·        To become an Associate Member you simply need to have an interest in Human-Computer Interaction.

·        To become a Full or Voting Member, however, you need to be a member of ACM SIGCHI.

How do I join?

Associate member: Send an email to chi-sa-subscribe@yahoogroups.com  and join our online discussion group. Leave the subject area blank.  Please also complete the Membership Application Form (MS Word format).  This will help us to keep you informed of seminars and other events.

Full or voting member: It’s very easy. Download the Membership Application Form (MS Word format). Once you have submitted a completed membership application form, you will receive the details of how to join the ACM SIGCHI. Alternatively, contact Thea Wooding; she will be happy to assist you.

How much will it cost me to join?

Associate membership is free. Full membership in CHI-SA (i.e. with voting rights) requires ACM SIGCHI membership. This means if you are already an ACM SIGCHI member you are automatically a CHI-SA member, as long as we have your ACM SIGCHI member number. This also means that full CHI-SA membership will cost you $50, but no extra fees (e.g. local admin) are charged. (This situation is being reviewed and may change in 2005. Watch this space for details).

Benefits of CHI-SA Membership

As CHI-SA is an interest group and it creates a forum for discussion and debate what you get out of CHI-SA depends on what you put in. The organisation relies largely on the efforts of volunteers throughout the country. CHI-SA offers a channel through which members can help solve and discuss the issues regarding HCI in South Africa. Many members represent CHI-SA on national and international committees.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect from being a member:

• CHI-SA will keep you up-to-date with the latest technical and theoretical developments in HCI.

•   CHI-SA will help you network with colleagues outside your immediate workplace.

• CHI-SA provides cutting-edge information, focused resources and a forum for discussion unparalleled in South Africa.

• CHI-SA is also affiliated with the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA). This means that both Full and Associate CHI-SA members will be able to attend CSSA events for the same discounted fee as CSSA members.

Benefits of ACM SIGCHI Membership

• Opportunities to network with HCI professionals nationally and internationally, or to become one yourself.

• Discounts on conferences, workshops & publications.

• You will have access to all of ACM SIGCHI products and services at special members-only rates, Conference Proceedings, publications, etc.

• You get free access to the HCI sections on the ACM Digital Library. You will receive 2 of the best journals available to IT professionals and HCI practitioners: "Communications of the ACM" and "Interactions" magazine.