

SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Embedded Software J- SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Embedded Software J- Committees (Software standards development and review Committees (Software standards development and review

• rganizations)
• rganizations)

ASQ Working Group ASQ Working Group

l l

Collaborative efforts for the Michigan Quality Conference Collaborative efforts for the Michigan Quality Conference

Information Assurance Professionals Association Information Assurance Professionals Association SEI See SEI See http://www.

http://www.sei sei. .cmu cmu. .edu edu/collaborating/spins /collaborating/spins/

/

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 39 39

Great Lakes SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Great Lakes SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Learned Learned

Challenges Challenges

l l

Finding and maintaining sufficient volunteers Finding and maintaining sufficient volunteers

l l

Finding and maintaining meeting space Finding and maintaining meeting space

l l

Maintaining a high level of meeting attendance – both steering Maintaining a high level of meeting attendance – both steering committee and general meeting committee and general meeting

Lessons Learned Lessons Learned

l l

Constantly look for new ways to attract members Constantly look for new ways to attract members

l l

Organization needs to constantly evolve and grow Organization needs to constantly evolve and grow

l l

Communicate with the committee members Communicate with the committee members

l l

Keep committee meetings short and succinct Keep committee meetings short and succinct

l l

Attract speakers with practical knowledge to offer to the Attract speakers with practical knowledge to offer to the attendees (case studies or examples) and/or speakers with attendees (case studies or examples) and/or speakers with national recognition to keep members interested national recognition to keep members interested

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 40 40

Austin SPIN – Introduction Austin SPIN – Introduction

Founded in the early 1990s based on the SPIN model Founded in the early 1990s based on the SPIN model from the SEI at Carnegie Mellon University, with from the SEI at Carnegie Mellon University, with close ties to University of Texas (UT) Austin and the close ties to University of Texas (UT) Austin and the Software Quality Institute. Software Quality Institute.

l l

Economic downturn and new UT policy drove the group to Economic downturn and new UT policy drove the group to become independent around 2000 become independent around 2000

l l

The group drives to be an agnostic and intense forum for all The group drives to be an agnostic and intense forum for all issues around software and IT... Which has us often issues around software and IT... Which has us often collaborating with other groups (ASQ, AITP, PMI, AJUG, collaborating with other groups (ASQ, AITP, PMI, AJUG, ADNUG, STC) and supporting a range of process thinking (Lean, ADNUG, STC) and supporting a range of process thinking (Lean, Agile, Six Sigma, Agile, Six Sigma, CMMi CMMi, RUP). We strive to extend the toolset , RUP). We strive to extend the toolset and understand the range of methods and tradeoffs and understand the range of methods and tradeoffs

l l

A local resource to professionals and a Leader in driving wider A local resource to professionals and a Leader in driving wider Collaboration for the Austin Technical Community Collaboration for the Austin Technical Community

http://www.austin-spin.org http://www.austin-spin.org

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 41 41

Austin SPIN – Steering Committee and Planning Austin SPIN – Steering Committee and Planning

Board currently includes: Board currently includes: President President - Team facilitator driving primary goals, team

• Team facilitator driving primary goals, team

collaboration, strategic direction, community relationship building collaboration, strategic direction, community relationship building Vice President Vice President – General board member, special projects – General board member, special projects Two Program Chairs Two Program Chairs - Generally charged with finding speakers

• Generally charged with finding speakers

and developing content and developing content Communications Chair Communications Chair - Acts as Webmaster(bringing on a

• Acts as Webmaster(bringing on a

backup), general board contributor backup), general board contributor Secretary Secretary - Announcements, scribe, general board contributor

• Announcements, scribe, general board contributor

Two Adjunct Members Two Adjunct Members - General board member, special projects

• General board member, special projects

Board Meets As Needed Board Meets As Needed (typically monthly; end of month) - Looking at (typically monthly; end of month) - Looking at use of videoconference call as alternate meeting mechanism use of videoconference call as alternate meeting mechanism Ten Group Meetings a year Ten Group Meetings a year (2nd Thursday) - Based on user feedback, (2nd Thursday) - Based on user feedback,

• pportunities, planning
• pportunities, planning

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 42 42

Austin SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship Austin SPIN – Funding and Sponsorship

No budget No budget – Lots of sweat; We have contemplated – Lots of sweat; We have contemplated making the leap to a formal non-profit, dues, sponsorship making the leap to a formal non-profit, dues, sponsorship model, but currently all volunteer and able to meet thru model, but currently all volunteer and able to meet thru the graciousness of hosts, free speakers, and the graciousness of hosts, free speakers, and collaborators collaborators Meeting places Meeting places have included UT Pickle Center, Dell have included UT Pickle Center, Dell Parmer Facility, Applied Research Labs Parmer Facility, Applied Research Labs Yahoo group for announcements Yahoo group for announcements to members; to members; Donated web space Donated web space and redirect for Web site and redirect for Web site

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 43 43

Austin SPIN – Speakers and Locations Austin SPIN – Speakers and Locations

Maintain list of past and future Speakers Maintain list of past and future Speakers Utilize the following resources for speakers and Utilize the following resources for speakers and locations locations

l l

Member suggestions Member suggestions via feedback forms via feedback forms

l l

Committee members Committee members contacts contacts

l l

Call or e-mail Call or e-mail local presenters local presenters of various conferences,

• f various conferences,

meetings (PMI, ASQ, …) meetings (PMI, ASQ, …)

l l

General Outreach General Outreach thru networking and cold calls thru networking and cold calls

l l

Create panels with Create panels with other groups

• ther groups, board members as

, board members as moderators (sometimes speakers) moderators (sometimes speakers)

Location is usually fixed, except for joint Location is usually fixed, except for joint meetings(negotiated location) meetings(negotiated location)

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 44 44

Austin SPIN – Meetings and Logistics Austin SPIN – Meetings and Logistics

Ten Monthly meetings a year Ten Monthly meetings a year (Skipping December and (Skipping December and June) June) Pre-meeting Pre-meeting

l l

E-mail announcement, e-mail reminder, webpage update, E-mail announcement, e-mail reminder, webpage update, newspaper, others(word of mouth, fliers, other groups and web newspaper, others(word of mouth, fliers, other groups and web pages) pages)

l l

Create sign-in sheet, PMP/ASQ PDU continuing Create sign-in sheet, PMP/ASQ PDU continuing ed ed forms, fliers, forms, fliers, questionnaires questionnaires

Meeting Meeting

l l

6:30 p.m. Sign-in/Networking, Badges 6:30 p.m. Sign-in/Networking, Badges

l l

7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Meeting Opens Meeting Opens

l l

7:20 p.m. 7:20 p.m. Presentation Presentation

l l

8:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Q&A Q&A

l l

9:00 p.m. Building Exit 9:00 p.m. Building Exit

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 45 45

Austin SPIN – Communication and Feedback Austin SPIN – Communication and Feedback

E-mail, Web site E-mail, Web site are primary communications methods; are primary communications methods; We also rely on We also rely on fliers, outreach to other groups, fliers, outreach to other groups, newspaper, word of mouth newspaper, word of mouth Members Members e-mailed e-mailed for meeting announcements, some for meeting announcements, some related job opportunities, training, conferences, events related job opportunities, training, conferences, events with other groups with other groups Web site Web site contains announcements, board, bylaws, contains announcements, board, bylaws, charter, links, presentation archives (more planned) charter, links, presentation archives (more planned) Member feedback Member feedback

l l

Yearly on-line Yearly on-line survey survey: Overall satisfaction, topics of interest : Overall satisfaction, topics of interest

l l

Feedback forms/questionnaires Feedback forms/questionnaires after every meeting: Rate the

after every meeting: Rate the meeting, content, speaker; Ask how you heard of us; Ask for volunteers meeting, content, speaker; Ask how you heard of us; Ask for volunteers

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 46 46

Austin SPIN – Membership Austin SPIN – Membership

600+ Membership 600+ Membership maintain in maintain in yahoo group yahoo group with name, with name, e-mail (looking to create application for badges, more e-mail (looking to create application for badges, more contact and employer info, attendance history) contact and employer info, attendance history) New Members join by e-mailing New Members join by e-mailing President@austin- President@austin- spin.org spin.org , manually added to group , manually added to group Member removal when e-mail bounce twice or by Member removal when e-mail bounce twice or by request request Group membership grows Group membership grows through word-of-mouth, through word-of-mouth,

• pportunistic emailing
• pportunistic emailing

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 47 47

Austin SPIN – Collaboration with Other Groups Austin SPIN – Collaboration with Other Groups

Past Joint Meetings Past Joint Meetings have included have included

l l

Joint ASQ/ASPIN Meeting Joint ASQ/ASPIN Meeting

l l

Joint STC/ASPIN Meeting Joint STC/ASPIN Meeting

l l

A few Joint ASPIN/IEEE Computer Society Meetings A few Joint ASPIN/IEEE Computer Society Meetings

Large Large Joint Event Joint Event – – Austin Austin Interop Interop (All Day Event) (All Day Event)

l l

Austin Java Users Group, Austin Chapter IASA, IEEE Computer Austin Java Users Group, Austin Chapter IASA, IEEE Computer Society, Austin .NET User Group, XML Users Group, ASPIN Society, Austin .NET User Group, XML Users Group, ASPIN

Working Directly with Working Directly with SEI SEI on this event

• n this event

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 48 48

Austin SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Learned Austin SPIN – Challenges and Lessons Learned

Volunteer efforts and donated space(especially in a good Volunteer efforts and donated space(especially in a good location) location) are the most precious commodities are the most precious commodities Collaboration Collaboration (versus competition) with other groups pays off (versus competition) with other groups pays off Speaker and content quality Speaker and content quality keep things happening; Give keep things happening; Give them something they can use tomorrow, new ideas and them something they can use tomorrow, new ideas and techniques, depth techniques, depth Interactive sessions and panels produce solid and varied Interactive sessions and panels produce solid and varied content content Lots of interest from Lots of interest from job-seekers and networking job-seekers and networking

• pportunity
• pportunity… but you have to set the hook to grow the

… but you have to set the hook to grow the

• rganization
• rganization

Lots of things help Lots of things help – Speaker awards, book give- – Speaker awards, book give-aways aways, , SWAG, name badges, themes and identity, outreach, SWAG, name badges, themes and identity, outreach, challenging the audience and inviting opposing views challenging the audience and inviting opposing views

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 49 49

Contact Information Contact Information

Atlanta SPIN Atlanta SPIN

l l Abi Salimi,

Abi Salimi, abi abi. .salimi salimi@ @scientificgames scientificgames.com .com

Philadelphia SPIN Philadelphia SPIN

l l Chad Haggerty,

Chad Haggerty, chad chad. .haggerty haggerty@ @ulticom ulticom.com .com

Boston SPIN Boston SPIN

l l Donna Johnson,

Donna Johnson, johnson johnson@logos- @logos-intl intl.com .com

Great Lakes SPIN Great Lakes SPIN

l l Mary Watson, Mary.Watson@us.

Mary Watson, Mary.Watson@us.contiautomotive contiautomotive.com .com

Austin SPIN Austin SPIN

l l Jeff Smith, visionary1usa@gmail.com

Jeff Smith, visionary1usa@gmail.com

SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session SEPG2007 - SPIN Panel Session 50 50

References References

Presentation materials and examples Presentation materials and examples

l l Sample documents to support SPIN activities

Sample documents to support SPIN activities

http://www. http://www.sei sei. .cmu cmu. .edu edu/collaborating/spins/spins.start.html /collaborating/spins/spins.start.html

l l SEI -

SEI - http://www.

http://www.sei sei. .cmu cmu. .edu edu/collaborating/spins/spins.html /collaborating/spins/spins.html

l l Atlanta -

Atlanta - http://www.

http://www.AtlantaSPIN AtlantaSPIN.org .org

l l Philadelphia -

Philadelphia - http://www.

http://www.asqphilly asqphilly.org/spin/SPIN.html .org/spin/SPIN.html

l l Boston -

Boston - http://www.

http://www.boston boston-spin.org

• spin.org

l l Great Lakes -

Great Lakes - http://www.

http://www.gl gl-spin.org

• spin.org

l l Austin -

Austin - http://www.

http://www.austin austin-spin.org

• spin.org