Chartering the Unit

Getting your group chartered on campus is an important process that allows you to apply for campus group funding, advertize your events, and use resources available to other student groups on your campus. The process varies from campus to campus, but there are some basic steps that are universal.

Recognition as a student organization allows the Leadership Alliance to utilize campus resources such as meeting space, university funding, Student Government representation, and free advertisement space.

• Obtain an official copy of the national Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance Constitution.
• Contact your Student Activities Office or Student Government to get your school’s guidelines for chartering and constitution approval.
• After reviewing these guidelines and the national Leadership Alliance constitution, call your Field Representative to discuss any and all changes needed in the national constitution to meet campus requirements. Your Field Representative will work with you to make necessary changes while maintaining the integrity of the national constitution.
• The Feminist Majority Foundation must approve all changes that your Leadership Alliance makes to the national constitution before it is submitted to your university/college.
• After your college/university has approved the constitution, submit an official copy to your Field Representative.
• Every member of the Leadership Alliance should read and feel comfortable with the structure, principles, and procedures that are outlined in the constitution

Obtaining official recognition for the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance is a critical first step in launching a Leadership Alliance. The constitution must be submitted for official campus approval during the Leadership Alliance’s first year on campus. You should begin the official recognition process early— either during summer break or at the start of the academic year/semester.

Remember: Check with your campus student activities office or student government for chartering guidelines specific to your campus!

• Before submitting a sample budget, your Executive Committee should review the actions in the Study and Action Manual (SAM), as well as action ideas your Leadership Alliance generates.
• Consider the potential costs of each of the events or actions including materials, publicity, renting space, security, honoraria for speakers, food, and other expenses.
• Include funds in your budget for general publicity campaigns, meetings, conference attendance, administrative costs, and other miscellaneous expenses.
• Always estimate your costs generously. You will most likely receive only a portion of the amount you request.
• The Finance Chair should keep a record of the amount requested, received, and spent each year.

While the FMF offers materials and support through our national Field Staff, FMF does not provide direct funding for individual Feminist Majority Leadership Alliances. Therefore, your Leadership Alliance should apply for student funds through your Student Activities Office or Student Government as early as possible.