An Update for ASSE Chapter Leaders – Representation of and Commitments on Behalf of the Society * One of the most common questions from ASSE Chapters Leaders relates to possible representation of, and commitments on behalf of, the Society and what a chapter can say and do. What does this mean to you as a Chapter Leader? We hope this communication will give you some additional guidance addressing these issues. * The ASSE Bylaws (Article IV, Section 7) are specific on this very issue: “Regions, areas, chapters, sections and other units of the Society shall not issue resolutions or statements and not legally bind, or take official action on matters of national or international significance without approval of the Board of Directors”. The key consideration here is that since many issues concerning the safety profession are national/international in scope and since the Society's image and influence are affected significantly by how it addresses itself to these issues, representation of the Society and commitments on behalf of ASSE needs to be carefully carried out. The ASSE Society Operating Guides (SOG 2.3) provides further clarification to the Bylaws: 1. National Issues: Resolutions, statements or official actions on behalf of the Society shall be issued by the President with the concurrence of the Executive Committee, affected Council(s) and oversight by the Executive Committee. 2. Practice Specialties: Resolutions, statements or official actions on behalf of the practice specialties and without national effects may be addressed by the Vice President of Practices and Standards with the concurrence of the Council on Practices and Standards. 3. Regional Issues: Matters which are regional in scope may be addressed by the Regional Vice President with the concurrence of the Regional Operating Committee. Statewide issues are viewed as regional since they can impact more than one chapter in a state. 4. Local Issues: Local matters may be addressed by Chapter Presidents with the concurrence of the Chapter Executive Committee(s). 5. International Issues: International matters are addressed by the President and Board of Directors. Remember that no member may speak on behalf of the Society without the approval of the governing body having jurisdiction; i.e., Chapter Executive Committee, Regional Operating Committee, Area Operating Committee, Congress of Councils and Board of Directors. Regardless, the Society policies detailed in SOG 2.3 still apply. What should you do if your chapter has an issue of national or international significance you believe should addressed by the Society? You should forward the issue and any recommendations you may have to your Regional Vice‐President. He/she will then review and get the issue to the correct areas of ASSE for review and possible action. For a comprehensive understanding of ASSE guidelines, please visit:  ASSE Bylaws, specifically Article #4, Section #7 “Constituent Units”  SOG Section 2 Society Policies at http://www.asse.org/sog/sog02.php?03  SOG Section 8 COMRA at http://www.asse.org/sog/sog08.php?10  ASSE’s Officer Central website at http://www.asse.org/membersonly/ (enter Officer Central, select Chapter Administration Guide/Sitemap, select “Incorporation and Affiliate Agreement”) Developed by ASSE Chapter/Student Services, 2011