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Why Start a Chapter?

  • Promote BYU and develop uncommon loyalty.
  • Provide service to the community.
  • Raise money for replenishment grants for BYU students from your area.
  • Develop friendships and networks.
  • Develop educational and spiritual opportunities for BYU alumni, Church members, and friends.
  • Build the Church in your area through BYU.

Create a Committee

A strong and supportive chapter committee is essential to the long-term health of a chapter. The members of this committee should understand the Spirit of the Y and have a passion for supporting BYU. They should be willing to engage and take lead roles in connecting alumni, identifying others with similar passion, and getting them involved in the chapter. They should also find representatives from various stakes in your area to ensure coverage of the entire chapter.

Here are three steps to help you in creating your committee:

  1. Reach out to kellie_daniels@byu.edu
    • BYU will:
      • Supply the size and population information for your region
      • Supply you with a demographic sheet and heat map
      • Supply you with an outreach survey that can help you identify potential committee members
  2. Determine interest. One of the first objectives is identifying people who might have
    • Alumni who will participate in events and activities
    • Friends of BYU, which may include people whose children have gone to BYU, sports fans, or others
    • Church members and the local community who are attracted to events and activities held by the Chapter
    • BYU Alumni and friends who are already involved with a constituency group such as the law or business school in your area
  3. Organize a Committee
    • Pick at least 3 individuals and/or couples to serve on your committee
    • If your chapter covers multiple stakes, try to find additional committee members from other stakes
    • Look for liaisons in various wards

Create a Chapter Plan

Creating a chapter plan can help your chapter achieve True Blue and work with local Church leaders to meet the needs and desires of local wards and stakes. It can also help your chapter connect alumni to the university and reignite the feeling of the Spirit of the Y. Furthermore, it can help your chapter play a part in fulfilling BYU's divine mission.

You can achieve your objectives, by following these steps:

  1. Determine needs
  2. Build your calendar of events using the Reporting System
  3. Delegate tasks
  4. Plan for evaluation and set goals
  5. Learn from each effort
  6. Repeat

Chapter Finances

Chapter finances and fundraising are essential to the success of your chapter. Ensure you are up to date on all information by reviewing Chapter Finances & Fundraising. 

There are two types of accounts:

  • Chapter checking or savings accounts are for your chapter operations. If you do not have an account, you can create one in your area. Contact Jason Brown for details on how to create an account.
  • BYU account is for money held by BYU Alumni. The account holds funds for Replenishment Grants

Marketing Communication

Communication with alumni is critical. Alumni begin to see the chapter as a relevant entity as they receive regular communication from the chapter. This also leads to finding new people to get involved.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

  • Use the Reporting System to request emails.
  • Review Social Media Guidelines.
  • Send broadcast emails to your chapter whenever you have a relevant message to share. You can use the Email Request Form.
  • Increase the coverage of email addresses in your area by contacting individuals without an email address on your alumni lists and sharing that information with BYU. Keeping records current is essential to creating links and continuing links between alumni and the university.

Chapter Positions

Keys to an Active, Dynamic Chapter

  • Capable leaders who are passionate about supporting BYU and have the desire and time to work. One person cannot, and should not, do it all.
  • Chapter leaders should recruit other alumni who have a passion for supporting BYU. All who express interest should be involved.
  • Volunteers who take service seriously so that events are successful.
  • Task-specific committees with alumni who fulfill assignments without constant guidance.
  • Remember to update your committee in the Reporting System.

Required Positions

There are three required positions for Chapters rosters:

  • Chapter Chair: lead, organize, and direct Chapter operations, including Replenishment Grant selection, Chapter finances, and public affairs; delegate where possible to provide meaningful service and recognition opportunities for alumni and friends.
  • Chapter Chair-Elect (person(s) who replaces the Chapter Chair): support the current Chapter Chair in one of the Chapter Event Categories.
  • Chapter @Large (determined by local needs of chapter; see an optional position below): actively recruit the next Chapter Chair-Elect; support the current Chapter Chair in one of the Chapter Event Categories.

Recommended optional positions include:

  • Past Chapter Chair
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer (required if Chapter has a local bank account)
  • Marketing Specialist
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Event Specialist
  • Society Coordinator (collaborates with BYU Management Society, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, etc.)
  • Membership and Data Coordinator
  • BYU-Idaho representative
  • BYU-Hawaii representative
  • BYU-Pathway Worldwide representative
  • Young Professionals representative

Recommended term of service is two to four (2-4) years and is renewable, based on local needs