Starting Chapters

Starting a club shouldn’t be limited by money, location, or connections. Whether you’re passionate about business, medicine, robotics, or debate, every student deserves the chance to create opportunities for themselves and their peers. This guide is designed to make the process simple: from gathering support, to writing a constitution, to accessing funding and national networks. Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, toolkits, and links for starting major national organizations (like DECA or HOSA). No matter your background, this page will help you take your idea from vision to reality.

Universal Steps to Starting Chapters

Identify Your Why

What gap does your club fill? (STEM, leadership, service, arts, etc.)

Write down 2–3 goals that define your club’s purpose.

Find a Sponsor/Advisor

Usually a teacher or staff member willing to supervise.

Provide them a simple “pitch” of your club’s value.

Gather Interest

Recruit at least 5–10 students (minimum often required).

Use sign-up sheets, flyers, or school announcements.

Write a Constitution/Bylaws

Define officer roles (President, VP, Treasurer, etc.).

Set meeting frequency and member expectations.

Submit to Your School

Each school has a club approval process (forms, principal signature, etc.).

Attach your constitution and list of members.

Plan a Launch Event

First meeting: icebreakers, explain goals, outline upcoming projects.

Create excitement with a kickoff activity.

Seek Funding/Support

Apply for grants (list a few later).

Partner with local businesses for sponsorships.

For national orgs, look for fee waivers.

DECA (Business & Entrepreneurship)

Why DECA?
DECA builds leadership, business knowledge, and career skills through competitions and conferences. It’s especially valuable for students interested in management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship.

How to Start:

Talk to your CTE/business teacher – DECA requires a faculty advisor, ideally someone in marketing, business, or finance.
Check your state DECA association – Some states offer startup support or waivers for underserved schools.
Recruit at least 10 members – Many schools start small, but 10 is the minimum to register.
Register your chapter on DECA’s official site
Pay student dues (~$8 national + state dues).
Ask your principal for funding, or apply for DECA Inc. scholarships
Hold your first meeting – Introduce DECA events (Principles, roleplays, exams), explain conferences, and set officer elections.
Start practicing – Use free online resources like DECA Guide and sample roleplays.

Resources:

Tips for Underserved Schools:

Partner with a local business for sponsorship (often $200–$500 can cover dues).
If dues are a barrier, run a fundraiser (t-shirt sales, concession stand).
Consider starting small with “Principles” competitors (lowest prep, high growth).

HOSA (Health Sciences & Medicine)

Why HOSA?
HOSA prepares students for healthcare careers and builds leadership skills. It’s ideal if your school has health science classes or students interested in nursing, medicine, or allied health fields.

How to Start:

Find a health teacher or counselor sponsor. If none exist, a science teacher can serve as advisor.
Check your state HOSA site – Each state has a chartered association.
Recruit members – No strict minimum, but at least 5–10 recommended.
Register your chapter at hosa.org.
- Membership fees are ~$10–$20 per student (national + state).
- Schools in underserved communities may qualify for fee assistance.
Elect officers – President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer.
Plan activities – Community service (blood drives, health awareness days), competition practice.
Prepare for events – Choose competitive events (knowledge tests, teamwork events, health projects).

Resources:

Tips for Underserved Schools:

Partner with a local hospital/clinic for mentorship.
Apply for community health grants (ex: Walmart Community Grants).
Focus on service projects (low-cost, high-impact).

Robotics (FIRST, FTC, FRC, VEX)

Why Robotics?
Robotics clubs teach coding, engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving. They open doors to STEM careers and scholarships.

How to Start:

Choose your program:
- FIRST LEGO League (K–8): Intro robotics.
- FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 7–12): Mid-level robotics.
- FIRST Robotics Competition (grades 9–12): Large-scale robotics.
- VEX Robotics: Affordable alt. to FIRST.
Find a coach/mentor. This can be a teacher, parent, or community engineer.
Register your team:
- FIRST Registration
- VEX Registration
Apply for rookie grants: FIRST offers rookie team grants, VEX offers financial aid.
Fundraise if needed: Local businesses often sponsor $500–$1,000.
Order a starter kit (usually $400–$1,000 depending on program).
Build & test weekly – Encourage creative, simple builds first year.

Resources:

Tips for Underserved Schools:

Apply for every rookie grant possible (many cover 50%+ of costs).
Share equipment with nearby schools or community centers.
Start with FTC or VEX (cheaper than FRC).

Debate (Speech & Debate/NSDA)

Why Debate?
Debate builds critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills. NSDA (National Speech & Debate Association) is the largest U.S. org, but you can also start independent debate clubs.

How to Start:

Find a coach/advisor – A teacher who enjoys politics, English, or history.
Join NSDA (speechanddebate.org/start-a-team) – Membership includes access to curriculum, resources, and tournaments.
Recruit members – Even 5–10 students can start.
Elect officers – President, Research Director, Tournament Coordinator.
Choose events – Public Forum (PF), Lincoln-Douglas (LD), Extemp (speech).
Practice regularly – Use free practice topics from NSDA Topics.
Register for tournaments – Through local leagues or NSDA.

Resources:

Tips for Underserved Schools:

If NSDA fees are a barrier, run your own local debates before joining nationally.
Partner with nearby schools for scrimmages.
Use open evidence/free resources instead of paid files.