This stage begins with group of teens interested in starting a new chapter. In this stage, you're building a network of teens, parents, and community partners. We want to help you out—let us know what you're starting!

The actions below will help you launch your Start Up Chapter.

• Submit Start Up Chapter Notification form

• Complete Community Mapping thought exercise

• Begin spreading the word to recruit members

• Identify informal teen leaders

• Build awareness in your local Jewish community

• Establish a strong relationship with a supportive adult and encourage them to become your chapter advisor

• Host a chapter kickoff event and make a plan to gather monthly as a group

• Encourage attendance at regional conventions and events

A Temporary Chapter is a group of at least 12 teens formally committed to building AZA and BBG in their community. You’ll begin to establish your goals and benchmarks as a chapter and choose your name!

• The actions below will help prepare your Start Up Chapter to petition for your Temporary Charter.

• Learn about and implement BBYO’s relationship-driven recruitment model, MRIHA, and set a membership goal to recruit at least 12 founding members

• Build your first program calendar with at least one meeting per month, and use the program planning form to create high-quality experiences

• Promote your programs at least two weeks in advance to maintain strong attendance, and track attendance at each of your programs (U.S. regions should use myBBYO text to sign in)

• Learn about BBYO’s board positions and select a leadership role for each teen leader

• Begin shaping your chapter identity through chapter colors, mascot, and traditions

• Choose a chapter name based on a Jewish value, name of a previously folded chapter in your area, or a Jewish gamechanger z”l

• After you have reached your membership goal and feel you are ready to move forward, you are ready to submit the Petition for a Temporary Charter! At this point, you should also work with your chapter advisor and BBYO staff to establish benchmarks towards your Permanent Charter.

A Permanent Chapter is a group of at least 12 teens who have achieved the benchmarks set out in their Temporary Charter and established sustainable culture, systems, and structures. At this stage, you will receive your Permanent Charter and your official chapter number!

The actions below will help advance a Temporary Chapter to Permanent Chapter status.

• Work with your chapter advisor and BBYO staff to establish clear benchmarks for how you will establish systems, culture, and structures on the road to becoming a Permanent Chapter. These benchmarks could relate to your chapter’s membership, programming, governance, etc., but they will be unique to your chapter and your growth areas!

• Set a new membership goal and demonstrate consistent membership growth

• Plan your calendar using the MRIHA funnel, and increase your cadence to a minimum of two chapter events or meetings per month

• Begin participating in AZA & BBG Movement Initiatives

• Introduce AZA & BBG Rituals and Traditions by using membership books, pins, and cards, and running your first Inductions Ceremony

• Encourage attendance at summer experiences and IC

• Participate in chapter board trainings with your region (often referred to as LTI or Execs)

• Continue building local awareness for your chapter through growing a social media presence and strengthening community partnerships

• Make a plan to hold your first teen-led elections to elect your next board

• Draft your chapter’s constitution. You will vote to ratify your constitution in a business meeting after you receive your Permanent Charter!

Congratulations on receiving your Permanent Charter! In your first six months as a Permanent Chapter, implement the below list of benchmarks to set your chapter up for success. After that, check out the Roadmap for Building Excellent Chapters to continue your chapter development journey and utilize the Chapter Excellence Assessment to evaluate your chapter’s progress.

• Hold your first teen-led elections and set up regular chapter board meetings

• Host chapter business meetings using Opening and Closing Rituals. In your first business meetings, you should ratify your chapter constitution and select a chapter Stand UP cause

• Continue to introduce AZA & BBG Rituals and Traditions by running your first Chapter Board Installations Ceremony, hosting a State of the Chapter address, and honoring your seniors through Life Ceremonies

• Design your first piece of chapter swag so that you can wear your letters proudly and celebrate your Permanent Chapter

• Ensure your program calendar incorporates a diversity of Programming Folds

• Focus on how you can effectively host both members and prospects at your programs  

• Make a plan to reach new 8th graders while also retaining your upperclassmen

• Hold a fundraiser to raise funds for your chapter or your selected philanthropy

• Establish a chapter bank account or other appropriate financial system

• Send strong delegations from your chapter to regional conventions, and send at least one representative from your chapter to CLTC