Newsletter

RHO CHI SOCIETY News and Updates
Volume 2009-2010, Number 2
February 2010

The Rho Chi Society News and Updates is an electronic service of the Society's National Office. News and Updates is electronically disseminated to Faculty Advisors, Chapter Officers, and Deans in the Fall and Spring. The Society's National Office can be contacted via email at RhoChi@unc.edu or by phone at (919) 843-9001.

In this issue:

Rho Chi Society Annual Meeting (March 14, 2010)
Chapter Delegates and Alternates (Due March 1, 2010)
Rho Chi Society Lecture Award
Election of National Officers for 2010-2012
2010-2011 Chapter Award Proposals (Due June 1 2010)
Alumni Honor Roll Nominations (Due February 15 – deadline extended)
Graduation Honor Cords and Medallions
Notes for Chapter Officers
Annual Reports (Due May 15, 2010)
Website

THE RHO CHI SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING

The Society's Annual Meeting (“National Convention”) will be held in conjunction with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, DC scheduled for March 12-16, 2010. The Society’s Annual Meeting will be held from 4:30 – 6:00 PM on Sunday, March 14, 2010. This is the business meeting of the Society which Chapter Delegates and Alternates, Advisors, National Officers, members and guests are encouraged to attend and actively participate in Society discussions. The Rho Chi Awards Program will precede the Annual Meeting at 3:00 PM. The Rho Chi Society Lecture Award and chapter awards will be presented during this program. Delegates, alternates, Society members, and guests should plan to attend the Awards Program and Lecture. Light refreshments will be served between the Awards Program and the Annual Meeting. Both events will be held in the Grand Hyatt Washington, Constitution Room C/D/E. This information is also posted on the website.

CHAPTER DELEGATES AND ALTERNATES

Each chapter of the Society is expected to have a delegate present for the Annual Meeting. In accord with National Bylaws, chapters not in attendance for three consecutive years are placed on probation and are not eligible to elect and induct new members. A record of chapter attendance for each of the past three years is posted on the Society's Website, www.RhoChi.org, for review. (Click on the link to “Upcoming Meetings”).

By March 1, 2010, each chapter should contact the National Office to register the chapter's official Delegate and Alternate. An on-line registration form can be found on the Society's Website for that purpose. (Please see “Resources for Advisors and Officers/Chapter Instructions.”) If you cannot access the Website or have problems submitting the form, please send an e-mail to RhoChi@unc.edu. Please include: the name of the chapter (in the email subject line), the name of the university, the names of the delegate and alternate delegate, email addresses for each one, the name of the chapter president, the email address of the chapter president, the name of the faculty advisor and her/his email address. Delegates', Alternates', and Presidents' names will be added to the Px-Officers e-mail listserv as they become available. Communications from the National Office regarding the National Meeting and other Society business will be communicated via this listserv. To expedite registration and reporting at the Annual Meeting, most materials will be sent to advisors and delegates prior to the meeting. It is important that we have your chapter’s information by the March 1, 2010 deadline.

THE RHO CHI SOCIETY LECTURE AWARD

As one of its highest distinctions, the Rho Chi Society Lecture Award seeks to encourage and recognize outstanding achievement by distinguished scholars from the fields of the arts, letters, or sciences that have made significant contributions to the health professions. The Rho Chi Society Lecture Award for 2010 will be presented to Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, Pharm.D., Ph.D. Dr. Schondelmeyer is Professor and Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Care and Health Sciences, Director, PRIME Institute and Century Mortar Club Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutical Management and Economics at the College of Pharmacy, The University of Minnesota. A link to Dr. Schondelmeyer’s curriculum vitae can be found on the Society’s website (www.rhochi.org). Further information about the award and a list of past recipients can also be found on the Society’s Website.

ELECTION OF NATIONAL OfficerS for 2010-2011

Election for Executive Council offices listed below will be held during the Society’s Annual Meeting. A Sample Ballot, which will include biographical sketches, will be sent to Delegates and Alternates prior to the Annual Meeting.

National President-Elect
Region II Councilor (East Coast Region)
Region IV Councilor (Mid-Eastern Region)
Region VI Councilor ( Gulf Coast Region)
Region VIII Councilor (West Coast Region)

CHAPTER AWARDS

The Society recognizes member chapters through two awards, the Chapter Achievement Award and the Chapter Proposal Award. The Chapter Achievement Award is made on the basis of annual reports submitted by chapters documenting their accomplishments. Those chapters who submit their annual reports by the May 15 deadline are considered for this award.

Chapter project proposals either describe a detailed plan of action to develop programs and activities that support the mission and vision of the Society or describe programs and activities that are in the early stages of implementation. Chapter proposals may be submitted for the June 1, 2010, deadline. Complete information regarding Chapter Awards is available via www.RhoChi.org. Chapter project proposals should be sent to:

The Rho Chi Society
National Office
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
3210 Kerr Hall – CB# 7569
Chapel Hill , NC 27599-7569

RHO CHI ALUMNI HONOR ROLL

The Society through its vision and mission seeks universal recognition of its members as lifelongintellectual leaders in pharmacy, and as a community of scholars, to instill the desire to pursue intellectualexcellence and critical inquiry to advance the profession. The Alumni Honor Roll was developed as one means to bring greater recognition to the accomplishments of our members. Background information regarding the Honor Roll, selection criteria and nomination were sent to Chapters via the listserv in the Fall Semester. Chapters are urged to identify and nominate one alumnus annually who has "advanced the profession through intellectual leadership and the pursuit of excellence." To nominate an alumnus of your chapter to the Rho Chi Alumni Honor Roll, the following information is requested. The deadline has been extended to February 15, 2010.

First Name:
Middle Name:
Last Name:
Graduate of School/College:
Degree(s):
Year of Graduation:
Rho Chi Chapter:
Current Position:
Email Address:
Mailing Address:

One paragraph biosketch suitable for press release:

Please return nominations via email attachment to RhoChi@unc.edu with subject line “Alumni Honor Roll Nomination” or fax nominations to (919) 962-0644.

WELCOME TO OUR FIRST CANADIAN CHAPTER

Dr. Gary E. Delander, Immediate Past President of the Society presided at the installation and induction program for Delta Gamma Chapter at the University of British Columbia. Delta Gamma is our first Canadian Chapter and the ninetieth active chapter and will be a part of Region VII – Northwestern Section. Dr. Robert D. Sindelar, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, will serve as faculty advisor. We welcome Delta Gamma into the fellowship of the Society.

GRADUATION HONOR CORDS AND MEDALLIONS

Graduation Honor Cords are available for purchase by local chapters for 2010 commencement programs. Chapters should check with their college or university’s Commencement Office to be sure Honor Cords can be worn at the ceremonies. The cost to Chapters for honor cords will be $12.50 per set, which includes shipping.

As an alternative to honor cords, the Society has honor medallions available for purchase by chapters to be worn at graduation or as commemorative gifts. Please visit the “Catalogue” on the Website to preview the medallions. The cost to Chapters is $25.00 per medallion, which includes shipping.

CHAPTER OFFICERS

Chapters are encouraged to plan activities that enhance the mission of the Rho Chi Society. Please make use of the Society’s Website for information that you might need about the Society. Officers are always welcome to contact the National Office via email or telephone for any assistance they may need.

Spring is usually a very busy time of the year for chapters as many will elect new members during this time. Please allow ample time (3 weeks) for the National Office to process your new member election reports and order your pins and certificates. It is not only an expectation, but an induction ceremony is made more auspicious when a new member is able to receive his/her pin and certificate at that time. If you have any questions concerning the process for electing and reporting new members, please visit the Website or contact the National Office (919-843-9001).

Please be sure your chapter has submitted your 2009-2010 roster of officers to the National Office. If your current President’s name has not been submitted to the National Office, please go to the Website and submit the information or send an email to RhoChi@unc.edu. In addition to your faculty advisor, your chapter president is an essential link in communications between the Society and your members.

CHAPTER REPORTS

An annual report for each chapter will be due in the National Office by May 15, 2010. Reminders, including a suggested format, will be sent via the Listserv to Chapter Advisors and Presidents.

REGIONAL MEETINGS

Chapters are encouraged to collaborate and organize regional Society events. Modest funding is available through the National Office to assist chapters with these events. Please contact your Regional Councilor or the National Office for information.

WEBSITE

There have been a number of enhancements to the website, particularly in the member database and new member submission. Detailed instructions are being sent to faculty advisors regarding access and use of the database. Please use the Society’s Website (www.RhoChi.org). This is an invaluable resource of information for chapter advisors and officers.

ADDRESS CHANGE

The National Office has not moved but there have been changes to our address. The new mailing address is:

Rho Chi Society National Office
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
3210 Kerr Hall, CB#7569
Chapel Hill , NC 27599-7569

Please note this change for future correspondence. Use of the old CB# can result in delay of mail delivery.