8 o Be a registered student organization o Have a set of governing documents o Have a set of (at least one) elected student leaders o Have a faculty/staff member serving as Chapter Advisor Registered Student Organization A prospective Chapter must be a registered student organization (RSO) at their accredited institution in accordance with that institution’s policies, regulations, and procedures. The process of becoming a registered student organization may vary on each campus, so Chapter Leaders are encouraged to contact their university’s Student Life or Student Affairs office for more information. Becoming an RSO ensures that a potential Chapter has a structured and public relationship with their accredited institution as well as institutionalized connections with other student organizations on their campus. It also formalizes the Chapter’s rules and responsibilities in accordance with their university’s regulations. Official student organizations also often have access to unique resources, including funding, which might not otherwise be available. Governing Documents Chapters are required to have a governing document (e.g. bylaws, constitution) that provides official guidelines on what the Chapter is, how it is managed, and more. As an RSO, institution policies often guide how this document is crafted and what is required to be enumerated within. It is recommended that, during the Chapter Leader turnover process, an annual review and revision of the governing document is also done to make amendments and ensure all Chapter Leaders are familiar with the foundation of the organization. It is also recommended that governing documents include at minimum: • Chapter mission statement • Membership eligibility requirements • Chapter Officer positions and position descriptions • Election procedures • Meeting requirements and procedures Of particular note, while membership eligibility is often laid out by the institution, National Headquarters has found through experience and research that the highest performing Chapters are the most inclusive. It may feel natural that a student veteran organization be exclusive to student veterans, but this practice takes away from the growth and impact that the Chapter may have on its members as well as the school on the whole. Inclusion of nonveterans in leadership positions can at first be an uncomfortable thought, but nonveteran students have their own, individual set of skills that can prove necessary in a Chapter Leader or Officer. Diversity and inclusion have shown to lead to a truly world-class chapter. Governing documents should be crafted under the guidance of the accredited institution and should meet all requirements laid out by said institution. Chapter Leaders At minimum, the Chapter must have an elected President, but your institution may require additional leadership roles or may have another name for this position. Leadership responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following areas: • Ensuring that the Chapter is properly reporting membership and Chapter information to National Headquarters. • Coordinating membership recruitment, Chapter Officer installation/transition, and Chapter meetings. • Being familiar with the Chapter’s constitution and/or bylaws, membership requirements and Chapter reporting procedures.
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