[Csi-L] How to Join CSI?

[Williams, Natalie]

For complete details see: http://www.csi-net.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=689

Membership
Criteria

Membership in Chi Sigma Iota, as specified in the Bylaws, is by chapter invitation to both students and graduates of the chapters' counselor education programs. Students must have completed at least one semester of full-time graduate coursework in a counselor education degree program, have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 system, and be recommended for membership in CSI by the chapter including promise for a capacity to represent the best about professional counseling including appropriate professional behavior, ethical judgment, emotional maturity, and attitudes conducive to working to advocate for wellness and human dignity for all. Faculty and alumni of the program shall have met the overall G.P.A. requirement as graduates of a counselor education program and be recommended to CSI by the chapter. The primary identity of these persons shall be as professional counselors including evidence of a state or national credential as a professional counselor.

While Headquarters will acknowledge receipt of the application and payment with a welcoming notice, full-fledged membership into the Society takes place as specified in the CSI Bylaws at a formal oath taking ceremony arranged by the chapter. Certificates of membership and recognition pins are distributed in this manner. In rare cases, chapters may withhold or rescind endorsement for good cause in the event of objective evidence that would disqualify an individual for membership at the next specified time for the initiation. All such decisions are normally made at the chapter and program level. Headquarters will refund any funds collected by it to such individuals expeditiously.

Online Application Process

Individuals receiving a letter of invitation to membership from their chapter may complete the online New Member Application. The Chapter Faculty Advisor or appropriate chapter officer (e.g., President, Treasurer, or Membership Chair) should be notified that the application has been submitted. Payment for CSI membership can be made to the chapter with any chapter dues as appropriate. New member dues for 2011-2012 are $45 and 2012-2013 are $50. Of these dues, active chapters will receive a $9 and $10 rebate for each active member, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, respectively.

Membership application verification is completed by the Chapter Faculty Advisors and a chapter check for all new members is sent to CSI Headquaters. Applications are processed by Headquarters as quickly as possible upon receipt of all the needed information from the chapter (usually within 10 days). However, applicants should contact their chapter officers or Chapter Faculty Advisor regarding any questions related to processing of their application as chapters send all their nominees verifications and one check to Headquarters simultaneously. Often, chapters wait several weeks before forwarding their materials to Headquarters. As a consequence, Headquarters staff are unable to be of immediate assistance in these cases.  A check list of steps for processing memberships can be found here.


Natalie F. Williams, M.S.
Doctoral Student
President - Chi Sigma Iota, Alpha Chapter
Ohio University