Start a Club
So you want to know more about organizing a Boys & Girls Club in Clermont
County. Where do you start? It all begins with wanting to make life better
for young people in your community. Once the idea of a Club catches on,
you’ll find that momentum will build, and you’ll be on your way to making a
real difference in young lives.
To discuss club opportunities in your community, contact Nancy Ball,
Executive Director by telephone at (513) 553-1948 or by e-mail at
nball@thepositiveplace4kids.org
1. Getting Started
The establishment of a Boys & Girls Club usually starts with one or two individuals
who initiate the idea and then interest others in the project.
So, the first step can be taken by YOU. Discuss your idea of forming a Boys & Girls
Club with representatives of service clubs, civic, social, fraternal and labor
organizations in your area. They in turn can involve leaders in business, industry
and the professions in your community.
Network as much as you can in order to stimulate interest in starting a Club.
2. Organize a Steering Committee
Once you have a group of committed individuals, hold a meeting to discuss the idea
of starting a Boys & Girls Club and invite a member of the regional Field Services
staff of Boys & Girls Clubs of America to the meeting (see contact information
below). Confine the gathering to a small group.
Explain the purpose of the meeting to the group and have the Field Services
representative talk about Boys & Girls Clubs. If the group is interested in pursuing
the idea further, form a steering committee to handle preliminary organization work.
3. Determine the Need
The need for a Club in your community may be quite apparent, BUT if there is doubt
in the minds of the committee or other key individuals, the Field Services
representative will assist the committee with a survey of the conditions for youth in
your community.
Such a survey will determine how effectively the needs of young people are being
met in the community. (There is no charge for this service from your BGCA Field
Services rep.)
4. Incorporate
As soon as the need for a Club has been established and the committee has agreed
that a Club should be started, the Club organization should be incorporated. The
organization will then become a legal entity.
A competent lawyer can advise as to the proper and legal procedure for
incorporation and the procedure for securing tax-exempt status from the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service.
5. Develop a Constitution and Bylaws
A constitution and bylaws for the organization should be prepared by legal counsel.
The Field Services staff for your region will make available a suggested constitution
and bylaws which may be adapted to your local needs.
6. Organize a Board of Directors
Having adopted a constitution and bylaws, organize a board of directors, elect
officers and establish board committees. Consult with the Field Services
representative regarding the selection of board members and the structure of a
Club board.
7. Determine Area and Secure a Building
At this point, you will need to determine where the Clubhouse will be located.
Consult with the Field Services representative for more information about the
location and kind of building that would be satisfactory for a Boys & Girls Club.
8. Determine Cost
After you choose a building, determine the cost of any renovations or upgrades and
Club equipment. Once this is complete, you’ll be ready to draw up a one-year
operating budget for the Club. Your Field Services representative will help you with
these determinations and plans.
9. Raise the Funds
You are now ready to raise funds to establish a Club. The most common method of
raising funds is through a community-wide campaign using the face-to-face
solicitation approach. Field Services staff for your region will make suggestions
about the most effective way to conduct the campaign.
You now have a Boys & Girls Club ready
to serve the young people of your community!
County. Where do you start? It all begins with wanting to make life better
for young people in your community. Once the idea of a Club catches on,
you’ll find that momentum will build, and you’ll be on your way to making a
real difference in young lives.
To discuss club opportunities in your community, contact Nancy Ball,
Executive Director by telephone at (513) 553-1948 or by e-mail at
nball@thepositiveplace4kids.org
1. Getting Started
The establishment of a Boys & Girls Club usually starts with one or two individuals
who initiate the idea and then interest others in the project.
So, the first step can be taken by YOU. Discuss your idea of forming a Boys & Girls
Club with representatives of service clubs, civic, social, fraternal and labor
organizations in your area. They in turn can involve leaders in business, industry
and the professions in your community.
Network as much as you can in order to stimulate interest in starting a Club.
2. Organize a Steering Committee
Once you have a group of committed individuals, hold a meeting to discuss the idea
of starting a Boys & Girls Club and invite a member of the regional Field Services
staff of Boys & Girls Clubs of America to the meeting (see contact information
below). Confine the gathering to a small group.
Explain the purpose of the meeting to the group and have the Field Services
representative talk about Boys & Girls Clubs. If the group is interested in pursuing
the idea further, form a steering committee to handle preliminary organization work.
3. Determine the Need
The need for a Club in your community may be quite apparent, BUT if there is doubt
in the minds of the committee or other key individuals, the Field Services
representative will assist the committee with a survey of the conditions for youth in
your community.
Such a survey will determine how effectively the needs of young people are being
met in the community. (There is no charge for this service from your BGCA Field
Services rep.)
4. Incorporate
As soon as the need for a Club has been established and the committee has agreed
that a Club should be started, the Club organization should be incorporated. The
organization will then become a legal entity.
A competent lawyer can advise as to the proper and legal procedure for
incorporation and the procedure for securing tax-exempt status from the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service.
5. Develop a Constitution and Bylaws
A constitution and bylaws for the organization should be prepared by legal counsel.
The Field Services staff for your region will make available a suggested constitution
and bylaws which may be adapted to your local needs.
6. Organize a Board of Directors
Having adopted a constitution and bylaws, organize a board of directors, elect
officers and establish board committees. Consult with the Field Services
representative regarding the selection of board members and the structure of a
Club board.
7. Determine Area and Secure a Building
At this point, you will need to determine where the Clubhouse will be located.
Consult with the Field Services representative for more information about the
location and kind of building that would be satisfactory for a Boys & Girls Club.
8. Determine Cost
After you choose a building, determine the cost of any renovations or upgrades and
Club equipment. Once this is complete, you’ll be ready to draw up a one-year
operating budget for the Club. Your Field Services representative will help you with
these determinations and plans.
9. Raise the Funds
You are now ready to raise funds to establish a Club. The most common method of
raising funds is through a community-wide campaign using the face-to-face
solicitation approach. Field Services staff for your region will make suggestions
about the most effective way to conduct the campaign.
You now have a Boys & Girls Club ready
to serve the young people of your community!
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