Building Your Own Student Chapter, 101:

NAEA News, October 2007

The National Art Education Association Student Chapter is committed to helping all students prepare for the next big step…the real world! As a national organization, our goals focus upon the encouragement and support of our members. We want students to be successful in the world of teaching, and we help provide the tools to make that happen.

Once you become a member of the National Student Chapter, consider building a local chapter of your very own. Build a family of colleagues and mentors that are in close proximity that can help provide the same tools needed for you to grow professionally. Following are the steps you can take to make this happen!

1. Network and Socialize. Begin gathering a group of colleagues that are interested in forming a local Student Chapter. Look for individuals that crave the opportunity to participate in group events that enhance each and everyone’s professional growth.

2. Find a Mentor. Let your professors know that you are in need of an advisor to sponsor your chapter. Once you find a volunteer, discuss the role they will play as mentor and share your ideas.

3. Begin Meeting. Start having regular meetings when your chapter can gather and discuss upcoming activities that you would like to participate in. Now that you are an organization, you can begin planning fundraising activities, workshop events, social outings and other opportunities for you to grow as teachers and individuals. Try to make it a point to meet at least once a month.

4. Create a Mission. As a group, decide what your main goals are as a Student Chapter. Create a mission statement that addresses who you are as a chapter and what you want to accomplish. Feel free to integrate the goals set by your NAEA Student Chapter Presidential Team.

5. Elect Officers. After you have had your first Student Chapter meeting of the year, begin the process of electing leaders. Choose leaders that are passionate about the field of art education and the growth of your professional group.

6. Register your Organization. Register your newly founded Student Chapter with the NAEA Student Chapter Presidential Team. To do this, email the following information to your current National President (Sarah Cress, sarahcressnaea@gmail.com)

Name of Institution
Institution Mailing Address
Chapter Website
Advisor Name
Advisor Mailing Address
Advisor Email Address
Advisor Phone
Number of Student Members in Current Year
Anticipated Number of Students Next Year
List Major Activities Planned for your Chapter

Once you have registered your Student Chapter nationally, don’t forget to register through your university, and your state Art Education Association. By registering with your university, you may be eligible to apply for financial aide for big events and opportunities. By registering on the state level, you can get involved with state conferences and begin networking with other chapters directly surrounding you.

7. Contact your Student Outreach Coordinator. Currently there are two national officers that are ready and waiting to help your growing Student Chapter become successful. These individuals are your go-to people with helpful information direct from the Presidential Team. In charge of the Western Region is Aimee Allen (aims@email.arizona.edu). In charge of the Eastern Region is Sandra Koberlein (skoberlein@msn.com). Send them an email detailing your chapter’s needs as a growing organization.

8. Put Yourselves Out There. Make your Student Chapter well known among your university and the community surrounding. Have a poster sale, organize a children’s art fair, conduct a silent art auction to raise funds for a local charity…the ideas are endless.

9. Share your Ideas with Others. As a chapter make it a point to attend the NAEA Convention, in addition to your state conferences. There you will meet and greet students from around the country that are just dying to share their ideas. For those of you that would like to get your presentation feet wet, submit a proposal to share some of your wonderful group events formally.

10. Keep Up the Energy. Continue meeting on a regular basis, and get as many students involved as possible. Pretty soon, you will see your Student Chapter grow into a booming community of supporters.

Sarah Cress
NAEA Student Chapter President 2007-2008