Expand or Start a Local Physician/Resident Branch

Anyone in a local branch will tell you, having a community of AMWA members close by is an added benefit.  Enjoy the benefits of camaraderie, building connections, and growing your local network of women physicians and allies. Join a local branch. Become a Local Leader. Help build a local network that brings together women physicians from all types of practice and specialties as a worthy extension of your AMWA national membership.

Physician Branches

Need Ideas to Help You Increase Your Local Branch Membership?

Learn What It Takes to Set Up a Physician Branch in 7 Easy Steps!

Join Us on November 2 @ 8 pm ET

REGISTER

Leaders will share ways in which they have been able to attract more members to AMWA, including the value of promoting local opportunities to network and come together to advocate for gender equity, and other common healthcare challenges. All you need to begin a local branch is five national AMWA members. We will provide you with all the necessary information and guide you through the process of setting a branch up.

 

BUILDING an AMWA BRANCH TOOLKIT

The Branch Affiliation Letter outlines all of the steps needed to start a physician branch in 7 simple steps.

  1. Do you want the ability to allow for financial transactions?

    How To Apply for an EIN

    If no, go to step 2.
    If yes, complete the following:

    • Apply for an IRS tax ID number (EIN). You will need to choose at least 3 officers and create a contact address. Once you’ve applied, you will receive an IRS letter designating the branch as an “Unincorporated Association,” (ie, essentially confirming that the branch is not trying to make a profit and the only income is through dues and fundraising). The IRS letter can be presented to your bank to open an account under the EIN. You also need to complete a W-9. (In box 1 list American Medical Women’s Association [+ Branch Name]. In box 3, check “Other” and note that the branch is an unincorporated association. In part 1, list the branch EIN and contact address.)

    • If the branch wishes to be incorporated, you may apply within your state. Draw up articles of incorporation, by-laws, and a conflict of interest policy. Select a board of directors. Check additional state-specific requirements. If you would like to go this route, please contact us for templates or samples from existing branches.

    • Request group exemption under AMWA’s tax exemption or use your EIN. Sample Group Exemption Request Letter. File for state tax exemption if needed and any other forms required by your state.

  2. Complete the AMWA Branch Affiliation Agreement.

  3. Complete the Branch Affiliation Information Sheet.

  4. Develop by-laws and select officers [Bylaws Template]

  5. Fill out the list of your members [XLS].

  6. Hold a meeting to address initial board motions to adopt by-laws, accept a conflict of interest policy, and make any decisions needed for a budget, and tax-exemption status.

  7. Submit documents from #2-5 (and if applicable, the request for group exemption) to associatedirector@amwa-doc.org.

Annually, you will need to plan to do the following:

  1. Submit the Branch Annual Report Form to associatedirector@amwa-doc.org.

  2. File the 990 or 990 EZ with the IRS if you have an EIN.

  3. Maintain conflict of interest policy documents for leadership.

Branch Benefits

  • AMWA Members with a Branch Affiliation receive a discount on national membership dues (up to $75 annual savings).
  • Opportunities for Tas Exempt Fundraising 
    • If you take advantage of the group exemption under National AMWA’s tax exemption, you can fundraise for your branch.
  • Access to AMWA Grant Funding to Support Your Local Recruitment and Branch building Efforts

Ongoing Support

Need help or have Questions? E-mail Us anytime.
Need ideas? Adopt one of AMWA’s many initiatives for discussion and actions at the local level. Bring issues of Women in Medicine to your local regional governor.
Residents can become active too—check out this Branch Starter Kit to get started or to work with an existing physician branch to help attract more trainee members.

Suggested Discussion Topics for a Holding a Branch Event

Connect Locally and Nationally

AMWA offers many opportunities for you to advance your career.  As you connect with our online communities, you will identify colleagues with skills you hope to learn or job positions you hope to obtain. Connect with these women and learn from them.  You can sign up to provide or receive mentoring in our member database or email associatedirector@amwa-doc.org. Your relationships within AMWA can lead to speaking engagements, mentoring relationships, leadership opportunities and job positions. Do not forget to attend our largest networking event of the year the AMWA National Meeting.

You can also connect with the local AMWA resident, medical student, or premedical branch in your area. They have varied programs from participating in local 10k races, helping at women’s shelters, participating in book clubs, and hosting networking events. These future doctors will energize you.