Chapters fall meeting season is here with some of our chapters hosting their meetings starting as early as September. We know you have spent much of your summer planning and prepping for everything that needs to happen before your members step foot into the conference room. Most chapters will hold their board, membership, or business meetings prior to their educational meetings as well. This is also an ideal time for your chapter's finance committee to meet face-to-face. As many of you know, chapters are required to have a finance committee as part of the rebate requirements. This is required as it adds another layer of transparency and oversight to your chapter financial management and best practices. Below are some tips on how to make best use of your finance committee.

Committee Composition – As stated in the volunteer handbook, the committee should consist of, at a minimum, two board members and two non-board members. Ideally, your non-board members have experience with financial and/or budget management. The president-elect shall determine membership of this committee.

Committee Responsibilities – The finance committee is responsible for overseeing the financial activities of the chapter. They should review banking/financial statements, proposed budgets, and all other financial reports to ensure the chapter is practicing sound financial management and following chapter policies and procedures.

Meeting Frequency – The finance committee should meet quarterly to discuss regular business or as needed if an issue arises. Like any other board or committee meeting, minutes should be recorded and distributed to committee members as well as the board of directors. Also like the chapter board or committees, a quorum (2/3 of the committee) must be present in order to approve motions or take action. Consider using UberConference or FreeConferenceCall for the times when the committee is not able to meet face-to-face.

The following rebate requirements are due on September 15. If your chapter has not submitted these items in order to receive the (second) rebate, please do so by the deadline.

• Signed Affiliate Agreement
  All board members should review the agreement prior to the president signing and submitting the agreement.


• Proof of Attendance of ANFP Leadership Session
  Please submit proof of attendance of an ANFP chapter leadership course, session, chat, etc. It can include the chapter best practices sessions that took place at the spring regionals or at the Annual Conference & Expo (ACE) in June. It can also include chapter chats from last September until August 2018, as well as the online leadership courses. Only one chapter leader from each chapter is required to provide proof. Please submit the chapter leader’s name, date, time, and name of session attended to chapters@ANFPonline.org.

Chapter Chat will take place on Tuesday, October 23, at 2:00 PM CT. We will discuss how to improve our current volunteer skills and learn new skills using automation and/or teaching.

Chapter Chat is a platform that allows us to directly engage with other volunteer leaders throughout the country. We encourage chapter leaders to participate and share their experiences, challenges, and best practices during this time, as each of us can benefit from these discussions.

Chapter Chat: Automation vs. Teaching: Maximizing Current Volunteer Skills and Learning New Skills
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/914291621

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679
United States: +1 (571) 317-3116

Access Code: 914-291-621

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With so many ways to get in touch with our members and other chapter leaders, we want to be sure we ‘connect the dots’ of communication and social media for our members and prospective members.

For the chapters that use social media, make sure your accounts are linked to the ANFP website and vice versa. Social media icons are located on the ‘About Our Chapter’ page on each of our chapter websites. If the social media account is linked on the chapter website, members are able to share this information directly from the ‘About Our Chapter’ page and gain access to the chapter’s social media accounts from one place.

The same goes for those chapters using apps for chapter meetings or otherwise. Most apps will allow you to link various social media accounts to the app.

Also, be sure that your social media accounts have your chapter’s website information. This allows communication or access to contact information to go both ways. Please send your social media page information to chapters@ANFPonline.org.

Thank you to those who were able to join on us for a special Chapter Chat on Tuesday, August 14. We discussed the new chapter fundraising policies. These are important policies to have in place as they protect you, as individual chapter leaders, and the entire organization, from personal liability. Additionally, these policies ensure that we are transparent with our members and those companies or individuals that choose to donate to our organization. Most importantly, these policies ensure we are following the requirements of a 501c6 per the IRS. Below is more information about the policies.

Personal Liability
Many of our chapters hold raffles, bingo nights, or host other charitable gaming activities at their meeting for purposes of fundraising. However, if the proper documentation is not secured or filed for this activity, chapter leaders may be held personally liable for knowingly participating in charitable gaming without a license, which could result in criminal or civil penalties. Check with your state’s department of revenue or comptroller to learn more about the requirements of charitable gaming.

Transparency
We are asking chapters to include a statement on their fundraising/donation forms disclosing ANFP’s tax exempt classification which explains that ANFP chapters are established as 501c6 organizations. They are not charitable organizations. This ensures we are entirely transparent with our donors and they are fully aware of our tax-exempt status. This will also ensure they report their donations or contributions on their filings correctly. The disclaimer should state: No funds paid or gifts donated to an ANFP chapter may be deducted as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes.

IRS Requirements
Chapters also need to be sure they are reporting all funds, on their 990s annually. This is a requirement of the IRS for 501c6 organizations, such as ANFP and their chapters. To learn more about what a 501c6 and the difference, from a charitable organization, please click here. Additionally, we are asking chapters to disclose total funds raised, in year-end (May 31) summary submitted to National. As we do not have access to chapter’s full filing, we want to be sure they are filing accurately as there are consequences for not claiming funds, including the possibility of felony charges.

Grants
Grants are another way for your chapter to raise funds. If your chapter is applying for a grant, whether its private, federal, or state, inquire with the donor on their policy regarding applicant requirements and ensure the chapter is eligible for the grant. Inform the donor ahead of time and tell them we are a 501c6 organization as you may find you are not eligible for the grant.

These policies have been put into place to protect our chapter leaders and organization and ensure we are transparent as either a recipient of donations or as donors ourselves. To listen to the full chapter chat program, please click here. These policies have been included in the updated Volunteer Handbook, that is available for download on ANFPConnect, Volunteer Resources, Volunteer 101.

In addition to smaller, face-to-face regionally driven, networking events, chapters may want to consider creating an online group for chapter members, to network any time.

LinkedIn offers a feature that allows members to create their own groups. These can be closed, invite-only groups (recommended) dedicated to your chapter members that will allow them to network throughout the year and continue conversations, or ask questions related to your chapter.

To learn how to create a LinkedIn group, please click here.

Chapter Chat will take place on Tuesday, August 21 at 2:00 PM CT. We will discuss how to build a better board and topics including how to conduct a call for volunteers, how to create a slate, and succession planning.

Chapter Chat is a platform that allows us to directly engage with other volunteer leaders throughout the country. We encourage chapter leaders to participate and share their experiences, challenges, and best practices during this time, as each of us can benefit from these discussions.

Chapter Chat - Building a Better Board
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/152873493

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679
United States: +1 (571) 317-3116

Access Code: 152-873-493

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All rebate requirements are now past due. The following items were to be submitted by July 15. If your chapter has not submitted these items in order to receive the rebate, please do so as soon as possible.

• Officers entered in chapter portal for future volunteer year (June 1 - May 31). (Officers must be entered each year regardless of length of term.) For directions on how to add current officers, click here. here.
• Fall Meeting Date entered in chapter portal
• 990 filed and E-receipt submitted
• Bi-Annual Chapter Report
• Finance Committee established (consists of a minimum, two board members and two non-board members)

Summer is always a busy time. Vacations, family reunions, children's activities, or simply finding time to relax and enjoy the season keeps us busy all summer long. In addition to our personal commitments, we also have our jobs and dedicate time to keep up with continuing education and expanding our professional network. With limited availability, your chapter may want to consider hosting small, micro-meetings or events throughout the state. This allows members to continue networking and stay engaged throughout times when a full day meeting is not always possible. Consider hosting meetings and events in areas where there is a higher concentration of members or convenient such as:

Roundtables
Roundtables are quick, easy way to exchange information and ideas and can take place over breakfast or lunch. Give members the chance to focus on one topic and share their experiences based on the topic. For example, Association Forum often holds lunch-and-learns, where members bring their lunch to a designated meeting space/venue and discuss various topics related to association management.

Speed networking
Like speed dating, every member spends a couple of minutes getting to know each other, or discussing a specific topic allowing everyone the opportunity to meet or speak with one another. Have members discuss a recent achievement, whether it was personal or professional, or some initiatives they would like to see the chapter implement (take notes!). This exercise could be used as an ice-breaker at chapter meetings as well.

Evening Events
Like roundtables, consider networking with other members over a casual dinner or drinks. While this can be a more social or relaxed atmosphere, remember to keep members focused on topics related to the industry. An evening event may be more convenient for members as well.

Remember to invite industry partners, colleagues, administrators, non-members and students so they can get a ‘taste’ of your ANFP chapter.

Chapter Chat will take place on Tuesday, June 19 at 2:00 PM CT. We will be conducting a new chapter leader orientation/training for all those that are new to chapter leadership or for those that need a refresher.

Chapter Chat is a platform that allows us to directly engage with other volunteer leaders throughout the country. We encourage chapter leaders to participate and share their experiences, challenges, and best practices during this time, as each of us can benefit from these discussions.

Chapter Chat - Chapter Board Member Orientation/Training
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/133808077

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States (Toll Free): 1 866 899 4679
United States: +1 (669) 224-3319

Access Code: 133-808-077

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ANFP ACE 2018 was a wonderful way to kick-off the new volunteer year! Thank you to those who attended the meeting in Orlando! We hope many more will be able to join us in St. Louis, MO next year from June 20-23, 2019. Below are just a few highlights from the meeting.

Chapter Awards

Congratulations to our many chapters that received awards! Chapters were recognized for their hard work at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, June 2. Awards included Communications, Government Affairs, Membership, and the State Chapter Award. Additionally, the 10 Diamond Award nominees (Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wyoming) and the top three finalists were (Iowa, Minnesota, and North Carolina) were announced.

Diamond Award

The Honors Gala was a wonderful evening where many members were honored for their contributions and achievements. One of the honorees included the North Carolina ANFP chapter and President Omar Humes, CDM, CFPP, as the recipient of the prestigious Diamond Award. Congratulations to all our award recipients! For a full list of our award recipients and to learn more about the ANFP Awards, please click HERE.

Chapter Best Practices

Chapter Best Practices took place on Saturday, June 2, with a packed room of volunteer leaders. Over lunch, each roundtable presenter shared one of their chapter's most successful initiatives and best practices. Topics discussed were related to communication with technology, advocating for the credential, the ROOTS initiative, a chapter mentoring program, and combined chapter meetings. It led to a very engaging discussion among those that attended. Chapter volunteers and leaders left the session inspired and full of unique ideas to bring back to their chapters. For those who attended, keep the conversation going and share what you learned on the Chapter Volunteer Leaders Forum!

Networking Opportunities

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of attending ACE is the networking. ACE offers an unparalleled opportunity to network among CDMs, volunteer leaders, vendors, and industry experts. The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, Opening Reception, Chapter Best Practices, and Honors Gala allowed attendees to relax, chat, and network with other members that they may have not had the opportunity to meet, had they not attended ACE.

Thank you again to all who attended. We hope the education and networking opportunities prove to be invaluable during the year. We hope you will be able to join us in St. Louis in 2019 along with other chapter members that were not able to attend this year.