HIMSS Chapter Leader eNews | September 2016

Chapter Leader eNews
In This Issue - September 2016

State Government Relations & Advocacy – NHIT Week spotlight

Have a question, comment or idea?
Contact Chapter Staff.

Section Index

Call To Action
Important Notes
Tools and Resources

 

Call To Action

Join the HIMSS Chapter Advocacy Roundtable
With 54 chapters throughout North America, HIMSS Chapter Advocacy Roundtable (CAR) connects HIMSS members with state, regional and national decision-makers on key health IT issues by informing, empowering and mobilizing HIMSS chapters to take advocacy action at the state and local level.  The FY17 CAR chair is Lauren Wiseman of the Greater Illinois Chapter.  Serving as vice chairs are: 

  • Joy Selleck, Iowa Chapter (Mid-west Region)
  • Richard Moore, Ohio Central Chapter (Eastern Region)
  • Ian Slade, Southern California Chapter (Western Region)
  • Chad Cothern, Louisiana Chapter (Southern Region).

The CAR provides a networking and educational prospect for chapter advocates to promote chapter level advocacy programs at the grassroots level in coordination with the HIMSS advocacy and public policy Board-approved agenda.
The HIMSS CAR provides an opportunity for each chapter advocate or advocacy team to participate collectively. Chapter leaders are welcome to join the monthly CAR calls, which take place on the third Friday of the month at 12:00 p.m. EDT.
HIMSS CAR members create a grassroots advocacy action plan specific to their state/region. Advocates also work to distinguish chapters through the CAR recognition program.  Some key actions that the members can participate in are:

  • Keep board members informed about important health IT legislation and policies efforts.
  • Organize the chapter to have major influence in state and national issues by becoming a strong voice, a respected source and trusted collaborator on health IT legislation and programs in the local community and state.
  • Help advance health IT technology and innovation by participating in the 2016 NHIT Week Virtual March on States.
  • Organize visits and other avenues of frequent communication with local state and federal elected officials.
  • Speak to local media about health IT policy and advocacy issues.

Learn more by contacting your chapter advocate or Valerie Rogers, director, state government affairs, HIMSS North America.

HIMSS17 Reminders for Chapter Leaders
The 2017 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition will take place February 19 – 23, 2017 in Orlando, Fla.  

  • Chapter Awards – FY16 Chapter of the Year and Chapter Leader of the Year Nominations are now closed.  Stay tuned for results.

  • Chapter Receptions – The Chapter Reception request form is now closed. HIMSS is currently working with chapter leaders to secure locations and plan receptions. HIMSS staff will confirm the date, time, and location in early October. 

  • Chapter Leadership Workshop –The Chapter Leader Workshop is open to all chapter leaders, and will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19 in Orlando (in-person only).  Registration forthcoming.

  • HIMSS Communities Open House – Chapters have the opportunity to host a table at the HIMSS Communities Open House pending space availability – Monday, Feb. 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in the Convention Center. Sign-up information will be coming soon. 

  • Schedule at a Glance provides an overview of HIMSS17 activities.

  • Promote HIMSS17 and Chapter Membership – HIMSS is creating a Chapter Marketing Toolkit to help chapter leaders get the word out – HIMSS17 is for all healthcare professionals. This information will be available soon.    

  • Registration and Housing – HIMSS encourages chapter members to take advantage of the early bird member discount that will end on Dec. 5. Register early and save. For best hotel options, book a hotel stay today.

  • Discount Code – As a token of HIMSS’s appreciation, all chapter leaders receive a $100 discount from one regular individual HIMSS17 full registration fee. This discount is non-transferable and only one discount code is allowed per person. To apply the discount register online and enter the promotional code 17ACDFCHP. 

Thank you for your support and dedication to HIMSS. 

Important Notes

2016 NHIT Week
National Health IT Week (Sept. 26-30) is an independent, Partner-driven awareness week focused on the value of health IT. All chapters are automatically included as NHIT Week Partners.  

President Barack Obama honored NHIT Week in an official statement.

Learn more.

The structure of NHIT Week for 2016 has changed due to the upcoming election. There will not be a Policy Summit or Hill visits in Washington D.C. this year. Instead, HIMSS encourages chapter leaders to participate in the  Virtual March on the States.  This is an easy way to contact state officials to highlight ways to expand access to high-quality care for patients using telehealth. 

Last year, 489 organizations participated in this virtual awareness week, which was recognized by the U.S. Senate through an official Resolution declaring NHIT Week.

  • View the NHIT Week Social Media Guide Blog to get tips on enhancing participation. The social media guide blog provides NHIT Week hashtags, the opportunity to share an inspiring story, and educating and engaging with communities.
  • Share your Story about how Health IT has made a difference in professional and/or personal experience.
  • Participate in local and virtual events throughout the week

2016 National Health IT Week’s Regional Events
The 2016 National Health IT Week launches on Sept. 26 with regional and state-wide events across the country. NHIT Week brings attention to the value, opportunities, and challenges of health IT. It is also a celebration of our accomplishments in policy and practical implementation of Health IT. One of the week’s highlights will be the NHIT Week Reception and Award Ceremony on Sept. 28, at the American College of Surgeons Rooftop Terrace in Washington, D.C.  Hosted by HIMSS North America and the HIMSS National Capitol Area Chapter, this event will honor federal, state, and congressional officials that have contributed to the advancement of health IT.  Additional, events will be held by NHIT Week chapters and partners (in-person and virtual) throughout the country. Some of the exiting opportunities include site visits to Stage 7 Hospitals and Davies Award sites. HIMSS encourages chapter leaders to join the celebration either virtually or during one of the regional events.  Visit www.healthitweek.org/events for a list of events.

Reminder: IRS Filing Due Date Approaching – November 15
All chapters MUST be in compliance and file with the IRS. Chapters are responsible for the filing and MUST file the postcard form 990-N, Form 990-EZ, or the Form 990 based on the amount of gross receipts received during the fiscal year and assets. All chapters are recognized as exempt from Federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(6). For further information on IRS tax exempt status or for obtaining 990 forms, call the IRS Exempt Organizations (not-for-profit) toll-free hotline at 1 (877) 829-5500 or go to http://www.irs.gov/.  Notice of non-compliance with the IRS is sent direct to HIMSS Corporate Offices and communication with the chapter will immediately follow with requirements of the chapter to then show proof of compliance to HIMSS. 

Chapter leaders can click this link and enter their EIN number to see confirmation of 990 submittal.

Remember that all outstanding financial information from the 2016 Annual Standards Report (Standards #7 & #8) is due OCT. 31. Please work with HIMSS Staff to submit in a timely fashion.

Tools and Resources

Organizational Affiliate Marketing Collateral
HIMSS informatics and marketing teams recently updated promotional pieces for nurse and physician audiences. These marketing items are presented in a one-page format and may be ideal as a chapter flyer at upcoming events. The focus of these materials is to add value as an Organizational Affiliate employee benefit. HIMSS hopes that it helps chapters identify new members in the nursing and physician segment. 

These pieces work best for chapter boards who are engaging in an Organizational Ambassador (OA) program at the local level, or chapters focusing on growing OA membership in general.  These marketing pieces are available in the Chapter Leader Resource Area.

HIMSS Organizational Affiliate Directory
Starting in FY17 HIMSS has created a new benefit for chapter leaders. On a monthly basis, OA relationship managers will upload a current spreadsheet report of healthcare organizations, including contact information to each chapter’s engage site. Please note that organizations are listed by the headquarters’ primary address, so the local healthcare system may not be listed.

This may be a great opportunity to grow chapter membership, or invite a new audience to chapter events.  Resources-permitting, chapters may consider creating or bolstering OA Ambassador Programs.  As a quick recap, ambassadors are OA employees that spread the work about HIMSS chapters to coworkers, in order to increase interest locally.  Additional information and idea are available at the Chapter Leader Resource Area. Please send any questions to Chapter Staff.

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Members In Action

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Upcoming Chapter Events

Sep 28
Annual Fall Kickoff Social & Giants Game | Northern California Chapter of HIMSS
Perry's | Hotel Griffon | 155 Steuart St | San Francisco, CA 94105

Sep 29
National HIT Week Chapter Activity | New England Chapter of HIMSS
Inn at Longwood | 342 Longwood Ave | Boston, MA 02115

Sep 29
National Health IT Week Reception: Illinois Telehealth Landscape | Greater Illinois Chapter of HIMSS
Accenture | 161 N Clark St | Chicago, IL 60601

Sep 30
Nursing Informatics Certification Review Course | Greater Illinois Chapter of HIMSS
Rockford Memorial Hospital | 2400 N. Rockton Avenue | Rockford IL 61103

Sep 30
2016 Joint Symposium | Houston Chapter of HIMSS
Houston Marriott Medical Center | 6580 Fannin Street | Houston, TX 77030

Sep 30
6th Annual Privacy & Security Forum | Southern California Chapter of HIMSS
Hoag Hospital Conference Center | Newport Beach, CA

Oct 3
Louisiana Nursing Informatics Boot Camp | Louisiana Chapter of HIMSS
University Medical Center | 2000 Canal St | New Orleans, LA 70112

Oct 9
2nd Annual Fall Conference | Idaho Chapter of HIMSS
Sun Valley, ID

Oct 13
Project Management Roundtable & Networking Social | Dallas/Ft Worth Chapter of HIMSS
Great Wolf Lodge | Grapevine, TX

More Events

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