The Boys & Girls Clubs of America provide a safe and constructive environment for children and teens after school.mentorship, creative, entertainment, and educational opportunities are offered by the clubs.Even if you don't live in the US, you may still be able to start a Boys & Girls Club in your community because the model has been adapted around the world.
Step 1: Talk to people in the community.
A new Boys & Girls Club usually takes several well- connected people to get off the ground.It's a good idea to start with people who are respected by community members.You might want to hold an informational meeting for those interested in becoming involved if you pass out fliers at your local school, library, or community center.Reach out to school board members, community organizers, and others who you think would benefit the organization and be able to contribute in a meaningful way.
Step 2: The requirements for membership should be reviewed.
If you want to be affiliated with an official Boys & Girls Club in your country, you need to meet certain requirements.If there's another Boys & Girls Club nearby, you may be able to get information.You can visit the national Boys & Girls Club website.You can find it by doing an internet search for "Boys & Girls Club" and the name of your country.Documentation of your organization, location, and plan for programs, as well as the names and personal information for anyone on the Board of Directors or directly involved with the organization will be required.It may take a year or more to get your Boys & Girls Club up and running.During the planning stages, the membership requirements can be used as a road-map.
Step 3: You should research your community.
A detailed document detailing your community's need for a Boys & Girls Club is required in the initial planning stages.Identifying unmet needs is the key here.Any other resources available to young people in your community should be described.You have to explain why your club wouldn't duplicate those services.There is a desire in your community for a Boys & Girls Club.A survey can be created for parents or young people to fill out.Go door-to-door and talk to your neighbors if you want to make the survey available online.The ability to fund your organization is addressed at the same time.Your community needs to have enough money to keep the Club going.Do you know if other community organizations in your area have funding?
Step 4: Brainstorming ideas for your club.
You should get together with the other people who have agreed to help and come up with ideas for how to fulfill the unmet needs in your community.If you discover that your local school has the lowest math and science grades in the region, you can develop a series of programs and activities designed to make the subject fun.Students who are struggling in those areas could be helped by tutors.
Step 5: Reach out to a national representative.
Depending on your country, the level of involvement your national organization has in the development of your Boys & Girls club will vary.Contact the national organization to find out what your next steps should be.A member of the national organization will usually be involved in the planning stages of your Boys & Girls Club.They can give you advice and resources that will help you in the planning stages.You should contact one of the service centers in the US.The Centers will help guide you through the next steps.The Director of Organizational Development will connect you with directors of other local clubs in your area.
Step 6: The Board of Directors should be appointed.
You should have a better idea of what the Boys & Girls Club will look like after the first planning phase is over.The volunteer Board of Directors will make all the decisions related to the organization.Typically you'll want to choose people who have been instrumental in your first phase of planning, as well as community leaders whose reputation will lend your organization some clout.The size of your Board of Directors varies depending on the law.There is a minimum number of people on the Board of Directors in some states.Since you will eventually have to incorporate, check the law that will apply to your organization or contact an attorney who specializes in nonprofit law.The Board will benefit from having someone with legal expertise in founding a nonprofit.Someone with a background in finances would be an asset.
Step 7: An operating agreement should be developed.
Basic rules about how your organization will operate, how donations will be collected and managed, and who is in charge of various aspects of the organization can be found in the operating agreement.You can get an idea of what the document should look like by looking at the operating agreements of other Boys & Girls Clubs near you.These agreements should be described in your operating agreement if you will be partnering with any other nearby Boys & Girls Clubs.
Step 8: Determine the club's budget.
You know how much it will cost to keep the doors open.Costs for equipment and supplies can be determined.A good idea of how much you can expect to pay to lease facilities is to work with a real estate professional.You have to work this into your budget.Determine if costs are one-time costs or regular costs.Buying exercise equipment for a gym is a one-time cost, while paper and pencils are a regular cost.To get a general idea of what a reasonable budget should be, talk to other Boys & Girls Club directors.
Step 9: It's a good idea to find a suitable location.
If you want to offer the programs you've planned, look for a building that has the space you need.Based on your research, your facility should be large enough to accommodate a lot of young people.If you want to find a location that fits within your club's budget, you should seek out a real estate professional who has experience with nonprofits.If the young people in your care are outside of your facility, you want to make sure the location is relatively safe.
Step 10: You should create a business plan.
You need to create a business plan for the Boys & Girls Club since you're incorporating.These documents are standard for nonprofits and for-profits and detail your mission, the programs you plan to offer, your budget, and your plans for funding.You can get a sample of a nonprofit business plan from the Boys & Girls Club.If you want to look at theirs, you might ask nearby chapters.If you don't have any experience drawing up a document like this, you might want to talk to an experienced attorney.While your business plan is not a legal document, nonprofit planning attorneys have experience creating them.You should include a summary of the data you gathered when researching your community.
Step 11: Request some documents.
You can use sample documents or templates from your national organization to create legal documents for your organization.If you have no experience establishing a new business or nonprofit, the templates can be difficult to understand.If you can't access the templates or samples you need, or if they are too confusing to follow, contact an attorney who specializes in nonprofit organization and planning.It would be beneficial to have an attorney with experience with nonprofits on your board.
Step 12: Begin the process of being incorporated.
Your organization must be incorporated as a non-profit corporation before you can open a Boys & Girls Club affiliate.Depending on where you are, the process varies greatly.If you are located in the United States or Canada, you need to become incorporated and apply for tax-exempt status with the national government.It can take some time.Fees will be paid to become incorporated.Specific documents must be filed with your state, local, and federal government.If you don't have any experience with incorporating a business, leave it to someone who does or an attorney.
Step 13: A director should be hired.
Once your business and legal documents are in place, you'll want to name a specific person as director who will oversee the daily operations of the Club as well as being the point person for any communication.If you were the one who wanted to start a Boys & Girls Club in your community, the director may be you.If someone with experience directing a Boys & Girls Club is available, you should be willing to give the title to them.Potential recruits can be identified by talking to staff at other Boys & Girls Clubs.If you want your first director to be from your community, you should look for someone who is involved in the community.
Step 14: Start raising funds.
You can start soliciting donations after your Club is incorporated.Make sure your donors know that their donations won't be tax deductible when you accept them.The Board and you should come up with fundraising ideas.You may be able to develop some joint projects if you invite directors of other Boys & Girls Clubs in nearby communities.Community leaders and elected officials can get a lot of money.You may want to hold a dinner or a prize draw to get them involved.
Step 15: You have to apply for a membership.
If you want to become an affiliate Club of your national Boys & Girls Club, you need to complete an application.You can apply for full membership after a period of time.You have to submit documents to the national organization on a regular basis, and your activities may be monitored.During this time, you will receive guidance from the national organization that will help you build a strong foundation and get your club started on the right track.
Step 16: You can work with local or regional clubs.
When you're just getting your club off the ground, established Boys & Girls Clubs in your area can be great resources.If there are still people involved in these clubs who were at the founding, you can find out what mistakes they made and what lessons they learned.When you're just starting out, connecting with these groups gives you an air of legitimacy as you look for funding.You can learn from their experience and benefit from the roots they've put down in your region.They will be willing to help you fulfill unmet needs if they see them.
Step 17: Quality staff and volunteers are needed.
The majority of your staff will be made up of volunteers.The Boys & Girls Club may have regulations regarding how you recruit and screen volunteers.All of your volunteers will have to submit to a background check if they want to work with children.Someone convicted of molesting a child should not be accepted as a volunteer.There are many background checks that can be completed for free.Check with your national Boys & Girls Club office as well as your government to find out how to conduct thorough background checks on your applicants.
Step 18: Local outreach and social media can be used to attract young people.
If you want to get the attention of young people and their parents, the internet may be your best bet.Set up a Facebook page for your Boys & Girls Club chapter and send invites to people in your community, encouraging them to "like" the page and spread the word.An open community event, such as a board game night, can be a great way to get people interested in participating in your club.You should start each event with a brief presentation of your club and programs.