Getting Started as a Chaper Lead

Our new chapter leads go through a 90-minute session with a cohort of other chapter leads from around the world. 

Below is the deck we cover during that session.

Chapter leads are welcome to make a copy and use this deck for their online events if they would like. 

New Chapter Checklist

• Think of it as a soft launch or even a pre-launch

  • keep things simple and don't overcomplicate things

• Pick a date and location 

  • Give yourself a couple of weeks

  • Determine if you want to launch virtually or in-person

• Publish your event on Bevy our events platform

• Invite folks from your immediate network 

• Clarify your agenda and consider using the 'Your First Event' gathering guide

• Facilitate your event 

  • share who we are and our principles

  • create connection amongst attendees

  • reflect on what you all want to see from the chapter moving forward

  • identify some action items

• Send followups and schedule your second event 

Advice From Fellow Chapter Leads

Below is a video from a leads check-in call with great advice and tips. 

And here are some words of wisdom from your fellow leads and community managers on launching a new chapter and running your first event

• "Community is the long game. People come for the unity (what they can get out of it) and once they find safety too, they will stay for the unity and the connections."  - DeMario Bell 

• "You don't need a lot of time to prep, plan and promote your event. When running your first event, think of it as a soft launch. Just publish the event!" - Jessie Jacob 

• "Don't worry about the numbers of people who show up! Start small-- the connections are BIG." - Lindsey Taylor (Kansas City)
  
  

• "You don't need to prepare so much. Present a question and let the community dive in from there. Give space for people to share vulnerably and just guide the conversation from there." - Hannah Siddique (Dubai)

• Lean on your community managers and fellow co-leads 

• Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have events planned or a co-lead. Y

• Block time on your calendar to do Culture First stuff. 

• Partner with other more established chapters or other like-minded communities. Co-hosting can save you LOADS of time. Partners could be nonprofits, coworking spaces, other HR related organizations."

• "Create an experience rather than just talking about topics." - Natalia Bayurova (Geneva)

• If you have a co-lead and they create the Bevy event, be sure to register yourself 🙂 

• "Ask Demario to promote your event - Slack him the event page once it is created." - Christiane Bayor (Seattle)

• "Plan for the year in advance. Involve the chapter leads and your community members. If they feel like they are co-creating this with you, they will have greater buy in. Planning in advance takes off the burden too." - DeMario Bell 

• "Run your events by other leads and share in the leads all channel." - Natalia Bayurova

• "Not all of your events need to be in English. Just specify which language the session will be in the event description as well as on LinkedIn." - Jessie Jacob 

• "Leverage the workshops available. Takes a lot of pressure off having to plan a gathering and the facilitators are nice and helpful. Reach out in the workshop booking channel on slack. Also reach out to the leads channel with questions or ideas on connecting." - Christiane Bayor (Seattle)

• "I strongly recommend you collaborate and co-host with other chapters especially if you are bringing in a speaker. You want to make sure there are plenty of people are there. There's strength in numbers when you bring new speakers/facilitators in." - Sonja Monatague MacKay (Edinburgh)

Existing Chapter Checklist

• Get set up in Bevy and send out a message to the existing chapter members introducing yourself 

  • you could even consider sending our a feedbck survey

• Think of your event as a re-launch

  • keep things simple and don't overcomplicate things

• Pick a date and location 

  • Give yourself a couple of weeks

  • Determine if you want to launch virtually or in-person

• Publish your event on Bevy our events platform

  • note that you may already have chapter members so when you publish your event it will send out an automated email 

• Invite folks from your immediate network 

• Clarify your agenda and create a deck 

• Facilitate your event 

  • share who we are and our principles

  • create connection amongst attendees

  • reflect on what you all want to see from the chapter moving forward

  • identify some action items

• Send follow ups and schedule your second event 

Advice From Fellow Chapter Leads

Below is a video offering advice to new chapter leads on how to re-launch an existing chapter. 

Thank you for being a Culture First Chapter Lead Mentor!! 

As a mentor, your role is vital in helping new chapter leads feel welcomed, confident, and ready to host their first events. You'll guide them through the tools, resources, and best practices that make a successful Culture First gathering. Here's the mentor checklist:

✅ Initial Connection

• Reach out on Slack: After the onboarding session, introduce yourself to your mentee via Slack. Help them get comfortable using Slack for community engagement.

• Schedule a 1:1 Meeting: Set up a virtual meeting to connect personally. Discuss their goals and walk them through what they can expect in their first few weeks/months as a chapter lead.

✅ Tools and Resources

• Get them familiar with Bevy: Help them navigate Bevy and guide them through publishing their first event. Explain how emails work and share tips from your own experience on managing the platform.

• Walk through the Wiki and Onboarding Deck: Show them how to use the Wiki and what resources are available, such as the Gathering Guides and Workshops. 

• Encourage community connection: Remind them to attend the leads all check-in calls with fellow chapter leads and connect with others on Slack and LinkedIn.

✅ Event Design and Facilitation

• Support them in planning their first event: Offer guidance on event design and facilitation. Share tips on creating a meaningful and engaging experience. If they need help, point them to the Experience Design & Facilitation guide in the Wiki. There's a gathering guide titled "Your First Event" to help.  Encourage them to view the first event as a "soft launch" to take the pressure off.

• Assist with promotional materials: Show them how to create event graphics using the Creative Assets, and support them in promoting their event through email and social media.

✅ Event Support and Follow Up

• Attend or record a video for their first event: If possible, join their first event virtually to offer support. If you can't attend, record a video they can share with attendees about your own experience as a chapter lead. Why did you join as a chapter lead? How has being involved supported you personally or professionally? What's your chapter like?  

• Support them in having a game plan for what's next: Encourage them to get their second event scheduled sooner than later. Have them consider putting together a rough outline of events for the year, even if it's a happy hour or coffee chat every quarter. Or maybe you all can co-host a virtual event together! 

✅ Compensation, Commitments and Benefits 

• Compensation: Mentor receive $300 for your time and effort in supporting. After the chapter hosts their first event, you'll fill out the normal reimbursement form here. Attach an invoice showing you're a mentor and link their event URL in the form. 

• Time Commitment: The total time commitment is approximately 4-6 hours over a month, from your first introduction to post-event follow-up.

• Building relationships: Beyond compensation, you'll have the opportunity to give back to the community and form meaningful relationships with new chapter leads across the globe.