Chapter Services Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How are new chapters established?

A: New chapters are typically established when there is an identified need based upon the level of interest expressed by professionals in a certain geographic area. This may be a group of individuals or local companies.

Q: How do I get started?

A: Contact the Chapter Services Director at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Q: What are steps in the process to establish a chapter in my area?

A: Generally speaking, steps include, but are not limited to the following:

• Identifying area professionals with an interest in participation
• Holding an organizational meeting to formally establish the chapter
• Determining the ACP Chapter name
• Electing chapter officers and directors
• Establishing a chapter dues amount
• Drafting the chapter Articles of Association and Charter
• Opening a chapter bank account

Q: What are some basic requirements for Chapters?

A: An executive committee consisting of the president, treasurer and secretary should be formed and remain intact throughout the chapter’s existence. In addition, certain reporting, financial administration, and other operational guidelines or requirements must be met to maintain compliance.

Q: What are the Executive Committee member’s duties?

A: The duties of the Executive Committee are:

President – The president is the principle executive officer for the chapter and exercises general charge over the chapter officers and directors or board. The president also acts as the primary interface between the chapter and outside organizations, as well as, ACP Corporate.

Secretary – The secretary is responsible for recording chapter activities, meeting minutes, and maintaining chapter records, e.g., Articles of Association. In the absence of the president, the secretary will have full exercise of all rights and powers.

Treasurer – the treasurer is responsible for recording all chapter financial activities, provide for the security of all chapter funds and maintaining all chapter financial records. The treasurer will also provide an annual financial statement for filing with public agencies as required to preserve ACP’s non-profit status.

Q: Are there other key positions?

A: Yes, the chapter program director is responsible for the meeting format or topics, arranging meeting logistics, e.g., speaker, and location. Ensuring that programs are designed to attract and retain members is a basic tenant to delivering value to ACP members and determining long-term chapter success.

Q: What governs a chapter's operation?

A: The ACP By-laws, Code of Ethics, and chapter Articles of Association form the basis for this governance structure. The ACP Corporate Board, as well as, associated polices and procedures provide the necessary support and guidance to a chapter and its board of directors.

Q:  What are the chapter benefits?

A. The chapter benefits are:

• Largest organization in North America of BCP professionals
• Name recognition and sustained growth
• Innovation, leadership, and influence on the growth and direction of the profession (PS-Prep)
• Corporate non-profit organization 501 (c)6 legal standing and tax protectio
• Professional web-based member services (new member & dues processing, renewals, and other reporting capabilities)
• Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance
• Standardized chapter administrative tools and resources
• Membership leads
• Speakers Bureau
• Leadership training and support
• And more!

Q: What are the chapter’s responsibilities?

A. The chapter responsibilities are:

• Hold regularly scheduled chapter meetings and notify members of those meetings in advance.
• Ensure programs reflect the diversity and needs of your chapter members.
• Hold annual elections of officers and directors and notify the ACP Corporate BAO of election results.
• Notify of chapter board personnel changes by updating the chapter information and submitting to the BAO.
• Keep good financial records including information on chapter dues and any other income or expenditures
• A source and use of funds report for each chapter must be submitted once a year to ACP Corporate CFO.
• Presidents and other board positions are encouraged to attend regularly schedule conference calls for their area of responsibility
• Ensure an audit of the chapter’s financial administration is performed annually

Q: What kind of support does ACP corporate provide to individual chapters?

A: ACP provides support to chapters in a variety of ways. As previously mentioned this is accomplished through the Corporate Director of Chapter Services. Another way is through the Presidents Council, which is comprised of each chapter president. The President’s Council meets monthly via conference call to discuss a myriad of chapter and corporate issues that have a direct impact on chapter activities and on our organization as a whole.