How to Start a Chapter
If you don't have a local L.I chapter in your area, we hope that you would consider starting your own. Before you start, make sure you check to see if there are any Other Amateur Lock Groups in your area.
Step 1: Read the Charter!
The chapter charter can be downloaded here (LI_Charter.pdf). Still interested? We know! It is a lot to absorb at once, but don't worry about the details just yet.
Step 2: Host Some Meetings!
Rallying support for your new group is the hardest part of starting a new L.I chapter. At this point, we recommend picking a nickname for your group. Something fun and catchy that your members can identify with. Use all available media outlets, community bulletin boards, and word of mouth through friends, family, and co-workers to spread the word. Once you've got a few guys (and gals!) who are interested, it's time to pick a venue. There are many places that are conducive for locksport meetings, so don't be hesitant. If you are on a university campus, then reserve a classroom. Rent a room at your local community center or church. Or, better yet, strike up a deal with a local food/drink establishment (it might be a good idea to let them know ahead of time, you know, before you lay 10 pounds of locks across the bar). Don't be surprised to find that most people will be happy to help you with your cause (we have yet to have a bad experience).
If you are having trouble and need some ideas, watch the first half of the following presentation: Maintaining Locksporting Organizations and Breakthroughs in the Community by Jon King and Doug Farre.
Still have questions? Email or call us! We are here to help.
Step 3: Re-Visit Your Decision.
Now it is time to ask yourself "Am I still having fun?" If the answer is yes, and your group is ready to become an affiliated L.I Chapter, then move on to step 4.
Step 4: Establish Your Chapter Administration!
The L.I Charter requires an Chapter President and Treasurer to be on file for every active chapter. For larger groups, there may be a need for additional officers. We would like to be well acquainted with all members that hold leadership positions in your organization.
Step 5: Submit a Proposal to the L.I Board of Directors
At this point we have likely already been in strong contact with you and your team (or not). For the sake of formality, we request you present the L.I Board of Directors a short proposal outlining the successful completion of Steps 1-4.
Step 6: Approval and Initiation Fee
After we have reviewed and voted on your proposal (and your proposal was approved), we will ask for your organization to submit a $75 initiation fee. Don't worry, you will see this money again (in the form of locks, picks, and other goodies).
If your proposal was not approved, don't worry, we will tell you why so you can try again at another time.
Step 7: Meetup.com
Congratulations, you now have the newest chapter of L.I! This is a major accomplishment, you should be proud!
At this step, we will set up an account for your on Meetup.com. Your new team of officers will be expected to use Meetup.com to perform the follwoing functions: collecting membership dues, scheduling, recruiting, advertising, communicating, and reporting. The L.I board members will also use the account to do things like: keep track of the health of the chapter, and make sure the chapter is in compliance with the L.I Chapter Charter.
Step 8: Stay In Contact!
Now that your organization is well established we would hate it for you to lose contact! We will be asking for updates from your group so we can gauge how much support you may need from L.I. Remember, you are now an official chapter so you have access to all the great benefits. L.I has tons of locks, picks, and training materials that we would love to send out to your chapter on loan. We also have a large inventory of lockpick kits and other goodies that we will provide to your chapter at cost. Remember, we are here to help!
Chapter Compliance
Now for the nasty stuff. In order make L.I great, there are some administrative things that we must insist upon. In order to keep your chapter in good standing, we request you take a good look at the Chapter Charter. In addition, we would like you to adhere to the following rules:
- All members must pay an annual $20 membership fee to Locksport International (managed with your Meetup.com account)
- All chapters must keep a member list containing members' actual names and birthdates
- Chapters shall meet no less than once per month with the exception of the months of July and August
- All chapters must send the following reports back to L.I at the end of every quarter (no later than April 1, July 1, October 1, and January 1):
- A list of members in good standing;
- A list of inactive members;
- Membership dues collected;
- Local chapter expenses (for potential reimbursement)