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Volume 46 | Issue 4 {December 2014}
BLUEand
National Office: (800) ALCHEMYwww.alphachisigma.org
© 2014 Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity
Alpha Chi Sigma | More than 67,000 members53 Collegiate Chapters | 6 Collegiate Colonies9 Professional Chapters | 9 Professional Groups
ChromeTHE
of Alpha Chi Sigma
Founders DayBy Patrick J. Johanns, Alpha Theta 1981, Grand Recorder
Founders Day is almost here! Did you ever stop to thinkabout the achievement of starting something that is stillgoing strong 112 years later? Amazing! No wonder we showour respect by learning their full names (including that middlename that his parents probably used only when he was introuble). I am going to wear my Alpha Chi Sigma letters onDec. 11 to celebrate, and I encourage you to wear yours also.
Founding an organization that more than 68,000 peoplehave joined with 53 active collegiate chapters, nineprofessional chapters and nine professional groups is amajor accomplishment. But if we step back, we can see thatthe founders started one chapter, and that chapter grew andthe concept spread to other campuses. I mention thisbecause you, each and every one of our Brothers, has theability to help the prosperity and spread of Alpha Chi Sigmathrough your actions – through living the Three Objects.
Alpha Chi Sigma has been growing and has taken an activeapproach to the spread of our collegiate chapters to newcampuses and professional groups and chapters to newareas of the country. We have dedicated both financial andhuman resources to this effort. The Fraternity has allocatedan unprecedented sum in its budget for expansion efforts,and Brothers have stepped forward to lead and coordinateour expansion efforts.
If you are a collegiate member, is there a university orcollege nearby that has a source of worthy Brothers?Would you and members of your chapter be interested intrying to start a chapter there? To get started, contactJennifer Schnippert, Gamma Beta 2003, Collegiate ExpansionCommittee Chair.
If you are a professional Brother or soon to be one, wouldyou be interested in meeting and networking with Brothersin the professional environment? Often this means eatingout with Brothers once a month, talking about chemistry,performing demonstrations, judging science fairs andconducting professional induction ceremonies. To help usgrow the Professional Branch, contact Kerri Federico,Mu 2008, Professional Expansion Committee Chair.
No matter your current situation, remember that ourBrotherhood is for life. If you take the Three Objectsseriously, you will continue to reap the rewards ofBrotherhood for decades to come. So, to celebrateFounders Day, wear your letters and make a commitment tohelping our Fraternity grow and prosper.
“A great accomplishment shouldn't be the end of the road, just the starting point for the next leap forward.”
Harvey Mackay
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Alpha Kappa Chapter hosted its annual CHEMFEST event onApril 12, 2014, from early morning to mid-afternoon. On thissunny spring day, the recess area behind Venable ElementarySchool was filled with young children as well as various scienceexperiments and demonstrations.
The event featured the usual experiments and demonstrationsused in previous CHEMFESTs, such as bouncy balls, Boo Bubblesand freezing (and smashing!) objects with dry ice and isopropylalcohol. We continued the tradition of the magic show toshowcase exciting demonstrations, such as elephant toothpasteand gummy bear torture. Children tie-dyed their own T-shirts,which were provided at no cost. This year, we incorporated newexperiments, such as sodium acetate crystallization andstrawberry DNA extraction. All of these experiments receivedabundant interest and praise.
Children and parents alike were captivated by the colorfulinformational posters and exciting experiments. Furthermore,they even participated in most experiments (those safe tohandle, of course), such as preparing their own batch of slimeand bouncy balls, triggering the sodium acetate crystallizationand extracting strawberry DNA. This gave participants a uniqueopportunity for direct involvement in the demonstration,
sparking curiosity in many children and parents that resulted incurious and insightful follow-up questions, such as, “Could youuse sodium acetate crystallization as a part of a security system?”and “Why do these ingredients work so well for makingbouncy balls?”
After a lengthy soccer game on the adjacent field, many playersand their parents came over to see what was going on and evenstayed for a while to learn about experiments at each station.Overall, CHEMFEST 2014 was extremely successful as itattracted and educated an estimated 80 to 100 people.Furthermore, this event has given us insight and inspiration asto how we can further expand our variety of experiments forfuture CHEMFESTs.
We would like to thank our sponsors (Alpha Chi SigmaNational Office, University of Virginia Chemistry Departmentand the Virginia section of the American Chemical Society) fortheir generous support that made CHEMFEST possible.
If you are interested in checking out CHEMFEST first-hand,contact Alpha Kappa Chapter.
Students and parents participate in experiments at CHEMFEST 2014
By Brian Li, Alpha Kappa 2012
CHEMFEST {2014}
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The 2014 Southeastern District Conclave was held Oct. 24 to 26 on Tybee Island, Ga. The weekend was generouslysponsored by the Dow Chemical Corporation Foundation. The District Conclave brought together more than 100 Brothersto bond, discuss how to help their chapters grow and to work toward impacting their campuses. Many thanks go out toDelta Gamma Chapter for its members’ hard work hosting the District Conclave; to Tim Deschaines, Mu 2002, for hispresentation on alchemical symbols; to Kelly Allen, Alpha Omega 2011, and Mic Le, Gamma Iota 2009, for facilitating asession on fundraising; and to everyone who joined us. We look forward to seeing many of you at next year’s event.
2014 Southeastern District ConclaveBy Matt Schnippert, Gamma Beta 2003, Southeastern District Counselor
Local chapters are allowed to design and sell T-shirts and other items topromote Alpha Chi Sigma. The National Office maintains images of theofficial coat of arms and badge which may be used to design items. It ishighly recommended that chapters submit designs to the National Officefor review by the Grand Master of Ceremonies prior to producing theitems.
The Fraternity may promote items designed by individual chaptersthrough the national website, printed publications and/or social media.The Fraternity will not promote any items that have not been clearedthrough the GMC. Items submitted for the GMC to review will beassessed for both accuracy of the design as well as consistency with theideals of the Fraternity.
If chapters or companies producing items the GMC has not approvedpromote the items on social media or other media that is accessible topeople outside of the chapter, the GMC will send a cease-and-desistnotice to remove the items.
Alpha Chi Sigma design and promotion policy
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On Sept. 30, the Southeast Missouri State Colony of the Beta Psi Chapter in Cape Girardeau, Mo., was awardeda charter as the Delta Delta Chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma.
Delta Delta Chapter represents a milestone as the 100th chapter of Alpha Chi Sigma. On Oct. 25, a celebrationwas held on the SEMO campus to present the charter to the members of Delta Delta Chapter.
All four members of the Supreme Council participated in the installation ceremony. Many Delta Delta membersand alumni as well as the chapter advisor were present to celebrate the arrival of the charter. Beta Psi Chapterwas well represented and helped celebrate the results of their hard work as the parent chapter.
Delta Delta Chapter’s district counselor, Gateway District Counselor Rachel Palasky, and the district counselorsfrom the Central, Great Plains and North Central districts also attended along with Professional RepresentativeJohn Becker. Brothers from around the country were treated to a great meal and heard reflections by some ofthe founding members of the chapter, the Delta Delta Chapter Master Alchemist and the Supreme Council. Theseremarks were followed by the highlight of the evening – Grand Master Alchemist Mark Evaniak presenting thecharter to the Fraternity’s newest chapter. The evening was a resounding success. We look forward to the nextopportunity to celebrate the expansion of Alpha Chi Sigma.
Delta Delta installed as 100th chapter 100
Have you lost track of a fellow Brother? Or would youlike to meet new Brothers who live near you?
Alpha Chi Sigma has partnered with Harris Connect toupdate contact information for our members. Theinformation will be used to revise our database, ensuringthat you will receive the latest news and information fromAlpha Chi Sigma. In addition, Harris Connect will alsoproduce a beautiful hardcover publication, as well as anelectronic copy, that you may purchase.
Over the next few months, Harris Connect will contactyou by mail, e-mail or telephone to verify and update yourcontact and career information.
If you have any questions about this project, contactGrand Recorder Patrick J. Johanns. Thank you in advancefor your cooperation. Your participation will make thispublication a great success and will help Alpha Chi Sigmakeep our database up to date!
Partnering with Harris Connect
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As of Nov. 21, the following chapters submitted initiation paperwork and/or payments on time for fall 2014. Thank you and keep up the good work!
Thumbs up!2AlphaGammaDeltaEpsilonZetaPi RhoSigmaAlpha KappaAlpha PiAlpha RhoAlpha UpsilonAlpha OmegaBeta Delta
Beta EtaBeta NuBeta RhoBeta SigmaBeta TauBeta PsiGamma BetaGamma DeltaGamma EtaGamma ThetaGamma IotaGamma KappaGamma NuGamma Omicron
Gamma TauGamma UpsilonGamma PhiGamma ChiGamma OmegaDelta BetaDelta GammaDelta DeltaBoston University ColonyBeta Iota ColonyUniversity of Tampa ColonyUniversity of New Orleans ColonyWinthrop University Pre-ColonyPhiladelphia University Pre-Colony
Each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, the current versions of the active logs and delinquency list are posted online. Be sure to check the websitefrequently each week and let us know if our records are not up to date.
Guidelines for reactive chemical safetySource: Advanced Chemical Safety
• Screen all chemicals and processes for reactivity
• Perform a Job Safety Analysis as needed
• Implement practical controls for each identified reactive hazard
• Provide high-level supervision of all reactive chemistry processes
• Develop and follow specific written procedures for handling reactive chemicals & processes
• Work with the smallest quantity consistent with project goals
• Establish specific procedures for exceeding established “High” and “High-High” limits
• Investigate all out-of-normal events, regardless of the presence or absence of adverse consequences
• Establish and practice emergency procedures for run-away events
• Use appropriate PPE properly
• Provide appropriate fire suppression equipment
• High risk work should be done with direct supervision
Lab safety tips
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What’s happening around the Fraternity
Gamma Psi Chapter and its Chapter Advisor Dr. Cora Lind-Kovacs have been invited to take their crystallographyoutreach program to Toledo’s Imagination Station, a hands-on science museum, on Dec. 13.
At the 52nd Biennial Conclave, the Central District discussed having more social events to increase interactionsbetween the chapters and professional Brothers.
Help our Fraternity publicly recognize our Brothers by nominating someone for theAlpha Chi Sigma Scholar Award. You could help a Brother pay his or her tuition!
The Alpha Chi Sigma Scholar Award encourages and recognizes outstanding scholarshipamong collegiate members of the Fraternity. The winner receives $1,000 in additionto a scroll, a scholarship key and a paid trip to Conclave. A biographical sketch of therecipient(s) will be published in the annual awards issue of The HEXAGON.
Read more about eligibility requirements and the nomination procedure online.Nominations are due Feb. 1.
In October, Beta Delta Chapter organized a tripto the St. Louis Zoo and dinner at Cheese-ology, arestaurant owned and operated by Bill Courtney, Delta 1991. Four Beta Delta Brothers and two professional Brothers attended.
To celebrate National Chemistry Week, GammaNu Chapter made caramel popcorn, liquid nitrogen ice cream and caramel apples. Brothersfrom the chapter along with local members of theAmerican Chemical Society also hosted candydemos at Parkersburg Mall in West Virginia. One experiment determined which candy provided abetter reaction with soda – pop rocks or sour tart candy. And Skittles and M&Ms were used in a floating letters activity.
You can help a Brother receive $1,000!
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REMINDERSEnd-of-year chapter reminders
q Submit your chapter’s Alpha Chi Sigma Scholar Award nominations to the National Office by Feb. 1, 2015.
q The National Office will be closed for the holidays Dec. 25 to Jan. 5.
q Submit a new officer list ASAP after elections. Always include e-mail addresses for all officers. This assures that the information is correct in our database and that our messages are sent to the correct Brothers.
q Submit your chapter’s initiation confirmation report as soon as possible following initiation so we can finish recording your new members and send the membership certificates and cards.
q Remember that as a 501(c)3 organization, your chapter cannot use chapter funds for social events. Your chapter should have a separate social account managed by someone other than your chapter treasurer.
Holiday reminders for house chapters
Here is a partial checklist of preventive measures chapter houses should take to prepare for thewinter weather and time off during holiday breaks:
q Set the furnace at a reasonable temperature. Do not shut it off for any reason!
q Change the furnace filters.
q Keep an ample supply of ice melt for sidewalks, steps and parking lots.
q Hire or appoint someone to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice to prevent accidents.
q Thoroughly clean all laundry dryer vents.
q Weatherproof windows and/or install storm windows.
q Check window and door seals and repair them as needed.
q When temperatures are below freezing for an extended period of time, open cabinet doors to expose pipes to heat.
q Inspect the hot water heater for possible leaks.
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The Chrome and Blue is a newsletter published monthly during the academic year primarily for collegiate chapter officers and District Counselors. It also provides information useful
to the rest of the Grand Chapter and to any interested Brothers. It serves to communicate news, reminders and updates in a timely manner.
CALENDAR
Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity6296 Rucker Road, Suite B | Indianapolis, IN 46220
(800) ALCHEMY | [email protected]
DECEMBER5 Initiation at UC-Irvine Colony.6 Initiations at Beta, Mu, Tau, Alpha Beta, Alpha Theta, Beta Delta and Delta Alpha Chapters.11 Happy 112th birthday, Alpha Chi Sigma! Wear your Greek letters and join Brothers
everywhere as we celebrate our Fraternity’s founding.13 Initiation at Iota Chapter.15 Deadline to submit expense reports.31 Deadline to submit Grand Chapter annual reports.25 - Jan. 5 National Office closed for Christmas and New Year’s.
JANUARY1 Deadline to submit items for the spring issue of The HEXAGON.10 Founder Edward Gustav Mattke was born in 1881.10 Initiations at Rho and Gamma Xi Chapters.17 - 18 Supreme Council meeting in Indianapolis. Notify the National Office if you plan to attend.17 Initiation at Alpha Sigma Chapter.24 Initiation at Gamma Psi Chapter.
FEBRUARY1 Deadline to submit Scholar Award nominations.1 Initiation at Beta Tau Chapter.28 Initiation at Gamma Zeta Chapter.
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