FAQs Concerning State Affiliates in States with
State Legislative Organizations not Currently Affiliated with ACNM
(Click here to read the full text of
the proposed bylaws article
[Article V Section B] )
- Will our state legislative organization become the state affiliate?
- Our state organization permits non-ACNM members to be active members in the state organization. Will we be able to do this as an Affiliate?
- Our state organization permits CPMs to be active members in the state organization. Will we be able to do this as an Affiliate?
- If our INCORPORATED state organization decides to become the ACNM Affiliate will they be able to conduct the business of their organizations- mainly lobbying at the state level without undue restriction by national ACNM?
- Will the Affiliate structure permit us to continue participation in our existing coalitions?
- Will the Affiliates be able to continue their fundraising activities? Will we be able to keep the $$ currently in their coffers?
1. Will our state legislative organization become the state affiliate?
- That decision is up to each state organization.
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2. Our state organization permits non-ACNM members to be active members in the state organization. Will we be able to do this as an Affiliate?
- No. It has always been mandatory for Chapter members to be ACNM members, even though many Chapters have not enforced this. Members need to pay national dues in order to have the strong national infrastructure needed to support the state Affiliates, local subgroups, and individual members. State organization members who are not CNMs/CMs are eligible to join ACNM as Associate members.
- In order for the Affiliate to represent ACNM in the state, it is important that the ACTIVE VOTING membership of the affiliate be members of ACNM (Otherwise for example, what would prevent AMA members from joining and steering the affiliate to oppose strong midwifery legislation? Of course this is extremely unlikely but it illustrates that ACNM members must be the ones to speak for their organization in the state.)
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3. Our state organization permits CPMs to be active members in the state organization. Will we be able to do this as an Affiliate?
- State organization members who are not CNMs/CMs are eligible to join ACNM and therefore ACNM Affiliates as Associate members.
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4. If our INCORPORATED state organization decides to become the ACNM Affiliate will they be able to conduct the business of their organizations- mainly lobbying at the state level without undue restriction by national ACNM?
- Yes. (Language from proposed bylaws) The purpose of Affiliates shall be to: b. achieve legislation and regulation that is favorable to midwifery practice…
- State groups who are separately incorporated organizations MAY become the Affiliate of ACNM and maintain a separate legal status. As separate corporations, these affiliates would be responsible for their activities and finances per the State in which they are incorporated.
- The ability of state organizations to lobby would be in accordance with their incorporation status. For example, 501c 3s have significant restrictions in this area while 501c 6s are permitted to engage in legislative lobbying, but are restricted from the support of political candidates. However, members must be notified that the proportion of their dues that are used for legislative work cannot be taken as deductions on federal income tax.
- The Affiliate would have its own Bylaws, which would establish its governance system. These component Bylaws would need to be consistent with ACNM and State law. These bylaws would permit any activity that did not conflict with the overall ACNM Mission and Purposes. As the state voice for ACNM the Affiliate (language from proposed bylaws) must not be in conflict with the mission, purposes, bylaws and policies of the College.
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5. Will the Affiliate structure permit us to continue participation in our existing coalitions?
- Yes, just as national ACNM participates in coalitions, which support the overall mission and purposes of ACNM.
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6. Will the Affiliates be able to continue their fundraising activities? Will we be able to keep the $$ currently in their coffers?
- Yes. Affiliates will be able to keep and manage their current and future assets.
- Yes. Affiliates will be able to fundraise in accordance with their incorporation status.
- Affiliates will be able to set their own dues appropriate to the differing classes of national membership. The mechanism for dues collection is dependent at this time on the capability of the ACNM computer systems. Part of the transition plan would be the negotiation of how best to collect and distribute dues. Several mechanisms have been proposed.
Text of Proposed Article V Section B
Section B. Affiliates
1. Definition and purpose. Each state, territory, or federal district shall have a geographically defined organization, which shall serve as the official affiliate organization to the ACNM. An official affiliate representing midwives serving in the Uniformed Services shall also be formed. The Board of Directors shall authorize and support these official state, territory, federal district, and Uniformed Services affiliate organizations, hereafter known as Affiliates.
The purpose of Affiliates shall be to:
- promote the health and well-being of women and families in the state by furthering the profession of midwifery,
- achieve legislation and regulation that is favorable to midwifery practice,
- promote the general and specific mission and purposes of the ACNM,
d. represent official positions of the ACNM,
- inform ACNM of the needs and issues of the Affiliate, and
- provide a mechanism of support to the membership.
2. Establishment. New Affiliates may be formed only upon approval of the ACNM Board of Directors and preparation of Affiliate bylaws. Only one Affiliate is authorized by the Board of Directors for each state, territory, or federal district and for the Uniformed Services. The Affiliates may or may not be separately incorporated.
3. Authority. Each Affiliate shall have bylaws, which are not in conflict with the bylaws of the ACNM. Within these bylaws, each Affiliate shall have the authority to carry out its activities. All activities of an Affiliate must be consistent with its own bylaws, the ACNM bylaws, and the applicable documents and policies of the College. An Affiliate shall be prohibited from any activities or actions that cause ACNM to be legally or financially bound to agreements or other relationships without the ACNM Board’s approval.
4. Conformity with ACNM. The ACNM Bylaws Committee shall have the authority to review the bylaws of each Affiliate for consistency with the ACNM bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to ensure compliance with all requirements, and ACNM documents and policies.
5. Responsibilities. Each Affiliate shall be responsible for:
- maintaining its bylaws to ensure proper operation and continued compliance with the ACNM Bylaws and all applicable policies.
- maintaining communication with its Regional Representative and with the Affiliate’s individual members and subgroup(s), if applicable.
6. Membership. Membership in the College constitutes membership in the appropriate ACNM Affiliate, according to the primary address provided by the member or by member choice, consistent with ACNM policies. Membership is limited to members of the national organization.
7. Dues, Fees, and Assessments. The governing body of each Affiliate shall be permitted to establish membership fees consistent with its activities, and to raise funds for specific projects independently of those dues, so long as the activities are not in conflict with the policies and purposes of ACNM.
8. Use of ACNM Intellectual Property. Affiliates shall use ACNM names, trademarks, logos, symbols, and other intellectual property in a manner that is consistent with applicable law, the ACNM Bylaws, and all applicable ACNM policies.
9. Subgroups. ACNM members may form subgroups within Affiliates to meet their needs at the local level. These subgroups shall be organized by geographic area within the state, territory, and federal district Affiliates, and by branch within the Uniformed Services Affiliate. The activities of the subgroups must not be in conflict with the mission, purposes, bylaws and policies of the College and the Affiliate within which they are formed.
10. Dissolution. The Board of Directors retains the sole and exclusive authority to approve, deny, suspend, or dissolve any official affiliate organization by revocation or non-renewal of its bylaws or other appropriate process for specific cause.
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