With more than 12,000 individual members in more than 50 countries, RAPS has developed an International Affiliate Program to help facilitate connections among regulatory professionals throughout the world. The program helps members connect with their regulatory colleagues and exchange ideas with other professionals facing similar issues and challenges in their jobs.
RAPS recognizes the importance of flexibility in establishing International Affiliates, as cultural, financial and geographical factors are distinct from one country to another. In order to address this diversity, the International Affiliate program is composed of three different phases, which are based on the level of support provided by RAPS and the amount of activity from the affiliate group.
Phase 1: An International Network
- An online community, supported by RAPS, that provides a convenient method for regulatory professionals to connect others in their respective country/region.
This phase lasts approximately six months.
Phase 2: A Prospective Affiliate
- A group lead by a volunteer committee that manages the online network and may conduct periodic face-to-face events. International Chapters also work with RAPS Headquarters to conduct appropriate membership outreach projects.
This phase lasts approximately six to 18 months.
Phase 3: An International Affiliate
- A self-sustaining entity, incorporated in the respective country or region that enters into a "charter agreement" with RAPS Headquarters.
Phase 1 – An International Network
The initial step towards launching an International Affiliate is the creation of an online social networking group, such as LinkedIn, with the name of that particular region (i.e., RAPS Israel Network). While a RAPS Staff member will create the group and have management capabilities, at least one volunteer from that region must serve as the "manager" of that group and will serve as the primary contact to RAPS Headquarters. The main purpose of the virtual network is to increase the number of professionals familiar with RAPS and to generate interest in a prospective Affiliate. In most cases, the LinkedIn manager of this group will be the member/volunteer that initially contacted RAPS about developing a Chapter/Affiliate in that country.
Responsibilities of RAPS Staff include:
- Announce the launch of the online social network group to all constituents in the region.
- Joint management of the online social network group.
- Manage the registration process for any no-cost networking events officially hosted by the network.
- Provide additional incentives for members of the network to visit the RAPS website and create a profile.
- Distribute information on RAPS products and services.
- Provide group discounts on relevant products and services when appropriate.
- Sign a basic International Network (under development) agreement with RAPS.
Responsibilities of the Network Volunteers include:
- Joint management of the online social network group. Send invitations to any and all industry professionals within the region, and request that they send invitations to any of their colleagues in order to grow the network.
- Accept and/or decline requests to join the group.
- Monitor the discussions and posts to ensure a high level of professionalism.
- Work closely with RAPS Staff to provide valuable information to group subscribers on relevant products and services.
- Provide RAPS Staff with periodic reports on hot topics to ensure that RAPS is producing products and services that are most useful to those international constituents.
- Research market to determine the viability of an independent corporate entity within that country.
- Read and sign off on a basic International Network (under development) agreement with RAPS.
- Submission of a contact list of a substantial number of regulatory professionals within the respective territory.
Phase 2 – A Prospective Affiliate
Once an International Network has been established for at least six months, RAPS staff will work with the primary contacts to determine if the group qualifies to be upgraded to a Prospective Affiliate. While RAPS Staff will continue the high level of communication, the level of logistical support provided by Headquarters will be less than that provided during the previous phase. During this phase (estimated from 6 -18 months) the volunteers within the respective region will begin the process of collecting information necessary to become a separate corporate entity. As these requirements vary from country to country, the responsibility to identify the requirements and process is that of the volunteers.
As with any business venture, particularly a new venture in another country, long and short term planning is required to ensure success. As such, Prospective Affiliates are required to submit a "Business Plan" each year, clearly outlining the Affiliate’s planned activities for the upcoming year. The goal of the business plan is to map out the activities of the Affiliate and to indentify key benchmarks and timelines. The business plan will also allow RAPS leadership to ensure that products and services are crafted to address the needs of international affiliate members.
Responsibilities of RAPS Staff include:
- Announce the launch of a Prospective Affiliate to all customers in the region (as well as RAPS membership as a whole through FOCUS and/or Weekly Update)
- Announce any upcoming programs to customers in the region.
- Ship relevant information on RAPS products and services for affiliate use.
- Manage registration process for Affiliate events as needed.
- Provide group discounts on relevant products and services when appropriate.
- Provide a small amount of funds for conducting networking and/or recruitment events, when appropriate.
- Work with affiliate leaders to launch an interest survey to collect information from customers in the respective region. Survey responses will be used to provide guidance to the affiliate for program planning.
- Sign the Prospective Affiliate (under development by RAPS counsel) agreement.
Responsibilities of Prospective Affiliate Volunteers include:
- Work closely with RAPS Staff to submit a business plan for consideration by the Board of Directors.
- Conduct at least two educational or networking events each year.
- Review and sign the Prospective Affiliate (under development by RAPS counsel) agreement.
- Have a steering committee in place.
- Begin the process of identifying steps necessary to become separate corporate entity.
- Initiate process of opening a bank account under the name of the affiliate.
Phase 3 – An Official RAPS International Affiliate
The primary hurdle to overcome in order to become a RAPS Affiliate (following an estimated 6-18 months as a Prospective Affiliate) is to incorporate as a separate entity, or meet the necessary requirements to operate as independent entity in a respective territory. During this final stage of the Affiliate Program, the level of support provided by RAPS Headquarters is limited, as the Affiliate should be close to self sustaining at this point. The research conducted in Phase Two should allow for a smooth transition, as the necessary steps to incorporating should have been identified at this point. Once the group has become incorporated, it is also necessary for the Affiliate to open a bank account in the name of the Affiliate, at which time the Affiliate will be responsible for managing its own funds.
Responsibilities of RAPS Staff include:
- Sign the RAPS International Affiliate charter agreement.
- Announce affiliate programs to professionals in the region using email distribution software.
- Announce the launch of a new RAPS Affiliate to all customers in the region as well as the RAPS membership as a whole through FOCUS and Weekly Update.
- Ship relevant information on RAPS products and services as needed.
- Provide group discounts on relevant products and services when appropriate.
- Provide affiliate leaders with results from interest surveys.
Responsibilities of RAPS Affiliate Volunteers include:
- Read and sign the RAPS International Affiliate charter agreement.
- Coordinate a minimum of two educational or networking events each year, with a minimum of 30 participants at each event.
- Manage all finances associated with the affiliate as outlined in the affiliate charter.
- Develop and submit annual plans to RAPS Headquarters each year by the identified deadline.
- Submit financial reports as outlined in the Affiliate Charter.
- Ensure that affiliate is in compliance with all reporting requirements of government agencies within their respective country.