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GETTING A CHAPTER OFF THE GROUND
Step 1: Contact PWOP Executive Director via email
The most effective way to initiate the process of starting a chapter is first to email PWOP’s executive
director. The executive director will be able to offer many suggestions and help so that your chapter
starts off in a direction that will ensure success in the future while maintaining the philosophy and mission
of the organization.
Once you have had a telephone consultation with the executive director and you believe that you and
your local colleagues are able and willing to start a chapter in your community, you should begin building
your leadership team.
Step 2: Build a leadership team
It is most important to start building a leadership team from the beginning. Chapters that are most
successful over time are those that started with building a team of dedicated members who are willing to
carry out the chapter’s activities in accordance with PWOP’s guidelines. Chapters that have experienced
problems often include those that initially rely on just a couple of people to do the work. You should
focus only on gaining people interested in the chapter. Think of your leadership team as a workgroup of
responsible stakeholders that moves the chapter forward. Your leadership team should include a
facilitator, finance manager, activities coordinator, and chapter secretary. The members of the
leadership team should be prepared to participate in meetings (online, face-to-face, teleconference) with
the national PWOP management team periodically throughout the year.
Step 3: Complete chapter application paperwork
After forming your leadership team, the chapter facilitator must complete and submit the facilitator pledge
form, chapter application, and applicable chapter application fees. The pledge form, chapter application,
and chapter application fee of $75 (money order only) must be sent to PWOP headquarters. The $75 is
broken down into $50 for chartering fees and $25 for annual chapter dues. These fees assist in the
costs of providing PWOP approved start-up advertising and operating materials. All paperwork must be
received by PWOP headquarters and approved before the chapter can begin accepting members. After
approval of the chapter, PWOP will send you all of the materials that you will need to get started. Please
allow up to 4 weeks for approval and establishment of the chapter.
Step 4: Hold a successful open house
The chapter leadership team will work together to hold a open house. PWOP headquarters must be
notified of the open house date at least 3 weeks in advance so that a PWOP can provide a liaison to
attend and assist with the presentation. The open house is presented to as many people as possible –
to inform them about the formation of a new PWOP chapter, its mission, vision, and benefits. Rather than
being a meeting to first conduct formal chapter business, the open house is most effective if it provides
participants with information and enthusiasm about how the group will be a benefit to women in the
community. An open house agenda should look something like this:
• Introductions
• Overview of PWOP mission, history, vision, programs, and activities
• Sign-up of members
• Closure
Timing of the open house, roles of the organizers, the specific agenda, outreach to potential guests,
advertising, and costs are aspects of the open house that should be considered carefully. This is the
meeting from which potential members can be found. It is crucial that the audience for this first open
house be broad-based. Outreach for such an event absolutely must be widespread if you are going
foster diversity.
Step 5: Start reading the next book selection
After you have established your membership base, hosting sites, and meeting dates/times you can begin
reading the PWOP’s selected book and taking part in all events and activities!
Step 1: Contact PWOP Executive Director via email
The most effective way to initiate the process of starting a chapter is first to email PWOP’s executive
director. The executive director will be able to offer many suggestions and help so that your chapter
starts off in a direction that will ensure success in the future while maintaining the philosophy and mission
of the organization.
Once you have had a telephone consultation with the executive director and you believe that you and
your local colleagues are able and willing to start a chapter in your community, you should begin building
your leadership team.
Step 2: Build a leadership team
It is most important to start building a leadership team from the beginning. Chapters that are most
successful over time are those that started with building a team of dedicated members who are willing to
carry out the chapter’s activities in accordance with PWOP’s guidelines. Chapters that have experienced
problems often include those that initially rely on just a couple of people to do the work. You should
focus only on gaining people interested in the chapter. Think of your leadership team as a workgroup of
responsible stakeholders that moves the chapter forward. Your leadership team should include a
facilitator, finance manager, activities coordinator, and chapter secretary. The members of the
leadership team should be prepared to participate in meetings (online, face-to-face, teleconference) with
the national PWOP management team periodically throughout the year.
Step 3: Complete chapter application paperwork
After forming your leadership team, the chapter facilitator must complete and submit the facilitator pledge
form, chapter application, and applicable chapter application fees. The pledge form, chapter application,
and chapter application fee of $75 (money order only) must be sent to PWOP headquarters. The $75 is
broken down into $50 for chartering fees and $25 for annual chapter dues. These fees assist in the
costs of providing PWOP approved start-up advertising and operating materials. All paperwork must be
received by PWOP headquarters and approved before the chapter can begin accepting members. After
approval of the chapter, PWOP will send you all of the materials that you will need to get started. Please
allow up to 4 weeks for approval and establishment of the chapter.
Step 4: Hold a successful open house
The chapter leadership team will work together to hold a open house. PWOP headquarters must be
notified of the open house date at least 3 weeks in advance so that a PWOP can provide a liaison to
attend and assist with the presentation. The open house is presented to as many people as possible –
to inform them about the formation of a new PWOP chapter, its mission, vision, and benefits. Rather than
being a meeting to first conduct formal chapter business, the open house is most effective if it provides
participants with information and enthusiasm about how the group will be a benefit to women in the
community. An open house agenda should look something like this:
• Introductions
• Overview of PWOP mission, history, vision, programs, and activities
• Sign-up of members
• Closure
Timing of the open house, roles of the organizers, the specific agenda, outreach to potential guests,
advertising, and costs are aspects of the open house that should be considered carefully. This is the
meeting from which potential members can be found. It is crucial that the audience for this first open
house be broad-based. Outreach for such an event absolutely must be widespread if you are going
foster diversity.
Step 5: Start reading the next book selection
After you have established your membership base, hosting sites, and meeting dates/times you can begin
reading the PWOP’s selected book and taking part in all events and activities!