Become a United Spinal Chapter
Thank you for your interest in becoming a chapter of the United Spinal Association. Member Chapters are authorized affiliates of United Spinal who share the same mission and vision and serve our members at the local level, providing peer support, social engagement, and connection to community resources.
We welcome applications from groups interested in forming chapters in states or cities where they do not exist. The process is simple, and typically takes three to six months to complete – but sometimes as long as a year.
If you do not already have an organization formed, creating a chapter is essentially starting your own non-profit organization, which requires dedication, commitment, and certain skills and knowledge to execute successfully. If you aren’t quite ready to start a chapter, you can start small with a peer support group or peer mentorship program. To explore these options, please reach out to Lindsey Elliot at lelliott@unitedspinal.org.
Process for becoming a member chapter:
If you do not already have an organization established, we suggest bringing together like-minded individuals who are interested in serving on your inaugural board of directors before beginning the application process. This is not a requirement but will speed up the process and help you get your chapter up and running much faster.
Step 1: The first step is completing our online application form (found below).
Step 2: United Spinal will review your application and respond within 10 working days with a decision.
Step 3: If your application is accepted, United Spinal will set up an exploratory call to explain the chapter development process in detail and answer any questions you may have.
Step 4: After the exploratory call, if the decision is made to move forward, United Spinal will schedule an introductory call with United Spinal’s CEO and President.
Step 5: If United Spinal’s CEO and President approves the new chapter, the Director of Chapter Relations will walk you through the rest of the process, which includes establishing your board of directors, developing a mission statement and chapter bylaws, signing a chapter affiliation agreement, and deciding whether to join United Spinal’s group exemption or start your own independent 501 (c) (3) organization.
United Spinal Association’s mission:
United Spinal Association is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to empowering and advocating for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) and all wheelchair users to achieve their highest quality of life. Learn more about us here.
New chapter scholarship:
New chapters are eligible for a one-time scholarship once they meet certain criteria. In addition to the scholarship, these chapters are not required to pay annual dues for the first year as a United Spinal chapter.
Questions?
If you still have questions about starting a chapter, please contact Arielle Rausin, Director of Chapter and Hospital Network Relations & Engagement at arausin@unitedspinal.org.
