Society Service Standards Reference Guide

This guide is intended to provide recommendations and examples of activities, engagements, and approaches societies may undertake to support the Society Service Standards for their segment.

Society Service Standards are aligned with CFA Institute strategy and represent the core areas where societies contribute to member value, candidate and market engagement, professional learning, and effective society operations. The standards are differentiated by society segment while allowing flexibility based on local market context and organizational capacity.

Society Service Standards

See a PDF version of the Society Service Standards, including required and expected activities across segments.

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Guide to Services, Engagements, and Activities That Fulfill the Society Service Standards

Use the dropdowns below to navigate to a table that includes examples, links to resources, and more ideas for how your society can fulfill the Society Service Standards for your segment.

Success Metrics: Member Retention, Membership Growth, Member Satisfaction/NPS

Some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) your society may consider measuring: retention among key cohorts like new charterholders, unaffiliated gap, participation in new charterholder events/value of charterholder recognition, networking event attendance, partnerships with new professional organizations, member survey response rate and scores.

These standards focus on the core value societies provide to members and the broader local professional community.

Services/Engagement Activities GFC Prof Assn Member Local What meeting the standard generally entails Examples and Implementation Guidance
Provides regular professional learning opportunities, including Standards, Ethics, and Regulation (SER) content, in line with segment expectations. Required – 30
credits		 Required – 20
credits		 Required – 20*
credits		 Required – 20*
credits

The society delivers a credible level of professional learning that reflects its segment and includes Standards, Ethics, and Regulation (SER) content.

*MS/LS segments can augment a portion of their PL/SER-credited opportunities by actively promoting CFA Institute or CFA society programming or other qualifying content.

Examples:

  • Host or co-host CE/PL-eligible programs
  • Include SER content within broader programming
  • Promote qualifying CFA Institute or other society content where local capacity is limited
  • Use a mix of live, virtual, article, podcast, or webinar formats

Guidance:
Recognizes and welcomes new members through structured onboarding or recognition activity. Required Required Required Required The society makes new members feel recognized and connected early in their society experience

Examples:

  • Hold a charterholder recognition ceremony or welcome event
  • Send a welcome email series
  • Host a new member orientation
  • Recognize new members in a newsletter or at an event

Guidance:

  • Access Charterholder Recognition Event Resources on Connexions
Supports annual membership recruitment and renewal through planned member outreach. Required Required Required Required The society makes intentional efforts each year to encourage renewal and strengthen recruitment.

Examples:

  • Implement a member renewal campaign utilizing the Member Renewal Toolkit
  • Share member testimonials on social media, member communications, etc.
  • Target outreach to prospective members to promote member benefits
  • Include membership messaging in event follow-up communications

Guidance:
Provides intentional networking opportunities that support member connection and professional development. Required - 12 Required - 8 Required - 4 Required - 4 The society provides recurring opportunities for members to build relationships and professional community.

Examples:

  • Host in-person or virtual networking events, social receptions around educational events
  • Create networking opportunities tied to career themes or industry topics

Guidance:

  • To count, a networking session must be planned and structured, with dedicated time or a structured format
  • Informal or unplanned networking does not count
  • Events can count for both this standard and professional learning credit service standard, if both are clearly delivered
  • Numbers represent the minimum number of distinct networking sessions or events delivered annually (not hours)
Uses a structured approach to gather member feedback on a regular basis. Required Required The society gathers member input intentionally and uses it to inform improvements.

Examples:

  • Run annual member survey or smaller pulse surveys throughout the year
  • Hold a small member focus group
  • Send post-event surveys to attendees
  • Create an advisory discussion with member leaders

Guidance:

  • Collaborate with other societies to share past member satisfaction survey questions
  • A single annual survey is not required ; multiple lighter-touch mechanisms are acceptable
  • Monitor CFA Institute conducted NPS pulse survey results via Relationship Manager or via societysupport@cfainstitute.org
  • Review recurring feedback themes as part of annual planning
Provides career-focused support such as mentoring, skills development, career events, or job access, where applicable. Required Required The society offers practical support that helps members navigate career growth and change.

Examples:

  • Offer a mentorship program
  • Host a career panel or employer discussion
  • Offer a CV or interview workshop
  • Provide skills-focused sessions tied to current market needs
  • Solicit local employers to participate in the CFA Institute Job Board (materials available on Connexions)

Guidance:

  • Engage in idea-sharing with other societies on the Connexions Community
Makes selected society-led professional learning content available for broader society network use, where applicable. Required Required The society contributes useful content or access beyond its immediate local audience.

Examples:

  • Share recordings or speaker materials, and open selected virtual sessions to other societies
  • Share events that are eligible for the Global Passport Program. Learn more about the program on Connexions.
  • Contribute reusable content or event/speaker ideas through Connexions or other agreed channels

Guidance:

  • Shared content can be included within (not in addition to) the total minimum Professional Learning Credit Service Standard
  • Content can be shared on Connexions
  • Both live and recorded content qualifies

*

All Membership toolkits and assets are housed in the Marketing Resource Hub on Connexions

Success Metrics: NL1 Growth, CFA Institute Professional Learning Program Registration Growth

These standards focus on how societies support awareness, engagement, and growth for the CFA Program and, where relevant, other CFA Institute learning offerings.

Services/Engagement Activities GFC Prof Assn Member Local What meeting the standard generally entails Examples and Implementation Guidance
Engages universities, employers, and other relevant stakeholders to raise awareness of the CFA Program. Required Required Required Required The society creates visibility for the CFA Program among audiences that influence candidate pipeline and employer awareness.

Examples:

  • Deliver university presentations or hold student information sessions
  • Execute marketing campaigns
  • Engage prep providers where relevant
  • Deliver presentations and informational meetings as part of meetings with firms

Guidance:

  • Leverage master product PPT deck in the Marketing Hub along with materials specific to university outreach (VUE, ICAN, and the Handbook for Universities)
  • Exchange university and employer engagement ideas with society peers on the Connexions Community
Supports student engagement through the Research Challenge, Ethics Challenge, or similar initiatives. Required Required Required Required The society plays a visible role in student-facing engagement opportunities tied to CFA Institute.

Examples:

  • Hosting or co-hosting the Research Challenge
  • Hosting or co-hosting the Ethics Challenge
  • Provide judges, mentors, or volunteers for other relevant student competitions

Guidance:

  • Collaborate with neighboring societies where appropriate
Provides opportunities for CFA Program candidates to connect with the society and access relevant information and support. Required Required Required Required The society provides candidate-facing touchpoints that help candidates feel connected and informed.

Examples:

  • Hold candidate-focused events
  • Share exam information and relevant resources
  • Create candidate networking opportunities
  • Feature candidate communications in the society newsletter or website
  • Invite candidates to select society events

Guidance:

  • Standalone events are not required rather, ensuring the society remains fosters ways to connect with candidates and keep them engaged
Includes CFA Program and, where relevant, professional learning promotion in annual marketing activity aligned to market opportunity. Expected Expected The society includes program promotion in a visible and planned way where there is a reasonable local opportunity to do so.

Examples:

  • Build program promotion into the annual marketing calendar
  • Run email and digital campaigns

Guidance:

  • Include CFA Program messaging in outreach to universities and employers
  • Implement relevant CFA Institute marketing toolkits and assets related to webinars, courses, certificates, and conferences
Engages employers and other stakeholders to gather market insight on professional learning needs and market trends. Expected Expected The society brings back useful local insight about learning demand, employer needs, and market trends.

Examples:

  • Host an employer roundtable
  • Conduct outreach meetings

Guidance:

  • Ask for input through short surveys or discussions
  • Share insights with CFA Institute through normal planning, reporting, or consultation channels
Supports CFA Program candidates through study groups, mentoring, prep support, or targeted candidate events. Expected Expected The society provides more hands-on support for candidates beyond awareness-building alone.

Examples:

  • Offer study groups
  • Offer candidate mentorship opportunities
  • Host an exam support session
  • Design targeted programming for early-career professionals and candidates

Guidance:

  • Collaborate with prep providers, where appropriate
  • Leverage events and content from other societies and CFA Institute to promote to your candidates

All Marketing toolkits and assets are housed in the Marketing Resource Hub on Connexions

Success Metrics: Stakeholder engagement, awareness of CFA Institute research and standards, contribution to market dialogue, and local thought leadership activity

These standards reflect the role some societies play in amplifying CFA Institute thought leadership, codes and standards, and market engagement in their local markets.

Service Standard GFC Prof Assn Member Local What meeting the standard generally entails Examples and Implementation Guidance
Promotes CFA Institute research, insights, or advocacy content to increase local awareness. Expected Expected The society helps relevant local audiences discover and engage with CFA Institute research, standards, or advocacy content.

Examples:

  • Select a CFA Institute report or policy content and share through newsletters and social channels to increase awareness across stakeholders
  • Host an event, webinar, or roundtable on new research, report, or advocacy content

Guidance:
Supports CFA Institute or locally relevant research and standards initiatives by contributing input, engagement, or market perspective. Expected Expected The society contributes useful local perspective that can inform research or standards work that reflect real-world practitioner insights and market dynamics.

Examples:

  • Host a roundtable or hold 1:1 meetings
  • Participate in market consultations or requests for industry comment
  • Encourage members to respond to surveys or calls for input from CFA Institute
  • Collaborate with CFA Institute on a research project related to the RPC thematic content

Guidance:

  • Engagement can be society led or in partnership with CFA Institute
  • Where possible, capture and share key takeaways or insights with CFA Institute (summarized feedback, key takeaways, local insights), to ensure input informs outcomes.
  • In Canada and the EU, coordinate with CFA Societies Canada/EU Steering Committee on market-specific engagement or input opportunities
Promotes understanding and practical application of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, and other relevant industry standards and codes. Expected Expected The society helps members and stakeholders understand how ethics, standards, and codes apply in practice.

Examples:

  • Offer an ethics-focused event or workshop
  • Host an information session or roundtable on relevant industry codes or standards

Guidance:

  • Use case studies in programming
  • Content and updates can be found in the Code of Ethics and Standards and CFA Institute's website
  • Leverage CFA Institute subject matter expertise where available
  • In Canada and the EU, coordinate with CFA Societies Canada/EU Steering Committee on promotion and application of relevant codes and standards
Facilitates dialogue with regulators, employers, and other stakeholders on policy, ethics, standards, regulation, and market developments. Expected Expected The society creates opportunities for relevant stakeholders to exchange views on important professional and market topics.

Examples:

  • Organize a regulator or employer roundtable
  • Convene a panel on policy or standards development
  • Host a stakeholder meeting with key decision-makers on local market issues
  • Invite regulators or standards experts to relevant programs

Guidance:

  • Prioritize topics and stakeholders most relevant to your local market
  • Get involved with CFA Clubs at employers to stimulate codes and standards awareness. (See table below for full details on industry codes and standards)
  • In Canada and the EU, coordinate with CFA Societies Canada/EU Steering Committee on market-specific engagement opportunities
Develops local thought leadership, events, or content on topics relevant to its market and aligned with CFA Institute priorities. Expected Expected The society contributes visible, market-relevant professional leadership beyond routine programming.

Examples:

  • Produce local market report or article
  • Publish response to relevant commentary letters
  • Convene an expert panel and host themed conference sessions and events on priority industry topics
  • Create programming tied to priority industry theses such as AI, private markets, sustainability, etc. where relevant

Guidance:

  • In Canada and the EU, coordinate with CFA Societies Canada/EU Steering Committee on market-specific thought leadership, events, or content

All Marketing toolkits and assets are housed in the Marketing Resource Hub on Connexions (Marketing Resources tab)

CFA Institute Codes and Standards are listed below for reference.

Code/Standard Name Description
Code Inclusion Code (USA) The voluntary CFA Institute Inclusion Code provides investment industry organizations with a structured framework for supporting executive leaders, investment professionals, Inclusion specialists, and HR professionals in crafting impactful and measurable strategies to enable better people management.
Code Inclusion Code (Canada)
Code Inclusion Code (UK)
Code Inclusion Code (Europe)
Code Inclusion Code (Australia)
Code Inclusion Code (Singapore)
Code Asset Manager Code The CFA Institute Asset Manager Code™ (the Code) outlines the ethical and professional responsibilities of organizations that manage assets on behalf of clients.
Code Pension Trustee Code of Conduct The Pension Trustee Code of Conduct embodies 10 fundamental principles of ethical best practice for pension plan trustees. Compliance with the Code promotes a standard of professional excellence among a pension plan’s trustees and trust among the plan’s stakeholders. We encourage public and private industry pension plans, including corporations and unions, to adopt the Code.
Code Endowments Code of Conduct The CFA Institute Investment Management Code of Conduct for Endowments, Foundations, and Charitable Organizations outlines ethical responsibilities for the sound management of longer-term financial assets.
Industry Standard Global Investment Performance Standard The GIPS® standards are a set of industry-wide principles that guide investment firms on how to calculate and report their investment results to prospective clients. We encourage firms to voluntarily adopt these standards.
Industry Standard Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products The Global ESG Disclosure Standards for Investment Products are the first global voluntary standards for disclosing how an investment product considers ESG issues in its objectives, investment strategy, and stewardship activities.

Success Metrics: Adherence to Governance Requirements & Submission Deadlines

These standards describe the outcomes societies are expected to achieve in order to operate responsibly and in good standing. The supporting governance and operating requirements that help demonstrate these standards are listed after the table.

Governance & Operations GFC Prof Assn Member Local What meeting the standard generally entails Examples and Implementation Guidance
Maintains legal, governance, and regulatory compliance. Required Required Required Required The society keeps its core legal and governance foundation current and operates in accordance with applicable requirements.

Examples:

  • Current bylaws aligned with the society’s legal and operating structure
  • Articles of Incorporation / legal registration documents are maintained on file and updated as needed
  • Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, and Whistleblower policies are in place

Guidance:

  • Ensure core governing documents and required filings are completed and kept up to date
  • Review bylaws and governance policies periodically
  • Ensure board members and staff understand conduct and conflict expectations
  • Governance templates and resources are available on Connexions
Maintains sound financial management and stewardship. Required Required Required Required The society manages funds responsibly, transparently, and with appropriate oversight.

Examples:

  • Implement and utilize a reserves policy and contract approval policy

Guidance:

  • Complete grant and use-of-funds reporting on time
  • Prepare an annual budget
  • Review finances regularly at board level
  • Maintain appropriate financial controls and signing authorities
  • Template Reserves Policy is available on Connexions
  • Refer to the Society Master Grant Agreement on Connexions
Uses board and leadership practices that support continuity and effective oversight. Required Required Required Required The society has practical structures that help leaders govern well and transition successfully over time.

Examples:

  • Maintain a board manual that outlines the board’s roles, responsibilities, and governance continuity
  • Keep a documented strategic plan that guides the society’s priorities and activities
  • Maintain committee charters/terms of reference to define committee remit and responsibilities

Guidance:

  • Conduct handovers for incoming leaders to achieve smooth leadership transition
  • Schedule regular board reviews of priorities and progress
  • Utilize consent agendas to effectively manage board meetings
  • Board Manual template is available on Connexions
Participates in required CFA Institute governance, reporting, and operating processes. Required Required Required Required The society completes required CFA Institute processes reliably and on time.

Examples:

  • Submit the annual business plan and year-end report to CFA Institute
  • Participate in required CFA Institute surveys (Society Partnership and Effectiveness Survey) and governance processes (PCR elections)
  • Complete required CFA Institute training
  • Send at least one delegate to the Society Leadership Conference

Guidance:

  • CFA Institute trainings can be accessed on Connexions
  • Information about the Presidents Council and Presidents Council Representatives is available on Connexions
  • Information about Society Leadership Conferences is available on Connexions
  • Information about the Business Planning and Operating Standards process is available on Connexions
  • Information about the Society Partnership Effectiveness Survey is available on Connexions
Protects the CFA Institute and society brand, trademarks, and reputation. Required Required Required Required The society uses CFA Institute branding responsibly and conducts external activity in a way that protects the reputation of both the society and CFA Institute.

Examples:

  • Follow CFA Institute brand guidelines, using approved logos and naming conventions
  • Review external sponsor and partner communications and practices to ensure they are appropriate prior to publication

Guidance:

  • Refer to CFA Institute’s brand guidelines on Connexions
  • Refer to the Society Trademark License and Data Sharing Agreement (LDSA) on Connexions
Protects member, candidate, and society data appropriately. Required Required Required Required The society handles personal and organizational information responsibly and uses appropriate privacy practices.

Examples:

  • Maintain a privacy or data protection policy
  • Limit data access to those who need it
  • Use approved systems and processes
  • Ensure leaders and staff complete required privacy-related training

Guidance:

  • Refer to the Society Trademark License and Data Sharing Agreement (LDSA) on Connexions
  • Data Privacy Policy Template is available on Connexions
  • CFA Institute Data Privacy training and data & reporting trainings can be accessed here