Distinguished Volunteer Certificate

ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Volunteer Certificate

The ACM SIGSOFT Distinguished Volunteer Certificate recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to SIGSOFT through sustained or exceptional volunteer service. This recognition celebrates those who have significantly advanced the mission and goals of SIGSOFT through their dedication and impact.

Eligibility Criteria

Recipients of the Distinguished Volunteer Certificate must demonstrate:

  • Sustained Contribution: A minimum of two years of significant volunteer service to SIGSOFT.
  • Exceptional Impact: Contributions that have demonstrably advanced SIGSOFT’s mission, improved its operations, or enhanced the experience of its members.
  • Service Areas: Qualifying volunteer activities may include, but are not limited to, sustained or exceptional contribution to SIGSOFT programs or initiatives such as:
    • Editorial work for SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes (SEN)
    • SEWorld moderation
    • Membership and service to SIGSOFT committees such as CARES, CAPS, or awards committees
    • Organization of SIGSOFT events such as student mentoring workshops or summer schools
    • Support for the activities of the SIGSOFT Executive Committee or SIGSOFT liaison members

This recognition is not intended for major leadership positions such as General Chair or Program Chair of conferences, SIGSOFT Executive Committee roles, or SIGSOFT liaison roles. It is also not intended for service on program committees of SIGSOFT-sponsored conferences. These roles are recognized in other ways and are not eligible for this recognition.

Nomination Process

Who Can Nominate

  • Self-nominations are not permitted.
  • Current SIGSOFT Executive Committee members, SIGSOFT liaison members, steering committee members of SIGSOFT-sponsored conferences, and other individuals with close knowledge of SIGSOFT activities may nominate candidates.

How to Nominate

Nominations should be submitted online using the nomination form. The form requires:

  • Details of the nominator
  • Details of the nominee
  • A short description of why this individual has done outstanding service

Submission Timeline

Nominations are accepted annually, with a deadline of February 1.

Selection Process

Review Committee Composition

The Distinguished Volunteer Certificate Review Committee is appointed by the SIGSOFT Chair and consists of two to three senior SIGSOFT members and one member of the SIGSOFT Executive Committee in a non-voting role.

Conflict of Interest

Committee members must recuse themselves from discussions of a particular candidate where:

  • They submitted a nomination for that candidate in the current round.
  • They have a conflict of interest with that nominee, following the ACM conflict of interest policy.

Decision Making

There is no fixed limit on the number of certificates presented each year. The number of recipients depends on the number of eligible nominations received.

Decisions of the review committee are final and not subject to appeal.

Recognition Details

Recipients receive:

  • A formal certificate suitable for framing
  • Recognition on the SIGSOFT website and in SIGSOFT communications
  • A brief announcement at a SIGSOFT-sponsored conference

2026 Committee Members

  • Raula Gaikovina Kula, University of Osaka, Japan
  • Lin Tan, Purdue University, USA
  • Cristian Cadar, Imperial College London, UK

2026 Recipients

  • Ajay Jain, for dedicated service as production editor of SEN for over 10 years
  • Joanne Atlee, for proposing, championing, and serving as inaugural co-chair of SIGSOFT CARES
  • Alexander Serebrenik, for proposing, championing, and serving as inaugural co-chair of SIGSOFT CARES
  • Kelly Blincoe, for proposing, championing, and serving as inaugural co-chair of SIGSOFT CARES

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