Requirements for State Affiliate Provisional and Official Status

Step 1: Apply for State Affiliate Provisional Status

1. Affiliates are usually statewide, but at a minimum must be representative of at least one metropolitan area or region within a state.
2. An announcement of the intent to organize an AGS affiliate must be made in the AGS Newsletter.
3. A letter must be sent to all AGS members in the applicant's state (or region represented by the future affiliate) announcing the intent to organize an AGS affiliate. The developing affiliate is required to write the letter and the mailing will be coordinated by the AGS.
4. At least one organizational meeting must be held and attended by a minimum of ten people.
5. An official representative of the organization must be appointed to serve as the contact person with the national office. This person must be an AGS member.

Once the requirements above are met, a state affiliate provisional status application must be submitted to the AGS National Office.

• The application will be circulated to the AGS Executive Committee, which will grant or deny provisional status. Provisional status is given to affiliates that appear potentially able to meet the guidelines for state affiliates outlined in the model by-laws within two years from the time provisional status is granted. The official representative (applicant) will be informed in writing of the Executive Committee's decision.
• If provisional status is granted, seed money will be sent to the new provisional affiliate in the amount of $450. This money is to be designated for use by the provisional affiliate with organizational efforts needed to achieve official affiliate status, such as for the following purposes: development of by-laws, mailings to members and potential members, organization of meetings, and educational programs. Provisional status will be effective for two years.

Step 2: Apply for State Affiliate Official Status

Provisional status will be effective for two years, during which time the affiliate must:

1. Hold at least one state-wide meeting to elect officers.
2. Develop and submit affiliate by-laws.
3. Obtain a federal tax ID number and a separate 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (or may contact the AGS regarding a group exemption). To be an official not-for-profit, an affiliate should file articles of incorporation, which is a charter with the state, and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status form, which is a federal requirement that will require a tax ID number and the articles of incorporation. The affiliate will not be able to open a bank account or take advantage of the benefits of tax-exempt status without these documents. The AGS recommends starting this process at the beginning of the affiliation process.
4. An affiliate must become incorporated to have official AGS affiliate status.

AGS staff and the Council will review the by-laws of the provisional affiliate and will submit the by-laws to the Board of Directors for approval. Affiliate status is finalized upon Board of Directors approval of the by-laws. The affiliate will be notified in writing of the Board's decision.