Guidelines for Starting an AHG Chapter
AHG Chapters are a great way to bring herbalists together for networking, education and to create stronger herbal communities all around the country. Currently, AHG has twelve established chapters and more in the process of being organized. If you’d like to be part of a chapter in your area or would like to plant the seed within your herbal community to grow a local chapter, we’re here to help! Here is some information to help you get started with the process. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.
Sabrena Gwin, AHG Chapter Coordinator at chapters@americanherbalistsguild.com
📌 Note: This page was updated on October 13, 2024. See also this Document for possible updates or changes so long as this note exists.
How to Get Started
1) Find a minimum of five people who are AHG members in good standing (dues paid). We recognize that this is a high threshold and as a committee are actively working to make this easier. All potential Chapter members must live in the geographic boundary of your proposed Chapter (if your chapter is based on a specific region, see below). The AHG office can formulate a list of current AHG members in your state or region and send out a notice of your potential chapter on your behalf.
2) Determine the boundaries of your Chapter. Chapters may be organized to include an entire state, a geographic region or a special interest group. For example, we currently have state Chapters in Georgia and Texas while some Chapters prefer to designate a region for the boundaries of their membership, such as San Diego or the Bay Area. In large states with members concentrated in different areas, this may be more manageable. Some, like the Washington State Chapter, hold their meetings in different locations around the state to reach more members.
AHG by-laws also allow the creation of Chapters for specific interest groups. These Chapters would not be limited to members in a specific geographical region, this includes virtual chapters. Virtual Chapters must have a specific interest group ie) “Herbal Research” or “Spagyrics” so as not to cause confusion. Contact us for more information on this type of chapter.
3) Hold an organizing meeting to assess interest and discuss AHG requirements for establishing a Chapter. At this meeting, review the AHG Chapter Rules and Regulations and be sure that you all agree to abide by them.
4) Submit a Petition to the Governing Council to have your chapter recognized. You may download the Petition Template from the Chapters page of the AHG website. You’ll need the following to submit your Chapter Petition:
- Names and signatures of the AHG members petitioning to establish the Chapter. A minimum of five AHG members are required. All signatories must be members of AHG.
- A detailed description of the geographic boundaries of your Chapter (if any) or specific interest group.
- The proposed name of your Chapter.
- Name, email and phone number of the contact person for your chapter.
If you are ready to hold elections for officers before submitting your petition, include the names of the President and Secretary/Treasurer. See ‘Chapter Officers’ info on the Rules and Regulations for AHG Chapters for more information.
An electronic copy of your petition, with signatures, should be e-mailed to chapters@americanherbalistsguild.com.
5) Your petition will be reviewed by the Governing Council. Once it is approved, you will be notified that your group has been recognized as an AHG Chapter. We’ll then send you a Chapter Welcome Packet with more information about how your chapter can become an important part of the AHG community.
Please make sure to read the below Code of Ethics, these are imperative to understand for running a Chapter for the AHG.
The American Herbalists Guild Code of Ethics:
The American Herbalists Guild designed the Code of Ethics to ensure a standard of excellence and accountability among its members. While the Guild is not a policy making body for the field of herbalism, it seeks to be a beacon of appropriate professional behavior among its membership. These policies and standards extend to speakers, teachers, mentors, staff, volunteers, participants and chapters of any American Herbalists Guild sponsored event (including, but not limited to the annual symposium, chapter activities, webinars, and other educational offerings).
Conflict of Interest
AHG Members, Board of Directors will disclose activities that are in conflict or may appear to be in conflict with any of the provisions of this Code of Ethics or with one’s responsibilities and duties as a member of the Guild. Please refer to the Conflict of Interest policy for more information
Ethical Leadership
AHG members at all levels are expected to exhibit individual leadership as a role model for maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct, and they should act with integrity in every professional interaction. Members are encouraged to question individual and group actions when necessary to ensure that decisions are ethical and are implemented as such. In teaching and mentoring, AHG members champion the development of others as ethical leaders in the profession and in organizations, setting the standard and being an example for others.
Fairness and Justice
As herbal professionals, we are ethically responsible for promoting and fostering fairness and justice in general and for our members. We respect the uniqueness and intrinsic worth of every individual. We are committed to treating people with dignity, respect and compassion – fostering a trusting environment, free of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination. We strive to ensure an environment of inclusiveness and a commitment to fairness, justice, and diversity, and advocating policies and procedures that foster fair, consistent and equitable treatment for all.
Sexual Harassment, Abuse and Discrimination
AHG Members will not use their position as employers, teachers, mentors, consultants, or leaders to seek sexual encounters or make unwanted sexual advances with students, clients, or other herbalists. Additionally, abuse, racism, discrimination and bullying of any kind are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Peer Review
AHG Members are open to peer review of their publications, lectures, and/or clinical protocols. Formal and informal peer review is a primary means of enhancing our level of knowledge and expertise and is encouraged.
Plagiarism
Anyone contributing articles, proposals, webinars, presentations, RH applications, materials, or participating in AHG events or activities shall abide by the plagiarism code within our Code of Ethics. Plagiarism is the stealing of another person’s ideas and words without crediting the source. The articles, presentations, proposals, and applications of AHG members should be based on their own original ideas and accurately cite and quote sources, without taking credit for them.
Environmental Commitment
AHG Members acknowledge that individual health is not separate from environmental health and we embrace ethics in products and sustainability.
Humanitarian Service
AHG Members are ready to be open and willing to attend to those in need of help when possible.
Professional Referral Network
Clients shall be encouraged to exercise their right to see other practitioners in any area of expertise and obtain their botanicals and health support from the source(s) of their choosing.
Quality Botanicals
AHG Members work in good faith to source and use botanicals that are formulated and manufactured in a way that will deliver the desired results, striving to obtain organically and sustainably grown and ethically harvested botanicals whenever possible.
Practitioner as Educator
Practicing AHG Members shall assume the role of educators, doing their best to empower clients in mobilizing their own innate healing abilities and promote the responsibility of clients to heal themselves.
Remember, AHG chapters are like branches of a larger tree—deeply connected to the Guild but independently growing and thriving in their own unique ways. While we’re here to support and provide connection, each chapter operates as its own entity outside of the AHG organization.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to help!
Sabrena Gwin, AHG Chapter Coordinator at chapters@americanherbalistsguild.com