How to Start a Chapter

Organizing a Saint John's University alumni chapter can be an exciting and rewarding experience.  It's a great way to stay connected to fellow alumni who share in the rich history of Saint John's.  Chapter activity revolves around serving the University and your community, while strengthening bonds with fellow Johnnies.

The Saint John's University Alumni Relations Staff is happy to assist you throughout the process of starting a chapter, as well as maintaining an active chapter.  If you are interested in starting an alumni chapter, we suggest the following steps to get you on your way:

Step 1 - Contact the Saint John's Alumni Relations Office

Step 2 - Explore the Interest Level for Chapter Formation

Step 3 - Organize an Initial Social Gathering

Step 4 - Plan a Second Meeting to Discuss Leadership

Step 5 - Complete the Chapter Charter Registration

Step 6 - Maintain an Active Chapter

 

Step 1

Contact the Saint John's Alumni Relations Office to let them know that you are interested in starting a chapter.  Please fill out the online Chapter Development Application, and a member of the Saint John's Alumni Relations Staff will be in touch with you shortly after.  You can also reach the office by contacting Alumni Relations Assistant, Jody Yurczyk, at jyurczyk@csbsju.edu or 320-363-3828.

The Alumni Relations Staff will put together a list of alumni in your area or affinity group to determine the potential for starting a chapter in your area.  The staff can also put you in contact with other alumni who have shown interest in starting a similar chapter.

Step 2

Explore the interest level for starting a chapter in your area.  The Alumni Relations staff recommends sending a survey to those alumni in your proposed chapter.  A survey will help guage the level of enthusiasm for starting a chapter, locate potential meeting places, and identify the types of activities that are most appealing to those alumni in your area.

The Alumni Relations Staff will assist you in preparing and sending out the survey, as well as compiling the results of the survey.

Step 3

Once the survey results are in and it is determined that the outcome was favorable, a social gathering of Johnnie alumni in your area should be planned.  This first meeting is an opportunity for you and your fellow alumni to meet, greet, and generate ideas for future chapter activities.  This initial meeting also provides the opportunity to identify leadership prospects and to set a date for a second meeting that includes those potential leaders.

Step 4

Set the date for a second meeting where you will discuss chapter leadership for the first year.  Be sure to gather those people who earlier stated interest in pursuing a leadership role.  During this session it's suggested that you plan your next function, which will feature a formal presentation of the new chapter leaders as well as creation of a chapter mission statement.

Step 5

Complete the Chapter Charter Registration and submit it to the Saint John's Alumni Office.  Once we receive the registration, you will receive a Chapter Charter Certificate from Saint John's University.

Step 6

Maintain an active chapter while having fun and serving Saint John's and your community.  Continue to plan events, recruit new Johnnies as volunteers, and send updates to the Alumni Office so that we can keep your chapter website up to date.  With support from the Saint John's Alumni Relations Staff, your alumni chapter will be on it's way to enriching the lives of all Johnnies.

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Institutional Advancement College of Saint Benedict St. Joseph, MN 56374 (320) 363-5682 (800) 648-3468

Institutional Advancement Saint John's University Collegeville, MN 56321 (320) 363-3099 (800) 635-7303