The National At-Risk Education Network

How to Start a NAREN State/Territorial Chapter

NAREN is a professional organization of associates that exists to carry out its goals and to support state/territorial chapters in both forming and carrying out their goals. The relationship between the national organization and the state/territorial chapters is a close one... reflecting on the larger national scale what is espoused and aimed for on the smaller local scale, each state chapter in harmony with all NAREN Goals. Dedication to development through learning and understanding, honesty, compassion, responsibility, and earnest persistence mark our mutual paths. Communication between state/territorial organizations and the national organization is encouraged to be open, freely exchanged and frequent.

If you have a determined core group of interested educators within your state or United States territory you may organize and apply for a charter to formally begin establishing a state chapter. The larger the core group the better,* and all applicants must sign the application. There may only be one (1) official state/territorial chapter per state/territory, therefore gaining official approval is a serious matter as the national organization is being represented. In the instance of more than one application coming from a state/territory or a request from an existing organization that wishes to become a NAREN chapter, the Executive Council of NAREN will be the final arbiter of settlement in any and all disputations regarding chapter status.

State chapters of NAREN will share the 501(c)(3) ruling of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, and will benefit from the non-profit status as long as they abide by the IRS code and their agreement with NAREN's By-Laws governing state chapters and fiscal responsibility.

State/territorial chapters are fiscally responsible to the national organization and must keep well-maintained books subject to inspection by the NAREN Accounting Office and National Executive Council. Monthly financial reports must be filed by the state/territory with the NAREN Accounting Office showing all expenditures and income. Notifications of new associates sign-ups at the state level will be communicated within five business days by fax or email, and the national portions of dues will be paid along with the next monthly financial report.

After three years of support, guidance and strengthening, the state chapter will achieve further independence by acquiring its own non-profit corporate status. A relationship with the national organization will remain, but will be modified to encourage strength and relevance within the state particular to its own character.

The national office of NAREN will help you every step of the way! Wisconsin's past Presidents have also informally agreed to help you.

* NAREN realizes that some at-risk education organizations inside states already exist and may see a need to affiliate with NAREN to reenergize or even reshape their current conditions, purposes and/or functions. NAREN will be glad to entertain a proposal for becoming a NAREN state chapter. Our goal is simply to assist the states efforts to offer consistently quality, and appropriate curriculum to the at-risk student population.

Application for State Charter Status

NOTE: You can download this form in Adobe Acrobat PDF format (80k) for easy printing. To view PDF files, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader -- click here to download the free Acrobat Reader.

Once your application is received it will gain prompt attention and a decision will be forthcoming within 30 days or less. Upon approval, you will receive a pamphlet of suggestions about how to build your chapter, including many helpful notes and contacts in Wisconsin on how they built their organization to almost 50 associates before they were even approved! Their templates will save you a lot of time. Many of the Wisconsin associates will gladly help you with suggestions and ideas... as well as moral support and enthusiasm.

1. Name of person filling out application (must be a NAREN associate!)

2. Address (Street/City/State/Territory/Zip)

3. Contact information (telephone/fax/email — an email address is required)

4. State or Territory for which you are seeking a charter. You are welcome to contact the past-president of the Wisconsin chapter (NARENWICH) Sally Schultz at sschultz@madison.k12.wi.us for her encouragement and/or advice.

5. List each core group applicants names. List email addresses for all applicants.

6. In 100 words or less express why you wish to start a NAREN Chapter in your state/territory?

Signatures of all applicants:

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Date: _______________________

There is a minimal processing fee. The application for a state chapter charter is to be accompanied by a check, money order or postal order for $50 made out to "National At-Risk Education Network" and signed by one of the applicants.

Mail to:

NAREN
440 Seaview Ct. Ste 1911
Marco Island FL 34145