2001-2002 Governance Implementation Task Force

2001-2002 Annual Report

Summary: The Governance Implementation Task Force developed a time line for implementing the recommendations of the 2000-2001 Governance Task Force. As the first stage of this process, the task force developed Proposed Criteria for Chapter Status and Proposed Benefits. The task force also selected 13 demonstration groups to test the chapter model.

Report

The Governance Implementation Task Force was established in March 2001 to develop a plan for implementing the recommendations of the 2000-2001 Governance Task Force. The task force met July 30 and November 5, 2001. A summary of the task force's activities follows:

PROPOSED MEETING AND IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

The task force reviewed the Final Report of the 2000-2001 Governance Task Force and developed a time line for implementing the recommendations outlined in the report. A copy of the Governance Implementation Task Force Proposed Meeting and Implementation Schedule is attached (Attachment 1).

BYLAWS CHANGES

The task force reviewed changes to the American College of Healthcare Executives Bylaws that will be considered at the 2002 Council of Regents Meeting. Those changes address the following issues:

• Number of past chairmen who serve on the Nominating Committee
  
• Two-year terms for Nominating Committee members
  
• Diplomate eligibility for Nominating Committee membership
  
• Three-year terms for members of the Board of Governors
  
• At-Large positions for the Board of Governors
  
• Three-year terms for members of the Council of Regents

A marked up copy of the American College of Healthcare Executives Bylaws reflecting these changes can be found in the 2001-2002 Bylaws Committee Report.

COMMITTEES AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

The task force reviewed staff recommendations to reduce the number of ACHE standing committees.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The task force discussed the implications of making Nominating Committee positions at-large positions and determined that Nominating Committee members should continue to be elected by district. The task force recommended, however, that once elected, Nominating Committee members complete their terms, regardless of change in district. This recommendation is incorporated in the proposed changes to the American College of Healthcare Executives Bylaws to be considered at the 2002 Council of Regents Meeting.

ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL CHAPTERS

The task force discussed the vision for establishing local ACHE chapters and developed a plan for transitioning officially designated healthcare executive groups to chapters. The task force developed a list of Chapter Prototypes (Attachment 2) to ensure that ACHE tested a variety of models to ensure the viability of a chapter structure. Proposed Criteria for Chapter Status (Attachment 3) and Proposed Chapter Benefits (Attachment 4) were also developed. The criteria and benefits were sent to the presidents of all officially designated affiliated groups for review and comment. They were also sent to all Regents for discussion at Fall District Meetings.

In August, a Demonstration Group Application Form was sent to the presidents of all ACHE officially designated affiliated groups, inviting them to serve as pilots to help ACHE test and refine the chapter model before applying the structure nationally. Thirty-three groups applied to become demonstration groups; thirteen groups were selected by the task force (Attachment 5). ACHE will hold a meeting with representatives from the affiliated groups chosen to serve as demonstration groups and their area Regents in January 2002 to launch the demonstration projects.

STATUS OF WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE NETWORKS

The task force discussed options for WHENs under the new model and decided to encourage WHENs to open their membership to all affiliates and convert to chapter status.

STATUS OF REGENTS

The task force reviewed a chart delineating the role and responsibilities of members of the Board of Governors, Regents, and local chapters under the chapter model (Attachment 6). To support the conversion to chapters, the task force recommended holding the number of Regents constant through the 2003 Council of Regents Meeting, when the time line for implementing chapters will be re-evaluated. This recommendation is incorporated in the proposed changes to the American College of Healthcare Executives Bylaws to be considered at the 2002 Council of Regents Meeting.

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION AT FALL DISTRICT MEETINGS AND DEMONSTRATION GROUP APPLICANTS CONFERENCE CALL

At the November 5 meeting, the task force was provided with a summary of discussions at the Fall District Meetings as they related to the activities of the task force. The task force was also provided with a summary of the conference call held with representatives of the groups that applied to become demonstration groups. The call provided the groups with an opportunity to ask questions about the demonstration group process and share issues and concerns.

ACHE'S GOVERNANCE VISION

The task force recommended that all future communications related to the establishment of local chapters remind affiliates of the purpose of this action:

The American College of Healthcare Executives continually strives to meet affiliates' growing needs and to enhance its value to the profession. With the establishment of local chapters, ACHE will have the infrastructure to deliver networking, education, and career service opportunities on a local level. In doing so, ACHE can better address both local and national healthcare management needs, enhancing the benefits it offers to today's healthcare executives.