Chapter Formation Overview

FORMING A STUDENT CHAPTER

Members interested in forming a Chapter of the International Society of Explosives

Engineers should contact the International Headquarters for information and
assistance. Start-up information includes:
Forming a Chapter Step by Step List (this document).
Petition for Chapter Formation (form contained in separate document).
Chapter Model Constitution ( available separately for editing purposes).
Information about the International Society (visit our website at
www.isee.org ).
Application Forms for ISEE membership (visit our website at www.isee.org ).

Activities for Starting a Student Chapter

1. Recruit prospective members for a Chapter Steering Committee:

Invite all ISEE student members and potential members to determine those
who are interested and willing to be involved in forming a Chapter and to
attend a Steering Committee Meeting to keep records of the contact mailing
copy and mailing list.
At the first Steering Committee Meeting assign organizing responsibilities to
each committee member.
Select a group to be served.
o A new Student Chapter cannot infringe on an existing Student
Chapter's geographic area. Contact the ISEE to determine available
geographic areas.
Adopt a preliminary constitution for approval by the Student Chapter
members.
o The Model Constitution provided by the Society outlines most
necessary topics. The annotated version of the Model Constitution is
cross-referenced with the ISEE constitution.
Choose a working name for the Student Chapter.
o Chapter names should include the name of the College or University
(see ISEE Constitution Article 10 Section 7) and be easily identifiable.
For example, the Penn State Chapter covers current students
enrolled at Penn State University, and the Virginia Tech Chapter
covers students enrolled at Virginia Tech.
Keep records of all organizing activities and take meeting minutes.
Keep records of all expenses attached to starting the chapter.
Advise ISEE staff coordinator of the chapter contact representative(s).

2. Scheduling and preparing for the first chapter organizing meeting:

Obtain lists of existing ISEE student members and prospective members to be
invited to the first meeting.
Invite a speaker on a subject of interest to members for the first meeting.
Invite an ISEE staff representative or Board of Directors Member to the first
meeting.

3. First chapter meeting data collection:

 Chapter Formation Overview

Collect signatures of at least 25 ISEE members for the Chapter petition.

Discuss the chapter constitution and by-laws; have all ISEE members who will
sign the Chapter Formation Petition review the Chapter Constitution.
Keep a record of the meeting and take minutes.
Proposed slate of officers including: President, Vice-President, Treasurer,
Secretary, and Directors. Student Chapters must have a faculty member
serve as their Chapter Advisor.
o Any modification to officer lists (such as combining Secretary and
Treasurer) must be spelled out in the Chapter Constitution.
o The number of directors must match the number stated in the
Chapter Constitution.

4. Following the first chapter meeting send the following information to the Society:
Minutes of the first meeting.
Contact list and content of first mailing.
List of meeting attendees.
Completed Petition.
Chapter Constitution and by-laws.
List of proposed officers.

5. The Society will review:

Procedures followed in organizing the first chapter meeting and the selection of
the interim officers.
Minutes of first meeting.
Completed Petition (all signatures must be those of ISEE members.)
Chapter Constitution and by-laws.
List of proposed officers. All officers must be elected by a majority of the
Chapter Membership.

6. After the approval of the chapter's petition:

The proposed chapter will receive a letter of confirmation and will be
designated as a Chapter of the International Society of Explosives Engineers
pending Board of Directors' approval.
The Chapter will be able to be identified as a Chapter and can use the logo of
the International Society of Explosives Engineers, with the Chapters name
displayed near the logo.

7. After receiving the letter of confirmation the Chapter should:

Elect officers (ALL Chapter Officers must be members of the International
Society).
Establish a dues structure and a dues schedule.
Treasurer should review financial records to apply for reimbursement from the
Society.
o (Reimbursement application should be accompanied by copies of
receipts of expense transactions.)
All Chapter Treasurers should make certain that the Chapter financial practices
comply with applicable regulations, including banking and any non-profit
regulations.
 Chapter Formation Overview

Chapter officers are presented with official charters at the Chapter Management
Meeting held at the ISEE Annual Conference.