Updated August 23, 2011

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Start A Chapter

If you would like to start or re-intiate a chapter in your area, here is information to get you started. Dr. Kathy Grako, Chapter Establishment Chair, will help guide you through the process. You can contact her at kagrako@san.rr.com or Dee McManus, National Executive Director, at gwised@gwis.org.

Chapter Establishment We welcome the establishment of new local Chapters within the GWIS organization and have designed this section of the web site to make it easy for new Chapters to get started. If you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact the Chapter Establishment Committee for help. These procedures can be modified to rejuvenate an inactive Chapter as well.

"What is the value of a national organization for women in science: What can SDE-GWIS do for women in science?"—by Dr. Margaret Stone, a Past President and recipient of the Meritorious Service Award of SDE-GWIS. This thought-provoking essay should be shared with each prospective member of your new Chapter.

1 - Procedures: Contact the Chapter Establishment Committee before you get started to get advice.

a. Local organizers plan a meeting to identify Charter Members, elect officers and establish Chapter dues structure

b. New Chapter prepares petition (see contents below) and submits to Chapter Establishment Committee for review

c. Petition is submitted to National Council

d. Bylaws are submitted to Parliamentary Committee

e. Start-up funds request (if applicable) is submitted to Executive Committee

f. If the petition is approved, National Secretary sends Chapter Documentation to Chapter President and requests local and national dues from the Charter Members (as applicable) and enrolls them in GWIS

g. National Treasurer sends start-up funds (if requested) to Chapter President

h. Chapter proceeds to develop and hold activities, with constant support and communications from National

i. Chapter relays contact data and qualifications of all new members to National Secretary and, upon approval of the Membership Committee, National Secretary requests their dues, enrolls them as members, and sends them New Member Packets and their subscription to the Bulletin.

j. After 3 years, 50% of the start-up funds (if applicable) are returned to National Treasury

2 - National Constitution and Bylaws

a. Membership Requirements, Bylaws, Article II, Section 1

b. Establishment of New Chapters, Bylaws, Article III, Section 7

3 - Sample Chapter Bylaws (PDF format)

4 - Chapter Documentation

a. Brochure template

b. Stationery

c. Historical information

d. Membership directory

e. Data on regional Omega members

f. Sample New Member Packet

5 - Petition for Establishment of ______, a New Chapter of Sigma Delta Epsilon/ Graduate Women in Science

We, the undersigned, petition for the establishment of _______ Chapter in _________ (region)/city) on _________ (date).

Charter Members: (list at least 7 current GWIS members or applicants who would qualify for membership according to National Bylaws above)

name, member/applicant, email, phone --- signature

History of Chapter: (include names and complete contact information of officers, preliminary meetings, dues structure, ideas for activities and plans for future development)

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Chapter Bylaws

SAMPLE CHAPTER BYLAWS

Chapter Brochure

GWIS Chapter Brochure

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