Start a Name State Chapter

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At A Glance...

How to Develop a State Chapter...

A National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) state chapter is an organized group of NAME members living in one of the fifty (50) United States, its territories, and/or the District of Columbia. Each state chapter is governed by the NAME national Constitution, Bylaws, Code of Ethics, Philosophy and Purpose. Each chapter should write and enact additional Bylaws to fit its particular needs; however, those Bylaws should neither conflict with nor contradict the Bylaws and Constitution of the national organization. Each chapter is organized to provide a state forum for educational professionals to debate issues, share and develop new knowledge, and promote research, scholarship and educational practice in the field of multicultural education.

NAME encourages interested individuals residing in the fifty United States, its territories and the District of Columbia to come together to form NAME state chapters. Suggestions for how to proceed with the development of a state chapter are detailed below:

1) Determine who the members in the state are! Contact the NAME National Office and/or the Regional Director within the region which your state falls for an up-to-date list of the state membership.

2) Form a steering committee (we suggest at least five (5) people) to get the process going. Select an interim chairperson who will be responsible for communication and coordination.

3) Acquire copies of:

a)         the NAME philosophy and statement of purpose

b)         the NAME Bylaws

c)         the NAME Code of Ethics

d)         NAME brochures

e)         other NAME written materials, as appropriate

4) If not already in place, build membership in state to a minimum of twenty-five (25) people, who must ultimately be members of NAME national.

5) Identify and build institutional and/or organizational support to provide meeting space, assistance with mailings, refreshments, supplies, etc. as you begin, and to enhance, the chapter development.

6) Bring together a minimum of 25 people who are interested in forming and being active members of a state chapter of NAME, and collect due

7) Once membership commitment is established, initiate the NAME state chapter application process, which includes:

a) completing the 2 page application form

b) developing a set of state Bylaws

c) submitting the materials to the NAME National Office with a copy to your Regional Director

Contact the NAME National Office and/or the Regional Director for assistance with this process and samples of other states’ application process.

8) Receive chapter approval from the National Office which includes funding (state chapters receive $15.00 per paid NAME member rebate back to the chapter from the national dues).

9) Operationalize the state chapter!

a) From “paid” members, hold elections and form committees such as:

- Membership

- Program/Events

- Communication/Newsletter

- Fundraising

- Conference

- others as identified by the state members

b) Obtain state ID tax number (contact state Tax & Revenue Office and request “packet for non-profit organizations), establish budget and book-keeping practices (it is recommended that an accountant be identified), and open banking account (please talk with Regional Director about this process so to be sure that the state stays in sync with the tax-exempt status enjoyed by NAME and its affiliates).