Do you share our passion for dedication, commitment and education in Public Safety? Think your community would benefit from the range of programs USFRA offers? Then you may want to start a USFRA chapter in your area and join our global network!
What is a USFRA Chapter?
A USFRA Chapter is a community-level non-profit that serves a specific area and fulfills the USFRA mission locally. Each Chapter is responsible for its own fundraising efforts, programs, referral agency relationships, volunteers and so on.
Chapters are formed by individuals or an organization who want to support all First Responders and their communities. Having identified regional needs and resources, they determined that USFRA programs would benefit their areas.
What you need to consider before starting a USFRA Chapter
Starting a USFRA Chapter is an exciting and rewarding experience but also a serious endeavor. You will become a valued member of a non-profit organization, gaining access to a wide variety of resources, expertise and advisory support.
A few things to bear in mind before starting:
- You must be passionate and committed to our core mission.
- Opening a chapter requires large amounts of time and energy as well as funding, something for which founders must be prepared.
- You must have the capabilities to carry out different elements of the start-up process including legal, financial and fundraising aspects.
- You will need to obtain equipment and a suitable space for your chapter, secure funding from a diverse array of sources to cover costs, recruit a reliable board of directors and volunteers, build relationships with referral agencies, generate coverage in the press, establish accounting and inventory tracking systems, launch programs and much, much more.
Benefits and responsibilities
Chapters enjoy many advantages as part of our network yet also have a number of shared responsibilities.
All Chapters:
- are separately incorporated non-profits that have their own boards of directors and raise their own funds. While some are sponsored by larger agencies, chapters are independent from each other and from USFRA.org;
- provide training, tactical, education resources as well as support services to those seeking employment by referral from agencies with job training programs;
- are members of U. S. First Responders Association, Inc. and therefore must pay a yearly licensing fee of $950 and abide by trademark and membership agreements and policy guides;
- have the right to use the name “U.S. First Responders Association” as approved by U. S. First Responders Association; and
- may implement or participate in our programs and campaigns.
The Start-up Application Process
Want to submit an application? The start-up process is comprised of a number of stages and will last for at least five to six months.
- Before emailing us, check to see whether there is a need for USFRA operating within 100 miles of your proposed location and ensure that the population of your community is greater than 100,000. We rarely authorize an application for a site within 100 miles of another Chapter and will not accept any for areas where we already have Chapters or with fewer than 100,000 people.
- If your location fits the above criteria, request the initial start-up application (Phase I form) by sending an e-mail to corporate@usfra.org. You will receive the form within two weeks. U. S. First Responders will review the information you have provided within 3 weeks and determine if you should move to Phase II.
- If you are moved to the next stage of the of the process, you will be required to complete an executive summary and a business plan. Applicants are given approximately three months to complete their proposals.
- A final review will be conducted by the USFRA.org CEO and the board of directors and Chapter leadership council. Candidates who are approved will receive a welcome kit and become part of the U. S. First Responders Association family!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does USFRA.org provide start-up funds?
No. Each chapter is a separately incorporated non-profit. Therefore,
each is expected to raise all of the monies necessary for its launch and
operations. As part of the USFRA family, however, you will benefit from
the strength of our global reputation and brand, which will be
instrumental in your fundraising and publicity efforts.
How will I be paid? And how much?
USFRA.org does not provide salaries to affiliates. In most cases,
founders and executive directors of new affiliates receive no
compensation during the first two years of operations.