BAI encourages the creation of Chapters dedicated to bringing the local business agility community together by increasing the density of connections among people within the community, and encouraging the exchange and exploration of ideas among regional professionals.

BAI Chapters will conduct activities that cannot be accomplished on a global scale. Chapter meetings allow members to meet local members, exchange ideas, discuss local business problems, compare notes on new ideas, discuss governance policies, and establish better business relations.

BAI and BAI Chapters will have an official relationship and will have a written charter that formalizes expectations, rights, and privileges. Upon receipt of their charter, Chapters will assume the name of the BAI, such as BAI US East, BAI Africa, BAI Benelux, etc.

In order to avoid territorial issues, BAI will restrict the formation of Chapters on the basis of geography. BAI will not issue a charter that would establish a Chapter within the territorial jurisdiction of an existing Chapter. BAI will require each member organization to have a defined geographical boundary.

In special cases, the existence of a “critical mass” of potential members will determine the number of Chapters. BAI could allow a Chapter formation, for example, where a certain number (20 or more) of people express interest in Chapter status.

Purpose and function will guide BAI Chapter formation, and there is no optimal number of Chapters. BAI wants to have a balanced representation and therefore will have a limited number of Chapters so that each maintains relatively equal input into BAI purposes.

In BAI Chapter structure, the members’ reference point will be at the chapter level, although chapter membership would also bestow BAI membership status.

BAI Chapters will collect membership dues and send a percentage to the BAI on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, as determined and agreed upon.

BAI Chapters will retain all money self raised through their chapter sponsorships initiatives.

BAI has a criteria for chartering chapters, and the criteria appear in BAI Chapter Bylaws, Policy, & Procedures. Anyone submitting the application–– which we term as “applicant chapter”–– must be thoroughly familiar with BAI’s criteria. These criteria include geography, membership, and congruence of purpose.

BAI Chapter may allow potential members to petition for Chapter status if at least 20 of them reside or work in the region seeking the charter. The written application must include statements concerning the willingness of members to become officers of the new chapter and to pledge that they will abide by the policies of the BAI.

BAI Chapters specifies that not only the number of members is necessary to achieve chapter status, but also their composition. BAI requires that members be practicing business agility practitioners and/or organizations, or have intent to become so.

BAI will provide Chapters a step–by–step approach that will explain the process of chapter formation. (“Fact Sheet on Forming a New Chapter” will be available shortly). Such guidelines will explain financial, legal, and tax obligations, describe duties of chapter officers, offer suggestions for conducting meetings and forming committees, and offer recommended activities. They will also include a “model” constitution and bylaws.

As we are developing chapters for the first time in new regions, BAI will seek legal advice regarding the benefits and liabilities of separate incorporation. This consultation will help avoid the issues of standardization, monitoring, and accountability. Non-profits differ in their incorporation requirements, thus BAI must approve the proposed certificate of incorporation.

Once an applicant chapter has all the pieces in place, it petitions for a charter. BAI will review the petition and then recommends for action. BAI will grant affiliation when requirements have been met per set forth in the bylaws, implicit requirements based upon interpretations, and precedence. BAI has final authority and discretion to grant affiliation.

Revocation of a chapter’s charter may result from —failure to— satisfy obligations, to observe the limitations on chapters set forth in the BAI Chapter by-laws, to be represented at mandatory BAI meetings, to pay dues, or changes in bylaws that bring the chapter into conflict with BAI, or fiscal impropriety, or loss of a “critical mass” of members.

The members of a chapter may themselves request the termination of their charter. BAI will require one quarter notice from any BAI Chapter withdrawing from BAI at the end of the fiscal year. The BAI Chapter must have met all its financial obligations at the time of withdrawal.

BAI will establish a formal procedure for periodically reviewing chapter status. Reauthorization of a charter at specified periods will help in heightening the chapter’s awareness of and compliance with BAI’s standards. In addition, BAI will conduct periodic reviews to keep the relations active and what assistance chapters might need. BAI trusts Chapters and having them run their operations independent of BAI involvement.

BAI and its chapters join together to promote a common purpose and cause. To that extent, they are partners.

The dynamic relationship between BAI and its chapters will require close association. Periodic reviews and adhering to chapter bylaws will recognize the need to avoid potential and actual conflicts. The dynamism will address areas of services in publications, seminars, conferences, sponsorships, and membership dues.

BAI defines clearly the roles at the outset and maintains clear channels of communication. BAI expects from chapters-maintained standards, their roles and responsibilities, and following formal operating guidelines. The unique combination of purposes, structure, criteria for chapters, and governance will allow for a variety of processes for successful forming of chapters.