American College of Nurse-Midwives
An Overview of Divisions and Committees
One unique and special aspect of the American College of Nurse-Midwives is the involvement of its members in the activities of the College through its divisions and committees. A vast amount of what is accomplished by this organization is due to the volunteer efforts of CNMs and CMs across the country who contribute their expertise, energy, time, and perspective to the work of these groups. The brief description of each division and committee which follows is for information and to encourage participation in an area that suits individual CNM/CM interests and talents.
Division Membership:
The Chairperson of a division is appointed by the President with the approval of the BOD. The term of office, membership requirements, sections, and composition of each division is specified in each Division Standing Rules of Procedure. The exception is the Division of Accreditation (DOA) whose chairperson is appointed by the DOA Governing Board.
Division of Accreditation: Plans, implements and evaluates the accreditation process of nurse-midwifery education programs.
Division of Education: Establishes and updates educational resources to facilitate the preparation of nurse-midwives. Determines activities that facilitate competency in the practice of nurse-midwifery and develops criteria that allow an individual to demonstrate such competency. Delineates and implements the process for practicing nurse-midwives to obtain current knowledge and update skills. Includes the following sections Continuing Competency Assessment, Continuing Education Approval, Continuing Education Provision, Education, Education Policy, Informatics, and Precertification.
Division of Research: Contributes to the health of women and infants and the advancement of the profession of nurse-midwifery through promotion and participation in the conduct and development of research. Includes the Clinical Research Committee, Professional Research Committee, Resources and Information Committee, Professional Development Committee, Finance Committee, and Public Relations Committee.
Division of Standards and Practice: Provides and promotes development, communication, and review of nurse-midwifery clinical practice. Facilitates efforts to collect, maintain, and distribute information about relevant professional liability matters to members and the public and assists nurse-midwives to understand and minimize the risk of professional liability claims. Builds and supports a grassroots lobbying network in order to successfully influence U.S. maternal-child health policy that will affect CNM practice and the health of women and childbearing families; communicates to the ACNM BOD the legislative needs of CNMs practicing under varied state laws; and develops educational resources for the ACNM membership which will build skills in the areas of a) changing health policy, b) developing economically stable practices, and c) promoting public awareness of nurse-midwifery. Includes the following sections Clinical Practice and Structure, Infectious Disease, Home Birth, Quality Improvement, Professional Liability, Political and Economic Affairs, and Clinical Regulation and Accreditation.
Division of Women's Health Policy & Leadership: The purpose of the Division of Women's Health Policy & Leadership is to improve the health of women at the community level through the development, implementation, and promotion of public policy and information initiatives. Includes the following sections: Policy and Evaluation, Networking, Leadership, Emerging Issues & Developing Trends, and Public Information.
Committee Membership:
In general, any ACNM active member will be considered for membership on a committee. The Chairperson of each committee is appointed by the President for a term of three years. The section and committee members are appointed by the Chairperson to serve one or two 3 year terms. The exception is the Nominating Committee, whose members are elected by the membership for one two-year term and whose Chairperson is elected by the committee members. The Bylaws also permits the Board of Directors to create such as hoc committees as are necessary to carry out special projects pertaining to the College.
Archives: Maintains and preserves material of historical significance to the College for reference by members, midwifery students, and individual researchers approved by the Board.
Bylaws: Facilitates the work of the ACNM and maintains congruence with the Bylaws of the College by review of: College Standing Rules of Procedure, Chapter Standing Rules of Procedure, proposed bylaw amendments, and other documents as requested by the ACNM Board of Directors.
International Health: Promotes awareness and provides information on international maternal and child health issues for ACNM members.
Midwives of Color: Recruits and retains persons of diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds to the profession of midwifery, provides educational preparation to the ACNM membership which will develop respect for cultural variations, and increases awareness and responsiveness among the ACNM membership to maternal-child health care issues affecting people of color.
Nominating: Insures the conduct of legal and proper nominations of officers and other elective positions designated by the Bylaws.
Program: Plans and coordinates the program for the Annual Meeting of the College.
Student: Develops programs designed to improve student participation in activities of the College.
