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Starting an AMSN Chapter
Originally presented by the
Chapter Development Committee
in 2006, updated for 2012
Getting Started
Review information on AMSN website under “Chapters” > “Starting a Chapter”
Getting Started • Checklist• Forms
Resources Steps to Chapter Formation
Contact National Office Chapter Liaison• Let her know you are interested in starting a chapter and discuss the
geographic area the chapter will serve. • She can get you a list of AMSN members to contact in your area and
provide AMSN recruiting materials.
Contact Chapter Committee Chairperson• She may provide additional advice and suggestions for starting up. • She may provide the names of other chapter people who may be able
to help you.
Getting Started
The National Office will send you a list of AMSN members in your area.
Contact the directors/educators for local med-surg units.
Post flyers about your meetings in local hospitals, schools of nursing, rehab centers.
Consider putting a notice in any free local newspapers and in hospital newsletters.
Post flyers around your community in schools, churches, and stores.
Finding Members
Schedule an Organizational Meeting
Get everyone excited!
Send an organizational meeting notice to national AMSN members in your zip code area
Identify other colleagues from area hospitals, networking groups, local universities and colleges of nursing
Select meeting location, date, time most convenient to majority.
Consider developing a “theme” to build enthusiasm and excitement and be sure to include refreshments!
Welcome, introductions Establish Chapter goals Elect officers Set meeting schedule Prioritize educational activities Develop budget/ fundraising ideas Complete and sign New Chapter Profile,
Chapter Petition and Dissolution Agreement Other business (sign up for committee work,
update member contact information, etc)
Organizational Meeting Agenda
EstablishingChapter Goals
Keep it simple, especially the first year
Some ideas for “beginner” chapters• focus on membership recruitment • complete educational activity requirements
Examples ofSimple Goals
Advocate for the specialty of Med-Surg Nursing and Med-Surg Nursing certification.
Facilitate communication and collaboration among medical-surgical nurses in the area.
Enhance the professional growth of Chapter members and medical-surgical nurses in the area through educational program offerings.
Increase local and national AMSN membership through Chapter activities and program marketing.
Election of Chapter Officers
Consider the following officers:• President• President-elect (VP)• Secretary• Treasurer
Read short role descriptions from New Chapter Profile.
Determine how long you want each term to be. It is suggested that your initial officers serve for two years to get your chapter “up and running”.
Election of Chapter Officers
Advance planning can ease awkwardness of voting at organizational meeting and move things along.
Look for officer interest within your core group of organizers.
Develop ballot which includes information about each candidate. Include a position description for each office.
Be sure to leave slots open for write-in candidates.
Send ballot out with the notice for the first organizational meeting.
Allow for additional nominations “from the floor.”
Meeting Considerations
Established chapters need three chapter meetings per year
They may be combined with educational activities - occurring before or after the program
Officers and other leaders will want to hold additional planning meetings
Be sure to take minutes at both membership and leadership planning meetings
Setting aMeeting Schedule
Establish a regular meeting schedule
Consider what will best suit your chapter membership
• Quarterly meetings which incorporate an educational offering with a business session can improve meeting attendance, especially where chapters cover a geographically large area.
• Scheduling meetings every month or every other month may be more attractive to established Chapters with more comprehensive goals and activities.
Prioritize Educational Activities
Offering educational programs can be a
significant benefit for your Chapter
Educational benefit to members
Great way to attract new members
Can be a profitable fundraiser
Give more visibility to your Chapter and AMSN
Educational Program Considerations
Survey membership to assess educational needs and identify priorities.
Consider starting with topics for which you may have the easiest time finding qualified speakers.
Include license renewal topics, especially during the quarter preceding license renewal periods.
Include topics regarding Health Care Reform and the IOM Future of Nursing Report.
Educational Program Considerations
Contact hours are recommended, but not required. Obtaining contact hours can be easier by working with area hospitals or universities with Colleges of Nursing, and will usually guarantee a larger attendance and less effort by co-sponsoring educational programs.
If you rotate meeting sites between several area hospitals, consider selecting a topic which allows the hospital to “showcase” a particular service or product line, such as a cardiovascular program with a tour of their cardiac rehab unit.
Educational Program Considerations
Established Chapters need 4 education activities per year.• 4 different days, or• 4 sessions in one day for big event, or• 2 sessions each on 2 days
Contact hours (CNEs) are not required, but are recommended.
Developing aChapter Budget
Once you achieve National Chapter status, you will receive $75.00 in seed money from AMSN.
Consider some of the following ideas to ensure a sound Chapter budget:
• Charge local dues. Most Chapters set annual local dues at $20-25 per year.
• Charge non-members a fee for attending educational activities
• Plan fundraising activities
Fundraising Activities
Purpose of Fundraising Activities:• Have fun• Earn some money for chapter programs, scholarships• Get visibility
Ideas for fundraising:• Raffles• Educational workshops• Selling promotional items locally and at the national
convention (must be non-competitive to national items)
Committees
While a new Chapter is not required to have committees, most Chapters find them helpful.
Some committees to consider include:• Fundraising• Educational planning• Refreshments & social activities• Service to community• Outreach and membership
Completing the Chapter Charter Petition
Fill in the blanks which identify the following:
the proposed name of your Chapter
the zip codes, cities/counties you expect to include in your Chapter area; national office can help with zip codes
Officers read and sign their acknowledgment and agreement to: AMSN Bylaws and Policies, AMSN non-compete and member privacy policy
Plan at least four education activities per year to maintain the Chapter Charter.
Terms for relinquishing Chapter Charter.
Officers also sign the Dissolution Agreement.
Completing the New Chapter Profile
Fill in the requested information for your Chapter officers and Committee Chairs.
Have petitioning AMSN members fill in their information and sign at organizing meetings.
The Finishing Touches
Enclose a copy of the minutes from your organizing meetings.
Enclose a copy of your chapter goals, financial, educational and meeting plans (may be in your minutes)
…… and you’re on your way !
Building aSuccessful Chapter
Your core group of founding members are usually the “movers and shakers.” It is easy to get burned out if the same few always take on the majority of the tasks. Develop additional leaders.
Recruiting new members will probably be your most important initial priority.
Offering education programs, combined with good food and Chapter members who know how to “meet and greet’ will help to ensure an increase in your membership base.
Building aSuccessful Chapter
Sponsor community service projects to gain visibility and market your local Chapter to prospective new members.
Rotate the location of meetings within your area to encourage new members and involvement from all area facilities.
Build a network with other Chapter Presidents and with the Chapter Development Committee. We have all been exactly where you are now and would be pleased to lend a hand!
Building aSuccessful Chapter
Plan to attend the national convention! This is a perfect way to network with other Chapter members from around the country and pick up some great ideas to take back with you!
Read each issue of the MedSurg Nursing Journal, MedSurg Matters! and the AMSN MedSurg Nursing Connection e-news to keep up with important dates and catch some great ideas from Chapters and National!
Submit your events for listing on the AMSN Website and watch for other Chapters’ events and information! (www.AMSN.org)