Welcome to the Emerging Topics Community
By now you have most likely read a few emails from SOA about the Community Engagement Pilot that launched this November and will continue through June 2022. The Modeling, Predictive Analytics and Futurism, and Technology Sections will come together as the Emerging Topics Community for this pilot. Since you are a member of the Modeling, Predictive Analytics and Futurism, and/or Technology Section, you are now a member of the Emerging Topics Community.
The Emerging Topics Community is free to SOA members. The Community will allow everyone, from our experienced members to our newest SOA members, to develop connections and engage in discussions with others who share similar interests. The Community will also offer expanded opportunities for volunteering and leadership, and integrate new technologies, including SOA Hub—the new SOA app. We are excited to be part of this pilot and look forward to providing you with a rewarding experience. “As chair of the Modeling Section I think this will be a welcome change and we invite you to join us and participate in ways that are meaningful to you,” said Uri Sobel.
The community will include smaller groups, known as “community groups.” This is your opportunity to get involved! You can choose how much or how little you want to participate. As a member, you are welcome to join any or all of the community groups, including:
Knowledge Community Groups: Participate in the discussion or just listen and learn! Knowledge Groups will provide an opportunity to learn more about relevant topics and issues with other like-minded professionals. These groups are focused on an area of practice or topic of interest, including the Modeling Group, Predictive Analytics and Futurism Group, and Technology Group. Technology Section Chair John Rogers stated, “This new format will give all those interested a chance to hear a five- to 10-minute overview of a topic and then have a discussion about the topic. This will give you a chance to ask questions or provide your thoughts and expertise.”
Content Community Group: Help assure the topics you’re interested in are made into valuable content for all. Assist in developing webcasts, articles, podcasts, and meeting session proposals that will be of interest to community members. “As a long-time newsletter editor, I was always concerned about stealing articles from other sections. But, in this new setting, that is no longer a concern,” said Mary Pat Campbell, Emerging Topics Community volunteer editor.
Research Community Group: Interested in research? Join to recommend, plan, and oversee community research projects.
Influencer Community Group: Spread the word on community content and updates! Influencers promote the many offerings of the community and encourage engagement and participation.
We will continue to provide you with the great content you have come to expect through articles, webcasts, podcasts, and meeting sessions. “We hope you will participate and provide your feedback throughout the pilot! We want to hear what you think is good or not so good,” stated Predictive Analytics and Futurism Section Chair Jane Wang. "SOA will be asking for your feedback throughout the pilot.”
We hope you will take advantage of new ways to connect and share with others, and download SOA Hub—the new SOA app. If you would like to get involved, use SOA Hub to join the community groups that interest you.
You can find directions here on how to access SOA Hub from either the web or your mobile device and join the Emerging Topics Community Groups. We look forward to you being part of the Emerging Topics Community!
If you would like to submit an article for publication consideration, or if you have an idea for a topic of an article, contact one of the Emerging Topics Community volunteer editors: Mary Pat Campbell, Helen Duzhou, Nick Hanewinckel, Robert Maxwell, or Jennifer Wang.