As a membership based organization, ASA Local Chapters provide members
with opportunities to engage with each other within a specific local
context. Chapter events provide venues for learning, discussion,
interaction with the broader faith and educational communities around
important issues of science and faith.
What is ASA's vision for Local Chapters?
Increase active local chapters. ASA encourages the
establishment of new Local Chapters around the U.S. and Canada. The ASA
Director of Chapters and Affiliates will intentionally engage ASA
members who desire to start a new Chapter to provide guidance and
support.
Serve current ASA members. Members of ASA Local Chapters
will find meaningful connections for their spiritual and professional
journeys and find opportunities to serve out of the depth of their
experience.
Engage emerging adults. ASA Local Chapters will engage in
very intentional ways with the church and academic communities to
ensure that students and young science professionals are participating
in the important faith/science dialog and developing relationships that
will facilitate their personal and professional growth. As these
emerging adults progress in their professional careers, they will
become the future leaders in science and the church, and in the
organization of the ASA itself.
Influence the influencers. ASA’s broad and diverse national
membership base and Local Chapter structure provide an exceptional
opportunity to bring together and enrich the science, academic, and
faith communities. Church communities will become more aware of issues
of faith and science integration and more willing to enter into these
conversations. Educators will be equipped to prepare student to be the
future leaders in the faith/science dialog. ASA members will be
supported in their professional lives to confidently pursue scholarship
and research informed by a Christian worldview.
How do I start a local ASA Chapter?
ASA members considering the formation of a Local Chapter should contact
the ASA Director of Chapters and Affiliates to discuss the application
form and process. Formation of a Local Chapter requires three current
ASA members who will be authorized signatories on the Local Chapter
application. All must be current ASA members in good standing. Two
founding members should have a science or technical background and/or
degree in a STEM field. One founding member may be a student or
affiliate member.
Download the application and review our Statement of Faith.
Complete all sections of the application and submit it
to the ASA Director of Chapters and Affiliates by emailing asa@asa3.org.
Chapter officers may consist of a President (required), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Member-at-Large, and Webmaster (required).
The application will be reviewed and approved by the ASA Executive Vice
President. The Local Chapter contact will be notified upon approval and
will be authorized to use the ASA name and logo in its communications.
What happens after my application is accepted and my Chapter has been formed?
The formation of the Local Chapter will be announced to the general ASA
membership via email and/or the ASA Newsletter. Officers will be listed
and ASA members in proximity to the new Chapter will be encouraged to
join. Chapter leaders are encouraged to contribute to the announcement
email/article. Chapter leaders may also create a targeted announcement
to ASA members in their area via the ASA membership database.
The newly formed Local Chapter will be added to our website. Chapter
leaders will be able to customize the content of their chapter page.
Training is available upon request by contacting the Director of
Chapter and Affiliates.
The Officers of the Local Chapter will be granted permissions to access
Local Chapter member records in the ASA membership database, Your
Membership (YM). The Officers will also be able to send emails through
YM, set up Chapter event registrations, and maintain a Chapter blog
and/or forum discussions, if desired. Contact the Director of Chapters
and Affiliates for assistance as needed.
How do I start an ASA Chapter on my college/university campus?
Formation of a Student Chapter is much like a regular Local Chapter;
however, it requires one or two Faculty Advisor(s) and one or two
Students who are current ASA members, to be listed as Student Leaders.
These ASA members will be authorized signatories on the Student Chapter
application. All must be current ASA members in good standing. At least
one Faculty Advisor should have a science or technical background
and/or degree in a STEM field.
ASA Student Chapters must comply with all institutional policies and
protocols for on-campus student groups. It is the responsibility of the
Advisor(s) and Student members to ensure that the ASA Student Chapter
receives any necessary approvals to be recognized as a legitimate
student group on campus.
