The first Student Chapter was created in 1980 at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Each Student Chapter has its own character and purpose. Student Chapters enhance students' membership by providing leadership and programming opportunities on the campuses.

Who Is Eligible to Participate?

student members at the master's level and beyond are eligible to form official student chapter groups at schools offering -accredited programs of library and information services, or a master's degree with a specialty in school library media from an NCATE/AASL-accredited program.

Do I have to be an member to belong to an Student Chapter?

No, not as far as participating in Student Chapter events and activities. Anyone and everyone should be allowed to participate. Indeed, participation should be encouraged and membership should be encouraged, as well.

That said, if you want to run for a Student Chapter office, successful candidates should be members. As for being an member during election, in theory, all candidates should be current members. If not, it seems to suggest that unless elected, candidates don’t want to join the organization they want to lead. However, in practice, flexibility can rule. If your Chapter decides to allow nonmembers to run, however, it must require them to join immediately upon election (and I stress immediately). Who in your Chapter will be assigned the task to oversee that they do join? Perhaps this should be a Bylaws change to make it official? Again, in theory, officers should be elected only by other members. In practice, however, again, flexibility must rule. Indeed, most Chapters’ bylaws indicate membership is only encouraged and not mandatory. This being so, then, anyone should be allowed to vote.

Like Student Chapters, Chapters (state library associations) are affiliated with . Article V. Chapters, Section 2, of the Bylaws states, “A chapter may admit members who are not members of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±app.” Similarly, Student Chapters may also admit members who are not members. However, unlike Chapters, Student Chapters are granted Charter Memberships as Student Chapter Groups of the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±app. Therefore, can and does require Student Chapter officers to be members. Both Chapter and Student Chapter officers encourage their members to join . In addition, Student Chapter members appointed to committees or selected to participate in -related activities, such as the Student-to-Staff program, are required to be members.

doesn’t require Student Chapter events and activities to be strictly for Student Chapter members to encourage participation as learning experiences and opportunities to provide assistance to local communities. That is, encourages volunteerism. Events and activities organized by Student Chapters include book drives and reading to children and seniors, as well as social get-togethers, which can include Student Chapter membership drives.

See also and

Membership Drives for Your Student Chapter

Arrange an informational and organizational meeting at the school for all interested students. The officers of existing groups can serve as a steering committee and can be of great assistance in helping to promote the chapter group. Students who have already joined as student members should be identified and included in the chapter group. At the informational meeting, distribute student membership forms and sign up students. (See Joint Student Membership Program.) Once a nucleus of members is established, a constitution should be drafted. Sample constitutions are available online from the Chapter Relations Office. A nominating committee should be appointed and a meeting held to elect officers and approve the constitution. A chapter group program committee should be appointed to work with the officers to develop program ideas. A faculty advisor should be designated to work with the organizers on chapter formation.

Membership and Elections

Successful candidates for Student Chapter leadership positions (named in your constitution and bylaws) should be members. As for being an member during election, in theory, all candidates should be current members. If not, it seems to suggest that unless elected, candidates don’t want to join the organization they want to lead. However, in practice, flexibility can rule. If your Chapter decides to allow nonmembers to run, however, it must require them to join immediately upon election (and I stress immediately). Who in your Chapter will be assigned the task to oversee that they do join? Perhaps this should be a Bylaws change to make it official? Again, in theory, officers should be elected only by other members. In practice, however, again, flexibility must rule. Indeed, most Chapters’ bylaws indicate membership is only encouraged and not mandatory. This being so, then, anyone should be allowed to vote. As far as participating in events and activities of the Student Chapter, anyone and everyone should be allowed to participate. Indeed, participation should be encouraged and membership should be encouraged, as well. (All leaders, election rules, and governance procedures should be spelled out in your constitution and bylaws.)

Fees

Student Chapters pay no fee to . Individual members of the student chapter group pay student dues. Each student member is entitled to all the regular personal membership benefits at a substantially reduced dues rate. The chapter may support its programs through fund-raising activities, dues paid to the student chapter group, or contributions from the school administration.

What Are the Benefits of Starting an Student Chapter?

Belonging to Student Chapter enhances students’ membership by providing the opportunity to learn and hone leadership skills and to design and accomplish programs, , network with other members and leaders, and more.

student members at the master’s level and beyond enrolled in MLS/MLIS, CAEP, and LTA programs are eligible to form official student chapter groups at schools offering -accredited programs of library and information services, or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an CAEP/AASL-accreditted program. See .

For school librarians, the appropriate first professional degree is either of the following:

• A master's degree from a ,

• A master's degree with a specialty in school librarianship from a program recognized by AASL in an educational unit accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Prospective students should review the .

The authoritative directory of CAEP-accredited/AASL-recognized programs is maintained by . Please consult the for a list of school librarianship programs that have been reviewed and recognized (National Recognition, National Recognition with Conditions, or National Recognition with Probation) by AASL's program reviewers using the . Under the AASL Standards, program recognition is tied to CAEP unit accreditation. AASL does not review school librarianship programs that are not affiliated with a CAEP-accredited unit. To search for school librarian programs in the , click on "Nationally Recognized Program Search" and select "°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±app ()" in the drop-down menu next to "Program Area."

The °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±app and the American Association of School Libraries were pleased at recent interest expressed by students and faculty at a number of schools in forming Student Chapters to foster professional affiliation. As a result has expanded its Student Chapter program so that CAEP-accredited programs can establish Student Chapters.

• Student Chapters pay no fee to ;
• Student Chapter leaders pay student dues; individual members of the student chapter group are encouraged to pay student dues, and often do;
• Each student member is entitled to all the regular at a substantially reduced dues rate; some Chapters partner with to provide for students; and
• A plaque will be sent to the Student Chapter by upon receipt of an approved, ratified .

Another benefit of being a member of a Student Chapter is the . Each year through this program, 40 library students are chosen to assist staff during Annual Conference. In exchange for working four hours a day (or a total of 20 hours), these students receive free conference registration, housing, and a per diem for meal expenses. During free time, they may attend programs and participate in other conference activities. Qualifying students must be a current member and a Student Chapter member, and cannot have previously participated in the program. Moreover, the student must remain an member through the Annual Conference that student is nominated to participate in.

See also .

Student-to-Staff Program

Each student chapter is entitled to nominate one student to go to the Annual Conference to participate in the .

Promotional Materials

promotional materials will be mailed to the Student Chapter president upon request. Call Membership Development at 1-312-280-4274.

Student Chapter Plaque

A plaque will be sent to the student chapter by upon receipt of an approved, ratified .

I've Decided I Want to Start an Student Chapter. What Are the Steps?

Designate an Advisor

A faculty advisor should be designated to work with the organizers on chapter formation.

Information and Organizational Meeting

Arrange an informational and organizational meeting at the school for all interested students. The officers of existing groups can serve as a steering committee and can be of great assistance in helping to promote the chapter group. Students who have already joined as student members should be identified and included in the chapter group. At the informational meeting, distribute student membership forms and sign up students. (See .) Once a nucleus of members is established, a constitution should be drafted. . A nominating committee should be appointed and a meeting held to elect officers and approve the constitution. A chapter group program committee should be appointed to work with the officers to develop program ideas.

Notify

The approved constitution, name of advisor, and list of officers should be sent to Mariel Colbert, the staff liaison. The student chapter group's information will appear on the .

Hold an Election

Who can run for office? Who can vote for candidates?

• Successful candidates should be members. As for being an member during election, in theory, all candidates should be current members. If not, it seems to suggest that unless elected, candidates don’t want to join the organization they want to lead. However, in practice, flexibility can rule. If your Chapter decides to allow nonmembers to run, however, it must require them to join immediately upon election (and I stress immediately). Who in your Chapter will be assigned the task to oversee that they do join? Perhaps this should be a Bylaws change to make it official?
• Again, in theory, officers should be elected only by other members. In practice, however, again, flexibility must rule. Indeed, most Chapters’ bylaws indicate membership is only encouraged and not mandatory. This being so, then, anyone should be allowed to vote.
• As far as participating in events and activities of the Student Chapter, anyone and everyone should be allowed to participate. Indeed, participation should be encouraged and membership should be encouraged, as well.

Contact Other Groups

Chapter organizers may well profit from the experience of local members and others including:

• Your state's may be able to visit your Chapter.
• .

After Your Group Is Founded

Designed to assist already established Student Chapters.

Answers and resources for Student Chapters. Have questions about resources available from to your Student Chapter? Go here first!

For Further Information

Good luck organizing your new Student Chapter. If you need help or further information, don't hesitate to contact the Student Chapter staff liaison: Chapter Relations Office, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±app, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611, or call: Toll-free 1-800-545-2433 x2429, in Chicago (312) 280-2429, or FAX: (312) 280-4392.