National & Regional Elections

National Leadership Opportunities

National Council Function and Term-Lengths

The National Council (NC) is vitally important to Alpha Chi's ongoing success. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) honor society, the Council is Alpha Chi's nonprofit board of directors and the planning and executive arm of our organization. The National Council members are 8 at-large chapter advisor members elected during national business meetings, each region's Secretary-Treasurer, and each region's Student Representative. (While elected by regions, secretary-treasurers and student representatives each serve a dual national role.) Strong candidates are advisors of active chapters, those with regional leadership experience, and those who have brought students to an Alpha Chi national convention. The duties of Council members are outlined in the Alpha Chi Constitution.

While Regional Student Representatives serve only one 2-year term each, all other members are elected to 4-year terms and may be re-elected with a maximum of 3 consecutive terms.

From the advisor members on the Council are elected 3 national officers: president, vice president, and secretary, all to 4-year terms. Along with the executive director, who serves ex-officio, these compose the executive committee, whose duties are outlined in Article VI of the Constitution.

In the spring, voting chapter delegates will elect 4 chapter advisors to serve as At-Large National Council members for the 2027-2031 term. Whether you’re a creative visionary, an organized committee chair, or someone who thrives with a defined task, there is a role for you. By January, the National Council will confirm a slate of 6-8 candidates, and elections will occur by electronic ballot in March or early April so that results can be announced during the National Business Meeting to be held virtually on April 10, 2027. 

Chapter advisor nominations will be accepted through the end of 2026. To nominate yourself for leadership, please complete this form by the end of October. 

Council Meetings & Time Commitments

The National Council meets annually but in-person mostly in National Convention years (biennially), and schedules a regular, 50-minute monthly virtual meeting which is not always needed. Each member is typically assigned to two working committees that operate throughout the year via email and/or Zoom meetings to accomplish their goals.

The time commitment for most non-officer members probably averages two hours a month. Council members may be called to serve as peer reviewers for Aletheia submissions in their academic discipline. A committee of Council members also judges the National Scholarship Competition each spring.

Council Member Expenses

Council members are not required to pay a national convention registration fee. For any in-person meeting of the Council, no more than once annually, housing is currently arranged and paid for by the National Office, and members are reimbursed for documented travel and meals per a reimbursement policy. Monetary donations from board members are greatly appreciated but are not required.

Regional Leadership Opportunities

Alpha Chi chapters are divided into geographic regions. Seven regions are currently functioning as six after regions V and VI decided in 2026 to function together for now as one region (Region V-VI) and share one set of elected officers. Otherwise, Article VIII of the Alpha Chi Constitution outlines Alpha Chi's regional organization. Differing from regional presidents and vice presidents, regional secretary-treasurers and student representatives serve a dual role on the National Council. 

At regional business meetings to be held virtually in March, the following leaders should be elected:

Region I

• Vice President, 2026-28 (unfilled from spring 2026 and seeking chapter advisor candidates)
• Student Representative, 2027-29

Region III

• Student Representative, 2027-29

Region V-VI

• Student Representative, 2027-29

Region VII

• Student Representative, 2027-29

Any student or advisor interested in being a candidate should contact their chapter advisor or a sitting regional officer. You may also contact Lara Noah, Executive Director of Alpha Chi.

Student Representative Candidates

Students bring an important viewpoint and skill set to both regional and national leadership and are full, voting members. As Council members, the students elected will have in-person Convention and/or Council Meeting expenses reimbursed by Alpha Chi.

Strong Candidate Attributes:

• Solid communication skills; ability to represent your peers
• Interest in shared governance and developing leadership skills
• Willingness and ability to work in both informal committees and formal board meetings
• Undergraduate candidates preferred (it becomes challenging to meet Council duties after graduation)