Value of Being a Chapter

Value of Being an APRA Chapter

Networking
Professional Development
Chapter Support
Web Site Coverage
Lists and Mailing Labels
Advisory Council
Activities at Conference

Networking with Peers

One of the greatest resources for professional and personal development is networking with peers in advancement research. You gain new information on state-of-the-art technology, access to others’ experiences and knowledge, and the opportunity to broaden your insights.

Professional Development

Chapter meetings and activities bring continuing education opportunities closer to home, providing a bridge between APRA’s annual conferences.

Chapter Support

As an APRA chapter, your local network is linked to a larger international network of research professionals.

APRA provides the following services at no cost:

APRA’s 501(c)(6) group exemption (extended to your chapter after you complete the required paperwork and are in compliance with APRA’s guidelines)
Liability insurance for all chapter officers and directors
Assistance with conference or meeting liability insurance when facilities require it
Information sharing and guidance from APRA Marketing & Membership Services directors
A quarterly list of new APRA members in your area
Assistance in obtaining an official Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
Assistance in completing the Articles of Incorporation required by the State of Illinois
Completion of the Illinois Secretary of State Annual Report renewal forms each year to keep your chapter status current

APRA Web Site Coverage of Chapter Events

Information about each chapter is maintained on its own separate pages on the APRA Web site. APRA lists chapter presidents, membership contact and dues information and the latest news about chapter events. Chapter information is updated on an as-needed basis. Chapters should forward updated information to APRA headquarters. This will ensure that APRA International is aware of any changes and that the information is posted to the appropriate area on the Web site. In addition, APRA chapters may select volunteers to maintain their chapter pages on the APRA International Web site. If your chapter would like to have a designated Web site volunteer, contact Ben Barclay, APRA Membership & Operations Coordinator.

Membership Lists and Mailing Labels

Chapters may request membership lists and mailing labels at any time from APRA headquarters. APRA’s mailing labels for your area may be used in a recruitment mailing for your chapter to increase membership. Mailing to a broader area by requesting mailing labels for those areas can help you reach a broader audience when marketing educational programs. The cost for labels is $0.15 per label. There is no charge for membership lists.

The APRA Advisory Council

The APRA Advisory Council is comprised of the APRA chapter presidents. The Council provides a forum to voice chapter questions and concerns directly to APRA board members and to hear about APRA policies from the Marketing & Membership Services directors. Each chapter president is a member of the Council, which meets at the APRA International Conference each year. Chapter presidents and other key chapter leaders receive an e-mail from APRA International at least six times a year to keep them abreast of important information, due dates and resources.

Chapter Activities at the APRA International Conference

Chapter Meetings: Each year at the international conference, APRA will facilitate a meeting place for chapters wishing to draw together chapter members in attendance at the conference. APRA will also promote the meeting in the conference’s daily newsletter and in other conference materials.

Chapter Recognition: The Marketing & Membership Services director who coordinates chapter development plans a chapter celebration or recognition event for each conference.

Chapter Leadership Training: The Marketing & Membership Services directors hold leadership training for chapter presidents and other chapter leaders prior to the conference.