2. Chapter Development
Moderator:
Nancy Fisher, CAE, Manager of Chapter Relations,
American Academy of Family Physicians
Panelists:
– Trevor Mitchell, Director of Member Services,
ARMA International
– Brian Van Norman, CAE, Director of Chapter
Relations, American Public Works Association
Nancy – AAFP founded in 1947
AAFP Mission - The Mission of the AAFP is to improve the health of patients, families and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity.
Membership – 94,700 members – family physicians and medical students
Must be a member of National and the Chapter – and the local Chapter if there is one
Governance – BOD (17) – 3 yr. terms; COD – 2 from ea. Chapter; (6) Commissions
Chapters – 55 (1 in ea. state & Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico and Uniformed Services)
Trevor – ARMA International founded in 1955
Mission – The Mission of ARMA International is to educate, advocate, and provide resources that enable professionals to manage information as a critical element of organizational operations and governance.
Membership – 10,000 members – records and information managers, archivists, Legal, IT
Governance – BOD (16) Officers 1 yr term; directors 3 yr term, 10 Region Managers and 37 Coordinators
Chapters – 120, 3 International, 14 in Canada, 103 in US
Nancy – Geographic Boundaries - 1 Chapter in ea. state – Larger states also have local Chapters. Mbr must belong to
Size - Chapters range in size from 16 mbrs – 7k mbrs. Sm=<400 Med = 401 – 1k Lg = >1k
Management - Most run by pd. Staff – ranges from (1) p/t exec to 15 staff –
About 6 run by Association Management Companies
About 1/3 have a foundation
Incorporation – Each Chapter individually incorporated
Bylaws – Each Chapter has their own bylaws but they must be in accordance with AAFP Bylaws and must be approved by AAFP each time they are amended
Governance – Each Chapter has a BOD (10 – 70) – some have a COD. Most meet quarterly – some 2 x yr. - couple every month
Representation of Chapters – 2 Delegates from ea. chapter
Trevor – Geographic Boundaries – 11 Regions (9 in North America) Europe and International
Size - Chapters range in size from 10 mbrs – 450+ mbrs. Sm=<35 Med = 36 – 80 Lg = 81-150 VL = 150+
Management – all are run by volunteers. 3 larger chapters have a hired admin to aid in chapter activities
Incorporation – Each Chapter individually incorporated, moving them to be maintained by HQ
Bylaws – Each Chapter has their own bylaws but they must be in accordance with ARMA Bylaws and must be approved by ARMA each time they are amended
Governance – Each Chapter has a BOD (4-20). Most meet monthly as a board along with a monthly education program for the chapter members
Representation of Chapters – Each Region Leader is assigned no more than 4 chapters to work with throughout the year. They provide feedback to the Region Manager and they report to HQ and the Board about all chapters in the region.
Nancy – National or Chapter – AAFP Manages dues – invoicing; receives pymts; reminders, etc.
Dispersion of Money – Send ck to ea. chapter monthly – AAFP pd. 1st, then chapter, then local
Timing – Dues due on Jan 1 – have just switched to requiring payment at time of application – used to carry for 8 mos. before dropping. – now 4
Chapters supplement AAFP communications to mbrs with their own
Trevor – National or Chapter – ARMA Manages dues – invoicing; receives pymts; reminders, etc.
Dispersion of Money – Send ck to ea. chapter monthly on the 15th – ARMA pd. 1st, then chapter
Timing – Dues due at the time of application or renewal. Membership is on an anniversary basis so renewal process is ongoing.
Chapters supplement ARMA communications to mbrs with their own
e-Commerce --
Trevor
Publications – Most chapters have their own newsletter and distribute them electronically at an average frequency of bi-monthly.
Web sites – most chapters operate and maintain their own website. We are getting ready to launch a program where HQ can provide them with hosting, templates, and a CMS that will allow them to have a website at a low yearly costs and they will be able to do online registrations as well that all ties back into our database system.
Collaboration/Discussion Lists – we use an custom social media site for our leaders to discuss issues going on within their chapters.
Trevor
Leadership Academy-
11 Online courses available to Chapter leaders at no charge, to general membership there is a fee.
Speaker provided at each Region Leadership Meeting in the summer.
Grants:
25 Speaker Grants $500
2 per Region Leadership Grants $400
Meetings:
Region Meetings -- 2 day event in summer focusing on chapters sharing as well as relative items from HQ, Board, Ed Foundation, and certifying board.
Conference – ½ day prior to start of conference for chapter leaders to share knowledge and best practices from all chapter leaders.
Trevor
Efforts:
Yearly needs assessment to evaluate programs and services effectiveness and areas to best assist chapters.
Presentation at Summer Conferences to highlight key items for chapter leaders and use opportunity to meet face to face.
Chapter Connection – monthly e-newsletter on items related to chapter leaders
Roles:
HQ provide assistance and support to leaders.
Chapters carry out daily activities
Value:
Members have opportunity to advance their leadership skills in the chapter where they otherwise wouldn’t.
Members have a closer connection to association due to meetings and networking events.