Minneapolis – Chapter In Formation Checklist
Phase One • Phase Two • Phase Three • Phase Four
Launching a WIPA Chapter in Formation (CIF) is a substantial endeavor that requires meticulous planning and precise execution. This checklist will serve as your roadmap – outlining the steps that are to be taken from CIF to becoming an official WIPA Chapter. We encourage you to regularly revisit this for updates and ‘next steps’ as your CIF develops and evolves.
Chapter Inquiry Form
After inquiry form is submitted, Director of Chapter Formation (DCF) sets up an inquiry call with the person(s) who submitted the form.
After the form is submitted:
- General discussion about WIPA, assess interest and general market
- Homework: inquirer to gather 8-12 people interested in joining steering committee.
- Inquirer contacts DCF when they have these 8-12 people.
Discovery Calls with DCF (Director Chapter Formation)
First Discovery Call with DCF, Director of Chapter Development (DCD), and Executive Director (ED). Director of Chapter Success (DCS), President, and VP also invited to the call.
Deep dive into what it takes to become an official CIF:
Committed Steering Committee:
- 10-12 people with a mix of disciplines and diversity
- These people must become WIPA members and be familiar with WIPA (attend events, meetings, webinars, etc.)
- Other association and Board experience a plus
- Committee should be prepared to plan Town Hall (generally Town Hall event takes place 2 months after National Board approval o chapter; no Town Halls may be planned for November or December)
- Meet weekly for chapter planning and Town Hall planning
- Encourage other potential members to join WIPA or at least sign up for newsletter emails to start building mailing list
- Market Research
- Geographical distance from other chapters can be a factor
Steering Committee Formation
Committed Steering Committee:
- 10-12 people with a mix of disciplines and diversity
- These people must become WIPA members and be familiar with WIPA (attend events, meetings, webinars, etc.)
- Other association and Board experience a plus
- Committee should be prepared to plan Town Hall (generally Town Hall event takes place 2 months after National Board approval o chapter; no Town Halls may be planned for November or December)
- Meet weekly for chapter planning and Town Hall planning
- Encourage other potential members to join WIPA or at least sign up for newsletter emails to start building mailing list
- Market Research
- Geographical distance from other chapters can be a factor
Board motion to grant CIF status
Once the CIF team feels confident in market viability, motion to grant CIF status is brought to the WIPA National Board of Directors for a vote.
- Upon motion passing:
- Affiliation agreement moves to final phase and is sent out for signatures
- Town Hall planning may officially begin
- Target: 6 to 12 weeks after passed motion
- No Town Halls can take place in November or December)
10 Members Reached
Membership is an ongoing progress. In order to achieve chapter status 30 members are required. Phase One completion requires at least 10 WIPA members. WIPA ADMIN will keep you informed about your current number. Phase Two cannot be completed until the number of members for your CIF has reached 20; Phase Three requires 30 members.
We suggest you have people sign up to our news list https://wipa.org/newsletter-signup/ in order to receive WIPA information as well as learn about WIPA membership. Please share that link with potential members and on your social media.
Chapter Identity and Leadership Accesss
Identity:
- Chapter logo is created (once chapter is formed, the Board of Directors will have access to the Leadership Library)
Access to Chapter logos:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/us6zi7ihsxhhmvhlm7hfm/AChlp-r9QUEZZ6Oq1WCPF_A?rlkey=v27zqqbu1xbvu8ck2ozotwyeq&dl=0
- Chapter landing page is live online the WIPA.org website
- Access to Basecamp to discuss direction with leadership
- Facebook is created (by Admin team)
- Instagram is created (by Admin team)
- Access to CANVA for design purposes
Town Hall Planning
A town hall is…
- Town hall planning takes 6 to 8 weeks planning
- Weekly meetings with CIF team until Town Hall
- Town Halls CANNOT take place in November or December
A WIPA Chapter Town Hall is typically a informal event, open meeting hosted by the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA) to engage members, prospective members, and industry professionals in conversation about the organization, the chapter in formation initiatives, and/or broader topics in the wedding and event industry and the effects on the local community.
Budget:
WIPA provides $1000 seed money to the Town Hall experience. WIPA Members will be allowed to attend free of charge and Non-Members will be charged $25 per person. A budget is imperative. Sponsors may be necessary depending on the scope of the Town Hall event.
A Venue, speaker, catering should be decided upon. A date is then selected and confirmed with the venue.
All Town Hall contracts should be signed by the WIPA National President.
Marketing graphics and text need to be assembled to market the Town Hall:
A “Save the Date” graphic is made to start the marketing process. This will be used on social media and the chapter landing page. Please see CANVA and other WIPA Chapter Instagram feeds for previous examples of “Save the Date” graphics. Use their examples for success.
An invitation to be used in marketing promotions is created and added to the Chapter In Formation website landing page. Please see CANVA and other WIPA Chapter Instagram feeds for previous examples of Invite graphics. Use their examples for success.
Presentation Deck:
A presentation deck template will be provided to be used at the Town Hall.
Town Hall Date Decided and Confirmed
Town Hall "Save the Date" created to Market
Town Hall Invitation Submitted to WIPA Marketing
Access to Password-Protected Reports Folder
Town Hall Budget (planned, reviewed & approved by CIF Directors)
AV Contract (reviewed & approved by CIF Directors)
F&B Contract (reviewed & approved by CIF Directors)
Hotel Accommodations Contract (reviewed & approved by CIF Directors)
Town Hall Event
A town hall is…
- Town hall planning takes 6 to 8 weeks planning
- Weekly meetings with CIF team until Town Hall
- Town Halls CANNOT take place in November or December
A WIPA Chapter Town Hall is typically a informal event, open meeting hosted by the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA) to engage members, prospective members, and industry professionals in conversation about the organization, the chapter in formation initiatives, and/or broader topics in the wedding and event industry and the effects on the local community.
Budget:
WIPA provides $1000 seed money to the Town Hall experience. WIPA Members will be allowed to attend free of charge and Non-Members will be charged $25 per person. A budget is imperative. Sponsors may be necessary depending on the scope of the Town Hall event.
A Venue, speaker, catering should be decided upon. A date is then selected and confirmed with the venue.
All Town Hall contracts should be signed by the WIPA National President.
Marketing graphics and text need to be assembled to market the Town Hall:
A “Save the Date” graphic is made to start the marketing process. This will be used on social media and the chapter landing page. Please see CANVA and other WIPA Chapter Instagram feeds for previous examples of “Save the Date” graphics. Use their examples for success.
An invitation to be used in marketing promotions is created and added to the Chapter In Formation website landing page. Please see CANVA and other WIPA Chapter Instagram feeds for previous examples of Invite graphics. Use their examples for success.
Presentation Deck:
A presentation deck template will be provided to be used at the Town Hall.
20 Members Milestone Reached
Membership is an ongoing progress. In order to achieve chapter status 30 members are required. You must reach 20 members to check off Phase Two. WIPA ADMIN will keep you informed about your current number. Phase Two cannot be completed until the number of members for your CIF has reached 30.
30 Members Milestone Reached
Membership is an ongoing progress. In order to achieve chapter status 30 members are required. You must reach 30 members to check off Phase Three and reach Chapter status. WIPA ADMIN will keep you informed about your current numbers.
Chapter Board Slated
As the Townhall is being planned out, a Chapter Board slate is discussed. A slate can not be finalized until the 30 members is reached. If 30 members is reached before the Town Hall, the slate might move forward then.
A chapter slate is comprised of the board of directors of the said chapter. President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are considered the executive board positions. A board must consist of a minimum of 9 positions. Including the 4 executives, the concentration should be on filling:
- Director of Programs
- Director of Education
- Director of Marketing & Communications
- Director of Sponsorship
- Director of DEI
- Director of Community Outreach
This board is not elected, so much as appointed and their time served until the following year’s elections is considered bonus time served.
Even though this initial board is not formally elected, each person must apply for the position they would like to serve. This appointment process is facilitated by the CIF team along with the National Director of Chapter Success.
Board Retreat & SOP Review
The initial Board Retreat is a in-person gathering of the new Board of the Chapter In Formation. At this gathering you will be joined by a member of the International Board of Directors (often the Director of Chapter Success). This Retreat is usually a single 8-hour day.
- A/V will be needed
- Lunch is usually provided
- A venue usually sponsors the Retreat
The main focus of this Retreat is to formally present the WIPA Chapter SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and answer any questions the new board may have.
Other purposes of this Retreat are to further plan the Chapter In Formation’s strategy, planning and further define board responsibilities and duties.
Affiliate Agreement
An affiliation agreement is a legally binding contract between two entities, in this case WIPA and the CIF Steering Committee (which will be come a chapter), that outlines the terms and conditions of a partnership or collaboration, particularly for educational and meeting opportunities.
Once affiliation agreement is signed by both parties:
- Basecamp access is set up
- Chapter logo is created and social media accounts may be set up with the official chapter name
Affiliate agreements generally are for 100 mile radius area for chapters to cultivate.
EIN Application & Paperwork
The Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Federal Employer Identification Number or the Federal Tax Identification Number, is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to business entities operating in the United States for the purposes of identification.
This paperwork is overseen by the WIPA accounting team who will help prepare and submit. Need are:
- The full name, mailing address, and residential address for ALL four (4) executive board members: President, VP, Treasurer & Secretary.
- The principal address to be listed for the chapter (we recommends the President’s work (or home) mailing address – but the chapter can set up and maintain a PO Box if you prefer).
- List who the registered agent for the Chapter will be and their address. This is where legal process can be served in the extremely unlikely event that would happen – where someone is typically available during business hours. (Example: if you work from home, use a home address. If you work in an office, that could be used). Historically, the State likes to see the registered agent be the President. KNOW THAT, some states may require we provide them with the social security number for the person that’s your registered agent (for identification / verification only). If this is the case then WIPA Accounting will contact you directly by phone for that information.
Once the IRS has assigned an EIN number, and certificate documents are signed off at the secretary of state, these documents will be used to set up the Chapter bank account. WIPA recommends CHASE BANK.
Chapter Bank Account
Once the bank account is set up.
- Seed money ($5,000) is released along with revenue from Town Hall.
- Monies previously loaned by International will be subtracted.
Transition to Chapter Success
WIPA has an International Director of Chapter Success. After about 3 months from the Board Retreat, your Chapter will transition from the Formation Team to be guided by this International Director.
Planning for first quarterly event
Planing for the first quarterly event may begin. Planning may not start until 2 months after Town Hall.
If you have any feedback or questions about this or anything WIPA,
please contact us at info@wipa.org.