December 14, 2001

TO: Audubon Chapter Presidents and Chapter Staff
FROM: John Flicker, President
RE: Audubon Chapter Policy 2001 and One Audubon Membership Policy

I am very pleased to offer the enclosed Audubon Chapter Policy 2001 and the One Audubon Membership Policy, both of which were approved unanimously by the Audubon Board of Directors on December 9, 2001. 
 

Audubon Chapter Policy 2001

The Audubon Chapter Policy 2001 has greatly benefited from suggestions received from Chapter members, and focuses on a shared, mission-based approach. The new Policy contains many changes from the 1986 Policy, including annual Chapter planning requirements (Section V.), Chapter-only membership provisions (Section I. F. and One Audubon Membership Policy below), and Chapter bylaws requirements (Section V. C.). 

Additional information on Chapter Planning is also available through the Guide to Chapter Planning, which can be accessed along with all other materials enclosed on the Audubon Chapter Services Web site at http://www.audubon.org/local/cso/ or from the Chapter Services Office at (800) 542-2748. A separate mailing with additional information about Chapter bylaws will be sent to all Chapters in the near future.

One Audubon Membership Policy

The new One Audubon Membership Policy is the result of a year of work by the “Friends of” Task Force. This Task Force was asked to resolve concerns over Chapter-only memberships that had developed in violation of the previous Chapter Policy, and to help create a common identity for all members of Audubon. After a year of meetings, research and discussion, the Task Force developed the attached policy as a win-win solution for both Chapters and National Audubon Society. 

This issue has now been addressed through a change in policy to include Chapter-only members in the new One Audubon Membership Policy. The One Audubon Membership Policy seeks to maximize the effectiveness of National and Chapters, allowing both National and Chapters to develop a stronger membership base. The policy recognizes that a number of Chapters have had success with Chapter-only memberships and by officially recognizing Chapter-only memberships, seeks to support that success and continue to provide benefits to members while also improving communication between those members and National.  

Audubon membership will now consist of two categories of members: National Members and Chapter-only Members. The attached Resolution, Policy and Frequently Asked Questions, describe the relationship between the two categories of members and include many details about those membership categories. Details on the actual implementation of this policy are still being worked out, and will be shared with all Chapters as soon as they are finalized. In the meantime, please contact Lynn Tennefoss in the Chapter Services Office at (800) 542-2748 or ltennefoss@audubon.org, or Kristen Totaro in the Membership Department at (212) 979-3120 or ktotaro@audubon.org with any questions. 

In closing, I would like to once again thank the many Chapter members and leaders who have contributed their time and ideas to the development of both of the enclosed documents.  For future reference, all of these materials are available on the Audubon Web site at http://www.audubon.org/local/cso . I look forward to working with you in the coming year.
 

Enc: Resolution Regarding Audubon Chapter Policy 2001
 Audubon Chapter Policy 2001
 Resolution Regarding a Change in Membership Categories
 One Audubon Membership Policy
 One Audubon Membership – Frequently Asked Questions