Committee G: Sigma Pi Sigma---Engaging the Community

Committee charge

Committee G is charged reviewing these efforts to move beyond the traditional induction ceremony, advising how to best promote and implement these efforts, where they are seen to be appropriate, and to suggest new ideas for enhancing community within Sigma Pi Sigma and increasing its visibility within the larger physics community. Are there things that we are doing now that we should stop doing?

Committee members

Viano Ann, Chair (XC, Zone 10) viano@rhodes.edu

Evans William (Zone 15) wre2@byu.edu

Neuenschwander Dwight (XC, Zone 12) dneuensc@snu.edu

Sanders Justin (Zone 6) jsanders@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Krantz Richard (Zone 14) krantzr@mscd.edu

Wilson Jerome (Zone 9) wilson@uwplatt.edu

Dalton Doug (SPS staff) ddalton@aip.org

Schwab Tracy (SPS staff) tschwab@aip.org

Lopez Sonja (SPS staff) slopez@aip.org

Some Background Information

---Recently, there has been an upsurge of interest in the physics honor society, especially in expanding beyond the traditional induction ceremony. Both the number of inductions and the dollar amount of donations to Sigma Pi Sigma in support of SPS programs are on the upswing. There is an unprecedented proposal initiated by the Sigma Pi Sigma Development Committee to support chapter project prizes that would build community among local alumni and new Sigma Pi Sigma members, among other goals. In addition, several new events for Sigma Pi Sigma members have been arranged at member society meetings such as poster sessions/receptions featuring research form SPS members.

links and references

First Report of Committee G: Sigma Pi Sigma – Engage the Community (29 Sep 2006)

• The National office will contact Sigma Pi Sigma alumni about being contacted by the local Sigma Pi Sigma advisor regarding Sigma Pi Sigma activities.

• Encourage ZC and AZC to contact each Sigma Pi Sigma chapter advisor in their zone about Sigma Pi Sigma holding activities and potential induction ceremonies, mentioning specifically Sigma Pi Sigma alumni and Sigma Pi Sigma Chapter Project Awards (see last bullet), and collecting ideas for other chapters.

• Investigate the possibility of initiating an Outstanding Sigma Pi Sigma Advisor / Chapter Award. (Committee)

• Develop media to encourage greater awareness of Sigma Pi Sigma. (National)

• Investigate the development of an on-line Sigma Pi Sigma discussion group. (Committee / National)

• Initiate a study of other alumni groups and honor societies to get ideas regarding methods, purposes, fund raising, activities, etc. (Committee, everyone)

• We recommend that the Council adopt the resolution from the Sigma Pi Sigma Development Committee regarding the initiation of Sigma Pi Sigma Chapter Project Awards as shown in the National Council Meeting Notes (Tab F, right after the resolution from the Ethics Committee).

Respectfully submitted,

William R. Evans

Co-chair Committee G

AZC Zone 15

Second Report (summary bullet list)

Recommendations to the national office

• poll Sigma Pi Sigma members to gauge their level of interest in involvement with local Sigma Pi Sigma events.

• make this information (above) available to Sigma Pi Sigma advisors and SPS Zone Councilors.

• add a section to the annual SPS chapter report for Sigma Pi Sigma chapter information (health of chapter, activities, etc.)

• work towards the development of Sigma Pi Sigma media to encourage greater awareness of Sigma PI Sigma

• investigate the possibility of creating a Sigma Pi Sigma online discussion forum (linked to from the Sigma Pi Sigma website)

Committee activities

• investigate the possibility of an Outstanding Sigma Pi Sigma Advisor/Chapter award.

• initiate a study of other alumni groups' activites in an effort to discover activities that may enhance interactions between Sigma Pi Sigma members and local chapters

• encourage SPS Zone Councilors to share Sigma Pi Sigma information (new award, etc.) to chapters within his/her zone.

Draft 1

Draft 2