Chapter Guidelines
Chapter leaders desire to start a local chapter at their duty station. MBRN suggests that each chapter have two leaders to share responsibility. Each chapter leader will pay a $75 chapter leader fee. Subsequent chapter board members will still need to join as an Active Member.
Requirements to Become a Chapter Leader
• Chapter leaders must have a current military ID card to be a chapter leader and base representative, this allows base access that is essential for the chapter. However, a member may serve on committees without having base access
• Completion and submit of the online application to start a chapter of Military Birth Resource Network, MBRN
• Sign a letter of commitment to further the mission and vision of MBRN in providing reliable resources for the military community. Families need continuity of care as they transition from one duty station to the next and MBRN chapters and chapter leaders are an integral part of this transition
• Upon acceptance of the chapter application and the leader application the chapter leader will sign the chapter leader agreement, MBRN Code of Ethics, the non-disclosure agreement, and their commitment to supporting the mission and vision of MBRN
• Agree to serve for a minimum of two years.
• Chapter leaders will complete a chapter orientation webinar
• Chapter leaders will review and agree to the social media policy
• Chapter leaders must be willing to build healthy bridges in the community and with local hospitals and promote the mission, vision, and goals of MBRN
• Chapter leaders do not need to be a practicing doula but must have the ability to connect local resources with military families and have an understanding of labor, birth, and postpartum experience of military families
• Upon resignation or relocation of the chapter leader, the chapter leader agrees to transfer in totality all chapter paperwork and materials to the new chapter leader or a designated member of that chapter
Chapter leaders duties include
Complete an application to start a chapter of Military Birth Resource Network, MBRN
Submit an application to become a chapter leader and agree to serve for two years.
Upon acceptance of the chapter application and the leader application the chapter leader will sign the chapter leader agreement, the non-disclosure agreement, and their commitment to supporting the mission and vision of MBRN
Determining the paperwork required from the base legal office to establish a chapter on the base and the POC for MBRN to email this information to
Opening a bank account for the chapter at a FDIC-insured bank under MBRN
Designate MBRN as the beneficiary of the chapter bank account
Building chapter teams
Host and promote events such as birth talks, breastfeeding support groups, and other events as needed in your specific area. MBRN will guide and assist each chapter with suggestions and information
Chapter leaders and appointed treasurer are responsible for maintaining all chapter funds in the account and will submit quarterly financial reports to the Board of MBRN and to base command
Ensure should the chapter close, all money in the bank account and money raised by the chapter shall be the property of MBRN and will be submitted to MBRN within 30 days of dissolution of the chapter.
Provide a resignation letter to Chapter Members stepping down
Chapter Leaders will solicit consumer and provider membership and assist in developing programs applicable for the chapter’s needs
Chapter Leaders will keep a current membership database provided by the Membership Director.
Chapter leaders will promote and oversee chapter events, birth talks, speaking opportunities, will maintain and delegate duties of the chapter’s social media pages, and will develop and publish a local reputable and reliable resource list for all military families
Oversee funds raised by the chapter at chapter sponsored events will remain in the chapter
In locations where more than one branches of service exists, chapter leaders/teams will each strive to have a liaison with each base so that all military families, regardless of branch of service will be served
Military Birth Resource Network Chapter Leader Statement
Expectations:
Support Military Birth Resource Network (MBRN) mission, vision, and goals
Be a member in good standing of Military Birth Resource Network
Attend and assist with chapter sponsored events
Leadership:
Maintain integrity and good decision making
Work as a team
Recruit and help retain leadership in the chapter
Complete and submit quarterly and annual reports to
MBRN in a timely manner and base as outlined in PO guidelines
Recruit and help retain new members to MBRN
Maintain a cooperative, working relationship with base command,
base programs and military treatment facilities
Serve MBRN and the chapter as a whole rather than any special
interest or constituency
Programs/Events:
Encourage members to attend all chapter sponsored events
Provide free programs for women and their families within the community
Promote MBRN chapters within the military community by assisting other duty stations that desire starting a new chapter
Cooperate and assist local chapters of MBRN
Membership:
Maintain a current membership in MBRN at all times
Solicit and encourage professional members and birth supporters
Maintain communication with chapter members and supporters
Military Birth Resource Network Chapter Leader Fiduciary Responsibilities
Open and maintain a chapter account at an FDIC insured financial institution to hold all funds that belong to the chapter
Exercise fiscal prudence in control and transfer of MBRN funds
Participant in fund raising events, programs, and activities of the chapter
Designate Military Birth Resource Network as the beneficial of the chapter bank account
Assist as needed in preparing all financial records that are to be submitted to MBRN
Submit all the chapter banking account information to MBRN
I agree that all money in the chapter bank account and raised by the chapter is Military Birth Resource Network money, not personal money of the chapter leader(s) (with exception of verifiable reimbursements with receipts)
I agree that all money held in the account and raised by the chapter becomes the property of Military Birth Resource Network if the chapter closes or dissolves
If the chapter closes or dissolves a check will be sent to Military Birth Resource network for the total of the chapter’s account and the final statement from the bank along with written departure notification.
Each member must agree to abide by the following statements. Please read and consider these criteria carefully before signing.