Dear Colleague:

I hope you will take this small information packet (link) back to your institution to share with the department Chair and student leaders to consider chartering a chapter of the Sigma Iota Rho National Honor Society for International Studies (S.I.R.) on your campus. This packet will guide you through the process of establishing a nationally-sanctioned chapter of the honor society on your campus, and presents the benefits that come with Sigma Iota Rho membership. One of these benefits, the opportunity for student publication in The Journal of International Relations, is addressed specifically in an enclosed "Call for Papers." Please take note of the deadline for submissions and make use of the provided examples for soliciting submissions by email and flyer.

Establishment as a chapter of Sigma Iota Rho requires submission of the following:

  • a letter stating your interest to establish a local chapter of S.I.R.

    • designation of the person who will serve on the national council as your representative (this is typically the Faculty Advisor to the chapter); full name, email, and telephone number.

    • designation of the Administrative contact if applicable; full name, email, and telephone number.

    • designation of the student who will serve as the student chapter President; full name, email, and telephone number.

  • a draft constitution or by-laws (available on request)

  • a copy of your school's international affairs major requirements

  • a $175 payment to establish the chapter can ONLY be made payable to “Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for International Studies”. If this is too long for your payment method, please revise it to "Sigma Iota Rho Hnr Scty fr Int'l Stds". We DO ACCEPT the following payment types: institutional check, cashier’s check, money order, Zelle, and ACH. The physical payment types (institutional check, cashier’s check, and money order) need to be mailed to Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for International Studies, Attention: Marisol Arcaya, 10000 Lincoln Dr E, Suite 201, Marlton, NJ 08053-3108. You can make payments through ZELLE® using our email address: national@sigmaiotarho.org. Please include in the memo “Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for International Studies” or truncated to “Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for IS”. Once you are an established chapter, you will receive the ability to make ACH payments. WE DO NOT ACCEPT the following payments: Cash or Personal Checks.

In addition, each student who joins your chapter will be required to contribute a $55 fee for member fee. This fee includes: the Sigma Iota Rho Certificate upon induction and the following graduation regalia: a SIR lapel pin, honor cords, (stoles inscribed with "SIR" are available for an additional $20), access to an electronic copy of SIR.'s Journal of International Relations, our weekly newsletter, and access to professional networks.

Physical payment types: institutional check, cashier’s check, and money order needs to be made payable to “Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for International Studies” and mailed to Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for International Studies, Attention: Marisol Arcaya, 10000 Lincoln Dr E, Suite 201, Marlton, NJ 08053-3108.

Electronic payment options are available through ZELLE® and ACH. You can make your payment through ZELLE® by using our email address: national@sigmaiotarho.org, please include in the memo Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society for International Studies”. Once you are a chapter, you’ll be provided our ACH information to utilize that option. As a national recognized chapter you will be allowed to determine separate local dues that you deem appropriate in addition to our standard membership fee.

We will review your application packet usually within a month's time. Best wishes in completing the charter process and we look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Frank Plantan, Ph.D

National President Sigma Iota Rho