Licensing a State Chapter
TECH CORPSŪ is a national organization consisting of licensed state chapters. These state chapters are members in full of the national organization and entitled to all benefits, including advice and support from national, national publicity, participation in national events, and eligibility for national resources. State chapters have exclusive rights to use the TECH CORPS name and logo.
Each state has a unique profile, differing in economic climate, educational structure, and technology focus. Since the best understanding of these dynamics comes from the individuals, organizations, and businesses within a state, TECH CORPS empowers each state to organize its own TECH CORPS chapter.
At the same time, TECH CORPS recognizes the need to maintain a consistent vision, quality, and direction of its program throughout the country. To provide this consistency, TECH CORPS has established a process for developing a state organization which will help ensure a national standard of quality and identity among all its states chapters.
Steps to Organize and License a TECH CORPS State Chapter
Becoming a licensed state chapter includes the following:
- Submitting an Intent to Charter - statement of intent by initial organizers
- Submitting a Organizing Plan - proposed plan of action
- Signing an Initial Affiliation Agreement - preliminary agreement between national and the state chapter
- Submitting an Operating Plan - final plans
- Signing an Affiliation Agreement - final agreement between national and the state chapter
While some paperwork is required, the organizational process will greatly benefit a state chapter as it develops. The national TECH CORPS office provides guidance and assistance during all steps of the process.
Intent to Charter
The Intent to Charter is a one or two paragraph statement of the intent to organize a TECH CORPS state chapter. It can be filed by a group of individuals, organizations. and/or companies. The Intent includes the names, affiliations, and contact information of the organizers, and designates one person from the group to serve as the key contact person on TECH CORPS' web site and informational materials. Filing an Intent to Charter gives your group access to the national offices for planning and support materials, and to other state chapter leaders for their advice and guidance.
An Intent to Charter can be submitted electronically, mailed, or faxed to the TECH CORPS offices. Your organizing team will be notified of its acceptance.
Organizing Plan
The Organizing Plan is a brief (one to two pages) proposed plan of action for organizing your state's chapter. This document outlines the process your team intends to follow in setting up a state chapter - the specifics will be requested in the Operating Plan. The Organizing Plan is submitted by your team to TECH CORPS for review and affirmation that your chapter's directions are consistent with the national goals and vision. A template of a Organizing Plan is available.
The Organizing Plan addresses the following questions:
- Who is driving this project in your state and how long is their commitment? (Are one or more members of your team contributing resources during the start-up phase? If so, how long will these contributions continue?)
- Approximately how much funding will you seek, and from what sources?" (You will not be required to submit a budget at this time, but you should have a sense of what you will need and where you might seek support.)
- Who will you approach for your Task Force? State Chair? (See "Components of a State Organization".)
- What locations are you considering for office space?
- Regarding your 501(c)(3) status -will you incorporate your chapter and file for 501(c)(3) status under TECH CORPS' group exemption, or will your chapter affiliate with an existing 501(c)(3) non-profit?
- What process will be used to identify school districts? For recruiting volunteers?
The Organizing Plan can be submitted electronically, mailed, or faxed to the TECH CORPS offices. Your team will be notified of its acceptance.
Initial Affiliation Agreement
The Initial Affiliation Agreement is signed with TECH CORPS after the Organizing Plan has been accepted. Because TECH CORPS must sign this Agreement with an incorporated entity, rather than a group of individuals, your chapter must decide whether to affiliate with an existing incorporated non-profit, or to incorporate itself and file for non-profit status under TECH CORPS' group exemption. The Initial Affiliation Agreement gives your chapter the right to use the TECH CORPS name and logo for purposes of soliciting sponsorship and publicizing your chapter in the local media and on the Internet. The Initial Affiliation Agreement is valid for up to six months while your team prepares the Organizing Plan.
Operating Plan
The Operating Plan reflects your completed state organization. It is submitted by your Task Force and includes the specifics needed to fully implement your state's TECH CORPS program. A template of an Operating Plan is available.
The Operating Plan contains the following information:
- Organization's name "TECH CORPS (your state name)"
- State Director's name
- State Chair's name and affiliation
- Task Force members and affiliations
- Sponsors with type of donation (in-kind or monetary)
- Name of 501(c)(3) or evidence of chapter's incorporation
- Proposed one year budget
- List of pilot schools
- Volunteer recruiting plans
The Operating Plan can be submitted electronically, mailed, or faxed to the TECH CORPS offices. Your Task Force will be notified of its acceptance.
Affiliation Agreement
The final Affiliation Agreement is signed with TECH CORPS after the Operating Plan has been accepted. This Agreement gives your chapter the additional rights to use the TECH CORPS name and logo for purposes of recruiting and supporting volunteers and for providing services to school districts. The Affiliation Agreement is valid for one year, to be renewed annually.
For more information contact stateinfo@techcorps.org.
Sample Documents