Council of Nephrology Social Workers of the National Kidney Foundation
Affiliated Local CNSW Chapters
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What is an Affiliated Local Chapter?
What is the difference between National CNSW membership and Local Chapter membership?
How do I start a new Local Chapter?
What do I need to run a Local Chapter?
Best Practices: NKF Affiliate Relationships with Local Professional Councils
How do I locate a chapter?
What is an Affiliated Local CNSW Chapter?
Affiliated local CNSW chapters are structurally and financially separate from the National CNSW and the National Kidney Foundation. The Council of Nephrology Social Workers, whose membership and chapters are represented by the CNSW Executive Committee, is a professional council of the National Kidney Foundation and serves in an advisory capacity to the Foundation.
Local chapters operate independently of the national organization and have a great deal of autonomy. This autonomy allows local chapters to be flexible in meeting the education, program, and other needs of their specific communities and members.
What is the difference between National CNSW membership and Local Chapter Membership?
Affiliated local CNSW chapters may maintain their own local chapter membership requirements and lists. Membership in a local chapter does not give a person membership in the National CNSW.
Furthermore, national membership does not automatically give a person membership to the local chapters. However, some local chapters reduce dues for national members.
Local chapters should ensure that members are aware of the differences between local membership and national membership.
How do I start a new Local Chapter?
It is extremely easy! All you need is a small group of nephrology social workers willing to meet and to support each other. You do not need “By-laws!” You do not need money! National CNSW has worked hard to make the process of becoming an affiliated chapter very easy. You only need someone willing to be chair and be willing to meet twice a year. If you would like to know more, contact the Executive Committee membership chair.
What do I need to run a Local Chapter?
The CNSW Executive Committee has created a document to assist chapter chairs in running their chapters. You may download the CNSW Chapter Chair Manual. 
(PDF* 497 Kb download)
Chapter Update Form
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the Council of Nephrology Social Workers (CNSW) recertifies local affiliated CNSW chapters every other year. In between recertification cycles, it is important that NKF and the CNSW Executive Committee remains updated on changes in chapter leadership, structure, geographical region, and operations. (PDF* 755KB)
Best Practices: NKF Affiliate Relationships with Local Professional Councils
In 1972 the National Kidney Foundation commissioned the formation of national ad hoc committees representing social work, nutrition and nursing. These committees soon became organized, adopted rules and regulations and became three separate Professional Councils: the Council of Nephrology Social Workers (CNSW), Council on Renal Nutrition (CRN) and Council of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians (CNNT).
In the ideal relationships, NKF Affiliates and local chapters can offer each other support and services as outlined below. 
How do I locate a Local Chapter?
The contact information for Local Chapters is organized by region.
Affiliated Local Chapters by Region:
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CNSW Region I Contact List
CNSW Region II Contact List
CNSW Region III Contact List
CNSW Region IV Contact List
CNSW Region V Contact List
For information about broader CNSW and renal professional issues, contact your Region Representative through the National Kidney Foundation.
