Frequently Asked Questions on Article V: Structure
Affiliate Formation and Structure
- How do we get from the current chapter structure to the state Affiliate/subgroup structure if the bylaws are passed?
- If there is one chapter in our state, do we also have to form a state Affiliate?
- If there are multiple chapters in the state do they have to form an umbrella state Affiliate?
- How will you determine which of the current chapters will become the Affiliate?
- What if a current Chapter or statewide midwifery organization does not want to be part of the state Affiliate?
- Has there been some discussion with the independent state organizations in NY, TX, PA and CA?
- Could special interest groups become Affiliates?
- What will be the name of the Affiliate? Does the name have to be consistent?
- Does “Affiliates may or may not be separately incorporated” mean that two states could jointly incorporate?
- How will State Affiliates and subgroups relate and be coordinated?
- Do Affiliate subgroups have to be called Chapters?
- Does only the state Affiliate interface with national?
- How will the Uniformed Services Affiliate deal with the requirement of maintaining communication with its Regional Representative?
- Will the bylaws of the state Affiliate deal with the decision to dissolve itself?
Membership and Dues
- Can you be a member of more than one Affiliate?
- Are we mandating that national members have to be Affiliate members, which would require them to pay Affiliate dues? Does national membership give you the right to state membership which you then pay for separately?
- Do all classes of national membership qualify you for Affiliate membership?
- Why can’t we offer a category of limited membership in the state Affiliate only? This membership category should not have the benefits of the Journal and decreased fees for national members, such as reduced registration fees for the Annual Meeting.
- What if a state Affiliate wants to have or already has non-CNM/CM members, would the ACNM prevent such membership?
- How will state Affiliate dues be collected?
- Might a member have to pay national, state Affiliate and local subgroup dues?
- Can state Affiliates raise money for lobbying efforts?
- Will current Chapters keep their current assets?
Partner Organizations
- Why is the section on partner organizations included in the bylaws?
Affiliate Formation and Structure
Q: How do we get from the current chapter structure to the state Affiliate/subgroup structure if the bylaws are passed?
A: This will be a process that occurs over time. The most important piece will be for the members of each state to decide how the Affiliate/subgroup structure can best meet the unique needs of their state. Starting suggestions, sample bylaws, and other resources for members will be provided. The ACNM Region Representatives, Bylaws Committee and national office will be working to provide the administrative support you need to make this transition.
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Q: If there is one chapter in our state, do we also have to form a state Affiliate?
A: No. The chapter can become the state Affiliate.
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Q: If there are multiple chapters in the state do they have to form an umbrella state Affiliate?
A: No, their other option would be to choose for one of the chapters to become the state Affiliate.
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Q: How will you determine which of the current chapters will become the Affiliate?
A: The Chapters in the state will need to collectively agree on how to form the state Affiliate. They may decide that one of the current Chapters will become the Affiliate, or they may want to form the state Affiliate with representation from each of the current Chapters. The structure and relationships between the state Affiliate and the local subgroups can be negotiated within the state to meet the unique state and local needs.
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Q: What if a current Chapter or statewide midwifery organization does not want to be part of the state Affiliate?
A: Having ACNM state Affiliates in no way precludes other midwifery groups from forming or keeping their own organizations, with their own agendas and goals for state or local areas. However, organizations that are not state Affiliates or local subgroups will not be representing ACNM and cannot claim to be the official voice of ACNM in their state. There can only be one ACNM Affiliate per state.
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Q: Has there been some discussion with the independent state organizations in NY, TX, PA and CA?
A: Yes. Invitations for membership in the Subcommittee on Structure were extended to representatives from all four of those states and organizations. Three (NY, TX, and CA) of the independent state organizations had representation on the Subcommittee.
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Q: Could special interest groups become Affiliates?
A: No. Special interest groups will organize within the volunteer structure of the College.
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Q: What will be the name of the Affiliate? Does the name have to be consistent?
A: One suggestion for naming the Affiliates is to use the designations ACNM-state (e.g., ACNM-MI for Michigan), ACNM-territory (e.g., ACNM-PR for Puerto Rico), and ACNM-Uniformed Services (ACNM-US). If the current independent state organizations become the state Affiliates, they could elect to use their current name as their business name to keep their name recognition. For example, the state Affiliate for New York’s ACNM name would be ACNM-NY, but the members could choose to keep NYSALM as their business name.
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Q: Does “Affiliates may or may not be separately incorporated” mean that two states could jointly incorporate?
A: No. It means that Chapters may become state Affiliates, whether or not they are already incorporated. It also means that state Affiliates may choose whether or not to be separately incorporated.
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Q: How will State Affiliates and subgroups relate and be coordinated?
A: The subgroups will be formed within the state Affiliates. The subgroups will be organized by geographic area within the state Affiliates and by branch within the Uniformed Services Affiliate. The subgroups must comply with the bylaws and policies of the Affiliate within which they reside. All remaining aspects of relationships and coordination may be determined by the state Affiliates and local subgroups. For example, some state Affiliates may choose to have a board of representatives from each local subgroup.
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Q: Do Affiliate subgroups have to be called Chapters?
A: No. The bylaws do not specify what the subgroups will be called. The names will be determined by the state Affiliates and their local subgroups. We anticipate that many current Chapters will desire to retain their Chapter name, and that is fine.
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Q: Does only the state Affiliate interface with national?
A: Communication between the ACNM national office, Board of Directors, state Affiliates, and local subgroups is essential for the organization’s success. The flow of communication is part of the process that will be worked out as the state Affiliates and local subgroups become defined and organized. Communication must occur in two directions: upward from the membership through the subgroups and Affiliates to the ACNM Board of Directors and national office then downward through those same channels.
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Q: How will the Uniformed Services Affiliate deal with the requirement of maintaining communication with its Regional Representative?
A: All Affiliates (which include the state, territory, federal district, and Uniformed Services Affiliates) will be assigned to a Region Representative and be included in the membership voting for that region representative.
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Q: Will the bylaws of the state Affiliate deal with the decision to dissolve itself?
A: Yes
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Membership and Dues
Q: Can you be a member of more than one Affiliate?
A: No. Most members will belong to the Affiliate of the state in which they reside. Members who live in one state and work in a different state may choose which of those two state Affiliates they wish to join. However, members should consider that one of the primary purposes of the Affiliates is to influence legislation and regulation and that a person is a political constituent in the state of residence. Uniformed Services members will need to choose if they wish to belong to the state Affiliate where they reside or if they wish to belong to the Uniformed Services Affiliate.
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Q: Are we mandating that national members have to be Affiliate members, which would require them to pay Affiliate dues? Does national membership give you the right to state membership which you then pay for separately?
A: The bylaws are intentionally broad on this issue in order to allow for flexibility and change. There are two options. The first would be for membership in ACNM to give members the right, but not a mandate, to join an Affiliate. The advantage of this option is that Affiliate dues wouldn’t keep midwives from joining ACNM because they couldn’t join both ACNM and the Affiliate. The disadvantage would be the potential to reduce Affiliate membership because ACNM members might choose not to join the Affiliate. This would decrease the potential effectiveness of the Affiliates. The other option would be for Affiliate membership to be mandatory for ACNM members. This option would ensure Affiliate membership but might cause midwives who can’t afford both ACNM and Affiliate dues to not join either organization.
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Q: Do all classes of national membership qualify you for Affiliate membership?
A: Yes, and we expect that the Affiliates will set their own dues appropriate to the differing classes of national membership.
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Q: Why can’t we offer a category of limited membership in the state Affiliate only? This membership category should not have the benefits of the Journal and decreased fees for national members, such as reduced registration fees for the Annual Meeting.
A: 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. We plan to look at dues payment plans and other creative ways to make paying dues easier for those with limited incomes. Members may also choose between active and associate classes of membership when evaluating what they can afford.
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Q: What if a state Affiliate wants to have or already has non-CNM/CM members, would the ACNM prevent such membership?
A: Not as long as these Affiliate members were also members of ACNM. They would be eligible to join ACNM as Associate members. The Affiliates could determine eligibility for their own classes of membership.
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Q: How will state Affiliate dues be collected?
A: There are a number of ways this could be done, and a final decision has not been made. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. All the state Affiliates will need to use the same method. Options for dues collection include:
- Each state Affiliate could determine the amount of its dues. National could collect national and state Affiliate dues and rebate the Affiliate portion to the states. Advantage: The state Affiliates would not have to collect dues or verify national membership which would decrease administrative work at the state level. Disadvantage: Preparing national dues statements that would vary according to the member’s state Affiliate could be time consuming.
- National dues could be increased then a uniform amount could be refunded to the Affiliates. State Affiliates could impose additional dues for their members. Advantages: The state Affiliate dues might be lower and they could set and collect any additional fees. It might provide better cash flow to the Affiliates. Calculation of dues would be uniform for the national office. Disadvantage: State Affiliates who impose additional dues would be put in a difficult position if there are national members who do not pay the additional Affiliate dues.
- The state Affiliates could collect their dues directly. Advantage: The Affiliates would have the autonomy of setting and collecting their own dues. Disadvantage: Collecting dues and verifying national membership would increase administrative work at the state level.
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Q: Might a member have to pay national, state Affiliate and local subgroup dues?
A: Yes, if the local subgroup chooses to set dues and the member chooses to belong to the local subgroup.
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Q: Can state Affiliates raise money for lobbying efforts?
A: Yes
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Q: Will current Chapters keep their current assets?
A: YES! You earned those assets, and they are yours to do with as you choose.
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Partner Organizations
Q: Why is the section on partner organizations included in the bylaws?
A: This part of the bylaws allows organizations to have a formal affiliation with ACNM. The Midwifery Business Network (MBN, formerly the Service Director’s Network) and the Directors of Midwifery of Midwifery Education (DOME) want to pursue partner relationships with ACNM, and this section allows for that and for other organizations to do the same in the future.
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