Local chapter update: Five tips for identifying new leaders

Last week, we covered five tips for identifying new chapter leaders. This week, we’ll pick up where we left off with number six, which is: ask.

There’s an old axiom where a general asks for volunteers, and everyone takes a step back except that one person who wasn’t paying attention and now is stuck washing the latrines. People typically look around the room and if no one raises their hands, they won’t either. So, identify potential leaders and ask them, point blank and individually, whether they’d be interested in serving on the leadership team. Unlike the situation with that proverbial general, people feel honored to be asked and appreciate the opportunity grow their professional skills in new way.

Seventh, highlight the rewards of leadership. Members come to local chapter events because they get something out of them—education, networking, comradery, inexpensive continuing education credits, and (hopefully) a little bit of fun. Explicitly explain what benefits come from participating on the core leadership team. (Remember that the three volunteers who sign the local chapter agreement form receive 50% their ACDIS membership after a full successful year of service.) Volunteers also learn invaluable leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Plus, local chapter and networking leaders work closely with national administrators obtaining tips for chapter events as well as additional insights into ACDIS events and membership tools.

Eighth, play in the “sandbox.” There’s a world-wide volunteer organization which calls itself “Sandbox” because, like activities which occur in such playground structures, they want their members “to explore, test, and get messy with their ideas to increase chances of serendipitous connections,” according to an article in Associations Now. While bylaws and role descriptions can be vital to the chapter’s transition planning and overarching success, encourage potential volunteers to bring their sense of wonder, joy, and enthusiasm to the role. Invite them to offer up new ideas for events and try out as many as are feasible. When members see and understand that serving on the leadership team can be both meaningful and fun, they’ll be more likely to step forward.

Ninth, accept all comers. The “Sandbox” organization calls its members “community builders,” and abides by a guiding principle that “the one who shows up is the person for the job.” ACDIS is not prescriptive about who can or cannot be a local chapter or networking group leader. The only requirement is that volunteers hold current membership in the national organization. Volunteers can come from coding, nursing, physician, or other backgrounds. They needn’t hold the CCDS certification to qualify. If someone expresses an interest in volunteering but there isn’t an opening at the moment on the core leadership team, see if they’d be willing to serve on a committee or shadow an existing leader for a year to better understand the role. Find something fun and positive for that person to do that can help the chapter grow.

Tenth, call in the reinforcements. The national administrators are here to support local chapter efforts. If the leadership is struggling, reach out to ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald at larchibald@acdis.org or Associate Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas at mvarnavas@acdis.org. They may personally know of an individual or two who have served in other capacities but haven’t yet joined the chapter or networking group. They may also be able to reach out to members from the state or share other advice for how to get new leaders involved. Don’t be shy, they’re here to help!

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).

August:

• The Idaho ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, August 1, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. For information, contact Susie Curtis (curtisus@slhs.org).
• The Massachusetts ACDIS chapter, along with the New England components of AHIMA, meet Friday, August 3, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Baystate Health Educational Center in Springfield. Click here to register, registration limited to 200. For information, contact Aimee Van Balen (avanbalen@lifespan.org).
• The CDI Educator ACDIS networking group meets Friday, August 10, 12-1 p.m., PST, via webinar. For information, contact M.E. VanGelder (me.vangelder@honorhealth.com).
• The Texas and Minnesota ACDIS chapters will hold a joint teleconference call featuring ACDIS Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas on Wednesday, August 15, 12 p.m. CST. To register, click here.
• The North Carolina ACDIS chapter meets Friday, August 24, for their summer conference at Mission Health in Asheville. For information, contact the leadership team (ncacdis@gmail.com).
• The Kentucky and Indiana ACDIS local chapters meet Friday, August 24, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Baptist Health in Louisville, Kentucky. The registration fee is $85 until August 3, at which point the fee is $95. Click here to download the registration form. For information, contact Susan Snyder (ssnyder1@bhsi.com).

Save-the-date:

• The Maryland ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, September 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Towson. Click here to download the save-the-date flyer. For information, contact Candace Blankenship (evalani3@msn.com).
• The Kansas City Missouri ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, September 19, 2-4 p.m., at North Kansas City Hospital in Kansas City. For information, contact Angelica Naylor (Angelica.Naylor@nkch.org).
• The Minnesota ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, September 26, 1-2 p.m. via conference call. For information, contact Jera Van Damme (jera.vandamme@essentiahealth.org).
• The Washington Evergreen ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, September 28, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Trios Women's and Children's Hospital in Kennewick. Click here to download the save-the-date. For information, contact the leadership team (evergreenacdis@gmail.com).
• The Arizona ACDIS chapter and the Arizona component of AHIMA meet on Saturday, October 6, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at MIHS in Phoenix. For information, contact Debra Beisel Denton (debra.beiseldenton@mihs.org).
• The Westchester/Hudson Valley ACDIS chapter meets Friday, October 11, 2-4 p.m. at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. For information, contact Kerry Seekircher (kseekircher@northwell.edu).
• The Massachusetts ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, October 17, 1-4 p.m., at Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island. For information, contact Joyce Williams (JWilliams@Lifespan.org).
• The California ACDIS chapter meets for their fourth annual conference on Friday, October 19, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the San Diego Liberty Station Conference Center. Click here to download the save-the-date flyer. For information, contact Rani Stoddard (stoddarddrv@henrymayo.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.