Successful student chapters are not accidental. They take initiative, planning and constant renewal. Most of all, they require a dedicated group of students who take the time to have fun while learning new skills and expanding their knowledge base. The following information outlines a process that has made the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point’s chapter successful for over 20 years.

Pick a faculty member who “gets things done” to be your faculty advisor. Set up a meeting with them and their office and show them how they can be a part of your team. Think big from the beginning. Brainstorm on how to get started, gather the necessary information, plan an introductory meeting and let the chapter unfold.

Have the faculty advisor name the “Gang of Four,” the officers for the first year. If it sounds undemocratic, it probably is, but people will more likely join a group that sounds like they have it all together. The first meeting needs to be a “Gas”: Fun, information, challenge and planting future expectations are necessary ingredients to success. An icebreaker, speakers, challenges, snacks and a short overview of upcoming meetings will go a long ways towards motivating students to return. Come prepared with an overview of at least the next three meetings.

Emails, posters, personal invitations to attend the first meeting are all good ways to invite students to the first meeting. Pressure from the department head and the entire faculty works much better. Take your Gang of Four to the first faculty meeting, in which you can get on the agenda, and tell the entire faculty why you are starting a student chapter. Ask them personally to attend meetings, support the goals of the student chapter, and speak about the benefits of belonging. Provide them with an overview of the first three meetings and ask them to explain to their students why involvement in professional organizations is not only a good idea but a must for thriving professionals.

The student chapter benefits must be clearly spelled out before recruiting new members. Utilize any affiliation materials that a connected professional organization can provide. Their goals and objectives can often be rewritten to reflect your chapter goals. Print these goals and be ready to hand them out at the first meeting. Benefits may include such things as:

• Gaining knowledge that can’t be obtained in the classroom
• Enhancing networking skills
• Building leadership skills
• Building communication skills
• Opportunity to establish professional mentors and advisors

When starting a student chapter, a plan will be helpful that states the goals and objectives of the chapter. This plan might include the following items:

• How many members does the chapter want to recruit? Do you want people from several majors on one area? When will be the time that most people are available to come to meetings?
• What kinds of activities will the future members want to be involved in? Can you come up with a list of eight activities that can serve as a blueprint for the first year of meetings?
• Are there professional conferences available for all members to attend? How will you get a large group to a conference?
• Are there community service activities in which student members can become involved? When they become involved, who will make sure the student club is recognized for its service activities?