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Member E-Newsletter—December 2012
Sigma Xi Election Results Now Available
The Sigma Xi Society Officer Elections of 2012 have now ended and the results have been posted. We want to thank each of the candidates and all of our members who voted. Each position is vital to the success of Sigma Xi and we appreciate our members who both volunteered to run for office and those who made their voice heard by voting. This is your Society!
Congratulations to our new officers—we look forward to an outstanding 2013!
For election results, please click here.
Annual Meeting Recap
 The 118th Annual Assembly of Delegates, held on November 3rd, proved to be an unparalleled success for our Board of Directors, Chapter Delegates and participating members!
Thanks to an innovative system provided by CommPartners online learning company, representatives and members of more than 100 Sigma Xi Chapters across the world gathered together online to conduct Society business. Many Chapters hosted viewing parties—where members joined Delegates to celebrate the pioneering spirit of Sigma Xi.
The general business of the meeting was punctuated with informative keynotes by Dr. Glenn Schweitzer, Director for Central Europe and Eurasia at the National Research Council on “Bilateral Science Diplomacy: Then and Now”; Dr. Susan B. Butts, Retired Former Senior Director of the External Science and Technology Programs at Dow Chemical Company on “Reflections On a Career In Industry”; and Dr. E. William Colglazier, Science and Technology Adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on “Science and Diplomacy.”
The Assembly also included two town hall sessions where members and Chapter Delegates were able to express their thoughts on the future of the Society and ask questions directly of the Board of Directors, Executive Director Dr. Jerry Baker, and the staff of Sigma Xi.
Additionally, Delegates passed an amendment to the Constitution allowing Associate Members to participate on Sigma Xi Committees.
Many thanks to all that helped create a collegial and educational online experience—especially to Sigma Xi President Dr. Kelly O. Sullivan, for her determination to see this innovative project come to fruition!
Sigma Xi Constitution Amended at Assembly of Delegates
The Assembly of Delegates passed the following motion on November 3, 2012:
Motion: The Board of Directors recommends deletion of the phrase "or membership on committees" from Article 3 Section 8 Line 189 of the Sigma Xi Society Constitution. By deleting this portion of the Constitution, Associate members will be able to participate on committees.
The motion from the Board of Directors passed by recorded vote of Delegates attending the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Assembly of Delegates on November 3, 2012. The change to the Constitution is effective immediately. Therefore sustaining (dues paid) Associate members may now request to be appointed to serve on a Sigma Xi Standing Committee. Sigma Xi's Standing Committees are key groups of officers and members that plan, coordinate, oversee, and execute many of the Society's activities in conjunction with the Board of Directors, the Chapters, and the management and administrative staff. This change only applies to committees that are not otherwise restricted to officers. Associate members may not serve as an officer of the Society.
For a list of our committees, please visit here. If any member—Full or Associate—is interested in serving on a committee, please contact executiveoffice@sigmaxi.org.
Adoption of a Policy Change Regarding Associate Members and Nominations for Membership
The Committee on Qualifications and Membership has adopted a change in the policy for defining nominations of new members.
The Bylaws state that:
- …"Should fifteen (15) or more chapters object to a policy
- change in writing and objections cannot be resolved in a new
- comment period, the policy change will be held in abeyance until
- the next Assembly of Delegates where it will be presented for vote.
- Otherwise the policy change will be implemented upon the close of
- the comment period.”
Because fewer than 15 chapters objected to this policy change by the deadline of November 15, 2012, the new policy will take effect immediately.
The policy reads:
Any active (dues paying) full or associate member may nominate an individual for membership or promotion from associate to full membership.
For nominations to be considered by a local chapter, you need to use either the MS Word or PDF version of the nomination form and send it to a local chapter officer.
If a local chapter is not available to review the nomination, the nomination can be considered by the Committee on Qualifications and Membership (via the Sigma Xi administrative office). Please use the online nomination form for nominations to be reviewed by the committee. The MS Word and PDF versions of the form can be filled out and sent by e-mail to membership@sigmaxi.org.
To Request Nomination or Promotion
Individuals (including students) who meet the qualifications for associate or full membership and do not know an active full member to nominate them can fill out the online nomination form to be considered for membership by the Committee on Qualifications and Membership.
Dues & Rate Changes For Fiscal Year 2014 (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014)
**Please use the below rates when electing new initiates starting January 1, 2013**
| Membership Category |
Dues & Fees in US$ |
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| Regular |
90.00 |
| Student |
25.00 |
| Transitional * |
45.00 |
| Emeritus |
60.00 |
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| Fees |
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| Initiate Promotion Fees |
10.00 |
| Initiation Fees |
20.00 |
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| Subscription-print version of American Scientist |
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| Member subscription rate |
20.00 |
| Non-member subscription rate |
30.00 |
* As a transition from student dues rate, members and associate members who have completed their degree program for the subsequent three years may request a dues rate equivalent to half the regular member rate.
John Ahearne Honored by Federation of American Scientists
 On November 9th, 2012, Sigma Xi Executive Director Emeritus Dr. John F. Ahearne was presented with the Richard L. Garwin Award by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) for his commitment to national security throughout his career.
According to FAS’s website, “this award was established by FAS to honor the remarkable career of Dr. Richard L. Garwin, and to recognize his exceptional contributions in both scientific and technical achievement and his legacy of an enhanced national security to the benefit of society. The FAS Richard L. Garwin Award for Distinguished Service is an annual award that recognizes an individual who, through exceptional achievement in science and technology, has made an outstanding contribution toward the benefit of mankind.”
Dr. Ahearne served as Sigma Xi Executive Director from 1989-1997 and has directed Sigma Xi’s ethics program since then. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and a former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ahearne is an expert on nuclear power and nuclear weapons. He was an adjunct professor of civil and environmental engineering and lecturer in public policy at Duke University and is an adjunct scholar for Resources for the Future. His popular ethics booklet, The Responsible Researcher: Paths and Pitfalls (1999), updates and complements Sigma Xi’s widely-circulated guidebook, Honor in Science. A physicist, Ahearne has also served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense and has been active on National Research Council and National Academy of Sciences committees. A past president of the Society for Risk Analysis, he is a fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was inducted into Sigma Xi in 1964 and currently keeps an office at the Sigma Xi Headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Sigma Xi Members Honored by Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE)
Teresa S. Balser, Jonathan R. Cumming, Ellen S. Goldey, Joann J. Otto, Akif Uzman were named as Vision and Change Leadership Fellows by the Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE) on September 7, 2012.
According to their website “PULSE is a joint effort by National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health/NIGMS (NIH/NIGMS) and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to stimulate systemic changes within biology departments at all types of post-secondary educational institutions, based upon the findings from the 2011 report Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education: A Call to Action and other similar calls for transformation of undergraduate life sciences education.”
For more information on PULSE fellows, please visit here.
Condolences to the Family of Stanford Ovshinsky (SX 1990)
 Sigma Xi Sustaining Member and inventor Stanford Ovshinsky died in his home in Michigan on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. A largely self-taught scientist, Ovshinsky is perhaps best known for his developments involving car batteries—specifically the nickel-metal hydride battery. In 2007, Dr. Ovshinsky was awarded Sigma Xi’s Walston Chubb Award for Innovation.
An inventor of the greatest caliber (The Economist magazine once called him “The Edison of Our Age”), Ovshinsky was an involved and dedicated scientist, as well as a champion of the environmental benefits of clean energy. His second wife, Iris Ovshinsky (SX 1961), was his frequent partner in research and predeceased him by six years. He is survived by his third wife, Dr. Rosa Young; his brother, Herbert; three sons; four stepchildren; and six grandchildren and step-grandchildren.
On behalf of all of us at Sigma Xi, we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time.
For Dr. Ovshinsky’s full obituary from The New York Times, please visit here.
Looking for the Perfect Holiday Gift?
 Now is the time to share our award-winning magazine with your colleagues, family and friends!
Sigma Xi members can give subscriptions to American Scientist at a reduced rate of $25 each—a savings of $5 off of the regular subscription price.
(Postage for delivery to Canada is an additional $8. Postage for delivery to any other country is an additional $16.)
Visit this secure page on our website to purchase a gift subscription: https://ecom.sigmaxi.org/amsci.php
Then, print out this "gift card" to personalize and mail at your convenience: http://amscimag.sigmaxi.org/4lane/subs/egift2012.pdf
2013 Student Research Showcase & Conference
Researchers in the new millennium must be prepared to communicate their work to a diverse audience and through varied media. Coming in 2013—Sigma Xi will offer two opportunities for outstanding high school, undergraduate and graduate students to share their research with professional scientists and engineers.
Student Research Showcase (March 18-23, 2013)—Virtual hosting of student presentations to be evaluated by leading career scientists
Student Research Conference (November 8 & 9, 2013)—Students present research posters and attend lectures, workshops and networking events at a traditional face to face meeting held in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
More information can be found online at: http://www.sigmaxi.org/meetings/src/src.shtml
Apply to Teach For America by January 11th!
Out of 31 developed countries, the United States ranks 25th in math and 17th in science. With more great math and science teachers in our country, we can change this!
Join Teach For America, the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and professionals—of all majors, backgrounds, and career interests—who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural low-income communities and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity. APPLY NOW to the 2013 Teach For America corps.
SECOND-TO-LAST APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, January 11, 2013. If you're interested in learning more, find out who we look for and explore how you can get involved.
L'Oréal USA Fellowships for Women In Science 2013 Fellowship Program
The L'Oréal USA Fellowships For Women In Science 2013 Fellowship Program began this November 5th!
The applications will be available at www.lorealusa.com under the For Women In Science/US Fellowship tab. The program is entering its tenth year and since its launch in 2003, L'Oréal USA's Fellowship program has recognized and rewarded 45 extraordinarily talented young women scientists engaged in breakthrough research projects at leading universities and research institutions across the country.
The L'Oréal USA Fellowships for Women In Science awards five post-doctoral women scientists with grants of up to $60,000. Applicants are welcome from a variety of fields, including the life and physical/material sciences, technology (including computer science), engineering and mathematics.
On behalf of L'Oréal, we invite you to partner with us to communicate this special fellowship program for exceptional female post-doctoral researchers to your membership.
American Society of Engineering Education Scholarships Available!
We are pleased to announce this outstanding funding and employment opportunity for students!
The SMART Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be employed upon degree completion at a Department of Defense facility. Scholarships awarded include a stipend of $25,000 to $38,000 a year, full tuition, health insurance contribution, and book allowance. Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students. Please visit http://smart.asee.org for more information.
Earn a FREE YEAR OF MEMBERSHIP with our Member-Get-A-Member Program!
 Sigma Xi's new Member-Get-A-Member program gives all active Sigma Xi members a chance to earn a free year of membership by recommending five new members during a one-year period.
The Member-Get-A-Member Program has been successful since its launch last year, and we would like to encourage you to consider it as a great way to enjoy the benefits of Sigma Xi membership without paying dues. All we ask is that you share the honor of
membership with five (5) colleagues or students who meet our requirements!
Potential new members must list their Sigma Xi "Recommender" on the "Recommended by" line at the bottom of their nomination forms.
For more information, visit our website here.
Meet Your Fellow Companions Series-Nicholas Money & Matthew Hosek
The honor of membership into Sigma Xi spans disciplines and courses of research study. Each month in Sigma Xi Today and also in a special area of our website, we will be highlighting a different "Fellow Companion" and asking them about their work and what the honor of Sigma Xi has meant for their career.
To view our two newest interviews, please visit here.
If you are interested in sharing your story with us, please contact Hallie Sessoms at hsessoms@sigmaxi.org today.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Are you active on YouTube? Be sure to subscribe to Sigma Xi's Channel today for great content from your fellow members and friends.
https://www.youtube.com/user/sigmaxisociety
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We welcome any comments or concerns you may have as a member. For staff assistance, or to share your ideas, please e-mail Membership at membership@sigmaxi.org
We’ll be looking forward to hearing from you!
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