Start a Women in Aviation Chapter

A Women in Aviation, International chapter is so much more than an aviation club. With a club, the goal is just to have a good time. With a WAI Chapter, you and your fellow members will get involved in your community and encourage women and girls to be their best in aviation and aerospace. Chapter members network with and mentor other WAI members at chapter meetings and chapter outreach events. Members get to see the changes their chapters make and have a fantastic time.

Starting a Chapter is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

Step One: Contact the Chapter Relations Manager. You can find her contact info on the wai.org website at www.wai.org/contact.cfm Just tell her your intent to organize a chapter, and you will be provided with direction, materials, and contacts.

Step Two: Advertise/Promote your new chapter with flyers, email, post cards and invitations at local airports, flight schools, aviation and aerospace company lounges, college/university aviation department bulletin boards and anywhere else you think potential members may be. Check out the WAI Chapter Marketing Kit to help get you started.

Step Three: Conduct an Organizational Meeting for prospective chapter members. Make sure to send a copy of the invitation to WAI's Chapter Relations Manager to keep her informed. Here are some suggested items to cover at a meeting or two:

• Cover history of WAI and its relationship to chapters
• Identify 10 WAI members who will be chapter members
• Elect Provisional Officers
• Select chapter name with your college, company, geographic area, or even something more creative. You'll be known as: Women in Aviation, [name] Chapter.
• Form committees for areas that interest you such as: Outreach, Membership, Program, Budget, Bylaws
• Determine meeting day and time and chapter dues
• Collect list of WAI members and new members' applications and dues
• Prepare and submit Provisional Chapter application with $100 fee

From Provisional to Official...You're Almost There

Once that's accomplished, you're a Provisional Chapter, and you have one full year to attain official status. How do you do that? Here's the checklist, but don't worry - WAI can advise you how to do each of these:

• Obtain Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from IRS
• Incorporate chapter in your state, province, or country
• Prepare chapter bylaws
• Obtain tax-exempt status - WAI Group Ruling or college/university
• Elect Board of Directors
• Plan community outreach and membership drive events
• Prepare and submit Official Chapter application with $150 fee

The Effort is Worth It!

By starting a WAI Chapter, you are putting into motion a system that can benefit women and their aviation careers for years to come. Just like with anything worthwhile, there's a bit of work involved, but the payoff is instant in the camaraderie you'll share with like-minded individuals whose passion for aviation matches yours.