How To Become an Affiliated Chapter

The purpose of affiliated chapters of the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy is to provide an organized structure at the local, state, regional and international level for members of the society and others in the field of patient advocacy to address problems of mutual interest; to conduct educational programs; to serve as a resource to related healthcare associations; to enhance communication between the Society and its affiliated chapters; and to promote the purpose of, and membership in, the Society.

Chapter Requirements for Affiliation

1. Complete, sign, and submit the Affiliation Agreement
2. Submit current bylaws to shca@aha.org
3. Submit chapter membership roster and list of officers submitted as Excel or Word file on December 1, or other mutually agreed upon deadline
4. Chapter President must be a SHCA member
5. The Chapter is to maintain a minimum of ten percent (10%) membership in SHCA
6. SHCA (shca@aha.org) is included in the chapter electronic member communications 
7. Chapter promotes SHCA national benefits at regional/annual meetings by providing a resource table and/or Society update

SHCA Affiliation Benefits – Ongoing

1. 1 complimentary SHCA membership (to be used for the membership of the Chapter President or other Chapter Leader)
2. Chapter President contact information posted on www.shca-aha.org
3. Chapter news and events posted on the Education Calendar quarterly newsletter, SHCA News (published as events are submitted)
4. Invitation for officers to attend the Chapter Development Meeting held in conjunction with the SHCA Annual Conference
5. Annual Conference discount: If one person from your chapter registers for the Annual Conference at the full rate, all subsequent colleagues from the same chapter may register at a $100 discount. Member and nonmember rates apply. To take advantage of this offer contact the SHCA National Office at (312) 422-3700 or shca@aha.org and refer to the ‘colleague rate’.

AHA/PMG Affiliation Relationship Description PowerPoint
Presented in January 2012 by Elizabeth Summy, Vice President of the AHA Personal Membership Groups and Paula Goedert, Esquire, Barnes & Thornburg, LLP

SHCA Affiliation Benefits – Upon Request
(*To access any of these benefits, you must contact SHCA directly at shca@aha.org.)

1. Chapter event resource package for use in event raffle or professional library
2. Access to SHCA Board Member visits at chapter events (SHCA has limited funds to support conferences. Invitations will be reviewed and accepted on a first come-first served basis. SHCA leadership may be able to meet via teleconference to provide a SHCA update)
3. Access to SHCA education programs to be offered at chapter events, such as the SHCA Domains of Practice Certificate Program module series
4. Up to 2 chapter promotions sent by SHCA via email to all SHCA members in the appropriate region or state (text copy provided by chapter)
5. Access to purchase discounted membership mailing labels (Chapter price $150 – regular price $500)