National and Regional Chapters – Calls for Expressions of Interest Are you an ISOQOL member living in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, or any other country outside North America and Western Europe? Would you like to help bring the benefits ISOQOL has to offer to your country or region? Then please read on … ISOQOL is about to embark on an exciting new venture – the formation of chapters in nations and regions beyond ISOQOL’s traditional base. Guidelines about how to establish a chapter are now available at the ISOQOL website. Click here Are you interested in setting up a chapter? If so, get together with other ISOQOL members from your country or region to discuss your options for establishing a local ISOQOL chapter. We are now calling for expressions of interest (EOI). These should take the form of a draft application, following the information in the guidelines. If you’re interested in submitting an EOI but would like to discuss further, please email your query to info@isoqol.org. FAQs: Why have chapters? It is hoped that the development and growth of such chapters will foster a more truly international network of HRQL research and researchers and promote understanding and use of HRQL measures in a wider and more culturally and geographically diverse range of countries and regions. This in turn will promote more cultural and geographical balance in the field of HRQL research. What do the new guidelines cover? The new provisional guidelines cover the creation, approval and operation of national and regional chapters of ISOQOL. They outline: minimum requirements for a chapter; the relationship between ISOQOL and a chapter; the benefits and support provided by ISOQOL to a chapter; the operation of chapters, including financial arrangements under two possible models (franchise versus subsidiary); the process of application, approval, annual report and review; alternatives to forming a chapter; and the roles and responsibilities of the chapter leadership, of the Board Chapters Liaison Delegate (currently John Brazier), and of the ISOQOL Board. Why are the guidelines “provisional”? There are many issues to consider, and because this is ISOQOL’s first experience with establishing and operating chapters, the optimal approach is not clear. It is therefore envisaged that these guidelines will be reviewed annually and revised in the light of experience both of the chapters and the Board until such time as the guidelines match the needs and requirements of all concerned.