Celebrating 20 Years of the ACHE-Chapter Partnership

 

In 2003, ACHE embarked on a vison to ensure that every member could benefit from having ACHE benefits close to home. By 2004, ACHE had brokered the first 60 independently chartered chapters. It was the beginning of what we now know to be a vibrant network of 76 chapters. The chapters are evidence that leadership, just like healthcare, is local. Chapters fill a vital role in our field by giving healthcare leaders local options to develop their skills, give back and inspire future leaders of our profession.

The strength and value of this network has grown exponentially in 20 years. In 2004, chapters hosted 311 total events, drawing about 12,000 attendees and covering roughly 34,000 attendee hours. In 2023, chapters offered nearly 1,500 events, with about 90,000 participants and covering 340,000 attendee hours—265,000 hours of which were education. During this time, the number of Members and Fellows has grown 44%. Chapters have also contributed to broadening the leadership ranks, increasing the multiple dimensions of the richness of our leadership community. Equally compelling are the countless relationships that are the product of chapter events and networking. Indeed, our local communities remind us of the passion, energy and commitment of ACHE.

What’s also compelling is that chapters provide opportunities for everyone …

• For senior leaders, it’s a chance to tell your personal story or showcase a promising innovation.
• For those new to our profession—whether clinical or nonclinical in practice—it’s a time to learn about your local market.
• For early careerists, it’s an opportunity to gain leadership experience by volunteering for an event or a committee.
• For students, it’s a door that can open to a whole new career—a learning opportunity about the rewards of our profession.

Chapters also help members become stronger leaders, give back and support their own community through volunteering. For example, chapter officer and committee positions provide firsthand experience and recognition as a local leader. Serving as faculty for a chapter panel discussion provides an opportunity to help educate others while making new relationships. Raising your hand to help manage or coordinate a chapter-sponsored community service day offers the chance to contribute to a good cause wherever you are. The built-in networking these activities feature is yet another benefit, for senior leaders and emerging executives alike.

Perhaps the most rewarding component of the chapter evolution is the collaboration it represents. From the Board to the Regents to the local volunteers to the staff, together we have a partnership that fosters and strengthens this community. Nearly 1,900 chapter volunteers selflessly share their expertise, time and talent to help others learn, grow and connect at the local level—and we thank each of you.

Building on this collaboration will be key to our future success. For the Board’s part, we are committed to ensuring this partnership strengthens and grows. While much is important, the following priorities will serve as our guide:

• To collaborate to provide meaningful membership experiences while advancing our mutual vision and goals to help leaders reach their highest potential to lead.
• To provide leading-edge content and support to chapters to help leaders grow and learn.
• To invest in best-in-class solutions to minimize risk, ensure compliance and address any identified administrative burdens for busy volunteers.

As we celebrate the success of chapters, we recognize there is more all of us can do. We look forward to our continued partnership with chapters, so that together we can leverage our strengths to realize the vison of adding value to the ambitions of every leader to advance themselves and their organizations.

We know many ACHE members have yet to discover the value of their local chapter. If you are not already involved in yours, I encourage you to find ways to take part. Doing so helps us advance as leaders and makes our ACHE community stronger. s

Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE, is president/CEO of the American College of Healthcare Executives (dbowen@ache.org).