Have a question that is not answered here or need further details? Please contact the DNA National Office by phone: 800-454-4362 or via email dna@dnanurse.org or contact us online so we can assist you.

1. How does DNA support local chapters?
The DNA National Office supports local chapters by giving access to chapter membership mailing lists, providing national policy and procedures pertinent to chapter formation and maintenance, listing them on the website of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association as an official chartered chapter with presidents’ names and email addresses, and providing all correspondence pertinent to chapters generated by the organization. Also, Chapters can have listservs and their own individual pages of the DNA website set up for them upon request. Chapters have the opportunity to officially comment and offer input on actions and positions taken by the Board of Directors via e-mail communication with the National Office (See Policy 4.1).

2. How often should we hold meetings?
There is to be a minimum of one meeting per year providing a total of at least four hours of educational programming. A business meeting may be planned in conjunction with an educational program (See Standard Chapter Bylaws, Article VII: Meetings of the Membership). The Chapter Officers shall have at least two regular meetings, and at such other times as the President may designate for the transaction of the affairs of the Chapter (See Standard Chapter Bylaws, Article IV: Officers).

3. What should happen at meetings? What should be discussed at non-CE chapter meetings?
For CE meetings: ANCC accredited programs should be provided along with any chapter business that needs to be discussed.
For non-CE meetings: Any educational/informational offering along with any chapter business that needs to be discussed.
For Chapter Officer meetings: Any chapter business that needs to be discussed. An agenda should be provided to attendees.
Business meetings: Any chapter business that needs to be discussed. Twenty percent (20%) of the membership shall constitute a quorum for a business meeting. Items of business shall be passed by simple majority vote unless otherwise stipulated in the bylaws (See Standard Chapter Bylaws, Article VII: Meetings of the Membership.) Elections may also be held during a Business meeting.

4. How often should a chapter hold elections?
All chapter elections shall be held in the fall of each year, coinciding with National elections. Term of office shall be consistent with National terms of office (See Policy 4.5).

5. What should the term length be for Chapter President and other Officers?
The President shall serve a one-year term. The President-Elect shall serve a one-year term in that capacity and subsequently serve as President the following year. The Recording/Corresponding Secretary shall serve a two-year term. The Treasurer shall serve a two-year term. The outgoing President shall subsequently serve a one-year term as Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President shall be an advisor to the Chapter Officers (See Standard Chapter Bylaws, Article IV: Officers).

6. Why are there no longer chapter reimbursements?
There are no longer chapter reimbursements because of the financial status in our current economic world and within DNA. The Finance committee, in an effort to balance the DNA operating budget, had to make some cuts in the budget, and this was one of the areas that was affected. DNA will evaluate and grant individual chapter requests on a case by case basis.

7. How can we offer CEs at our meetings?
There are avenues that chapters can use to seek ANCC approval for educational activities, such as through local state nursing boards. Additional sources are listed below for your convenience.

Resources for Chapters Seeking Approval of Educational Activities:

  1. State Nurses Associations (SNA) are accredited to approve activities. Chapters who are interested could log on to their local SNA to identify the particular criteria required for submission. Documentation will be similar to what the DNA required in the past, however, costs and review time will be state specific. Most are relatively inexpensive for the chapters; however, the timelines may be 1-2 months before event.
  2. Local hospitals and nursing schools are usually approved providers of continuing nursing education. Chapters may seek joint providership with them for an activity.
  3. If a chapter wishes to jointly provide an activity with the DNA, a nurse planner from the DNA must truly be on the planning committee for the chapter and must work with the chapter from assessment and planning to implementation and evaluation of an activity.
  4. The DNA Program Director can help any chapter seeking approval, on a case by case basis. Contact the National Office at dna@dnanurse.org for any assistance.

8. How can we attract non-members to our meetings?
Chapters can attract non-members by advertising your meetings to Dermatology offices in your area by accessing their information through phone books, internet, and your Physician’s AAD listing. Your local Pharmaceutical representatives can also be instrumental in passing on information regarding your meetings by telling the offices they visit, as well as passing out any flyers/meeting brochures to them.

9. How can we keep people interested in DNA?
To keep members interested in DNA, you first have to find out what are their needs. To do this, survey the chapter members. This can easily be done through conversation, or by having a simple fill-out survey that you have at your meetings to be turned in for future planning. Offer them information at your meetings that is current and interesting.

10. What tools are there to promote DNA and our Chapter?
The DNA National Office supports local chapters by giving access to chapter membership mailing lists, providing national policy and procedures pertinent to chapter formation and maintenance, listing them on the website of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association as an official chartered chapter with presidents’ names and email addresses, and providing all correspondence pertinent to chapters generated by the organization. Also, Chapters can have listservs and their own individual pages of the DNA website set up for them upon request. Chapters have the opportunity to officially comment and offer input on actions and positions taken by the Board of Directors via e-mail communication with the National Office (See Policy 4.1).

11. How do we obtain funds to support our meetings?
Many active chapters obtain funds to support their meetings by charging booth fees, requesting grants from Pharmaceutical representatives/companies, or charging attendees a nominal fee for CE meetings. Check with the National Office to see what is available through DNA.

12. How much time is usually needed from a volunteer at the chapter level?
Time commitments for a chapter volunteer depend on the chapter needs. One can become as involved and devote as little or much time as you want. There may be committees, task forces, assisting with meetings, or other duties associated with chapter activities that one can be involved in. If you would like to get involved, ask one of your chapter leaders and they can help you find a task or job that is suited to your needs.

13. What experience is needed to be a: Chapter president? Chapter treasurer? Chapter secretary?
There are no written guidelines for any of these chapter positions. Most Chapter Board of Directors work together as a team, so these positions can be learned alongside one of the experienced chapter leaders as your mentor.

14. How do I access the listserv & what is its purpose?
There are listservs for several of the chapters as well as a Chapter Presidents listserv. The purpose of the Chapter Presidents listserv is for communication between the Chapter Advisors and the Chapter Presidents, as well as for Chapter Presidents to communicate with each other. Chapter Presidents can use the listserv to post any chapter questions/concerns that they may have regarding Chapter issues. If your chapter currently does not have a listserv, please have the Chapter President contact the National Office to request one.

15. Who is my liaison between the Chapter and the DNA Board of Directors?
Each year the current DNA President appoints one of the Board of Directors to be a liaison between the Board and the Chapter Presidents. This allows the Board of Directors to know what is occurring at the Chapter level and to help resolve any questions or concerns regarding Chapters. If you would like to know who the Board liaison is, you may contact the National Office.

16. How do I develop a web page for my chapter?
This can be done through the National Office or you may develop your own web page. Each of the chapter web pages are linked on the DNA website.

17. Who do I contact with any chapter questions or issues?
If you have chapter questions or issues, you can contact the National office or utilize the Chapter Presidents listserv. Call the National office at #800-454-4362 or email dna@dnanurse.org.

18. Where do I locate the Chapter Formation Manual/Chapter Policy & Procedures/Chapter Bylaws?
This is located on the DNA website under the Membership/Chapter tab.

19. How do I locate the Chapter information on the website?
Chapter information can be located under the Membership tab on the DNA website. On this page, you can access the list of active DNA Chapters as well as the Chapter Formation Manual. Also accessible from this page is the: Chapter Directory, CE for Chapters, Chapter FAQs, Chapter Logos, Chapter News & Information and the Chapter Resource Toolkit.

20. What are and where can I find the Chapter Report Forms?
All chapters of the DNA are required to communicate with the DNA National Office throughout the year. Each chapter is required to submit the following three chapter report forms:

These report forms are due annually on October 31st of each year. In addition, the Chapter Yearly/Quarterly Activity Report is due every quarter, (April 30th, July 31st, & January 31st)). Also, each chapter is responsible for providing minutes and reports of each meeting, which is to be included with their Chapter Yearly/Quarterly Activity Report. These report forms can be accessed from the above links, or you may contact the National Office and they can be e-mailed to you.