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.
In order to be a chapter of Unite For Sight, all officers must sign the chapter charter.
All volunteers must complete the mandatory orientation and training requirements.
Students will apply to Unite For Sight for officer positions. Officers will be selected.
Establish relationships with community centers (soup kitchens, clinics, homeless shelters, schools, preschools, libraries) for education programs and workshops.
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.
Students will apply to Unite For Sight for officer positions. Unite For Sight will select and appoint officers.
Sign and submit the Chapter Charter. Fundraise at least $50 to submit with the Chapter Charter.
Only after the Chapter Charter is submitted, register the Unite For Sight chapter with your university or school.
Hold an organizational meeting
Continue to publicize Unite For Sight on campus to recruit additional volunteers.

Weeks 5 and 6

Hold an organizational meeting
After the Chapter Charter is submitted, begin community-based programs. Programs must not begin until the Chapter Charter is submitted and approved by Unite For Sight.
For fundraising, contact local businesses and restaurants to donate a perceptage of their profits on specified days to Unite For Sight. Most all restaurants will coordinate this type of fundraiser. Your role is to advertise the fundraiser and concurrently bring awareness to the restaurant to your peers on campus. The restaurant then expects a large turnout from campus on the specified day. Since you have brought in the extra business to their restaurant, the restaurant will then donate the specified percentage to Unite For Sight. The higher the number of patrons on that day, the higher the restaurant's profits, and therefore the higher the donation to Unite For Sight. Jamba Juice, Friendlys, and most chain restaurants are especially known to have formal programs for this type of fundraiser. Small local restaurants also are usually very enthusiastic about coordinating this type of event. You should plan at least one of these fundraisers per month, and it requires limited time and energy.
Other monthly fundraisers should include bake sales, online fundraising campaigns, benefit concerts, etc.

Weeks 7, 8 and beyond