1. Contact the Chair of the Chapter Affiliate Council to inform the association of your intent to form a chapter. The Chair of the CAC will work with the interested group.

2. Select a planning committee and determine the geographic area or region (by zip code) of the Chapter.

3. Purchase a copy of Robert’s Rule of Order Revised.

4. Following approval and notification of the National Office by the CAC Chair, contact the National Office and request the names of ATRA members in the region the chapter will serve.

5. Contact the ATRA members in the region and request they sign a petition to start a chapter affiliate.
- Need 100% of the signatures on the petition to be ATRA members.
- The petition must consist of 50% +1 of all ATRA members in the identified
region.
- Must have a minimum of 15 members to start a chapter.

6. Organize various committees within the interested group to develop:
Chapter By-laws (including geographic area defined by zip code)
Using the By-laws template provided by ATRA
Mission Statement
Membership recruitment
Investigate Incorporation
Consider contacting other chapters for assistance/direction

7. Hold a general membership meeting of those ATRA members who signed the petition to vote on the proposed by-laws for the chapter. Must have 2/3 vote for approval before sending it to the CAC.

8. The approved By-laws must be signed and dated by the appointed secretary.

9. Select an interim Board of Directors or elect a Board of Directors based on the approved by-laws.

10. Submit the following information to the Chair of the Chapter Affiliate Council at least six (6) weeks prior to the meeting of the ATRA Board of Directors at the Annual or Mid-Year Conference.
Petition to form a chapter
Signatures of ATRA members
Name of the members of the Board of Directors with positions
A copy of the locally approved by-laws
A copy of the Mission Statement
A copy of the Article of Incorporation (optional)

The Chair of the Chapter Affiliate Council will present the petition to the ATRA Board and inform the petitioning group of the outcome.

11. Newly approved Chapters are eligible for start-up seed money. Information is available in the CAC New Chapter Reimbursement Policy which is in the Chapter Manual. The CAC Chair will provide direction.