How to Form a Chapter

SGMP Chapters are independent subsidiaries of SGMP offering professional development, leadership, and networking opportunities to local government meeting professionals. Through our chapters, we provide state and local government planning professional development.

There are 10 tasks that need to be successfully completed and approved by the SGMP National Board of Directors for an SGMP interest group to be granted a charter as an official SGMP chapter.  Click on the link below to see a list of those 10 tasks, plus a summary of the overall chartering process and timeframe and greater detail and tips for each of the tasks.   

How to Form a Chapter

How to Form a Satellite Chapter

Satellite Chapters offer SGMP members an opportunity to provide local professional development, leadership, and networking opportunities as membership numbers and interest in a local area grows. Satellite Chapters are mentored by a parent chapter as they develop leadership and local interest.

Satellite Chapters are expected to provide a minimum of 4 professional development or networking opportunities every year. Once membership interest is established, Satellite Chapters can transition to Chapter status with approval from the National Board of Directors. 

Learn more about the steps that need to be successfully completed and approved by the SGMP National Board of Directors for an SGMP interest group to form a Satellite Chapter. Click on the Satellite Chapter Flyer to review the steps to start a Satellite Chapter.

Basic Information: 

• Minimum number of persons required will be five (5), but groups will be encouraged to start with ten (10) whenever possible.
• The satellite chapter will model their membership on the national chapter goals with balance between suppliers and planners. They will not be required to maintain balance. The goal is to grow membership and extend our association reach.
• Members are full voting members of SGMP and eligible for all benefits.
• Memberships will be recorded in the Monthly Membership Report (MMR) separately from the parent chapter. This will be done to not impact their planner/supplier ratio and not impact the full chapter numbers if they grow enough to begin a separate chapter.
• At twenty (20) members, the satellite can determine if they will set a goal to reach chapter status or remain a satellite.

How to Form a Satellite Chapter

Ready to submit your application to start a Satellite Chapter? Click here to submit your application.

Are you interested in transferring your membership to a newly formed Satellite Chapter? SGMP offers members the option to transfer their membership to a Satellite Chapter free of charge. Members may also elect to join a secondary chapter for $25 (planners) / $100 (suppliers) for each additional chapter. 

Request Transfer to a Satellite Chapter