Purpose
Special Interest Groups (SIG) provide members who have a common interest in transplantation the opportunity to:

• network / peer group support
• problem solve / share expertise
• Collaborate for research / education

Membership
Anyone who is a TNA member is eligible to join a SIG.

How to join or start a SIG
Members who wish to join a SIG should contact the person nominated in the Transplant Nurses Journal (TNJ) for the transplant area of interest. If there is currently no SIG for the area of interest new groups can be commenced by submitting a written request to the secretary of the TNA to be discussed at the National Executive meeting.

Communication
Communication between the SIG will predominantly be by e-mail contact. There will be an opportunity at the annual conference for the SIG to meet for a face-to-face discussion. Contact the organising committee with any specific requirements. Method of communication is at the discretion of the SIG members.

Financial/funding
There should be no costs associated with the SIG’s but if there is a specific project where a teleconference or other cost association activity is required, the request can be put in writing to the secretary of the TNA to be discussed with the National Executive. No request for funding from external sources should be made without approval from the National Executive.

Relationship to TNA National Executive
The National Executive need to be made aware of activities of the SIG as they will ultimately be held accountable for the SIG actions/comments. As such requests for funding, project documents, guidelines etc should be endorsed by the National Executive.

Chairperson
The members of the SIG can elect/nominate a chairperson. If two people or more wish to be chairperson then elections must be held. There is no limit to the number of years a chairperson can stand. Elections should be help at the Annual National Conference.

Reporting
Whoever is elected Chairperson is responsible for writing reports to appear in each addition of the TNJ (tri-annually) and updates for the TNA website, with a copy to the National Secretary.

Dissolution
If wishing to disband a SIG, contact the secretary of TNA about the circumstances leading to this decision (there may be help or an alternative that can be arranged). Otherwise a report will be entered into the TNJ and website outlining the disbandment and reasons why.