Purpose and Charges of the Chapter Advisory Team

The Chapter Advisory Team functions as a vital link between chapters and the National office, ensuring effective communication between the AACN Board of Directors, National office and local chapters on pressing issues chapters face. Advisors are volunteers who have expert knowledge on chapter issues and trends in their regions of the country and are well informed about what is happening at the National level and how that affects chapters. They directly support chapters and chapter leaders in a number of important ways.

  1. Advisors serve as an AACN liaison and spokesperson to AACN chapters and leaders in the region, including supporting and being knowledgeable about AACN initiatives such as Beacon, Certification and Healthy Work Environments
  2. Advisors establish ongoing mechanisms for communication with chapter presidents and other chapter leaders within their region
  3. Advisors work in partnership with AACN staff to identify individual chapter strengths and needs
  4. Advisors develop and mentor local chapter leaders for future chapter and National leadership roles
  5. Advisors collaborate with AACN staff to plan the Chapter Leadership Development Workshop held annually as an NTI pre-conference
Workload and timeline

Chapter Advisors serve 2-year terms. The Chapter Advisors currently being sought will have terms beginning July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.

  1. If available, participate in Chapter Advisor Orientation conference call on July 26, 3-5pm PST.
  2. If available, travel to a Chapter Advisor Orientation meeting. This meeting is scheduled for August 24-25, 2007.
  3. Must be available to attend the Leadership Development Workshop at NTI on Sunday, May 4, 2008 in Chicago and Sunday, May 17, 2009 in New Orleans.
  4. Must be able to travel throughout the region you serve.
  5. Must be able to participate in 3-4 conference calls a year.
  6. Must be able to effectively manage communications with chapters, officers and other key stakeholders.
Volunteer Qualifications
  1. Current AACN membership
  2. At least one year experience as a chapter officer
  3. Knowledgeable in chapter governance, chapter issues and AACN key initiatives
  4. Strong communication skills
  5. Ability to collaborate with others
  6. Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the area of work to be accomplished by the group, including currency in acute and critical care nursing practice and awareness of trends in the nursing profession
  7. Ability to fulfill commitments within agreed-upon timeframes.
Technical Capabilities

Regular access to e-mail and the internet.

If you have any questions regarding this e-mail, volunteer appointments, or volunteer opportunities, you may contact Tracey Van Dell at (800) 394-5995, ext. 415 or e-mail her at tracey.vandell@aacn.org.