What is a Chapter?
A chapter is a branch of Inspired 2 Uplift that is formed at a specific school or educational institution. The goal of each chapter is to promote awareness for youth affected by disabilities, and if a special needs facility exists at your institution, buddy sessions. Each chapter will be provided with some funds, a website, personalized emails (e.g school@inspired2uplift.com, name@inspired2uplift.com), and various other resources to help you lead the club. You will also have to recruit your own team of Executives and/or Buddies.
Starting a chapter of Inspired 2 Uplift at your school can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. It allows you to make a positive impact in your community and provides an opportunity to gain leadership and organizational skills. As a chapter leader, you will have the responsibility of recruiting and training volunteers, planning events and activities, and overseeing the operations of the chapter.
All About an I2U Chapter
Benefits Starting a Chapter
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You can make a positive impact on the lives of students with disabilities in your school or greater community.
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You can gain valuable leadership and organizational skills by taking on a leadership role in the club.
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You can develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for diversity and inclusion.
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You can earn community service hours and gain experience for your resume or college applications.
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You can create lasting friendships and connections with other students in the club and with the youth or adults you support.
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You can help spread awareness and promote a culture of acceptance and understanding within your school or greater community.
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I2U can provide you with a website (see our example website) personalized to your school, personal emails (e.g yourname@inspired2uplift.com and yourschool@inspired2uplift.com), funding, and a close knit network of civically involved youth.
Setting up Your Chapter
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Register your Inspired 2 Uplift Chapter.
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Interview with the Senior Executives.
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For high school chapters, if during the school year, register your chapter with your school/introduce the idea to them before you submit an application with I2U.
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For high school chapters, if during school breaks, register the chapter with I2U first.
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For other chapters, register the chapter with I2U first.
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When approved, sign our Chapter Establishment Agreement, outlining our expectations and commitments to each other.
During the school year:
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Appoint your chapter's Executive Team. For high school chapters, you must have a teacher or school staff who is your designated sponsor for the chapter.
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Organize all forms needed to maintain this chapter (this may include buddy schedules, hierarchies, etc.).
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With your team, plan out goals and objectives your chapter will aim to achieve during the year.
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Draft event/fundraiser ideas.
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Keep on recruiting members and promoting positivity and inclusivity.
Promoting Your Chapter
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Create an social media accounts. Use the Handle: @I2U.[proposed name].
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Create flyers to pass out.
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Ask friends to spread the word through socials.
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Advertise in your school newsletter, news show, magazine, or other available forms of communication.
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If your school has a club fair in the beginning of the year introducing all the clubs to the students at your school, have your chapter participate there!
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Create incentives that encourage people to join (ex: volunteer hours).
Kelsie Wayt
Inspired 2 Uplift chapter president of Fruita Monument High School in Colorado, USA
"I want to create a world where all kids are able to find a friend—regardless if they fit the social norm or not. The I2U Buddy Program is perfect for this! Friendships is something that everybody deserves to experience."
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What are the consequences of not adhering to the Code of Conduct?Consequences range from verbal warnings to dismissal from the chapter, and actions violating school policies or laws may result in further disciplinary or legal action.
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What steps should I take during the first week of starting a chapter?Set up a leadership team. Engage with school administration for approvals. Conduct your first team meeting to set goals. Familiarize yourself with Inspired 2 Uplift’s mission and values. Establish communication channels and public-facing platforms. Access and organize all necessary resources.
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What are the types of events can we organize?Workshops to teach children about paralympic sports Awareness campaigns to educate about disabilities. Fundraisers such as bake sales or sports events. Social events like movie nights or themed school dances.
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What should we do to ensure a smooth leadership transition?Identify and train potential leaders early. Allow shadowing opportunities. Update all administrative records and digital accounts to reflect new leadership.
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What is the mission of Inspired 2 Uplift?Inspired 2 Uplift aims to foster inclusivity and empowerment among youth with disabilities, creating environments where all students feel valued and included while raising awareness about disabilities.
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How can I upgrade my membership plan at INSPIRED 2 UPLIFT?To upgrade your membership plan at INSPIRED 2 UPLIFT, simply log in to your account on our website and navigate to the membership section. From there, you can choose the upgrade option that best suits your needs. *Please note, memberships can only be changed once per school year, so please choose wisely before deciding to switch plans If you encounter any difficulties or have specific requirements, feel free to reach out to our customer support team for assistance.
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What tools and platforms are required for chapters?Chapters should use platforms like Slack for communication, Canva for designing materials, and Google Workspace for managing documents, data, and virtual meetings. *We can provide all these platforms for free if you sign up to our monthly plan!
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Who can start a chapter?Any youth aged 13-30 who is passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities can start a chapter. This includes students in high schools or universities who are willing to take on a leadership role and collaborate with others to promote I2U's mission.