Starting a new chapter

Establishing an AIGA chapter is not an activity to be undertaken lightly. The strength of the organization as a whole depends on each chapter creating and sustaining an active, growing presence in its community. Programs, activities and services to members at the local level are critical to the growth of the organization nationally. To initiate a chapter, the following steps must be taken.

• An interested group of designers contacts AIGA headquarters to convey interest in establishing a new chapter.
• The interested group downloads materials from this page, including a petition to be signed by 20 current AIGA professional members; a description of how the AIGA community is organized; chapter performance expectations; and a chapter affiliation charter.
• The interested group contacts any nearby chapters as a way of developing communications with others in the region. Other chapters are an important source of information and best practices.
• AIGA headquarters sends membership brochures and a variety of other materials to encourage membership.
• The interested designers return the completed petition, signed by 20 current AIGA professional members (applications for membership may be included with the petition).
• The potential chapter organizes its board and informs AIGA headquarters of the names of officers. The group is granted provisional chapter status.
• AIGA headquarters sends sample bylaws for the provisional chapter to use as reference in drawing up its own bylaws. The national office also sends proof of AIGA’s 501(c)(3) status, a start-up grant of $1,000 and two copies of the chapter affiliation agreement to be signed (one copy should be kept by the chapter, the other returned to AIGA headquarters).
• The chapter files for incorporation (preferably with an attorney willing to work pro bono) and tax exempt status within its state.
• AIGA headquarters reviews and approves the provisional chapter’s bylaws.
• The provisional chapter organizes events and recruitment activities. AIGA headquarters sends materials and publications for distribution and display.
• AIGA headquarters assists in identifying current members who may be more appropriately affiliated with the new chapter.
• Upon notification of the chapter’s federal employer identification number, the national office includes the new chapter in its group exemption plan.
• The chapter sends at least one board member to the annual leadership retreat; includes the headquarters office on its mailing list for events; provides program summaries prior to the leadership retreat; and in general communicates with AIGA headquarters about chapter activities. The chapter maintains a page of information on the AIGA website and is encouraged to develop its own website using resources provided by the national organization.
• The national office communicates with chapter presidents and local board members through a monthly bulletin, monthly conference calls and periodic calls to individual chapter presidents.

If you have further questions, please contact us.

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Formation materials
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Petition for new AIGA chapter
Performance requirements for AIGA chapters
AIGA affiliation charter
How AIGA is organized
Sample AIGA bylaws