Two ways in. Both start today.

Start a chapter

1. 01Why start an HFSO

   Watch Why start an HFSO

   Students. Meet HF Buddy, learn what a Humanity First Student Organization is, and see the national programs your chapter can join.

   1. Hi, I'm HF Buddy. I'll walk you through starting a chapter.
   2. An HFSO is your school's Humanity First Student Organization.
   3. You lead service on your campus. A national team stands behind you.
   4. Your chapter can join Gift of Health, Gift of Sight, and The Education Project.
   5. Students of every background are welcome. Let's walk the path together.

2. 02Submit the Interest Form and join the chat

   Watch Submit the Interest Form and join the chat

   Students. Open Join HFSD, submit the Interest Form, and get added to the Onboarding HFSOs Telegram chat, where other founders and the Outreach Team can help.

   1. It all starts with one form. Open "Join HFSD" and press "Interest Form".
   2. Tell us your name and your school. Then share how you want to serve.
   3. Press "Submit". The Outreach Team will contact you.
   4. The Outreach Team adds you to the Onboarding HFSOs Telegram chat.
   5. Ask anything there. You're not alone. Other founders are starting alongside you.

3. 03Book your consultation call

   Watch Book your consultation call

   Students. The Outreach Team sends a welcome email with a booking link. Pick a time for a 30-minute consultation call, or book from the website's Book a meeting page.

   1. The Outreach Team emails you a welcome and a booking link.
   2. Pick a time that works for you. The call is about 30 minutes.
   3. Or press "Book a meeting" on the website any time.
   4. Your confirmation arrives by email. You are on your way.

4. 04The Welcome Packet and your school's rules

   Watch The Welcome Packet and your school's rules

   Students. Read the Welcome Packet, then find out how clubs register at your school and who can be your faculty advisor, so you arrive at the consultation call ready.

   1. Your welcome email includes the Welcome Packet.
   2. It explains every step and the good standing requirements, so nothing surprises you.
   3. Before your call, learn how clubs register at your school.
   4. Ask student affairs about registration, and about a faculty advisor.
   5. Have questions? Write them down. You are ready for the call.

5. 05The consultation call

   Watch The consultation call

   Students. On the call, the Outreach Team shares the HFSO Handbook and the consultation presentation with the Constitution template, and you leave with clear next steps.

   1. Meet the Outreach Team, who will guide you on your call.
   2. They share the HFSO Handbook and the consultation presentation.
   3. The presentation includes the Constitution template, called the Model Constitution.
   4. You'll leave with clear next steps for your school, and people to ask.

6. 06Constitution and MOU

   Watch Constitution and MOU

   Founding presidents. Draft your Constitution from the template and have your board approve it. Once your club is registered at school, a short call with the National Executive Director and the HF-USA Liaison approves the Constitution and signs the MOU.

   1. Draft your Constitution from the template. It's simpler than it sounds.
   2. Next, ask your founding board to approve it.
   3. Register your club at school. Then the MOU is ready to sign.
   4. The MOU is the yearly agreement between your HFSO and Humanity First USA.
   5. Then meet the National Executive Director and the HF-USA Liaison on a short call.
   6. They approve your Constitution and sign the MOU with you. That's a big step.

7. 07Sign the Social Media and Photography Protocol

   Watch Sign the Social Media and Photography Protocol

   Founding presidents. Before activation, the president, and the social media lead if the chapter has one, reads the HFSO Social Media and Photography Protocol Agreement and signs it for the chapter through the Protocol Agreement form. The agreement and the form are linked at the end of this tutorial.

   1. Before activation, the president reads the Social Media and Photography Protocol Agreement.
   2. Open the "Protocol Agreement" form and sign it for your chapter. It protects everyone.
   3. Your social media lead, if you have one, signs it too.
   4. Then share it with each board member who manages chapter social media.

8. 08Join the Alumni Ambassador Program

   Watch Join the Alumni Ambassador Program

   Founding presidents. The president and graduating board members register with the HFSD Alumni Ambassador Program, using the University form or the High School form, so HFSD and Humanity First USA can stay in touch after graduation.

   1. Graduating one day? HFSD and Humanity First USA want to stay in touch.
   2. The president and graduating board members register now.
   3. University chapters use the University form.
   4. High school chapters use the High School form.
   5. Find both forms on the website under "After HFSD".

9. 09The MAIN Update Form and activation

   Watch The MAIN Update Form and activation

   Founding presidents. Complete the MAIN Update Form and upload the signed MOU. Once the Protocol Agreement and alumni sign-ups are in, your HFSO is activated and joins the mailing list, the HFSD Telegram group, and your regional chat.

   1. Complete the "MAIN Update Form" and upload your signed MOU.
   2. HFSD confirms that all three items on the checklist are done.
   3. Your HFSO is activated! Welcome to the national network.
   4. You join the mailing list, the HFSD Telegram group, and your regional chat.
   5. Now you're ready to plan your first event. We're glad to help.

10. 10Host your first event

    Watch Host your first event

    Founding presidents. Five ways to start, drawn from the HFSO Interest Meeting Resources: an interest meeting with the short template, tabling at a club fair, a Gift of Sight eyeglasses drive, a tutor sign-up for The Education Project, and a shelter meal service. Then focus on one initiative and spread the word. The end card links every next step.

    1. Your first event can be simple. Here are five ideas to start with.
    2. Host an interest meeting with the short slide template.
    3. Find it in "Interest Meeting Resources". Add your school and meeting details.
    4. Table at a club fair with treats, trivia, and a sticky-note board.
    5. Run a Gift of Sight drive to collect used eyeglasses.
    6. At a general body meeting, recruit tutors for The Education Project.
    7. Serve meals together at a local community shelter.
    8. Start with one initiative. It gives your chapter a clear direction.
    9. Advertise a week ahead on social media, and keep your board on Telegram.
    10. You're ready, and we're glad you're leading. Choose any next step below.