Below are summaries compiled by the Chapter Leadership Council from the Chapters of the Future Discussion Forum (aka Blog) and the notes from the 2009 Chapter Leadership Session held during the NSA Convention.
Collateral Materials prepared by Jan Dwyer-Bang, CSP, MBA
Recommendation: Chapters are to establish and maintain collateral materials to include but not limited to:
a. Chapter website (independent or part of national’s service)
b. Chapter Programming Calendar schedule
c. Chapter logo NSA to create and maintain standardized, consistent guidelines for every chapter to follow as it is related to the Chapter Logo."
d. Membership Directory (on line or print)
e. Registration
a. NSA to enable online registration for chapter events
Dues and Business Models prepared by Becky McCrary, CSP
A business model is the structure that supports the operations and funding of the business. Functional attributes and minimal/basic requirements will determine an optimal business model. Issues include functions of a chapter, whether National/Chapters should provide staff/volunteers with the skills and ability to assume any/all of those functions, the monetary value of those functions, and how NSA will enhance their relationships and decision-making.
1. It is recommended that the business model be semi-franchise.
2. It is recommended that the business model remain decentralized.
3. Note: There is opportunity for someone to propose recommendations about national collecting chapter dues and redirecting these to chapters, thereby establishing chapter membership for each NSA national member
Governance prepared by Marcia Reynolds, CSP, PsyD
Chapter Governance includes issues related to a chapter’s board, the executive positions, the bylaws that govern the actions and elections of the board, and procedures the board should follow to enhance their relationships and decision-making.
1. It is recommended that chapters submit an up-to-date succession plan to national each year.
2. It is recommended that NSA have an official policy regarding the procedures for changing chapter names.
3. It is recommended that chapter bylaws be standardized.
Governing Documents prepared by Julie Morrison
Chapter Governing Documents set out, limit and circumscribe the purposes and powers, and set down the fundamental characteristics and general structure of the organization. The Chapter Governing documents include the following:
- Incorporation Status – not required
- Bylaws – this topic will be covered under Chapter Governance
- Financial Policies
- Directors & Officer Insurance
- Bank Accounts
- Strategic Plan
- Official Charter Application
- Maintaining a Charter - Annual Affiliation Agreement
- Recommendation: Directors and Officers Insurance be required for all chapters
- Recommendation: NSA National provide a consulting attorney to review documents, agreements and contacts for the chapters.
- Recommendation: NSA National debrief with President-elects at NSA Camp to review the importance of the Chapter Governing documents
National Oversight prepared by Leslie Stambaugh
Programming Summary prepared by Steve Lishansky
Programming includes the content and issues related to providing professional development to members to maximize their effectiveness in all aspects of their business.
1. Recommendation: Establish a national forum open to chapter leaders and programmers that allows them to discuss:
a. Best speakers
b. Best topics
c. Best practices in programming
d. Scheduling
2. Recommendation: NSA National establish a forum or structure for chapter leaders to share information on speakers, topics, and best practices in programming
3. Recommendation: National needs to lead in establishing a standardized name as well as programming goals and standards for the Fast Track/ Candidate/ Affiliate/ Apprentice/ Academy members’ and programs
Recuritment Summary prepared by Marty Val Hill, SPHR
Recuitment concerns identifying and recruiting qualified members for NSA as well as candidates for the Fast Track Program
1. Recommendation: An electronic document template be created annually for each participating chapter from information submitted during the chapter re-affiliation process. This will be a fill in the blank template with chapter contact information, top 10 reasons to join a chapter, event schedule & location, chapter dues amount, other member benefits, etc.
2. Recommendation: That NSA national send this professionally branded full color “chapter benefits summary” sheet to all new NSA members (with the current new member welcome packet that already goes out).
3. Recommendation: That chapter specific sheets will be sent to each new national NSA member who lives within the geographic target impact area of a chartered chapter.
4. Recommendation: That this same sheet be mailed to all renewing NSA national members who are not already chapter member (and who live within a chapters target impact area) each year with their national renewal invoice.