START 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!
WELCOME!
STEPS TO STARTING A CHAPTER
1. FILL OUT THE CHAPTER INQUIRY FORM
Our goal is to help make the process of starting a chapter as easy as possible for you. To begin, fill out the chapter inquiry form to the right to begin the steps of starting a chapter. Once the form is filled out you will be e-mailed a copy of your responses and within two-business days a member of NRHH Leadership will be in contact with you.
2. CONNECT WITH YOUR REGIONAL ADNRHH
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 (ADNRHH) 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 ADNRHH will also be instrumental in getting your new chapter connected to the many resources and opportunities that come with being a member of NACURH. Once you have submitted the chapter inquiry form, your regional ADNRHH will be in contact with you to support you throughout the way!
3. 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.
4. DRAFT A 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.
5. CONSTITUTION INFORMATION & MEMBERSHIP LIST
Chapter constitutions are required to have certain information to maintain standards and procedures. These requirements can be found on the Annual Affiliation tab on the NRHH website. Once you have your draft, work with your regional ADNRHH to ensure that it has the required elements found within the constitution statements and constitution checklist documents.
6. AFFILIATE WITH NACURH
NRHH collaborates with NACURH, Inc. to affiliate their Residence Hall Associations (RHAs). If your institution has an RHA there is no need to affiliate separately. If you do not have an RHA or your RHA is not interested in affiliating, you can begin the affiliation process as a chapter. Information regarding affiliation can be found on the NACURH Website.
7. PLAN FIRST INDUCTION CEREMONY
Once you have affiliated with NACURH, you will be able to purchase membership pins and certificates and induct your first NRHH class. The first induction class will be pivotal in the development of your chapter. The chartering committee should begin selecting the initial induction class, potentially including the students who have served on the chartering committee. Before you can induct your chartering committee and any other interested individuals you will want to make sure that you have educated your members on the honorary.
8. CONGRATULATIONS!
Having affiliated and inducted your first class, you are now a chapter, congratulations!
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