START A CHAPTER

Become a Healthy Brains for Children Chapter to have a lasting impact on prenatal exposure to children in your community. Healthy Brains for Children is working with Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and Exchange Clubs that are funding projects to develop Healthy Brains for Children chapters in their respective cities and towns. You may choose to approach a service club in your community with a plan to start a chapter and request their involvement.  Contact us and we will provide you with contact information for the clubs who are involved in Healthy Brains for Children projects.

The Goal

The goal of the chapter initiative is to provide a mechanism to establish community-based groups across the world with a singular focus on preventing prenatal exposure to alcohol.

How to Get Your Chapter Started

Healthy Brains for Children strives to multiply the message of healthy brains in a way that will have the greatest impact in your community. In order to do this, HBC relies on the leadership and participation of volunteers. Volunteers, organized as chapters of HBC, raise awareness and financial support from individuals, service clubs, foundations and corporations in the communities in which they live and work. Chapters are spearheaded by volunteer steering committees.  Membership in Healthy Brains for Children, Inc. provides needed funding to the organization to facilitate continued operation and growth.

• Healthy Brains for Children, Inc. is one organization with a single mission.
• Within this mission, Chapter boards have the authority to use their resources and implement programs and activities within nationally approved policies and standards of Healthy Brains for Children, Inc.
• Healthy Brains for Children, Inc. is one incorporated non-profit entity with chartered chapters authorized to use the name, logo, etc., and to represent Healthy Brains for Children, Inc. within their community.
• Chapters carry out the work of Healthy Brains for Children, Inc., within their community.
• All chapter members must be members of Healthy Brains for Children, Inc.
• All funds received by chapter will be the responsibility of the chapter up to disseminate under the authority of their individual boards, to include the annual chapter dues.
• The portion of funds paid in dues will be used to support Healthy Brains for Children, Inc. educational programs as well as the investment in chapter infrastructure.
• Where financially viable, Healthy Brains for Children, Inc. will deploy staff to accelerate the growth of chapters.
• Chapters will choose a name that reflects their community and recognizes the relationship to Healthy Brains for Children, Inc.   Ex. Grand Rapids Chapter of Healthy Brains for Children.

Chapter Requirements

• Recognize and encourage current best practices in the prevention of prenatal exposure to alcohol within the community.
• Establish, support, and mentor a Student Chapter of Healthy Brains for Children.
• Petition your school board to approve delivery of prenatal exposure to alcohol prevention curriculum to fifth or sixth grade students by trained community and student members of the Student Chapter of Healthy Brains for Children.
• Solicit and procure a service club sponsor.
• Fund HBC approved training for adults and students in the Chapter and Student Chapter.
• Conduct an awareness event on Sept. 9 each year in conjunction with FASday (9th day, 9th month to recognize 9 months of sobriety when pregnant), as well as other awareness events throughout the year.
• Implement an awareness booth at community-wide events such as county fairs.
• By collaborating with area agencies, fund a continuing awareness campaign using radio, billboards, etc.,
• Establish an annual fundraising event.
• Adhere to all Healthy Brains for Children by-laws, policies, guidelines, procedures and practices and all applicable federal state and local requirements.
• Use the Healthy Brains for Children mission statement, logos, and slogans only in appropriate manner and in accordance with HBC policies.
• Procure, allocate and disseminate all funds and property received in accordance with the policies of HBC, including yearly dues to the organization.
• Collaborate with every agency that is focused on healthy pregnancies.