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- SPS Zone Councilors for Zones 2, 5, 6, 7, 12, 17 (three-year terms)
- Associate Zone Councilors for all 18 Zones (one year terms)
- SPS President (two-year term)
Council members are selected by elections held each spring. Each chapter gets a single vote. Therefore, it is encouraged that chapters discuss their ballot and potential nominee(s) together. Contact your chapter advisor about how your chapter can cast their vote.
The SPS President, Sigma Pi Sigma President, and Zone Councilor roles are open to faculty, while students may serve as Associate Zone Councilors. You are welcome to nominate yourself or others for these positions.
The SPS President
Elected for a two-year term, the duties of SPS President include serving on the Executive Committee as its chairperson, presiding over meetings of the Council, and representing SPS to the AIP Governing Board and the AIP Advisory Committee on Physics Education.
The Sigma Pi Sigma President
Elected for a two-year term, the Sigma Pi Sigma President represents Sigma Pi Sigma and its members to the SPS Executive Committee and the Council. The President also provides liaison, together with the Director of the Society of Physics Students, between Sigma Pi Sigma and the Association of College Honor Societies.
In addition, serves on the planning committee of the quadrennial Congress of Sigma Pi Sigma, and may be invited to officiate at the installation of new chapters of the honor society.
The Zone Councilor
Elected for a three-year term, the Zone Councilor (ZC):
- Represents faculty and department perspectives on the national council
- Attends National Council Meetings (annual in-person meeting, quarterly webinars)
- Communicates with SPS faculty advisors regarding opportunities and deadlines
- Communicates regularly with chapters in their zone about SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma
- Encourages local and national initiatives
- Reminds chapter leadership of deadlines
- Encourages and supports local chapters & advisors
- Works with AZC & zone chapters to ensure at least one zone meeting occurs each year
The Associate Zone Councilor
The Associate Zone Councilor (AZC) must be a student member of a SPS chapter. Elected for a one-year term, the duties of the Associate Zone Councilor parallel those of the Zone Councilor:
- Represents student perspectives on the national council
- Attends National Council Meetings (annual in-person meeting, quarterly webinars)
- Works with ZC & zone chapters to ensure at least one zone meeting occurs each year
- Communicates with SPS presidents about opportunities and deadlines
- Engages chapter officers to encourage involvement within zone and the SPS national community
- Maintains healthy lines of communication with ZC, the SPS National Office, and the National Council
- Maintains SPS student membership during term of service
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Being an AZC was my first experience with the dynamics of making decisions and my first experience working with a large governing body. Previously I had believed an academic career could be devoted solely to research or teaching. But now I know that how an institution operates and shares limited resources with students and faculty impacts the ability of faculty to perform quality research and teaching. My AZC experience has helped me to participate in decision-making at my institution and advocate on behalf of grad students for increased pay, security, and better work conditions.
Bret Polopolus-Meredith, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Associate Zone Councilor, Zone 18, 2012 -
My time on the SPS National Council was definitely one of the best experiences of my undergraduate career. It was great getting to meet fellow students who are just as passionate about science as I am. Even though we only spent a few days together, I made some lifelong friends among my fellow council members.
Peter Nguyen, University of Florida, Student Representative to the SPS Executive Committee, 2012