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Society Operating Guidelines

About ASSP

Our Society Operating Guidelines describe in detail the manner in which American Society of Safety Professionals is structured and governed. They are intended to accompany and be consistent with ASSP bylaws.

Section 7.1: Communities

I. Purpose and Scope

These operating procedures provide definition and guidance to the governance of ASSP communities. 

For the purposes of this Society Operating Guideline, the term "ASSP communities" encompasses our practice specialties, common interest groups, chapters, sections and student sections.

II. Council Support, Roles and Accountability

The Council on Region Affairs (CORA) and the Council on Practices and Standards (COPS) are responsible for supporting ASSP communities in delivering the promised value to members and ASSP, while operating within the defined ASSP governance and operating procedures.

To do this effectively, the councils are expected to collaborate. This includes but is not limited to:

  • When making decisions, factor in the impact to all communities.
  • When appropriate, make decisions that impact all communities through cross-council efforts and align voting process (including the timing of the vote, sharing materials and engaging in cross-council discussions).
  • Share work plans and council reports to ensure alignment and identify areas for collaboration.

The vice president, region affairs, and vice president, practices and standards, oversee this cross-functional collaboration and determine how best to implement.

III. Communities Standing Committees

A. Roles and Accountability

The following committees focus on the development and operations of all communities and, therefore, report to both CORA and COPS. The council vice presidents share appointment responsibility and are responsible for ensuring that each committee is representative of practice specialties, common interest groups, chapters, sections and student sections.

B. Terms

Committee members are appointed to three-year terms by the vice president, region affairs, and vice president, practices and standards. Appointments are structured to allow for staggered terms.

Co-chairs for each committee are appointed by the vice president, region affairs, and vice president, practices and standards. Committee chairs serve one-year terms, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. Co-chairs will serve as liaisons to the CoRA and CoPS council and, along with the council vice president, will be responsible for sharing information with and from their respective council.

C. Committees & Task Forces

1. Leadership Conference Committee

  • Develop, plan and implement the annual Leadership Conference to provide operational and leadership training to ASSP community volunteer leaders and ASSP committee members.
  • The committee has five to nine members, with new members appointed by Dec. 30 each year.
  • Committee members are a mix of current or past community leaders and should provide a balanced representation of ASSP communities as determined by the CORA and COPS vice presidents.

2. Task forces may be formed, following the ASSP task force process, to execute council workplans


Approved By | Date: Board of Directors | 1/2023
Replaces Edition Dated: 12/2019
Next Revision Due: 1/2026

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