Starting A New Chapter (Information For New Chapters)

How do I start a chapter of Unite For Sight?
The major steps for organizing a new chapter are:

Recruit volunteers through extensive awareness campaigns and appoint an optometrist or ophthalmologist to serve as the chapter advisor.
In order to be a chapter of Unite For Sight, all officers and the advisor must sign the chapter charter.
All volunteers must complete the mandatory orientation and training requirements.
Assign officers.
Obtain at least 1 vision screening chart
Establish relationships with community centers (soup kitchens, clinics, homeless shelters, schools, preschools, libraries) so that you can schedule vision screenings and eye health education programs at these locations.
Place eyeglass donation bin in university libraries, doctor offices, and student centers to collect prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and non-prescription sunglasses. Reading glasses and sunglasses are especially useful. The eyeglasses are prescribed in Sierra Leone by local eye care professionals.
Fundraise

What is the timeline for establishing a chapter?

Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4

The chapter organizer will read the chapter coordinator manual and have a phone conversation with Unite For Sight to further discuss details about establishing a chapter
Recruit volunteers and require that they all register as a Unite For Sight volunteer at www.uniteforsight.org/chapter and complete the mandatory volunteer orientation and training requirements.
Appoint an optometrist or ophthalmologist to serve as the chapter advisor
Identify university funding sources so that you can purchase start-up materials: vision screening charts, paper, a Rubbermaid bin for the eyeglass drive, etc. The start-up materials should cost no more than $20-$25
Assign officers and officer duties
Register Unite For Sight chapter with your university or school
Order vision screening charts
Hold an organizational meeting
Sign Chapter Charter
Fundraise $50
Contact community centers (schools, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and libraries) about offering free, noninvasive preliminary vision screenings to the community.
Begin Unite For Sight Eyeglass Drive by placing bins in university libraries and student centers, as well as in hospitals and eye doctor offices.
Continue to publicize Unite For Sight on campus to recruit additional volunteers.

Weeks 5 and 6

Hold an organizational meeting
Sign and submit chapter charter
Begin Vision Screenings and Vision Education Programs in local community centers only after the chapter charter is received by Unite For Sight.

Weeks 7, 8 and beyond