Chapter Handbook

How do I start a Chapter or Club?

Contact the Association by filling out the chapter leader form. A staff liaison will be assigned to work with you based on your location.
For organizations outside the state of Kansas, the alumni records department will total the number of alumni within a 60-mile radius of your zip code range to determine whether or not there are enough alumni in the area to form a chapter (more than 300 alumni) or a club (less than 300). Kansas geographic areas have already been established based on alumni populations, the Kansas Honors Program and driving time.

If your group qualifies as a club:

The Association will send you a spirit kit for all of your social gatherings.
A staff liaison will assist in contacting area alumni and gathering e-mail addresses for future communications. This will enable you to plan more effectively.
The Association will send out an initial kickoff mailing to all alumni in your zip code range (60-mile radius). This will inform area ’Hawks a new club is starting and provide contact information and watch site locations. For additional mailings and Association support, clubs must obtain chapter status.

If your group qualifies as a chapter:

The Association will host a reception. Invitations will go out to all area alumni. A member of our staff will attend to talk about various programming and to help recruit a volunteer steering committee.
Once a steering committee has been recruited, your Association liaison will pass along committee contact information so members can schedule an initial meeting where they will devise a chapter plan and determine the appropriate chapter kickoff event.
The steering committee will continually work with the staff liaison on planning and budgeting to produce successful events in your area. Chapters must consult with their staff liaison on any event using Association resources.

For help with starting a chapter/club contact: