Start an AGATE Chapter

PROCEDURE:

Elect four (4) officers for your group. The four (4) officers MUST be dues paying members of AGATE at the state level of $25 or $40. (One year individual / professional membership = $40; one year parent membership = $25.00; for parents only - add $10 for a one-year joint NAGC membership National Association for Gifted Children) which includes four issues of NAGC’s Parenting for High Potential magazine $35.00

• Send a letter of commitment to the AGATE Chapter Chairperson identified above and include the following information:
  • Name of your chapter (i.e. Greater Buffalo AGATE)
  • Names and titles of your elected officers
  • Membership list reflecting the level of membership (i.e. local or state), including the contact information (mailing and email addresses; phone, and dues paid) for each member.
  • Specify the name and contact information of the officer in your chapter who will be the PRIMARY contact for information sent from the Chapters Chairperson.

With all conditions met, your group will be granted Chapter/Affiliate status at the next regularly scheduled AGATE Board Meeting.

Next Steps:

• Upon receiving Chapter/Affiliate status you will need to obtain your own EIN form/number
• Create and ratify Articles of Association for your group.
• For the AGATE website listing, please specify the Chapter contact, mailing address, email, website url (if applicable) and phone number as well as the region/county/school districts you represent.
• All AGATE membership dues should be sent directly to the current Membership Chairperson, Judy Wegman (contact info). Officer memberships must be submitted prior to submitting a letter of intent to establish your chapter.

Note: All materials may be submitted via email to the Chapters Chairperson. Samples of letters, Articles of Association and other templates are provided in the Chapter Handbook which is emailed to your president as soon as you receive Board approval.

BENEFITS:

1. Chapters/Affiliates automatically have tax exempt status rather than going through a separate application.
2. Chapters/Affiliates may request a speaker from the AGATE Board, annually at no charge for a presentation. Your chapter must cover the Board Director's expenses. Contact the chairperson.
3. Chapters/Affiliates participate in the AGATE communications network.
4. If interested, your representative can attend the Chapters/Affiliates workshop at our annual conference. The registration fee for that day will be waived. Please coordinate with the Chapters/Affiliates chairperson.

BENEFITS FOR GROUPS WITH FIFTEEN (15) OR MORE DUES-PAYING AGATE MEMBERS:

1. The rebate for each AGATE membership fee (currently $10) is returned to each Chapter/Affiliate WHEN the annual report is submitted along with a current membership list with addresses each June. Monies are returned annually after receipt of the June report.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Submit an annual report, including a financial account, to the Chapter/Affiliates chairperson by each June 30, including a list of Chapter/Affiliate activities for the past year. Membership rosters and dues should be sent to the Membership Secretary. Rebates for Chapters/Affiliates with at least fifteen (15) AGATE dues-paying members will be returned only when this is met.
2. Send a representative to the AGATE Annual Chapters/Affiliates meeting at the state conference.
3. Send copies of Chapters/Affiliates newsletters to the AGATE president, the Newsletter editor, and the Chapters/Affiliates chairperson.