Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code

Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid zip code

Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up!

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STAGE I: INITIATING AGREEMENT     STAGE II: INVESTIGATE    STAGE III: STRATEGIC FORMATION     STAGE IV: STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION

STAGE IV: STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION 

During this final stage, the group will formalize the chapter structure and operations expectations and prepare to submit their formal application for official chartering. Once this goal has been met, then the Steering Committee has served its purpose and can be disbanded. 

CHAPTER LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE 

It is now time to develop the formal structure of the chapter’s leadership team (the Board) and the larger membership. Some Echelon chapters may choose to consider every member of their chapter part of the Echelon board with a specific role or committee assignment while others may choose to have a separate board of leaders with specific roles with a general membership base comprising the remainder of the chapter. The decision on structure is up to the local group to determine what makes the most sense for their chapter. 

A list of sample board roles and descriptions can be below. Each chapter will need to evaluate their goals and the assets of their leadership team to determine which roles are the most appropriate for their chapter. 

It is important to remember that the structure of the chapter may change and adapt over time, as it should. While the chapter may begin with a relatively small leadership team, as growth it occurs it may be necessary to add new board roles or implement function-based or project-specific committees. 

Special Note: CO-CHAIRS
Some chapters tend to utilize a co-chair model for some or all board positions. It is a local decision as to whether a chapter chooses to structure their board this way. This structure has been successful in mitigating burnout of chapter leaders and establish a system for future leadership cultivation, and it is recommended to consider this set-up. 

Recommendation
Echelon aims to cultivate the development of emerging leaders for The Salvation Army. The goal is that our local Echelon members will go on to become local advisory board members and/or community partners. For this reason, we recommend making your Echelon President (or Co-Presidents) ex-officio members of the local advisory board, if possible. 

Board Roles & Descriptions

Please review the following positions and descriptions, which are intended as guiding examples. The local chapter should customize the board roles and descriptions for best fit in the local context. Identify which roles will be applicable for the establishment and start-up phase. These roles, and the initial persons filling them, will be submitted with the formal charter application. 

Echelon’s president(s) oversees the entire Echelon Executive Board, delegating various tasks to ensure that objectives are being met and the organization’s mission and bylaws are upheld. The president(s) is charged with making executive decisions pertaining to events, service opportunities, public relations initiatives, fundraising, et al. The president(s) will conduct Executive Board meetings as necessary, as well as meetings with board members individually, to accomplish the organization’s long- and short-term goals. The president(s) is the chief ambassadors of Echelon, willing and capable of speaking on behalf of the organization to large audiences. Echelon copresidents also serve as ex-officio members of The Salvation Army’s local Advisory Board.
Echelon’s vice president(s) will work closely with the president(s) in decision-making and delegating. The vice president(s) serve as liaisons between new chapters and The Salvation Army for purposes of Echelon expansion. The vice president(s). is expected to assume responsibilities of the President(s) in the case of unforeseen absence or resignation.
Echelon’s communications chair(s) is responsible for internal and external chapter communications. The communications chair(s) will create and disseminate content to membership when deemed necessary by the Executive Board through approved channels (website, email, social media, etc.). The communications chair(s) will also be responsible for maintaining the chapter's website and social media channels. The communications chair(s) will create a plan for communicating appropriately and in a timely manner to membership and will seek assistance from other board members to supplement messaging when necessary.
Echelon’s events chair(s) manage all of the organization’s social and networking events. The chair(s) of events is responsible for setting annual event calendars, designating various chairs and host committees when necessary, scouting and securing venues, logistical details, etc. The event chair(s) serve as primary contacts for event vendors, caterers, host committees, etc.
Echelon’s service chair(s) is the liaison to local Salvation Army service centers and works directly with Salvation Army officers and staff to plan volunteer opportunities for all Echelon members. The service chair(s) will plan service opportunities relevant to Salvation Army client needs and wishes and will lead the effort to encourage membership volunteerism.
Echelon’s fundraising chair(s) is responsible for ensuring that all events are being utilized as give-back or fundraising opportunities. The fundraising chair(s) will work closely with the event chair(s) to design social and networking events wherein The Salvation Army is benefitted, whether financially, via item donation, or volunteer recruitment. The fundraising chair(s) are charged with organizing in-event fundraising activities when applicable and will support the membership chair(s) in encouraging membership renewal.
Echelon’s membership chair(s) are charged with updating and maintaining an accurate membership database. The membership chair(s) will work closely with the communications chair(s) to encourage membership renewal, while also actively seeking new members. The membership chair(s) is responsible for recruiting new members during Echelon social and networking events, demonstrating the utmost knowledge of the organization and membership perks.
Echelon’s secretary will be responsible for the organizational needs of the Executive Board, including keeping the minutes of all meetings and preparing and distributing meeting agendas and other materials.
Echelon’s treasurer manages the organization’s finances. The treasurer is responsible for maintaining the organization’s budget, presenting updates to the Executive Board, receiving and processing reimbursements, tracking membership dues payments, and ensuring payments are received by vendors as needed for events.
Echelon’s development chair(s) is responsible for maintaining the organization’s bylaws and any official or historical documentation. The development chair(s) will create and maintain an organizational system wherein various Echelon documents are stored, including curriculum objectives, strategic plan documents, and leadership rosters.The co-chairpersons of development will work closely with Board leadership to support and assist in new chapter expansion, and will ensure Echelon is growing in an organized, well-documented fashion.
Echelon’s social media chair(s) will be responsible for maintaining all of Echelon’s social media accounts. The social media chair(s) will work closely with the communications and public relations chairs to ensure social media posts are timely, relevant, and consistent with the board’s communications plan.
Echelon’s PR chair(s) is charged with fostering a positive public image of the organization, as well as heightening awareness of the organization’s accomplishments and contributions to the community by serving as the liaisons to credentialed media. The PR chair(s) will proactively seek media exposure for Echelon events and service projects when deemed appropriate by the boarf, and they will be responsible for creating, maintaining, and presenting to the board an ongoing communications plan.
Echelon’s chaplain(s) serves as the organization’s spiritual counselors. The chaplain(s) will offer encouragement at the start of each Board meeting, or at larger membership events when necessary, and will offer members opportunities for spiritual growth (e.g. through instituting a regular Bible study).
Echelon’s corporate relations chair(s) is responsible for developing corporate partnerships and sponsorships for Echelon events and programs, as well as developing a strategy for engaging companies that have a large Echelon membership or potential membership, in accordance with The Salvation Army’s larger corporate relations efforts. Echelon’s corporate relationsh chair(s) will maintain regular communication with The Salvation Army’s corporate relations team, helping companies meet their philanthropic or corporate social responsibility goals, benefitting Echelon and The Salvation Army.
  1. Assist as needed with the organization and scheduling of all Echelon chapter board and general meetings and attend all Echelon meetings and chapter events.
  2. Provide ongoing support to the Echelon chapter as needed through budget processes, event planning, administrative tasks, and social media monitoring.
  3. Staff liaison will serve as the primary communication link with the chapter leadership and with the local Salvation Army officers. Facilitating regular contact and information sharing (minimum weekly through any channel - email, text, phone, app, etc.).
  4. Support the chapter president in providing updates to the Advisory Board and cover in their absence.
  5. Partner with chapter leadership and Salvation Army Officer representative to ensure leadership succession.
  6. Assist Echelon chapter with choice of volunteer opportunities through local Salvation Army programs.

Chapter Leadership Structure

Please complete the Chapter Leadership Structure form for your Echelon Chapter. 

Begin Form

STANDARDS OF MEMBERSHIP 

In conjunction with developing the leadership structure, the group will also need to determine the general standards of membership for the chapter. What does it mean for someone to become a member of Echelon in your community? This is up to the local leadership team to decide. There are a number of examples along the spectrum of Echelon chapter models that may be helpful in providing ideas. 

Open Model 

Some chapters have what we have termed an open membership model. A dues payment or event admission ticket inclusive of annual dues may provide an individual member status for a year. There is no limit on how many members can join the chapter, but the general membership base is separate from the Echelon Board. Members are considered active if their dues have been paid. 

Closed Model 

Some chapters opt for what we call a closed membership model. In these chapter, members may or may not be required to pay dues but are subject to more rigorous time and involvement commitments. Chapter membership may be capped at a certain number and could require an application process to join. Members are expected to attend a certain percentage of meetings and events and serve on a committee or take a specific role within the chapter. If a member fails to fulfill these requirements, their membership may be terminated. 

Hybrid Model 

Most chapters end up developing a hybrid model that is a combination of the open and closed approaches. This often includes a modest dues payment in addition to a basic commitment to attend a certain number of meetings/events. Chapter membership is not usually capped, and the chapter may feature a separate Echelon Board or leadership team with increased commitment for participation. 


Optional: Charter Member Agreements 

Recently, some developing chapters have started utilizing charter member agreements. These agreements have been used to outline slightly different membership requirements for the chapter’s founding members with the understanding that additional requirements may be added once the chapter is fully operational. For instance, a chapter may not ask its charter members to pay dues immediately while the chapter base and activities are still being established but may instead ask them to emphasize recruitment and bringing new potential candidates to meetings and events. A sample charter membership agreement from Echelon Greater Cleveland is shared below: 

Standards of Membership Worksheet

Please complete the Standards of Membership Worksheet form for your Echelon Chapter. 

Begin Form

Financial Considerations 

Determining the financial structure for your chapter will be a key step in preparing your board to be able to function. There are several options in how to do this: you can request a an account within your local command’s banking structure or alternatively, you can set up an individual account such as a women’s auxiliary might. 

Working within the division’s budget system is generally preferable as it enables the chapter to work within The Salvation Army’s banking and financial management processes. Speaking with the Divisional Finance Secretary or Divisional Secretary for Business to begin this process is an appropriate first step. 

The Eastern Territory has specific procedures for Echelon accounts. Please reference the Echelon Accounting Guide to find these instructions. This process would also work well in other territories.

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 

In addition to establishing a leadership structure and standards of membership, the group also needs to formalize the articles of organization (also known as bylaws) for the new chapter. Chapters have the ability to localize their articles of organization, but certain expectations for membership behavior and functioning are national Echelon standards shared by all chapters. The chapter's local officer and staff liaisons should be included in the Articles of Organization creation process. 

Instructions:

  1. Download Articles of Organization template (Word Document)
  2. Complete and save template file
  3. Upload your Articles of Organization file complete the form (below)

Begin Form

New Chapter Framework

Now is the time to look back at the New Chapter Framework. Once your group has achieved all of the benchmarks outlined there, you are officially ready to move on to the final stage of launching your new Echelon chapter. 

If you haven't quite gotten there yet, that's okay. It can take time to put all of the pieces together for your new Echelon chapter. Keep working through the stages as needed to ensure your strategy is being implemented effectively. Don't give up! 

CHARTER APPLICATION 

The charter is the official recognition by your Salvation Army Territory (and subsequently, National Headquarters), of your group’s official status as an active Echelon chapter. 

The application is a summary of all the work you have done to create your new chapter and paints of picture of the maintenance and development plans for the chapter moving forward. The new Echelon board representatives should work together with local Salvation Army liaisons to complete the application Once complete, the application should be submitted to the local command’s division for the first layer of approvals. 

Following divisional approval, the application should then be sent to your Territorial Chief’s office with a copy to National Headquarters. The Territory will provide final approval and chartering of the new chapter. 

Once you receive notice of your official charter – Celebrate! You and your team have worked very hard to get to this point, and it is no small feat. Though sustained effort and commitment will be required to maintain a successful Echelon chapter, know you will not be alone. You are part of a national network of Echelon chapters and members ready to support and encourage you. 

Chapter Application Form

Complete and Submit your charter application through divisional channels for approval through DHQ, THQ, and then NHQ. The application guides you through the necessary approvals, which will culminate in the official charter at National Headquarters. 

Instructions:

  1. Open Chapter Application Form in new browser tab (or download and edit in Adobe Acrobat)
  2. Fill out application, save and attach application to form (below)

Begin Form

Need help? Email Echelon Support Staff