Formation Guidelines for New Chapters and Sections
The value of IDSA exists because members like you have taken the lead in creating community and connection in your local cities and schools and within the profession. Bring the vision for your community to life by taking these first steps to starting a new IDSA Chapter or Section.
Step #1: Understand the criteria. Carefully review the minimum requirements below for starting each type of new chapter or section.
Professional Chapter Criteria
Leadership: Chapters must have confirmed commitment for the officer positions of Chair and Vice Chair.
- A minimum of two officers is required; three to five (3-5) officers are recommended.
- Only IDSA Professional and IDSA Young Professional members are eligible to serve as officers.
- Chapter officers, at formation, are appointed by IDSA’s Board of Directors. In successive years, chapter officers are elected by the chapter membership.
Membership: Chapters must receive support from a minimum of 20 voting members during the community petition process.
Programs: Chapters must host a minimum of three (3) events annually.
Values: Chapters must uphold IDSA’s reputation and brand, adhere to the IDSA Code of Conduct and IDSA Brand Guidelines, and abide by all other IDSA standards.
Application: Petitioners must submit an application providing chapter information that might include, but is not limited to:
- Chapter name and benefits.
- Confirmed officers.
- Prospective chapter activities and partners, such as local design firms and universities.
Contact IDSA: Are you ready to contact IDSA headquarters and learn more?
Student Chapter Criteria
Eligibility: Chapters must be located at a college or university with an industrial design (ID) degree program at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
- Chapters must have a chapter advisor on the school’s ID faculty who is an IDSA Professional Member.
Leadership: Chapters must have elected Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer officers.
- IDSA Student Members at the school where the chapter is based must elect chapter officers.
- Chapters must have a liaison with and appointed by the IDSA Professional Chapter that is geographically closest, if applicable.
- Other positions may be created, as necessary.
Membership: Chapters must have a minimum of five (5) IDSA Student Members at all times, submitting a membership roster annually to IDSA HQ.
Programs: Chapters are encouraged to produce a minimum of one (1) event per semester or quarter.
Values: Chapters must uphold IDSA’s reputation and brand, adhere to the IDSA Code of Conduct and IDSA Brand Guidelines, and abide by all other IDSA standards.
Application: Petitioners must submit an application providing chapter information that might include, but is not limited to, elected officers and Student Members.
Contact IDSA: Are you ready to contact IDSA headquarters and learn more?
Women in Design Chapter Criteria
Leadership: Chapters must have confirmed commitment for the officer positions of Chair and Vice Chair.
- A minimum of two officers is required; three to five (3-5) officers are recommended.
- Only IDSA Professional and IDSA Young Professional members are eligible to serve as officers.
- Chapter officers, at formation, are appointed by IDSA’s Board of Directors. In successive years, chapter officers are elected by the chapter membership.
Membership: Chapters must receive support from a minimum of 20 voting members during the community petition process.
Programs: Chapters must host a minimum of three (3) events annually.
Values: Chapters must uphold IDSA’s reputation and brand, adhere to the IDSA Code of Conduct and IDSA Brand Guidelines, and abide by all other IDSA standards.
Application: Petitioners must submit an application providing chapter information that might include, but is not limited to:
- Chapter name and benefits.
- Confirmed officers.
- Prospective chapter activities and partners, such as local design firms and universities.
Contact IDSA: Are you ready to contact IDSA headquarters and learn more?
Section Criteria
Leadership: Sections must have confirmed commitment for the Chair leadership position.
- A minimum of one (1) Vice Chair is recommended; multiple Vice Chairs are permitted.
- Only IDSA Professional and IDSA Young Professional members are eligible to serve as section leaders.
- Section leaders are appointed by IDSA’s Board of Directors.
Membership: Sections must receive support from a minimum of 20 voting members during the community petition process.
Programs: Sections must provide professional development and learning opportunities to members.
- Host a minimum of two (2) virtual events, e.g., webinars, annually.
- Submit four (4) articles (quarterly) to IDSA for publication per year.
Values: Sections must uphold IDSA’s reputation and brand, adhere to the IDSA Code of Conduct and IDSA Brand Guidelines, and abide by all other IDSA standards.
Application: Petitioners must submit an application providing section information that might include, but is not limited to:
- Section name and benefits.
- Confirmed leader(s).
- Prospective section education topics.
Contact IDSA: Not accepting applications for new Sections at this time. Contact IDSA to receive announcements when more information is available.
Step #2: Evaluate your situation. Assess your current assets, identify additional information and resources to be gathered, and prepare a plan to attain commitment and support of prospective community leaders, members, and/or partners.
Step #3: Contact IDSA headquarters. Connect with IDSA headquarters to answer questions, clarify next steps, and request an application.