Suggestions on Starting a new Chapter

• Go to the Create a new Bills Backer Chapter link and use the information provided there to officially set up your chapter. Create a New Chapter

Once Created:

• Presidents of new chapters should keep an email list of their members so they can communicate with them. The Boston and NYC chapters use www.yourmailinglist.com -- a free service through which we can send email to their membership. Presidents have to be mindful that they should not share e-mail addresses with any third parties.
• Try to make the Chapter family-oriented by including men, women, and children
• Accept all types of members from the casual fan to the die-hard fan and gear your club toward including both types in all that you do equally
• Get other members involved by delegating various tasks here and there in order to further interest in the chapter as well as creating a cohesive group that works together for the betterment of the chapter
• When you are more established, you may consider things like raffles and drawings (50/50) to help cover mailing or location expenses.
• Also, down the road, some chapters have even taken to organizing fundraiser events for charity
• Paying dues should not be mandatory to come and watch the games. Some chapters may find that they don't need to take dues. If decided that they are necessary, most clubs use money for flags, banners, raffle prizes, food specials, etc. that provide the ambience Sunday.
• We encourage new chapters to use the message boards and Presidents e-mail lists to ask for suggestions from the other groups.
• In terms of chapter administration, an example could include sharing responsibilities between three or four people, an “executive committee.” One executive committee member does the membership administration -- recording membership, dues, address changes, etc in a database. Another can recruits new members on game-days. A third person could manage contests and raffles. A fourth can ensure things flowing smoothly on game day.

Thank you to the current Bills Backers Presidents for their input. Please contact billsbackers@bills.nfl.com.