Starting a new chapter may seem overwhelming, but it actually does not require as much work as you think. This page demonstrates the step by step process of starting a new chapter, which can be broken down into four major steps.

1. Review the Local Chapter Handbook online.

2. Fill out the New Chapter Application Form online at register.bpa.org. A national staff will review the application and contact your advisor upon review.

3. A national staff member will provide a username and a password for the Membership Registration System (MRS). This system will be used to register members every year.

4. A national staff member will send your contact information to our Michigan BPA State Office. The Michigan BPA State Office will then send you additional information.

These steps will register your chapter on national and state database for this year and future years. However, “starting a chapter” does not end there. After officially registering your chapter, there are other inner-chapter activities you should partake in. Below are some basic procedures BPA chapters take.

• Register the chapter as a school club if necessary

• Recruit members

• Assign or elect officers

• Create a calendar of events

• Make a list of goals for the year

• Fundraise for scholarships or bonding events

• Plan for various conferences: fall, regional, state, and national

Starting a new chapter may seem overwhelming, but it actually does not require as much work as you think. This page demonstrates the step by step process of starting a new chapter, which can be broken down into four major steps.

1. Review the Local Chapter Handbook online at www.bpabackup.wpengine.com/membership/newchapterhandbook

2. Fill out the New Chapter Application Form online at www.registermychapter.com/bpamem/NewChap.aspx. A national staff will review the application and contact your advisor upon review.

3. A national staff member will provide a username and a password for the Membership Registration System (MRS). This system will be used to register members every year.

4. A national staff member will send your contact information to our Michigan BPA State Office. The Michigan BPA State Office will then send you additional information.

These steps will register your chapter on national and state database for this year and future years. However, “starting a chapter” does not end there. After officially registering your chapter, there are other inner-chapter activities you should partake in. Below are some basic procedures BPA chapters take.

• Register the chapter as a school club if necessary

• Recruit members

• Assign or elect officers

• Create a calendar of events

• Make a list of goals for the year

• Fundraise for scholarships or bonding events

• Plan for various conferences: fall, regional, state, and national