How to start an LCW Chapter
How to Start: Get together with one or two women who are go getters and brainstorm
names of people you know who would be interested in coming to a meeting. Use a
directory of Chiropractic offices within a 30-60 minute drive.
Check the LCW Member website directory and get of list of women in your area.
Get Contacts: You may have to start out calling offices to get email addresses to start
your base. This is where you have to be relentless. Get as much help as possible. Follow
up with phone calls after you have sent the invitation. Try and get RSVP’s.
Flier: I have attached a flyer for a No Host Dinner you can email or mail to DC offices
calling all women. Think about a guest speaker who will be motivating and get people to
come. Use a captivating title. Use Email or snail mail to contact as many women and
offices as possible.
Venue: 1. Find a Restaurant with a private room and try and get a price fixe so it's
simple. Everyone pays their own way.
2. Some groups have hosted a pot luck at their own home.
Time and Day: There are 2-3 options: Tuesday or Thursday evening or lunch (usually not
a big Chiropractic Patient Days). Some groups are doing a Saturday Brunch. The best
thing to do is get an idea from the initial group and pick your day. At the first meeting
use the questionnaire (in starter pack) to get feedback.
Face Book: Start a face book page for your group ex League of Chiropractic Women of
so and so. (I.e: Your Metro Area) Message the women from your brainstorming and
invite to like your page and invite to the initial meeting. Include women in your area
who you think could be interested. You can look at the other chapter face book pages
for ideas. You have to be friends with any women you want to invite in so friend them
individually first with a message and then you can invite them to your group (it’s a Face
Book thing). Invite LCW friends to like your group.
Create a Gmail for your group (YourCity)lcw @gmail.com that will be the email on the
LCW website page do not use your personal email this is a public page
E-Vite: Create an invitation (samples in starter pack and evite and post on face book
page. This is also a great method for your inviting women to subsequent meetings after
you collect email addresses at your meeting.
First Meeting: Have a sign in sheet with contact info, use name badges, Bring
membership applications (in starter Pack). Have them fill out the application there with
credit card info and attach their business card, if they have one.
Format:
1. Have an ice breaker go around allowing people to introduce themselves and take
notes of what they are looking for. Take note of who you think is aligned with the
mission and may want to be part of the core committee group. Eventually as the
chapter grows, each chapter may want to form committees (see Chapter guidelines).
2. Share the vision of LCW, our Mission, and purpose, what we are about and why you
are a part of the LCW. What’s in it for them to join?
3. If you can have a guest speaker keep it short and uplifting. Use a captivating title on
your invitation.
4. Use the Feedback form to get ideas from the group of what they are looking for. You
can review with your core committee members at a later date. Much of the feedback so
far has been lifestyle and life balance and making connections.
Sign Up New Members: It is important that the women who share the vision become a
part of our group be sure to bring membership applications. An incentive is always good
(one chapter had bracelets made on etsy for $5 each and offered an LCW bracelet to
anyone who signed up and they got 16 new members that night). Maybe include any
name in a raffle for a gift bag with a candle or something. You are not expected to put
out any of your own money so do not feel obligated. It’s just a suggestion and women
love this kind of stuff
Set up a contact person to be a liaison to the LCW Chapter Committee have them
contact me at jeannelcw@gmail.com so I can put them on the emails and they can be
on the conference calls which will probably only be once a month (or twice in the
beginning). They also should be the person who submits your Monthly Chapter Report.
If you have any suggestions or things that you think would be helpful to add please let
me know.