In September of 2014, Steve Hayes sat down with Brian Thompson of the Oregon Chapter to discuss his thoughts on creating a successful ACBS chapter. This was created for the consumption of the local chapter, but as it may be helpful to others it is being posted here.

You can access more information and the full interview here

Instruction Manual for the new Updating Chap/SIG webpage

This instruction manual is for downloading your Chapter/SIG members. Through this interface you can see an individual’s Chapter/SIG membership status, and download a complete CSV/Excel file of your members at any time (via the "Download Member List” button in the middle of the page).

Become a Chapter/SIG List Administrator
Chapter/SIG leadership should email ACBS to indicate who (name and email address) they would like to have access. We recommend no more than 3 from each Chapter or SIG. To begin, ACBS will provide access to our current list of Chapter/SIG contacts.

Chapter/SIG List Administrator Instructions:
1. Please log-in to the ACBS website. 
2. Navigate to your Chapter or SIG page.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and under "Related Content" click the link for the "[Name of Chapter/SIG] Members"

This membership data is only permitted to be used for your specific Chapter/SIG purposes. It includes current members who have selected the Chapter/SIG membership via the webform.

By retrieving your group’s membership list/data, you verify that you will only use this ACBS member data for the Chapter/SIG purposes permitted in ACBS’s Terms and Conditions, and will protect this member data according to any applicable legal requirements (GDPR, CCPA, etc.).

You may notice when you download the CSV file that special characters (accent marks, etc.) display poorly. To fix this:
1. Upload the CSV file to Google Drive
2. Open the file with Google Sheets
3. Download as a Microsoft Excel file

Definition of “Status” for those listed in CSV:

Expired: ACBS membership expired 16-365 days ago
Grace: ACBS membership expired 1-15 days ago
Current: ACBS membership in good standing
New: Only been an ACBS member for 1-182 days

If you need any other relevant member data (members in your area who have not indicated joining your chapter) or need to inform ACBS of members who should be added to this list (because you have received a request from them directly) please contact ACBS staff.

So...you are considering creating a local Chapter,  SIG, or affiliate, in your area?

Chapters, SIGS & Affiliates:

Chapters are established within states, regions, countries, or within language communities, while Special Interest Groups are defined by a group with a common interest in a topic.  Affiliates are a much less formal, much smaller geogrpahic version of a chapter. 

Chapters:

Chapters are established with minmally states, large geographic regions, countries, provences, or common language communities.  (Organization at a level smaller than "state" aren't being encouraged as of Sept. 2012, but please talk to us.) Given their purpose, Chapters are more formal entities than SIGs.  Click here for chapter application & guidelines.

Affiliates: 

They function as geogrpahic sub-chapters.  Much smaller than geogrpahic state chapters, perhaps cities, perhaps even smaller.  They can be formally associated within the larger regional chapter (but they dont have to have any formal sponsorship with the larger chapter).  They should at least let their regional chapter know they are starting up and try to coordinate efforts with surrounding chapters.  Click here for affiliate application & guidelines.

Special Interest Groups (SIG's):

SIG's are defined by a group with a shared interest in a specific topic, advancing a specific area of knowledge, learning or technology.  SIG's can be less formal entities, dont neccessarially have to have formal boards, formal elections, etc...they can however be set up in a formal way with boards, elections, if they so wish.  Click here for SIG application & guidelines.

Applying to Become a Chapter or SIG

Below you will find a hyperlink to all you will need to apply to ACBS.  Considerations before starting, the online chapter application, the Chapter Handbook, (remember to apply you must be a current paid member of ACBS, you must be logged in to view these files).

Don't forget! Before your Chapter application can be reviewed by the ACBS Board, you must submit the signature & contact info of the individuals in support of the development of the Chapter to staff Emily in the main office. Only current ACBS members can submit their signature in support of the Chapter. Electronic signatures are accepted (with the person's name, email, and full affiliation in the signature), and please compile them into one document before submitting them; do not send them to ACBS staff individually.

Here is the hyperlink to all you will need, along with basic considerations before filling out application.

https://contextualscience.org/starting_a_chapter