HOW ARE LOCAL CHAPTERS FORMED?

Chapters of Gamma Sigma Epsilon are established after approval by the National Executive Council of a petition from a local group. A local chapter shall consist of not less than four members satisfying the eligibility requirements of the local chapter. A petition for chartering a chapter from must be signed by each of the student petitioners along with letters of endorsement from the chapter advisor, department chair and a ranking official of the institution. The application should include a statement of the purposes of the group, a short history of the institution, its chemistry program, list of current chemistry faculty, info on recent (3-5 years) chemistry graduates, and the chapter’s constitution (a sample chapter constitution can be down-loaded from the society’s web) that delineates the scholastic requirements for election to membership. It is highly preferable that the chapter application and appropriately signed supporting materials be submitted to the society’s Executive President (see below) electronically in PDF format.

A chapter is considered inactive if it has not initiated new members or has not sent an official delegate to the convention during the current biennium. Local chapters are encouraged to sponsor seminars and lectures; tutor fellow chemistry students; present lectures and chemical magic shows/demonstrations at local schools; plan and carry out National Chemistry Week activities; participate in community service projects; assist in science fairs as judges, clerks, guards; hold various fund raising events to support their chapter; give tours of chemistry facilities on Alumni reunions or parents day; have social gatherings such as lunch meetings and initiation banquets. Chapters should function in cooperation with chem clubs and ACS Student Affiliates chapters.