Chapter Position Descriptions

Basic Role
The role of the chapter president is to oversee the administration and general functions of the chapter, and to delegate duties when possible. The role and functions of the president for each chapter will differ based on the size and needs of your local chapter's membership.

Specific Responsibilities

• Attend the annual RMA Chapter Leaders Conference in June, prior to assuming office. If president cannot attend the conference, then he or she should appoint a suitable replacement (such as vice president or past president).
• Hold a planning meeting, prior to August 1, to finalize your STAR report for the year, set out objectives for the coming year, establish a calendar of events, and set up committees and chairpersons for the year.
• Schedule your board meetings for the year. Preside over all meetings and provide a written agenda before each one. Provide all meeting dates and minutes to your RMA Regional Manager.
• Ensure all taxes are paid, the bylaws updated, and the chapter's legal obligations met.
• At various times during the year, review the STAR report to ensure that you are accomplishing the goals and objectives that you set out.
• Submit the STAR reporting form for your chapter to RMA HQ at the end of your term.
• Make sure to hand over all chapter documents and records to your successor (e.g. bylaws) to ensure a smooth transition.

Other activities the president may do

• Oversee committees, especially in planning and executing program activities.
• Visit member institutions of the chapter, when necessary, to thank their senior officers for supporting RMA, or to ask for stronger support if needed.
• Communicate with Senior Associates to let them know that they are important and to communicate your chapter activities.
• Acknowledge and thank chapter officers, directors, and other individuals who've contributed to your chapter throughout the year. You could send letters to their superiors, or hand out awards, gifts, etc.

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Chapter Vice President

Basic Role
The chapter vice president is the chapter's second officer who serves as the president's backup. The chapter vice president has all the president's responsibilities, is a member of the Long-range Planning Committee, and is responsible for supporting all the committees in their endeavors. He or she is in charge of forming the audit committee and overseeing board succession.

Specific Responsibilities

• Assist the chapter president in leading the chapter.
• Ensure the committees and the board work toward their vision and goals.
• Work to fulfill the chapter's mission statement.
• Be prepared to take over the president's roles and duties at any time, and to make appearances when the president is not available.
• Oversee and monitor the work of the committees.
• Provide assistance to committees as necessary.
• Attend all board meetings and as many chapter functions as possible. If necessary appoint replacements.
• Make sure the president's plaque is ordered for the current chapter president.
• Attend chapter officer meetings with the president, secretary, and treasurer on a regular basis to discuss and recommend goals and objectives for the chapter.
• Initiate and run the pre-planning meeting and the annual planning meeting for the upcoming year. Meet with the current president, the board, and the Long-range Planning Committee to identify goals for the coming fiscal year.
• Start discussions in the spring, and, if there is no nominating committee or board officer succession is not in place, slate the officers, the board, and the committee chairs for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Attend the annual RMA Chapter Leaders Conference in June, prior to assuming office. If you are unable to attend the conference, then appoint a suitable replacement.
• Chair the Long-range Planning Committee, and assume responsibility for any conference, school, large chapter event for the upcoming year.

Other activities the vice president may also do

• Actively participate in all committee meetings and assist in the development of and recommendation for ideas, topics, and speakers for chapter programs.
• Coordinate with the chapter president and visit member institutions in your chapter, when necessary, to thank their senior officers for their support of RMA or to ask for their support if it has not been strong.
• Communicate with Senior Associates to let them know that they are important and to communicate your chapter activities.
  

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Chapter Secretary

Basic Role
The chapter secretary is responsible for maintaining all the chapter records and important documentation (bylaws, tax identification filings, articles of incorporation, insurance filings, dues records, minutes of the board, agendas, attendance records, current tax filings, financial statements and bank account information, board rosters). The secretary will also maintain the chapter's master membership roster. The secretary interacts with RMA HQ and the RMA Regional Manager on a regular basis along with the other board officers.

Specific Responsibilities

• Collect all files and documents from the preceding secretary prior to assuming office
• Determine where to store the files, and designate someone to be a backup contact in case a chapter officer or RMA HQ requests a file.
• Attend all board meetings, or designate someone to serve as a replacement scribe for all meetings. Record minutes of all board discussions, assignments, motions, and votes.
• Prepare the minutes after each meeting, and present them for the Board's review and approval at each subsequent board meeting.
• Become familiar with Headquarters, chapter bylaws, and membership policies.
• Have new stationery printed, as needed, and make it available to all board members. (This includes letterhead, meeting notices, and agendas). In listing chapter board members and officers on the letterhead, distinguish them from any RMA HQ officials listed. Use the RMA logo on all documentation that is distributed for the chapter.
• Include the Regional Manager (RM) on your mailing and e-mail lists, and keep the RM informed of any letters or other communications sent to the chapter members. Make sure the RM knows about all chapter events and meetings.
• Try to meet all RMA HQ reporting deadlines.
• Assume responsibility for updating the STAR report and for meeting all deadlines related to the STAR report.
• Help review chapter bylaws with the board officers.
• Make all revisions to the chapter bylaws as noted by the board, and provide a copy of the revised bylaws to all officers and directors and your RMA Regional Manager.
• Maintain a copy of revised bylaws in a permanent file.
• Oversee and coordinate with the chapter administrator (if the chapter has one). Give whatever assistance and advice you can to the incoming chapter secretary. Pass on all chapter records.

Other activities that the Secretary should also consider

• Support and assist other committees, as needed.
• Assist in any mailings by any of the chapter's committees, and assist in any conference, school, or large-chapter-event planning.
• Support the Long-range Planning Committee.
  

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Chapter Treasurer

Basic Role
The chapter treasurer is responsible for monitoring and maintaining sound financial status for the chapter, keeping financial records in good order, and meeting any regulatory and legal requirements of the chapter.

Specific Responsibilities

• Obtain checking and savings account records, files, and legal documents from the person who previously served as chapter treasurer.
• Set up a financial tracking system for chapter expenses.
• Prepare and monitor the annual budget, in coordination with the board. Each officer, board member, and committee chair should estimate revenues and expenses for any and all activities where revenues and expenses are exchanged during the chapter's fiscal year.
• Collect revenues from all activities, make related disbursements, and inform the officers and directors of any concerns.
• Prepare monthly treasury reports for each officer and director to present at board meetings.
• Prepare either quarterly or annual financial statements and include a balance sheet, statement of income and expenses. At a minimum, the chapter treasurer must prepare a statement at the end of each year.
• Evaluate the need for chapter dues and, if applicable, bill and collect the dues. RMA HQ has a dues-billing service available to chapters for a modest fee, if your chapter needs assistance with collection.
• File the IRS Form 990, "Return of Organizations Exempt From Income Tax," if necessary. The chapter files this form on behalf of itself. In general, revenues must be over $25,000 from activities and dues. If the chapter hires outside administrative help, make sure the 1099's are filed on time and in accordance with IRS regulations. Chapters that need to file a tax return should obtain the services of a CPA.

Other activities the chapter treasurer should also consider

• Recommend to the board the need for backup, such as an assistant treasurer position.
• Have the chapter secretary or another board officer also maintain the checking account records.
• Make sure there are dual signers on the checking or savings accounts, and keep this up-to-date throughout the chapter year. Make sure the account complies with the bank's BSA requirements.
• Develop an accounting system and make sure that other board officers also have access to the data.
• Keep track of the chapter events, revenue, and cost in order to provide a history for future events.
  

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Chapter Board of Directors

Basic Role
The board of directors is responsible for the management and successful operation of the chapter. The board sets policies, issues guidelines, and plans appropriate activities so the chapter can provide all Associates the best possible benefits, and help RMA fulfill its mission. The board's chief objective is to make the local chapter stronger, more productive, and more visible.

Specific Responsibilities

• Attend and take an active part in all scheduled board meetings.
• Oversee any and all financial/legal matters related to the chapter, including, but not limited to, approving budgets and financial reports, and helping to keep the local unit fiscally sound.
• Ensure that the local chapter follows RMA policies and procedures because the chapter is representing RMA and using its name.
• Ensure that the local chapter supports and contributes to RMA programs and projects to the fullest extent possible.
• Determine and meet the needs of the various constituencies of the local chapter by finding out what programs and activities are needed, and then implementing them.
• Cooperate with, and participate in, efforts of the local chapter to thank local member institutions for their continued support of RMA, and to visit nonmember institutions to convince them of the benefits of belonging to RMA.
• Work with Senior Associates to encourage participation in local and Headquarters programs, and make all RMA activities more visible.
• Work with the local chapter's Communications Committee to get notices concerning the above included in the press or in banking magazines.
  

Note: Board members should be assigned specific responsibilities in one or more major areas (e.g., leadership development, programs, education, membership, etc.).

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Basic Role
The Audit Committee's main role is to determine the accuracy of the chapter's financial records compared to the chapter's actual financial condition, and to determine if the financial records are adequate and properly maintained. The Audit Committee usually conducts its audit at the end of the year.

Specific Responsibilities

• Maintain effective communication with the chapter treasurer.
• Review checks for proper signature and any unusual items.
• Trace disbursements over $100 back to supporting invoices.
• Trace entries in the cash disbursement journal back to canceled checks.
• Verify supporting documentation for beginning and ending cash figures.
• Verify collections as recorded in the cash receipts journal by checking them against bank deposits. Verify dues invoices by checking them back against the cash receipt journal and bank statements.
• Review the check register for unaccounted-for checks.
• Verify the income earned on investments and bank statements.
• Verify expenses relating to specific workshops by checking them against canceled checks.
• Verify meeting, seminar, and workshop income by checking them against cash receipts.
• Review reconciled transactions for their timeliness and accuracy.
• Submit a report to the board on the adequacy and accuracy of the chapter financial records.

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Nominating Committee Chair

Basic Role
The Nominating Committee's main duty is to nominate responsible individuals in the chapter's service area who have the characteristics listed below for leadership roles both in the local RMA chapter and at RMA Headquarters.

Specific Responsibilities

• Work with the current chapter board every February to select officers, directors, and committee chairs for the following fiscal year. The people selected to lead RMA on both local and headquarters levels should have certain characteristics:
  • Commercial lending experience (and for committee chairs, experience in the specialized area of the committee), so they can appreciate and understand the work and problems of the members.
  • Senior status within their financial institution.
  • The institution's support, since their activities in RMA will require them to spend time away from the job.
• Fill the chapter's vacant offices with imaginative people who are also "doers." Do not equate quality with number of years in RMA or in the chapter.
• Work with the chapter to identify and forward to RMA HQ any possible candidates from your chapter for leadership roles at RMA Headquarters. Each year in February and March, the Philadelphia office contacts the chapters for recommendations for RMA's second vice chair and direct nominees, and for council and committee appointees respectively.
• Be sure all nominated leaders—both locally and nationally—are RMA Associates and that they are willing and able to serve, if selected.
• Select officers, board members, and committee members that represent the diversity of your institutions and the geographic area you serve.
• Have your chair present the slate of officers at the Annual Meeting in the spring.
  
  

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Long-range Planning Committee Chair

Basic Role
This committee's main responsibility is to examine closely everything that the chapter is now doing to determine how it might be improved, or how the chapter's activities and scope of operations might be expanded.

Specific Responsibilities

• Work with the chapter officers and board to determine the specific goals that should be accomplished during the next two to three years.
• Examine everything that the chapter is doing to determine how the chapter could more effectively serve its members' needs in the future. Using the planning report as a guideline, some of the areas that the committee should consider are:
  • Organization of the chapter
  • Planning and administration
  • Educational and programming activities
  • Board diversification and other professional activities
  • Membership
  • Communications and public relations
• Submit a report to the board on the committee's findings and recommendations for improvement after examining the chapter's activities. Send a copy of the report to the Regional Manager.
  

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Programs Committee Chair

Basic Role
The chair of the Programs Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating a series of high quality general membership meetings for the chapter.

Specific Responsibilities

• Determine through a brainstorming session with the board the number and type of general membership meetings to hold during the year.
• Survey members to identify potential topics and speakers for scheduled meetings.
• Determine the focus of each meeting, the time of day to hold the program, and whether to have a joint meeting with other organizations such as CPAs.
• Develop and propose a budget for each program and provide the board a report for approval.
• Select meeting space and work with the facility on the details of the meeting, including meals, AV, setup, etc. Coordinate with speaker for any presentation needs or handouts, and display RMA
  materials at each event.
• Advertise and promote the program. (Create a flyer or other promotional piece, as needed, and select the most appropriate communication channel(s) to reach the market being targeted).
• Identify individuals to invite to the general meetings; especially members who can help recruit nonmembers in attendance. Invite all members, unless the focus is targeted to a specific group of individual members. Also, invite all nonmembers to show the benefits and value of membership in RMA and boost membership in both RMA HQ and the local chapter.
• Keep a list of attendees and share this list with the Chapter Membership Chair to keep your database up-to-date.
• Collect business cards at the meeting and hold a prize drawing of some sort in order to increase attendance, and to gather updated information for the Chapter Membership Chair.
• Remember to select a place and time for the program that is convenient for the majority of members.
• Charge member and nonmember prices for attendees when it makes sense, and remind members of their savings.
• Thank your speakers and recognize/introduce all board members in the audience.
• Solicit feedback for that day's program and ideas/suggestions for future programs through an evaluation form. You can put a form on each attendee's chair.
• Report back to the board of directors on the success of each program.

Education Committee Chair

Basic Role
The Education Committee Chair is responsible for planning and coordinating the chapter's continuing education programs. These are the formal seminars that focus on a specific topic. The chair may also have some responsibility for conferences (chapter-developed or co-sponsored with RMA Headquarters) unless a separate person has been named to assume this responsibility.

Specific Responsibilities

• Determine, in conjunction with the board of directors, the number and types of open enrollment or chapter-developed educational programs to offer. The schedule should balance the offerings based on both curriculum and geographic location.
• Review the potential offerings available through RMA Headquarters, including: WEB Seminars, Audioconferences, and the "Mentor" series of cosponsored classes that the chapter schedules and holds, but RMA teaches on its behalf.
• Select meeting space and work with facility on the details of the meeting including meals, AV, rooms, etc. Have someone present from the chapter the day of the program to introduce the speaker/instructor and provide assistance during the event.
• If there are any materials to distribute, obtain them from the speaker in advance and provide for duplication and distribution. Make sure there are RMA materials for the attendees to take with them, such as membership information or key brochures that RMA HQ includes in a product box.
• Develop a budget for the food, drink, and, if necessary, the facility costs.
• Conduct an evaluation of any chapter-developed program at the end of the meeting to determine its success and provide input for future programming.
• Report to the board of directors on the success of your programs.
• Assist in recruiting attendees for programs with low enrollment. This would very likely necessitate making phone calls to recruit additional attendees.
• Market the program in your region by mail, through e-mail, or via fax to complement RMA Headquarters' marketing efforts.

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Paper Writing Committee Chair

Basic Role
The committee's main responsibility is to plan and conduct a Paper Writing Competition, and to forward the first-place winning paper in the local competition to RMA's national Paper Writing Competition.

Specific Responsibilities

• Become familiar with the Paper Writing Competition kit, which the RMA Chapters and Membership Department will send you in October.
• Establish judging criteria and eligibility requirements for writers and papers, based on the RMA judging criteria contained in the paper writing competition kit. All personnel from RMA member banks are eligible and encouraged to participate, not just Associate Members of RMA.
• Determine with your board if the chapter should offer an incentive or award to encourage participation.
• Make sure any award recipient is properly recognized.
• Set a deadline for entries that's at least one month prior to RMA Headquarters' deadline.
• Promote and encourage participation in the chapter's competition by sending special mailings, publicizing it in the chapter's newsletters, and announcing it at chapter meetings. Use the tools provided in the competition kit to further encourage participation.
• Develop and employ a standard practice to assure all entries are received, properly handled to assure anonymity of the writer, and judged fairly.
• Appoint judges, providing them with instructions and criteria that RMA HQ will use at the national level, and assure their understanding and competency.
• Keep competitors informed. Acknowledge receipt of their papers and tell them when they may expect to learn the results of the competition.
• Advise each competitor of the results.

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Membership Committee Chair

Basic Role
The Membership Committee's responsibility is to manage the annual recruitment and retention efforts of the local RMA chapter, including the implementation of the ongoing campaign for both institutions and associates supported by the RMA HQ Chapters and Membership Department.

Specific Responsibilities

• Maintain a membership database that contains member institutions, along with data on Associate, Professional, and Student members.
• Also maintain a nonmember/prospect database. Use both the member and the nonmember databases to track attendance at events and serve as the chapter board's mailing list.
• Compare and update the list monthly with RMA Headquarters' reports, and have the local board review the database regularly.
• Carry out recruitment activities:
  • Develop a local membership recruitment campaign with activities such as: personal visits, phone calls, invitations to local programs, and a special event just for membership recruitment.
  • Distribute RMA membership kits, available from Headquarters, that highlight the benefits of membership. This may be done through a mass mailing effort, or at every chapter event, or both ways.
  • Make personal calls—together with your Regional Manager or other board members—to the senior officers of local institutions to promote and solicit RMA institutional membership.
  • Follow up one month later on all new institutional requests for information or applications.
  • Review the attendance lists of local events to identify non-associate, non-professional, and non-institutional members and send them a membership application.
  • Have a Membership Night and invite one or two individuals from each prospective institution to attend a general membership meeting at no cost.
  • Forward all institutional and associate applications received to RMA HQ or to your Regional Manager.
  • Match your efforts to the monthly membership reports received from RMA HQ. Keep a list of prospects.
  • Advise the board of any policies that should be implemented at the local level to encourage membership (such as nonmember fees, a coupon for one free general membership meeting, etc.)
• Carry out retention activities:
  • Send welcome letters to all new members and inform them of upcoming chapter activities. Invite new members to a board meeting and try to get them involved at the chapter level.
  • Greet new members at your meetings by acknowledging and thanking them for their attendance.
  • Publish the names of new members in your newsletter.
  • Survey the membership to learn what aspects of chapter membership they value most and what membership in RMA HQ offers them.
  • Join your Regional Manager on bank calls to existing members.
  • Assist the chapter president in getting letters out to the CEOs of member institutions to thank them for allowing their staff to participate in RMA activities and listing the benefits received by member institutions.
  • Assist the chapter president in getting an annual activities report out to the CEOs of member institutions, summarizing the chapter's activities during the year.
  • Encourage reinstatement to members that have not paid their annual dues or have notified Headquarters by letter they are resigning.
  • Assist in mailing and collecting local chapter membership dues.

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Senior Associates' Committee Chair

Basic Role
The committee's main responsibility is to act as a liaison to the Senior Associate Members, provide them advance notice of upcoming meetings, and encourage them to attend.

Specific Responsibilities

• Impress upon Senior Associates the chapter's awareness of their importance to RMA.
• Provide Senior Associates with information on local RMA activities.
• Encourage banks' Senior Associates to become more active in your local chapter's activities.
• Capitalize on many Senior Associates' long experience and association with RMA to motivate them to generate ideas for valuable chapter activities.
• Set up breakfast meetings or luncheons with RMA officers to give Senior Associates a better understanding of the role and function of RMA, the importance of their support to RMA, and their role as Senior Associate Members.
• Set up meetings with speakers, if appropriate. Solicit their help, when needed, in recruiting new member banks.
• Set up a program that features a panel of Senior Associates.
  

NOTE: For some local chapters, the Senior Associates for an institution are located in a different city. In that case, a Regional Associate for each institution could participate in the programs instead.

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Young Professionals Committee Chair

Basic Role
This person is responsible for the overall administration of the Young Professionals Committee (YP Committee). The YP Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating a series of high-quality meetings that are focused on the needs of chapter members who are young professionals.

Specific Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain an YP Committee.
• Become familiar with RMA's mission and products.
• Act as a liaison between the RMA chapter board and the YP committee.
• Report all initiatives of the committee to the chapter's board.
• Organize all activities with the chapter board.
• Attend the chapter planning meeting.
• Attend all chapter board meetings and general membership meetings.
• Chair a planning meeting for the YP Committee.
• Complete an YP STAR report and submit it to the local chapter board.
• Hold regular YP Committee meetings.
• Make announcements at general membership meetings to advertise the YP events.
• Network with local YPs to promote awareness of the affinity group.
• Develop and coordinate programs and organize events geared towards the needs of young professionals.
• Send acknowledgments and "thank yous" to speakers.
• Make announcements at YP events to advertise other local chapter events (e.g., general membership meetings, classes, etc.).
• Attend all YP conference calls.
• Promote RMA awareness by displaying RMA brochures.
• Encourage RMA membership.
• Administer a survey to determine needs and program preferences of YPs.
• Update your successor and pass along records.
• Publish a regular Young Professionals newsletter and/or submit articles to the local chapter's newsletter. (There is an RMA HQ template, Happenings, that is available to use for communicating with young professionals. You can customize it to make it your own.)
• Initiate cooperative relationships on joint projects and meetings with related associations

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Communication, Marketing and Recognition Chair

Basic Role
This committee ensures effective communication of the chapter's activities and other information through all of the chapter's communication channels: mail, e-mail, newsletters, marketing brochures, etc. Also, the committee develops marketing brochures for events, and assists in developing proper recognition avenues for volunteers and members within the local chapter.

Specific Responsibilities

• Work with the Membership Committee Chair to make maximum use of the database for effective mailing and e-mailing chapter communications and publications to all members as well as nonmember prospects.
• Identify a contact person with the local media (newspaper, TV, magazines) for advertising or to obtain coverage of a chapter event.
• Create a newsletter and send it out on a timely basis. Include: a listing of all the chapter activities, a letter from the chapter president, notes from RMA HQ or the chapter's Regional Manager, any RMA news, or articles of interest for members and others in the financial services community.
• Create a marketing brochure, event, or program to inform members and nonmembers about the benefits of RMA and the local chapter's offerings and activities. Consider creating a brochure to help recruit future board members.
• Develop a recognition program for chapter officers, volunteers, and members.
• Recognize all new members in the newsletters, at events, and on promotional/informational flyers.
• Develop a letter to send senior management of Institutional member banks thanking them for their chapter's support and recognizing their employees' contribution to the board.
• Reward and recognize key board members, volunteers, speakers, members, and new members at a special recognition event.

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Note: For larger chapters, this Committee can be subdivided into the following separate groups. Smaller chapters should also be doing what they can to promote the chapter in the key areas outlined below. Regional Chapters should help their local chapters with all the sections following.

Newsletter Committee Chair

Basic Role
Main responsibility is to ensure effective communication of the chapter's activities and other information through a published newsletter.

Specific Responsibilities

• Determine the frequency of your publication and the type of content and columns it will include. There is an RMA HQ chapter newsletter template available. (You can customize this to make it your own.) RMA's Chapters and Membership Department publishes a quarterly newsletter, Leadership Matters, that provides information relevant to all chapters. It is sent to chapter presidents and vice presidents.
• Recruit and solicit others to contribute articles, news items, editorials, and other items of interest to members. Be sure to allow ample time for responses, printing, and distribution of the newsletter. Set due dates for all submissions.
• Consider using outside articles, but be sure to follow the rules governing use of copyrighted material. The safest thing to do is get the author's (or publication's) written permission to reprint.
• Make the layout, design, and space attractive and eye-catching. Avoid having major unfilled spaces that might look like a mistake or oversight. Create a catchy title for the newsletter that will help it stand out for members. Furnish content that has sufficient value that members will look forward to receiving each issue.
• Have a consistent mailing list that includes members, nonmembers, and anyone else who would benefit from learning about the chapter's activities.
• Send copies of the chapter's newsletter to the RMA Regional Manager and RMA HQ.
• Place the most recent copy of your newsletter on the registration table at all local chapter meetings.
• If the chapter chooses to enter the RMA HQ Newsletter Contest, complete the application by the due date and submit copies of your newsletter as required.

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Marketing and Promotion
This person is responsible for creating the promotional pieces for all chapter activities and ensuring that the membership is informed of these activities on a timely basis.

Specific Responsibilities

• Design a promotional flyer for each event, course, or other offering that includes complete information, such as title, a catchy description of the topics to be covered, speaker or panelists and their bios, who the program was designed for, the registration fees, and a registration mechanism.
• Maintain (or work with the person who maintains) the mailing list to ensure that the promotional notices are distributed on a timely basis, allowing individuals enough time to plan their attendance and register.
• Coordinate the printing and mailing of the flyers. Create and use an e-mail distribution list to send flyers to each Associate Member rather than relying on others to distribute your promotional material. Bulk distribution should be a secondary means of notification.
• Identify additional mailing lists or sources of potential attendees for the chapter's programs. Ensure that there are additional flyers available for distribution at all local chapter meetings and for circulation by active members. Use other direct mail and faxes as helpful tools in reaching members of the local chapter.
• Help the chapter president compile an annual report of activities, which will be distributed to Senior and Regional Associates and the membership. Along with help from the other board members, develop a calendar of upcoming events for mailings.

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Public Relations Committee Chair

Basic Role
The committee's main responsibility is to ensure effective chapter communications with the public.

Specific Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the program and education committees on a regular basis.
• Enhance the visibility of your chapter by sending press releases about your chapter's activities to the appropriate local news media. Maintain a good working relationship with your local news media.
• Invite key members of your local press to lunch every so often (your treat), and/or arrange to visit them in their offices. By doing so, they will get to know you and RMA.
• Invite the local press to attend your meetings at no charge.
• Always make sure the speakers are aware the press will be invited. Remind the speakers that anything they say could end up in print if the press is in the room.
• Send RMA's Public Relations Department in Philadelphia all clippings about your chapter that appear in local newspapers and magazines.
• Look for ways to improve relations with other trade groups in your area as well as avenues for cultivating ties with local organizations not currently active in joint endeavors with RMA; for example, other bankers associations.
• Become familiar with any local community activities the chapter could benefit from participating in.
  

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Recognition Committee Chair

Basic Role
This group should identify ways and forums for recognizing and acknowledging the good work of board members, volunteers, members, speakers, and institutional supporters throughout the chapter.

Specific Responsibilities

• Create a letter on behalf of the chapter to senior management of institutions where board members work. The letter should praise the board member's contribution to the chapter, and thank the senior management and the institution for its support of the local RMA chapter.
• Create a letter to welcome new members to the local chapter. Make sure the new members are introduced and recognized at all the chapter functions and in the newsletter.
• Develop a reward contest or some kind of system/vehicle for honoring and thanking board members, volunteers, and long-time members for their service to The Risk Management Association.
• Create a certificate of appreciation or honorarium for speakers and other volunteers who go the extra mile for the local RMA chapter.
• Create and present to the board members a formal recognition and rewards program that will be a signature of the chapter going forward.
• Establish an event dedicated to recognizing and honoring key people that have helped the chapter grow, advance, and serve the local financial services community.
• Establish a scholarship program for the local colleges, or even a local high school.
  

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Community Bank Committee Chair

Basic Role
The Community Bank Committee is responsible for developing programs and networking events for community banks within the chapter’s geographic area. The chair is responsible for recruiting volunteer members for the committee and, in conjunction with the membership chair, for keeping a database of all member and nonmember community banks within the area. The database should include contact information for the banks’ senior management.

Specific Responsibilities

• Communicate all chapter events and help develop other events and programs specifically designed for community banks.
• Establish a committee of volunteers from the various community banks to address issues specific to community banks and to develop opportunities for these institutions to share best practices. The institutions should also be encouraged to open training and educational avenues through RMA, possibly through holding roundtables.
• Conduct surveys to pinpoint training needs and issues that will be presented to the local board.
• Inform the RMA Regional Manager of any issues, concerns, or triumphs, and also submit these to the national-level RMA Community Bank Council.
  

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Credit Risk Certification (CRC) Chair

Basic Role
The Credit Risk Certification chair is responsible for promoting the CRC designation in the community. This individual is the primary contact for members and CRC holders who have questions regarding the program.

Specific Responsibilities

• Create a letter on behalf of the chapter to senior management of institutions where board members work. The letter should praise the board member's contribution to the chapter, and thank the senior management and the institution for its support of the local RMA chapter.
• Create a letter to welcome new members to the local chapter. Make sure the new members are introduced and recognized at all the chapter functions and in the newsletter.
• Develop a reward contest or some kind of system/vehicle for honoring and thanking board members, volunteers, and long-time members for their service to The Risk Management Association.
• Create a certificate of appreciation or honorarium for speakers and other volunteers who go the extra mile for the local RMA chapter.
• Create and present to the board members a formal recognition and rewards program that will be a signature of the chapter going forward.
• Establish an event dedicated to recognizing and honoring key people that have helped the chapter grow, advance, and serve the local financial services community.
• Establish a scholarship program for the local colleges, or even a local high school.
  
  

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