Local Section - letter of support for permanent residency

[DonivanPorterfie]

One of our Local Section Councilors has received an e-mail from a Local Section Member for a "endorsement or letter from professional / industrial organizations like ACS confirming their support of my research work" that they may use in applying for US permanent residency.  The Councilor who received the request does not personally know the Member and we don't recall them attending a Local Section meeting.  The company where the member is employed has been around for several years and a handfull of other Members work at same company but the neither the company or co-workers have been active in our Local Section.  The request is accompanied by a list of publications from early 2000 time frame.

None of us on Executive Committee can recall getting a similar request from a Member.  Not sure if there is any ACS policy on such letters of support?

Mr. Donivan Porterfield, Councilor

Central New Mexico Local Section

[markobri]

As a general rule, ACS does not provide recommendations of this type, or any endorsement confirming support of an individual's research work.  However, you can provide a statement indicating that the individual is a member of the Society and your local section. 

Sample:

"To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is to confirm that [NAME] is a member, in good standing, of the American Chemical Society. Our records indicate that [NAME]’s application was accepted and he has been a member of the Society for X years.

The American Chemical Society was founded in 1876 and has more than 154,000 members. The Society is recognized as a world leader in fostering scientific education and research, and promoting public understanding in science."

Additionally, If the individual is known personally by the officer, and the officer is so inclined, he or she may provide statements, endorsements, and recommendations on personal letterhead, with no indication of office in the Society.