Chapter Representatives
Each association chapter board appoints a Chapter Representative who attends every meeting both state and local. Chapter boards should also appoint and make known an alternate in case the Chapter Representative is unable to attend a meeting. Chapter Representatives have a flexible term ultimately determined by the individual chapters although it is recommended that chapter representatives commit to a minimum of a two year term.
The recommended career progression for a Chapter Representative is a minimum of two years as a member of the chapter and having held a leadership position on the Chapter Board. Many chapters have their Past President in this position. Further advancement is up to the individual but many Chapter Representatives eventually serve on the ASCCA Board of Directors. However, they may not serve as a Chapter Representative and a member of the State Board unless there is a compelling and necessary reason for them to do so.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Chapter Representatives must demonstrate the following:
- Commitment to the position of Chapter Representative
- Phone, fax and email capability.
- Effective communication skills.
Specific responsibilities that fall to Chapter Representatives include:
- Attendance at all meetings: Chapter Representative Meetings, special meetings and chapter board meetings, ASCCA Board of Directors Meetings.
- After attending Chapter Representatives Meetings the Chapter Representative will provide their chapter board and chapter members with a report on the meeting.
- The Chapter Representative communicates the following: chapter issues to the ASCCA Board of Directors and/or the state office; ASCCA Board of Directors and/or state office issues to the chapter; and issues, concerns, successes, ideas with other chapter representatives.
- The Chapter Representative stays informed about all issues that will impact their chapter members including current activities regarding government relations, membership issues or endorsed benefit providers and can act as a resource to individual chapter members who may have questions regarding any of those.
- The Chapter Representative disseminates information to their chapter boards, newsletter editors, members, and also contributes to state office communications as needed.
- The Chapter Representative will vote on issues on their chapter’s behalf and as part of the Chapter Representatives Committee as a whole.
- The Chapter Representative will contribute to ongoing projects identified in the Long Range Strategic Plan in a positive manner.
- The Chapter Representative will be involved with membership recruitment and retention at the chapter level.
In order to support the Chapter Representatives development the ASCCA Staff will assist in coordinating:
- A yearly orientation.
- Encouragement of the “buddy system” pairing a veteran chapter representative with a newcomer in order to show them the ropes.
Misconduct is identified as the following:
- Consistent non-attendance at meetings.
- Not fulfilling responsibilities.
- Not fulfilling chapter directives including voting contrary to the position of the chapter board on issues.
Misconduct will be addressed in the following manner:
- Attendance will be monitored by the Chapter Representatives Committee and those not in attendance will be reported to the Chapter President by the 2nd Vice-President.
- Further action will be the responsibility of the individual chapter.
