American Chemical Society

Lowering Activation Energy for ACS Student Chapters

Recruiting Members

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Starting a student chapter

• Contact ACS (undergrad@acs.org; 1-800-227-5558, ext. 4480)

• Develop the chapter

– Identify faculty advisor(s)

– Secure funding

– Recruit members

– Develop bylaws

– Elect officers

– Set goals

• Submit application to ACS

• Submit annual report

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Student recruiting

• A chapter must have at least 6 ACS student members in good standing.

– A chapter may also have students who are not ACS members.

– A chapter may incorporate dues into its budget.

• Recruit from

– Chemistry classes

– Other science programs

– Campus-wide club recruiting

– Outreach events

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Recruiting tips

• Distribute chapter information at all recruiting and outreach events

• Establish a website and/or social media group

• Publicize all events

– Campus publications

– Internet

– Community publications

• Network

• Use multiple approaches

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Benefits of student chapters

• Personal growth

– Leadership opportunities

– Project management opportunities

– Networking with professionals and other students

• Outreach opportunities—share the joy of chemistry

• Resume building

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Benefits of ACS student membership• For $45 or $24 per year, students receive

– Discounts

• ACS journals and books

• ACS national and regional meeting registration

• ACS short courses and leadership development courses

• Harvard business courses

• ACS store purchases

– Free access

• Career counselors and career fairs

• Presentations at national and regional meetings

• In Chemistry

• FANmail (e-newsletter)

– Access to special insurance, credit card, banking programs, and discounts on shipping and travel

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Some more ACS resources

• Directory of Graduate Research and DGRWeb

• Information on internships, summer jobs, co-ops, and study abroad programs

• ACS Scholars

• ACS Network

• Student awards

• Job postings, career materials, Career Caffeine videos, salary and employment information

• Outreach materials

• Weekly online webinars and teleconferences on a variety of topics

• Full prices access to

– ACS technical divisions

– National, regional, and local meetings

– Peer-reviewed journals

– Short courses, leadership development courses, Harvard Business courses

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Maintaining a student chapter

• Hold regular meetings at convenient time and location

– Things to try

• Providing child care

• Offering extra credit for participation

• Meeting at times when students are already on campus for class

• Hold business meetings with officers separate from meetings with entire membership

• Presenting different demonstrations at each meeting

• Make sure meetings are well-organized and on schedule

• Communicate frequently and freely between meetings

• Offer a variety of activities, so that members can chose what interests them most

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Other ideas for recruiting and retaining members?

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