What is a chapter's relationship to DSA?

National Programs and Campaigns: DSA creates opportunities for chapters to engage in programs and campaigns such as starting.........project, participating in advocacy campaigns against design legislation, Show house events, trade shows, markets , etc

Membership: DSA processes all memberships at the National Office and DSA membership is required to be a Chapter member and/or leader. Membership lists are maintained by DSA and updated lists are sent to chapter leaders quarterly.

Materials and Resources: Materials including membership brochures and publications are available for download as well as in paper format. A leaders-only web site features a growing number of resources and how-to’s for projects and programs.

Communication and Networking: DSA sends out quarterly leader updates, and leaders may be asked to participate in regional or national phone calls. Participating as a leader will also connect you to the larger DSA Professional Designer network of people and projects.

Promotion: The DSA website has a calendar where leaders can submit local and regional events and projects to be listed. Publications such as the DSA National website, LinkedIn and Face book DSA Blogs, will also feature information about your chapter's initiatives.

Feedback and Participation: Feedback from volunteer leaders is essential to national projects and programs. Your regional director and the national office staff are available to collect feedback, guide projects and answer questions.

Volunteering for the leadership team: The success of a local chapter depends on its leadership team. A large leadership team that is representative of the professional design community and whose members have myriad talents will be most effective. Recommended term lengths for positions are 1-3 years, and succession planning is important to keep the vitality of the chapter strong. A Chapter board should consist of a minimum of five members who fill the general office positions: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Membership. The chapter will also be responsible for following DSA National by-laws to manage regional chapter activities. Volunteering for an organization requires a lot of passion and commitment! We have an important mission and a big job to do, and we will be able to meet our mission with more and more member and leader participation.

Using the DSA name and logo Active chapters are authorized to use the chapter logo provided to you for events related to chapter activities only. The DSA name and logo may be used for design business purposes only by active members. The DSA logo should never be used without the name of the member.

Chapter responsibilities:

• A chapter must establish a bank account for chapter funds that is separate from the personal or business accounts of any member. The account must have two signers.
• A chapter must report to DSA and on an annual basis. DSA requires annual financial revenue and expense reports to be submitted to the national office. How can I learn more?
• Send us a New Chapter Inquiry Email (see below).
• Contact the National Chapter Director - click here to view a list of local chapters.
• Contact the DSA membership coordinator - click here
• Learn more about DSA and how to first become a DSA member.
• Learn more about the DSA designer support groups vision and mission.

Please contact us at the number listed below if you have questions about starting a chapter or want more information.

Natasha Lima-Younts DSA
Loyalty Ambassador
Designer Society of America
support@dsasociety.org
229 888-2459