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How To Start A Chapter
Establishing a Think First Chapter
We're delighted by your interest in injury prevention and the work of the ThinkFirst Foundation of Canada. If you'd like information on how to start a chapter in your area please read about some of the elements required below. For further information please don't hesitate to contact our National Office by calling 1-800-335-6076 or sending us an email at deirdre@thinkfirst.ca. For volunteer opportunities at your local chapter, please visit their site for contact information.
Chapter Requirements: People Power
Advisory Board: Our chapters are run by dedicated volunteers who have a passion for injury prevention. As a first step to forming a Chapter, you should gather a group of committed individuals from your community to form an Advisory Board. Ideally these individuals would be medical professionals such as neurosurgeons, doctors, and nurses, teachers, social workers, coaches, police officers, and parents. This Advisory Board, usually three to ten members strong, will help set priorities for your Chapter, build relationships within your community, and fundraise. During the start-up phase the Advisory Board will develop your Chapter's strategic plan and budget.
Chapter Director: Each Chapter must have a Chapter Director who will advocate ThinkFirst's brain and spinal cord injury prevention message, promote our educational programs, and work to increase the Chapter's exposure within the community. Historically the director role has been filled by a neurosurgeon, though this is not mandatory. (We have found that accessing this expertise is immensely beneficial, so having a neuroscience professional on your advisory board is crucial.)
Chapter Coordinator: The coordinator is responsible for organizing all day-to-day ThinkFirst Chapter activities. Coordinator responsibilities include arranging and participating in school and community presentations, fundraising activities, and volunteer recruitment.
VIP (Voices of Injury Prevention): People who have survived brain or spinal cord injuries work with some of our Chapters, bringing a unique voice to injury prevention. These individuals work with chapters in a variety of ways, taking on roles of advocacy, government lobbying, chairing Advisory Boards, and giving presentations.
Chapter Requirements: Environmental Scan
Identify Available Resources: Help of all sorts is essential to the success of a ThinkFirst Chapter, from in-kind and financial contributions to volunteer power. Making connections within your community is a vital first step! You should consider identifying:
- schools that welcome injury prevention presentations and are interested in incorporating IP into their curriculum;
- organizations that would sponsor community events;
- public health agencies you can partner with this partnership will increase the reach of your IP message.
The cost of operating a ThinkFirst Chapter varies, depending on its ambition. Funding is secured through sponsorships, grants, donations and/or fundraising events.
In addition to direction and oversight, ThinkFirst Canada supports Chapters by providing Chapter Resource Kits. These kits have included samples of our programs such as a set of the TD ThinkFirst for Kids curricula and SportSmart DVDs, a table display, ThinkFirst clothing, presentation videos, and anatomical models, and informational posters and brochures. Monthly Chapter Conference calls will further provide support and exposure to all Canadian chapters. To start the application process, please contact deirdre[at]thinkfirst.ca.