Start a JSA Chapter
Students have driven the expansion of Junior State of America (JSA) across the country by establishing chapters in hundreds of high schools nationwide, including the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States. JSA chapters were created to meet the increase in political and civic engagement in high school. If there’s not currently a chapter at your school, you can start your own today.
What is a chapter?
JSA chapters are student-led clubs on high school campuses that welcome students from different political backgrounds to engage in civil discourse through different debate styles. The most important part of JSA chapters is to make sure that all opinions are allowed and heard as it provides for a good learning environment.
What do chapters do?
At the chapter level, student leadership works to:
- Host chapter meetings
- Register student delegates for conventions
- Plan fundraisers and activism events
- Promote the general welfare of their chapter
Benefits of Being a JSA Member
- Opportunity to gain leadership experience and resume skills for college applications
- Network with over 7,000+ like-minded students
- Connect with notable speakers and leaders in the civic engagement space
- Attend JSA school year conventions
- Build and improve your public speaking and critical thinking skills
Chapter Requirements
When you start a new chapter, we’ll put you in touch with your JSA State’s student leaders, who will guide you through the process of drafting a constitution, electing officers, running chapter meetings and events, and participating in JSA conventions. JSA chapters must meet the minimum requirements:
- A Chapter President
- A Teacher Advisor
- Approval by Your School’s Administration
- 8 Dues-Paying Student Members
- A Chapter Constitution
JSA Membership Requirements
- Student delegates pay a fee of $10 annually to remain an active member of JSA.
- Must be a current student in grades 9 – 12
- Must attend a high school in the U.S. or U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States
Steps to Start a Chapter
Use the checklist below to begin your journey with JSA today!
1. Submit a Start-Up Form
A successful chapter is well worth the effort. Fill out the JSA chapter start-up form to begin. After filling out the request, you’ll receive an email with a Chapter Start-Up Guide, where you’ll learn about writing a chapter constitution, electing officers, and holding meetings.
2. Find a Teacher Advisor
Your teacher advisor is your chapter’s mentor: they will serve as your chaperone at overnight JSA conventions and will be your liaison to your school administration. Many chapters choose a government or social sciences teacher as their teacher advisor, but any interested educator at your school can serve in this role. Teacher advisors support JSA chapters with paying fees, filling out paperwork, and assisting the chapter president.
3. Get School Approval
Your new chapter must be approved as an extracurricular activity by your school’s administration before things become official. This process can vary depending on where you live, and your teacher advisor can assist you. Note: Beginning earlier in the school year can expedite the approval process.
4. Recruit Students
To become an official JSA chapter, you’ll need at least eight dues-paying student members, so spread the word around your campus. Use our recruitment chapter packet to help you with promoting your JSA chapter, and we will connect you with JSA students in leadership positions from your region who’ll guide you as you get started.
5. Establish Your Chapter Constitution
All chapters are required to write a chapter constitution. Chapter constitutions outline the rules of the chapter, chapter leadership, and the election guidelines.
