How to Start a Professional SIG Chapter

Chapter participation provides a unique combination of social interaction and professional dialogue among peers, in their own geographic area. Chapter members' backgrounds represent all facets of computing, from academia, research, business and industry; it will invariably focus on the kind of information and insight that cannot easily be gathered in any other way.

Start an ACM Professional SIG Chapter in 4 easy steps. If you are a SIGGRAPH Chapter, read the ACM SIGGRAPH "Starting a Chapter" webpage, and contact the ACM SIGGRAPH Professional and Student Chapters Committee to understand the fundamentals of running a chapter.

* Entries made during the application process may be saved and completed at a later time by visiting the URL sent to the chapter email address.

Step 1: Enter chapter name, chapter email address, chapter type, and chapter sub-type.

Step 2: Enter the names of three individuals to serve as Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer. These individuals must have an ACM  Professional Membership and relevant SIG Membership.

SIGGRAPH Chapter: Enter the names of four individuals to serve as Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary, and Treasurer. These individuals must have an ACM  Professional Membership and SIGGRAPH Membership.

Step 3: Enter chapter contact information (postal address and phone number).

Step 4: Enter the names of at least ten (10) individuals willing to carry out the chapter's mission and participate in activities.  The last name, first name, and email addresses of these members will be required through the automated chartering application.

Chapters in India are required to have at least fifteen (15) ACM members. The India committee will also be expecting chapter member affiliations from 3 or more institutions. 

Once the completed application is submitted, SIG Chapter’s require additional approval by volunteers; this secondary approval process will take up to 2 weeks. You will be notified via email on the approval of your chapter.

Note:
FOR UNITED STATES CHAPTERS:  An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. ACM chapters that conduct financial business or need to open a bank account will require an EIN number. Chapters will have to designate one of their officers as the responsible party and have their information be submitted within the EIN application. That information, which includes a social security number, can be provided to ACM via phone and ACM will apply for the EIN on the chapter’s behalf.  If your chapter would like an EIN, please contact us at [email protected] after your chapter is chartered. Please do not create your own EIN as it needs to be submitted by ACM to ensure your chapter is confirmed as a subordinate organization under ACM and therefore included in our returns.

Need Help? Contact Chartering

Chapter-in-a-Box: Everything You Need to Run and Grow Your ACM Chapter

Chapter-in-a-Box contains the resources required for organizing and maintaining an ACM chapter. This compilation of materials and practices includes advice about recruiting members, ideas for activities, how-tos for running meetings and conferences, and much more.