E-Magazine: Ignite Your Healthcare Journey: How to Start and Grow a HOSA Chapter
Ignite Your Healthcare Journey: How to Start and Grow a HOSA Chapter
By: Sadana Gangaraj
Every HOSA chapter starts somewhere. If you are not already a HOSA member and want to become a part of Georgia HOSA, you can start now! With starting a HOSA chapter, comes your chance to network with other future health professionals, compete in events of your interest, and participate in community service opportunities. By creating a HOSA chapter, you provide your school or community with a place to gain guidance and insight into building professional development opportunities.
Starting a HOSA Chapter
1) Initial Membership Recruitment
Take the first step towards starting your local chapter by finding a teacher or responsible adult who is willing to serve as your chapter advisor. Once you find an advisor, you must recruit at least 5 members to be a part of the HOSA chapter. Find people who are enthusiastic to become HOSA members and ready to take part in whatever the chapter has to offer!
2) Contact Georgia HOSA
Georgia HOSA wants to help you begin your HOSA chapter’s journey! Complete this Chapter Request Form, so we can get all the necessary information to communicate with you. Once we receive and review this information, you will receive your charter number, password, and Georgia HOSA region number. This will apply to the 5 members (or more) that were previously recruited and any other members you recruit in the future. Make sure you visit the Georgia HOSA website and read the Guide to Organizing and Managing a HOSA Chapter in Section C of the HOSA Handbook to make yourself familiar with our resources. Sign up for our Georgia HOSA mailing list to make sure you never miss important information and communication!
3) Build Your Chapter
Expand your chapter by recruiting new members. There are people everywhere interested in all that HOSA has to offer, and it is your job to recruit your peers to join your chapter. Utilize posters, announcements, and chapter visits from state officers to gauge interest from current and potential HOSA members. Here are general membership recruitment posters that you could put up around your school!
Growing Your HOSA Chapter
1) Host Meetings
Introduce HOSA and its benefits to current and potential members. Share conference experiences and competitive event opportunities to encourage people to join HOSA.
2) Social Media
Build your HOSA brand by establishing a social media presence for your chapter. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, post regularly about upcoming events and opportunities to keep members of your HOSA chapter on track and let other people know about all that HOSA has to offer. Share photos and videos from meetings, conferences, and other events to showcase what people can experience as a part of HOSA.
3) Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!
Make sure all resources, meeting times, and locations are accessible to HOSA members. Creating a regular email timeline and website where members know where to go for information keeps communication efficient. Establish a proper leadership team, so members know where to reach out for questions and concerns.
Starting a HOSA chapter is not just an extracurricular activity but a platform for growth, learning, and making a difference. Inspire yourself and your peers, contribute to your community, and build your healthcare journey in HOSA. If you have not done so already, take your first step today and pave your HOSA pathway!