HOW TO START (CHARTER) A CHAPTER

 

Starting an NRHH chapter on your campus is an excellent way to increase leadership, service, and recognition opportunities for resident student leaders. Besides joining a worldwide community of dedicated and passionate leaders through the Honorary, NRHH chapters also enjoy access to the resources and services available from the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH). We're excited to get started!

 

1. FORM A CHARTERING COMMITTEE

While the process is not a difficult one, making sure that there are a variety of levels and support and interest will help it go a lot smoother. An initial chartering committee is best comprised of dedicated student leaders committed to starting and building a chapter in addition to residence life/housing professionals to act as a guide and liaison with the department. NRHH, being a residence hall-based organization, typically succeeds best when there is a strong relationship between the professional department and other resident student organizations. 

 

This chartering committee can begin by perusing the resources listed here.

 

2. CONNECT WITH YOUR REGIONAL AD-NRHH

NRHH, due to its close connection and shared leadership with NACURH, is sectioned off geographically into eight regional affiliates. Each regional affiliate has an Associate Director for NRHH (AD-NRHH) that is a student leader elected to the regional affiliate's leadership to lead NRHH within their respective region. They are well equipped and excited to connect with you, your institution, and to help your NRHH chapter get off the ground running! The regional AD-NRHH will also be instrumental in getting your new chapter connected to the many resources and opportunities that come with being a member of NACURH. 

 

You can find your regional AD-NRHH's contact information by navigating to this website's contact page.

 

3. DRAFT A CHAPTER CONSTITUTION

Each chapter must have a constitution that aligns with several policy standards that unite chapters. Beyond the set standards that must be present in each chapter constitution, there is a lot of room for the chapter to eventually define and redefine several elements. The chartering committee should draft an initial constitution with this in mind.

 

4. PLAN FOR THE FIRST INDUCTION CEREMONY

The first induction class will be pivotal in transitioning from the chartering committee to an established organization. The chartering committee should begin selecting the initial induction class, potentially including the students who have served on the chartering committee. Feel free to utilize this resource to plan your chapter's first induction ceremony.

 

5. AFFILIATE WITH NACURH

NRHH collaborates with NACURH to affiliate member institutions of Residence Hall Associations (or similar resident student organizations) and NRHH chapters. Thus, there is no need for each organization affiliating separately if your institution is already affiliated through an RHA.

 

If your institution does not have an RHA (or that organization is not particularly interested in being a part of NACURH), then your institution can absolutely affiliate exclusively with an NRHH chapter. You can find more information about affiliating with NACURH, including dues, on the NACURH website. 

 

6. CONSTITUTION REVIEW AND MEMBER'S LIST

In addition to affiliating your institution with NACURH (which can be disregarded if your institution is already affiliated through RHA), there is an additional process for each NRHH chapter that occurs annually.

 

Constitutions are reviewed by the chapter's respective regional AD-NRHH each year in order to maintain standards and procedures. This process happens in tandem with the iinstitutional affiliation process. The process for this step can be found here.

 

7. CONGRATULATIONS!

Pending a successful constitution review, congratulations! Your chapter is officially chartered and affiliated for the remainder of the affiliation year!