President's Message
March 1, 2009
Chapter Nuts and Bolts.
Many, if not most, chapter members and other participants know APICS only through the local chapter’s activities and the stream of communications from APICS headquarters. The nuts and bolts of the organization are not readily apparent.
The Northern Sierra Chapter of APICS (NORS) is a Nevada non-profit corporation. The Internal Revenue Code classifies NORS as a 501(c)(6) organization. The chapter was granted that status way back in 1982. This IRS designation denotes “Professional and Trade Associations and Societies” and a number of other types of non-profit organizations. (Professional football leagues are mentioned!) Under the code, most types of chapter income are not taxable but the chapter must keep accurate books and file an annual tax return with the IRS. NORS has never generated taxable income. The all-volunteer Board of Directors seeks to manage the chapter’s business affairs to allow the NORS to continue to offer its professional development and education events and services. The chapter does currently hold a reserve equal to about 30% of a typical year’s revenue. The reserve can fluctuate significantly.
Within APICS, NORS is one of 19 chapters in the Pacific-Western District. The district covers the northwestern United States (plus Hawaii) and currently counts member chapters from northern Nevada (1 chapter), northern California (9), Oregon (3), Washington (2), Utah (2), Idaho (1), and Hawaii (1). As of January 31st, the 19 chapters totaled 2,818 members. The largest chapter in the district is the Santa Clara Valley Chapter with 512 members. Hawaii is the smallest at 13. NORS currently numbers 141 members.
Each of the nine North American Districts, including the Pacific-Western District is run by an elected District Manager. Each district also elects a representative to APICS’ Board of Directors. Northern Sierra Chapter member Rick Leach, CPIM, CSCP is the Pacific Western District Manager. Rick’s term runs through 2009. Rick is a frequent participant in NORS’ events and activities as an instructor of many of the chapter’s CPIM review courses and as an attendee at our monthly Professional Development Meetings. The District Manager position is volunteer but it consumes as much time and energy as a full-time job. The same can be said for the district’s representative on the APICS Board of Directors: Mel Nelson of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter.
More nuts and bolts next time.
David Steiger, CPIM
