Chapter Lead Roles and Responsibilities

Minimum requirements, responsibilities, and expectations

This is a volunteer position with Culture Amp. 

• Chapter leads are are leaders, practitioners and change agents committed to creating a better world of work. 

• Chapter leads host in-person or virtual events with Culture Amp’s support on topics relating to workplace culture. 

• Chapter leads build their local chapter membership (with Culture Amp’s support). 

• Chapter leads decide to do this for professional development, community building, personal branding, networking and connecting with like-minded individuals in the workplace culture industry. 

What makes for a great chapter lead?

What’s the general chapter lead demographic you may ask. Many of our chapter leads aren’t necessary in-house people and culture practitioners. Some of them are. Many of them are consultants, speakers, facilitators, authors of thought leaders in the industry. Many of them aren’t necessarily senior executives either and they are either more junior in their career or their career is coming into full bloom. 

What we look for our in chapter leads:

• alignment with our mission to create a better world of work 

• alignment with our community’s 5 core principles

• eager to grow personally and professionally in the people and culture space

• friendly, warm and welcoming presence

• confident speaker, event planner or meeting meeting facilitator

• a natural dot connector 

• a collaborator 

The Minimum Asks (see below) 

• We don’t dictate the content the chapter discuss as long as it pertains to creating a better world of work. What the Dubai chapter needs to discuss may differ from what the Chicago chapter discusses. We ask they share the principles and the purpose to create consistency. 

  • Culture First events may not be used to promote spiritual or religious beliefs, commercial products or any kind of political agenda.

• We ask that they try their best to commit to one year as they are getting started. They can stay on longer if they would like but building a local community takes some TLC. 

• And lastly, we ask that they keep the momentum of the chapter going if and when they decide they can or no longer wish to lead the chapter. We want them to let us know. Ghosting is not ‘Culture First’

As a chapter lead, you're likely passionate about fostering a vibrant community and driving meaningful events. However, navigating relationship dynamics with a co-lead can sometimes be challenging, especially since this is a volunteer role. It's not uncommon to feel awkward addressing these issues, but a proactive and Culture First approach is essential for the chapter's success. 

The Importance of Addressing Challenges

Ignoring relationship challenges or avoiding difficult conversations can lead to misunderstandings, decreased chapter activity, and ultimately, a less engaged community. Ghosting or not addressing the issues at all isn't the best solution. It's also the opposite of what creating a better world of work is about. Instead, we encourage you to embrace a Culture First approach, ensuring that both you and your co-lead feel heard and respected.

Recommended Approach

We recommend using the Conscious Leadership Group's Clearing Conversation Model to navigate these conversations. This model helps in framing your thoughts and feelings in a constructive way. Here’s a link to the video that explains the model in detail.

If you are having challenges, let your Community Manager know, but we'd recommend you try your best to navigate this on your own first. 

Templates for Communicating with Your Co-Lead

Below are a couple of templates you can use to communicate with your co-lead if you're experiencing challenges. Feel free to make these your own. 

Template 1: Initial Outreach

Hi [Co-Lead's Name],

I hope you're doing well. I've been trying to connect with you regarding our chapter activities on [specific dates], but we haven't been able to find a time that works for both of us.

The story I am telling myself is that you might be struggling to find the time for this role right now, even though I know it's something you’re passionate about. I’m feeling [frustrated, confused, etc.].

To move forward together as co-leads, I would love to have more consistent communication and collaboration with you. If that's not possible for you at this time, I’d like to discuss how we can keep the chapter's momentum going, possibly with me taking a more active leadership role and you supporting as a community member.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

Best,

[Your Name]

Template 2: Follow-Up Conversation

Hi [Co-Lead's Name],

I wanted to follow up on my previous message. I understand that life can get busy, and sometimes our availability changes. I’m committed to ensuring our chapter remains active and engaging for our community members.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can best move forward. Whether it means adjusting our roles or finding another solution, I’m open to discussing what works best for both of us and the chapter.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

Best,

[Your Name]

Reflecting on Your Needs

Before reaching out, it's important to reflect on what you truly need from this co-lead relationship. Consider the following questions:

• Do you want your co-lead to be more involved? If so, what specific contributions do you need from them?

• Would you prefer to lead the chapter on your own for now?

• Do you want to find another co-lead to support you?

We're Here to Support You

While it's often best for you to address these issues directly with your co-lead, please know that we're here to support you through this process. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance or guidance.

Below is an incredible video that can help you to get clarity when navigating these kinds of interactions.

Tools we use to communicate as a community 

For General Questions

If you're a chapter lead and have general questions, there are few ways to reach out. We'd first recommend starting with this wiki site and using the search feature in the top right. From there, here are the preferred ways to communicate with us:

1. Slack - Reach out directly in Culture First slack with a DM to Jessie or even pose your question to other chapter leads by dropping your question in the #leads-all channel in slack.

2. LinkedIn - Slack not your thing? We have a private LinkedIn group for our global chapter leads. Check it out here. 

3. Email - please note Jessie prioritizes email last, because most of our members are on Slack and LinkedIn.

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Chapter Lead Check-In Calls

Staying connected with fellow chapter leads is an important part of building a thriving community. Our check-in call process is designed to be easier, flexible, and streamlined. These calls provide opportunities to share ideas, get updates, and connect with like-minded leads across the globe.

— Pro Tip: Below is a calendar view of all the upcoming calls. There is a "Add to Calendar" button for your respective calendar type (e.g. Google, Apple, Microsoft) and you'll be subscribed to see it directly on your calendar too. This will also reflect any updates, changes, or cancellations made so you're always in the loop. (Some changes take up to 24 hours to sync with your calendar, when in doubt double-check the calendar below).

NAM (+EMEA) Check-ins

Weekly on Fridays 

EMEA (+NAM East) Check-ins

Monthly on the Fourth Wednesday

APAC (+NAM West) Check-ins

Monthly on the Third Thursday (Wed for NAM)

Zoom Link for ALL check-in calls: https://cultureamp.zoom.us/j/95270410379

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The monthly newsletter (The Chapters Brief)

As a Culture First chapter lead, there's a monthly newsletter you'll receive in your inbox. The Chapters Brief 💼 is a valuable resource for empowering and elevating your role within the #culturefirst community. This dedicated newsletter is designed specifically for you, delivering valuable insights, updates, and resources. It serves as a catalyst for positive change, providing you with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead your chapters effectively. It focuses on supporting you in various aspects of you role, including:

1. Facilitation Skills (AKA  'Facilitation Corner')

We'll highlight content specifically dedicated to enhancing facilitation skills and sharing valuable insights for hosting successful gatherings within the #culturefirst community.

2. Community Management (AKA 'Community Manager Corner')

We'll highlight where chapter leads can find valuable guidance, strategies, and tips for effectively managing and nurturing their communities within the #culturefirst movement. It conveys the importance of building engaged and thriving communities.

3. Thought Leadership in the People and Culture Space (AKA 'Thought Leadership Corner')

We'll provide insightful and forward-thinking content that explores the latest trends, research, and ideas shaping the people and culture industry. It's where chapter leads can gain valuable knowledge, expand their perspectives, and stay at the forefront of thought leadership in the industry. 

Read the monthly newsletter