The Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) was organized in Houston in 1937 as the independent Petroleum Safety Engineers Club and was chartered on March 24, 1939, by the Engineering Section of the National Safety Council. The Gulf Coast Chapter (GCC) is now one of the largest of the American Society of Safety Professionals chapters (no longer related to the National Safety Council) with over 1500 members. The Gulf Coast Chapter serves the 18 counties of Austin, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Houston, Leon, Madison, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, Waller, and Washington. It is one of 15 chapters in ASSP’s Region 3 which serves Arkansas, Oklahoma & Texas. GCC’s purpose is to provide value to its members through professional development, communication, the sharing of ideas, and to enhance the safety profession and serve the communities in which our members live and work. GCC is the 24th largest professional organization in Houston according to the Houston Business Journal (Fall 2002). ASSP is a non-profit organization. The geographic diversity and broad membership base combined with the various member employers make for an excellent opportunity to meet, network and exchange ideas. GCC has structured itself to respond to members. Members and interested supporters can participate in the chapter through General Chapter, North, South or Student Sections and Construction Practice Specialty activities.