Local chapter update: Developing bylaws as the chapter matures

January 25, 2018
CDI Strategies - Volume 12, Issue 4

Every chapter has stages in its development. First, maybe you met at a local coffee shop and shared your struggles informally. Then, maybe you started rotating between host sites at various hospitals as the chapter grew. As the chapter grows—regardless of how much—a level of formality grows with it.

While every chapter is different, maturing groups should consider drafting some bylaws to help govern the growth of the chapter. They also provide a road map for its members regarding a number of concerns. Some items bylaws frequently address include:

  • Mission and intent of the networking group
  • Geographic and/or educational focus area
  • Role and responsibilities of the leadership team
  • Processes and policies regarding leadership team transitions
  • Vendor/sponsorship provisions and limitations
  • Transactional processes regarding any accounting or tax status obligations
  • Meeting scope and frequency
  • Membership information gathering and sharing
  • Internal communications

Of course, drafting a set of bylaws certainly takes a concerted effort and it may require some help from a dedicated subcommittee or an ancillary team within the chapter. Though ACDIS doesn’t require chapters to employ bylaws, doing so can provide both the chapter’s leadership and membership a sense of ownership over their community’s efforts, ensuring that everyone understands the core mission of the chapter.

If your chapter is embarking on bylaw development, make sure to visit the leadership toolkit to see some examples of other states’ bylaws. The samples can be found under “Advancing Offerings, Continuing Growth,” item number two. Chapter leaders can also always reach out to ACDIS Associate Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas (mvarnavas@acdis.org) and Editor Linnea Archibald (larchibald@acdis.org) for some help.[MV1] 

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. If you have an upcoming event you would like to include, please email Melissa Varnavas (mvarnavas@acdis.org) and Linnea Archibald (larchibald@acdis.org).

January:

  • The Washington Evergreen ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, January 26, 10-11 a.m., via webinar. For information, contact (evergreenACDIS@gmail.com).

February:

  • The Kentucky ACDIS chapter meets on Thursday, February 1, 1-4 p.m., at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown. For information, contact Leah Savage (leah.savage@nortonhealthcare.org).
  • The South Carolina ACDIS chapter meets Friday, February 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Palmetto Baptist Health in Columbia. For information, contact Mary Hopkins (mary.hopkins@hcahealthcare.com).
  • The Suffolk County Long Island ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, February 7, 2-5 p.m., at Brookhaven Memorial Medical Center in Patchogue. Please RSVP to scacdis@gmail.com by February 2. For information, contact Patti McKenna (pmckenna@bmhmc.org).
  • The Maryland ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, February 16, 1-3 p.m., at the Maryland Hospital Association in Elkridge. For information, contact Candace Blankenship (evalani3@msn.com).
  • The CDI Educator ACDIS networking group meets on Thursday, February 22, 12-1 p.m., pacific, via webinar to discuss the topic of CDI educators and data. For information, contact M.E. VanGelder (me.vangelder@honorhealth.com).
  • The North Carolina ACDIS chapter meets Friday, February 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Please RSVP by Friday, February 16. For information, contact ncacdis@gmail.com.

March:

  • The Massachusetts ACDIS Chapter meets Friday, March 2, 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Baystate Health in Springfield. Click here to download the agenda. Please RSVP to by February 23. For information and to RSVP, contact Lara Faustino (lara.faustino@bmc.org).
  • The Arizona ACDIS chapter meets on Wednesday, March 21, at HonorHealth-Shea Medical Center in Scottsdale. More details will follow. For information, contact Alma Yap (rnalmay@gmail.com).

Save-the-date:

  • The Washington Evergreen and Oregon ACDIS chapters meet for a joint meeting on Friday, April 6, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at PeaceHealth in Vancouver. Please register by March 15. For information, contact the Evergreen chapter leadership team (evergreenACDIS@gmail.com) or Linda Dawson (linda.dawson@providence.org).
  • The South Carolina ACDIS chapter tentatively plans to meet Friday, June 8, at MUSC in Charleston. For information, contact Mary Hopkins (mary.hopkins@hcahealthcare.com).
  • Missouri's three ACDIS chapters meet Saturday, October 20, for the third annual Show Me State Conference at SSM DePaul in St. Louis. For information, contact Mariann Dinello (mariann.dinello@ssmhealth.com or 314-344-6286)