A Special Interest Group (SIG) is a community with an interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge, learning or technology where members cooperate to effect or to produce solutions within their particular field, and may communicate, meet, and organize conferences. They may at times also advocate or lobby on a particular issue or on a range of issues but are generally distinct from Advocacy groups and pressure groups which are normally set up for the specific political aim; the distinction is not firm however and some organizations can adapt and change their focus over time.
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The Mathematical Association of America includes several SIGs (known collectively as SIGMAAs) on mathematical areas.[1]
Organizations which are not technical may also have Special Interest Groups which are normally focused on a mutual interest[2] or shared characteristic of a subset of members of the organization.[3] An important example for this are trade unions. For identity-based advocacy groups, see identity politics. JALT, the Japan Association of Language Teachers, has several SIGs. Together they organise a Pan-SIG conference each year.