Start a Chapter — Orange County High School Democrats

Before You Begin

What you need to get started

You'll need these four things. If you're missing any of them, read the step-by-step guide below — each step explains how to get them.

Requirements

Minimum 5 founding members who are currently enrolled students
One faculty or staff advisor at your school
A signed application approved by school administration
Agreement to uphold the organization's bylaws and code of conduct

Step by Step

How to start your chapter

Follow these steps in order. Each one is short and concrete. If you get stuck on any step, skip to the contact section at the bottom of this page.

01

Gather a founding group

You need at least five students who are serious about starting the chapter. These become your founding members. No experience required — just genuine interest in civic participation.

02

Find a faculty advisor

Any teacher or staff member at your school can serve as advisor. Their role is administrative (signing paperwork, reserving rooms) — not to direct the chapter's activities.

03

Complete the chapter application

Fill out the official chapter application form. You'll need: names of all founding members, your advisor's name and contact, and your school's principal or activities director signature.

04

Submit the application

Send the completed form to the Chair using the contact form on this site. We review applications within two weeks and will follow up with any questions.

05

Attend a new chapter orientation

Once approved, your founding team attends a one-hour virtual orientation. We walk through chapter bylaws, resources, the officer structure, and your first steps.

06

Hold your first meeting

Elect officers, set a meeting schedule, and you're officially active. We provide a first-meeting agenda template to make this straightforward.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

How long does approval take?

We review applications within two weeks of receiving them. If we have questions, we'll email your founding team directly before making a decision.

Can a teacher or counselor start the chapter instead of students?

No. The founding group must be students. Adults can advise but cannot serve as founding members or hold officer positions.

Does the school have to officially recognize us?

Your school doesn't need to formally recognize the chapter, but you will need a faculty advisor who can reserve space for meetings and sign the application.

What if we don't have five students yet?

Start recruiting first. Talk to classmates who've mentioned an interest in politics, government, or community issues. You need five committed people — not necessarily people who already know a lot about civics.

What does membership cost?

We set dues at a level that covers operating costs, not as a barrier to participation. Scholarships are available for any member who cannot afford dues — just ask.

Can we start a chapter at a middle school or community college?

Currently our program is designed for high school students. If you're interested in a middle school or community college chapter, contact us — we're open to discussing it.

Ready to apply, or have questions?

Use the contact form and include "Chapter Application" or "Chapter Question" in the subject line.

Send a Message