ACS Governing Documents, Petitions, Bylaws, and Guidelines

• ACS Governing Documents (ACSGovDocs) effective as of May 1, 2020. The ACS Governing Documents include the Constitution, Bylaws, Standing Rules, Schedule of Membership, and Regulations of the Society.
  • Changes document: details of changes
    • Changes in the May 1, 2020 edition were effected by the Petition on Benefits and Dues and the new Schedule of Membership.
  • Previous changes document: details of changes
    • Changes in the November 1, 2019 and January 1, 2020 editions were effected by the Petition to Streamline the ACS Governing Documents.
• PETITIONS
  • The PETITIONS link above includes copies, summaries, and the status of petitions. Below are links to other useful information about petitions:
  • Petition process
    
  • Guidelines to prepare a petition to amend the Constitution and Bylaws (also in the ACSGovDocs)
  • Guidelines to prepare a petition to amend the Standing Rules
  • Signatures page (example, if needed)
  • NEXT DEADLINE for petitions to amend the Constitution or Bylaws: December 2, 2020

The Committee on Constitution and Bylaws (C&B) certifies bylaws on behalf of Council for Divisions, Local Sections, and International Chemical Sciences Chapters. The certified bylaws (noted with their dates of certification) are available at the links below. If you plan to update your bylaws, click on the link for MODEL BYLAWS:

• Division bylaws
• Local Section bylaws
• International Chemical Sciences Chapters bylaws
• MODEL BYLAWS and other OPTIONS to AMEND your bylaws
• C&B Summary Report: bylaws and petitions
• FAQ

• CPC's guidelines and policies: go to the Council page
• Volunteer/National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy (also in the ACSGovDocs)
• The Chemical Professional's Code of Conduct
  
• Professional Employment Guidelines
• Academic Professional Guidelines

If you have any questions or need assistance in updating your bylaws or about petitions to amend ACS’s Constitution and Bylaws, please contact us:

• bylaws@acs.org for C&B's Staff Liaison, Barbara Polansky
• 202-872-4071 or 800-227-5558, ext. 4071
• Information about C&B