ATRA identifies a need to have grassroots involvement from the membership. The ATRA Board identifies chapters as the "backbone" of the Association, a way to receive and disseminate information on a local level.

First chapter established 1986, Inland- Northwest (Washington State).

Chapters & Bylaws Committee published the Affiliate Chapter's Manual in August 1987, using guidelines that were developed and tested by the Inland Northwest Chapter.

Chapter Affiliate Council meetings held at the Mid Year & Annual Conferences began in 1992.

Articles of operation revised & accepted August 19, 1992.

Policies and Procedure established September 1993.

Initial group of chapters included: Arizona, Inland Northwest, New Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania, Toledo (now Northern Ohio TRA), Pacific Northwest, Washington DC (now Chesapeake Area RTA) Michigan, North Carolina, Puget Sound, San Antonio, Gold Coast, TRACS (Illinois), Iowa, and Minnesota.

Following came: Kansas City, Cincinnati/Dayton, West Virginia, Louisiana, Georgia, Bay Area (California), Indiana, and Arkansas for total of 22 by 1994.

Then came Nebraska, Oklahoma, Lone Star (Texas) a reorganized Illinois chapter (formerly TRACS), and New England for a total of 27 Chapters.

In 1999 Inland Northwest dissolved & Puget Sound reformulated to form the Washington State chapter, bringing the total number of chapters to 26. Wisconsin became the 27th Chapter Affiliate late in 1999.

The most recent Chapter Affiliates to be added is the Louisiana-Magnolia Chapter, added in February of 2001, followed by Kentucky in September of 2001 and Virginia in March of 2003.