Sisters in Crime chapters bring many rewards to their members in the form of community, knowledge, support, and networking. The process of starting a strong chapter can take several months, but a group of involved, enthusiastic Sisters can easily take the necessary steps. The national office and the SinC chapter liaison are helpful and responsive throughout this process.

If you have questions or issues, please contact our Chapter Liaison.

There are several formal steps that a group must take to become a chartered SinC chapter: choose a name, create bylaws from our bylaws template, submit a membership list, and open a bank account. Most of these steps require approval or a response from national.

When the process is complete, SinC will award the new chapter a start-up grant of $500. This grant was approved by the SinC Board for chapters that are chartered after April 15, 2016.

When your chapter is ready to apply for its Start-Up Grant, please complete the Chapter Start-Up Request form.

Starting a New Chapter

Prior to the COVID pandemic, many chapters often met in-person at libraries, coffee shops, and meeting rooms to discuss board business and present speakers. Since the world has largely changed, many chapters changed with it and now offer virtual or hybrid meetings and events. Chapters are suddenly recruiting members from different time zones. With members not needing to be within driving distance to chapter events, the chapter committee has modified its chapter formation process.

• An individual contacts National or the Chapter Liaison to inquire about forming a chapter.
• The Chapter Liaison researches other state or regional chapters to see if a new chapter is warranted or can be sustained. Are there other chapters in the area? Are there hybrid options nearby?
• The Chapter Liaison brings the proposal to a Chapter Committee meeting for discussion.
• If the committee agrees a new chapter could be warranted, the Chapter Liaison will contact the individual(s) to discuss the responsibilities and commitments involved in forming a chapter. This can include forming a leadership team (on which the inquiring member is expected to lead) for board positions, strategic planning for the chapter, drawing up bylaws, and applying for an EIN.
• As the chapter works on planning, the chapter leadership team will provide the Chapter Liaison with zip codes that the chapter would cover.
• The Chapter Liaison will then email identified members in the area to gauge interest. If there are enough interested members, the Chapter Liaison will work with the local committee to build a group in SinC LinC and invite those members to forge a community.
• Members should use the platform for informal meetings to discuss:
  • Long-term planning.
  • Volunteers for the various positions. In addition to the executive board, strong chapters also have membership chairs, newsletter writers, and social media teams.
  • Chapter name, colors, and logo.
  • Programming ideas.
• Assuming the SinC LinC group is strong and active, the Chapter Liaison will schedule a Zoom session to discuss the chapter formation and seek names for various board positions.
• The Chapter Liaison will facilitate the election for board members. The board needs to have a president (or co-presidents), treasurer and secretary at minimum. Other board members can be added as needed by the chapter.
• Once the bylaws and logo are established, the chapter can submit them for approval by the National Board.
• Once board approval is granted, the Chapter Liaison gives the chapter executive board a written charter for acquiring an EIN and bank account.
• The chapter is given a Zoom account by SinC National with a 500 seat meeting and a 500 seat webinar license.

Chapter Start-Up Request Form

Reach out to the Chapters Liaisons with questions. chapters@sistersincrime.org