The process of starting a chapter of Students of AMF:
1) student learns about the organization from the internet, media, or a supporter,
2) student visits the website, specifically http://www.studentsofamf.org/campus-chapters/findstart-a-chapter/start-a-chapter/ and fills in an inquiry about starting a chapter,
3) The co-Founder and Board Chair, David Fajgenbaum, holds a Skype call with every interested student,
–David and others at National Students of AMF have worked with students from over 160 different colleges and universities over the last 5 years and have gained a tremendous amount of experience about the process of starting an official student organization, raising awareness on campus, and organizing and running deep, meaningful peer-led support group meetings and service events.
4) After the skype intro call, the student is given access to extensive documentation regarding how to start up a strong, sustainable chapter that makes an impact on their campus and what to do during each phase to achieve this.
–AMF breaks the process into 4 phases (Each phase has information specific to Marketing, Organizational infrastructure, Support Group, and Service Group):
-”Student Inquiry” or Phase 0,
-”Student Interest” or Phase 1,
-”Official chapter, recognized by their university as an official student group” or Phase 2, and
-”Leadership transition” or Phase 3, when the founder or president is going into their senior year this sounds an alarm to make sure the infrastructure is in place to make sure the group is strong and sustainable for years to come after that leader graduates.
–For internal evaluation and reporting to our supporters, they have broken “Official chapters”/ Phase 2 into “Active,” “inactive,” or “re-activating.”
- “Active” chapters hold 2 support group meetings per month during the academic year and they participate in at least 1 service project per semester;
-”Inactive” chapters no longer have leadership on campus (for instance, due to graduation) or may be meeting and attending events, but not at our minimum standards listed above; and
- “Re-activating” chapters are chapters which were “active” at one point, became “inactive,” but have new leadership who want to start back the group.
5) Each chapter is paired with a “Chapter Coordinator” from National Students of AMF (in addition to having David and the Executive Director to turn to) to help each leader as they move their group forward through each phase.
6) The National Students of AMF Executive Director contacts key personnel on campus (Campus Ministry, Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Student Health, etc) regarding the organization.
7) AMF provides direct financial support to each chapter to pay for start-up and maintenance costs such as T-shirts/other promotional materials, flyers/other printing and copying needs, meeting space/travel to events, and food or drinks at meetings or receptions. They also give each chapter instruction about how to apply for funds through their university.
8 ) AMF holds conference calls once a month with all of their chapter leaders which are devoted to a specific topic, such as “Raising awareness about your group through Facebook.” During these calls, National Students of AMF shares best practices from our experience and the individual chapters share with one another about what they have done.
9) AMF hosts a national conference annually called the “National Conference on College Student Grief,” where they bring together chapter leaders, leaders in college student mental health, experts in bereavement, and interested college students, faculty, and staff. They pay for complete travel and stay costs for 1-2 student leaders per chapter and help to pay for each chapter’s faculty advisor’s travel. During this conference, chapter leaders break-out for specific instructions and direction about how to start a chapter.
Additionally, if there are any issues on campus with campus personnel, the Executive Director troubleshoots, along with campus leaders, and members of the Board of Mental Health Professionals become involved with advocating for the group, if necessary.
As an official Students of AMF chapter, your school will:
- Have a student-only environment where students grieving the illness or death of a loved one can meet and interact with others in a similar situation
- Be part of a national network of campuses and students that address the specific issues that arise with grief during the college years
- Have direct access to our national staff and volunteers, including other current and former chapter leaders
- Have the opportunity to send chapter leaders to our national conference, with travel and lodging expenses subsidized
- Receive up-to-date information on chapter best practices, bereavement support resources, and partner organizations
- Provide opportunities for chapter members to gain valuable leadership skills in a variety of areas