Expectations for Active Minds Chapters

Hello Chapter Advisors and Presidents,

Each year, you will be asked to review and acknowledge Expectations for Active Minds Chapters. These expectations outline the scope of activities, chapter structure, and more. It’s important that your chapter is regularly reviewing these expectations to ensure alignment with the National Office. 

We hope that by outlining these expectations clearly, your chapter will be better equipped to do the important work of championing a new era of mental health. While this is an important document to establish expectations, it is our intention that it can serve as a helpful resource for your chapter’s operations moving forward.

Please read through each of the sections of the Expectations and complete the acknowledgment on the final page of this form. Chapter Advisors and Presidents are both required to acknowledge the Expectations on an annual basis.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Active Minds Chapters Team at chapters@activeminds.org.

You must submit your acknowledgement through this form. However, you can download a copy of the Expectations here or find them on the Chapter Resources page of our website. This can serve as a helpful resource as you plan your chapter operations and activities.
 
Take care,
The Active Minds Chapters Team

Expectations of Active Minds Chapters

Active Minds (referred to herein as “Active Minds” or the “National Organization”) is the largest nonprofit in the United States mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms across society. Active Minds chapters are a network of 500+ student-led, school-based groups that mobilize for civic engagement and advocacy action aimed at mental health social change. This document establishes Active Minds’ expectations for all Active Minds chapters, which must adhere to the expectations and obligations described in this document to be in good standing. This document can also serve as a resource to guide your chapter’s mission, activities, governance issues and your other obligations.  All chapters will be asked to confirm that they understand these expectations and their obligations and that they agree to comply strictly with them.
 
Purpose & Mission Statement
  • Active Minds Chapters are established for the expressed purpose of mobilizing their peers to advocate for mental health and drive positive change in their school communities. Chapters engage in a variety of activities to accomplish this purpose, outlined below.
    • Cultivate community around mental health through the following:
      • Building and sustaining a membership base of passionate youth and young adults by hosting regular chapter meetings and other activities that create connection and belonging.
      • Partnering with other student groups, administrators, and community organizations who are passionate about mental health advocacy.
    • Engage in and create opportunities that further mental health social change, including, but not limited to:
      • Mental health education, awareness-raising, and stigma reduction activities and events
      • Contributing to school-wide change through policy advocacy and partnership
      • Advocating for increased access to mental health services and / or promoting existing services to peers
      • Supporting mental health initiatives in your community
  • Chapters should use the following in their mission statement:
    • “Active Minds at [your school] mobilizes students to advocate for mental health and drive positive change.”
  • Active Minds Chapters are not mental health support groups nor are they ever permitted to offer any kind of mental health treatment. Chapters should never engage in any activities that could be construed as a peer support group or providing mental health treatment.
 
 
Affiliations

  • Your chapter is affiliated with Active Minds, the national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and is bound by all policies and rules of Active Minds.
  • Although chapters are expected to comply with certain Active Minds’ rules and policies (including, but not limited to, the Branding Guidelines and anti-discrimination policies referenced in this document), chapters are fiscally and legally independent entities that operate with a high degree of autonomy.  Chapter autonomy will allow them to establish an appropriate governance structure, to have the flexibility to adopt programs and events for their specific communities, and to comply with their educational institution’s rules and policies.
  • Active Minds is not financially responsible for Active Minds Chapters.  Chapters are solely responsible for their own fundraising.
  • Chapters have no authority - and may not indicate to the public or otherwise that they have any such authority - to enter into any contract on behalf of the National Organization or legally bind it in any manner.  
  • Your chapter must be an officially recognized, registered student group at your school and abide by all the applicable rules and policies of your educational institution.
Expectations of Active Minds Chapters Continued 

Membership

  • Membership in Active Minds shall be open to anyone who is affiliated with your school in an official capacity (i.e. students, faculty, and staff). All members must welcome anyone affiliated with your school to attend general body meetings of Active Minds.
  • Only active chapter members are eligible to hold leadership positions. Individual chapters may define their own criteria for active membership, typically requiring regular and ongoing participation in meetings and activities.
  • There are no dues associated with being a member of Active Minds and chapters are not permitted to mandate dues from their membership so as to not create a barrier to membership for any individual.
    • Chapters may charge a fee for individual events to cover planning costs, but these types of events should be occasional and not make up a majority of the events hosted by the chapter.
  • All chapter members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects professionalism, sound judgment and respect for others.
 
Chapter Leadership and Governance

  • You must have at least three student Chapter leaders and one advisor who is a faculty member or other full-time staff member at your school.  At least one of the three student leaders must not be graduating in the current academic year to support the sustainability of continuing the chapter into future years. 
  • All chapters are required to form an executive board, consisting of at least three Chapter Leaders (also may be referred to as “officers”).
    • Additional officer positions can exist on the executive board in order to fulfill additional responsibilities as decided upon by the chapter.
  • The executive board is responsible for leading the chapter and ensuring the sustainability of the chapter by understanding Active Minds messages, fulfilling role responsibilities, and representing Active Minds.
  • Officers should be chosen to serve on the executive board from active membership of the chapter through a process outlined by the chapter. This may include elections or some other process of selection that is clearly documented for future leadership transitions.
  • Chapter Advisor: The executive board must have an active relationship with the Chapter Advisor, who must be a faculty or other staff person at your school. This relationship is agreed upon by the executive board and advisor of your chapter (i.e. how frequently to meet and what day-to-day role the advisor will serve). Advisors may support board selection, chapter planning, mediating conflict, ensuring that chapters are completing requirements, and any other duties as needed for a staff / faculty advisor to fulfill.
Expectations of Active Minds Chapters Continued 

Authorized Use of Active Minds Branding:

  • Active Minds has federally registered trademark rights in the name “Active Minds” as well as other phrases and logos mentioned in this document.  All chapters are expected to comply with Active Minds’ brand guidelines, which are discussed below, because our guidelines ensure consistency in our brand's appearance and messaging, which fosters recognition, credibility, and trust with the public.
  • Your chapter must be called “Active Minds at [your school name].” You may use abbreviations or school nicknames in promotional materials (with the exception of your provided logo) or communications with your peers, but must use the formal name of your chapter in any interactions with the National Office and in public-facing communications (i.e. listing on your school’s website).
  • Chapters are authorized to use official Active Minds branding materials to promote their activities strictly in accordance with Active Minds’ Chapter Brand Guidelines. Your authorization to use Active Minds’ name, trademarks and logos may be terminated at any time by Active Minds for any reason, including if we believe that your chapter has violated the Chapter Brand Guidelines. Find the Chapter Brand Guidelines and more on the Chapter Resources page of the website. To protect Active Minds’ reputation and legal standing:
    • You MAY ONLY:
      • Use your custom chapter logo exactly as provided
      • Use the official Active Minds name in your chapter title
      • Reference official program names (Stress Less Week®, Send Silence Packing®, etc.) when hosting these programs
      • Use the tagline ‘Championing a New Era of Mental Health’ in promotional materials
    • You MAY NOT:
      • Modify logos, colors, or fonts in any branding materials
      • Create your own versions of Active Minds’ logos
      • Use Active Minds’ name, trademarks or logos in any manner that could be harmful to Active Minds’ reputation or mission, that does not align with its core organizational values, or that impairs or damages the intellectual property rights, good will, or other rights Active Minds has in its name, trademarks and logos.
      • Use Active Minds branding for non-chapter activities or personal projects
      • Use Active Minds’ name or logos in a way that states or implies an endorsement of views not aligned with Active Minds’ organizational values or its mission
      • Because Active Minds is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, chapters are strictly prohibited from using Active Minds’ name, trademarks or logos in connection with any partisan political activity on behalf of the chapter Thus, for example, chapters may not use Active Minds’ name, trademarks or logos in connection with efforts to influence legislation, to endorse or oppose any candidate for political office, to campaign for or against any political candidate, make or solicit campaign contributions or post partisan political content on the chapter’s website or social media channels. These strict prohibitions do not apply to activities that a chapter member pursues solely in their individual capacity where they are not using Active Minds’ name, trademarks or logos in connection with any partisan political activity and where they make it clear that they are not speaking for the National Organization or acting on its behalf. Thus, and subject to those important conditions, chapter members can get involved in all kinds of mental health advocacy opportunities. These range from sharing thoughts and opinions with reporters, writing blogs for Active Minds’ website, and speaking at conferences or on panels that are intended to raise awareness of mental health issues to effect positive social change in their communities.
  • The Active Minds National Staff may request that a chapter change or update their logo to the newest version and make changes to their current branding practices in alignment with the Branding Guidelines.
  • You acknowledge and agree that: (1) your chapter has no rights, title, or interests in or to Active Minds’ name, trademarks or the logos referenced in this document or the goodwill associated with them except the limited and non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, non-sublicensable and revocable right to use Active Minds’ name, trademarks and logos referenced herein in a manner that is strictly consistent with the Branding Guidelines and the expectations and obligations described in this document; and (2) Active Minds is and shall remain the sole and exclusive owner of all rights, title and interests (including all intellectual property rights) in and to Active Minds’ name, the trademarks and logos referenced herein including the goodwill associated thereto.
  • To align with Active Minds' commitment to inclusion and maximize the impact of our mental health culture-changing work, we expect all volunteers and staff to be mindful of their attire and language when representing the organization at events. We recommend wearing Active Minds branded clothing (e.g., logo shirts or other branded apparel) or neutral attire (e.g., solid-colored or graphic-free shirts, pants, hats, accessories). To affirm the inclusionary, engaging environment we seek to foster, please avoid language, clothing, or messaging that could be perceived as offensive, disparaging or exclusionary.
Expectations of Active Minds Chapters Continued 

Reporting Requirements and Active Status

Active Minds will assess a chapter’s active status based on the completion of communicated requirements (i.e. quarterly Chapter Reports to Active Minds, which are surveys emailed to Chapter Leaders and Chapter Advisors that collect information about Chapter activities)  and keeping updated contact information on file). Chapters are considered “active” and in good standing with the National Office if they are up to date on their requirements. Chapter status is assessed no less frequently than on an annual basis and changes in chapter status are communicated to contacts available on file. Active Minds also has a right to assess a chapter’s status at any time including on a continual basis. It is the responsibility of Chapter Leaders and Advisor(s) to ensure that requirements are fulfilled on time. 
 
It is expected that there will be turnover in leadership as students graduate or experience shifts in their ability to fulfill the responsibilities of their role.. Chapters must update contact information of all Chapter Leaders with the National Office. They can do this anytime through the Contact Update Form.
 
Non-Discrimination Policy

Active Minds and all affiliates, including Active Minds at [your school], do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, source of income, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, familial status, family responsibilities, mental or physical ability, status as a veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
 
Compliance and Enforcement

In addition to complying with your educational institution’s rules, policies, and code of conduct, chapters and their members also must comply at all times with applicable laws and government regulations.
Any complaints involving the conduct of any student member or chapter advisor, including discrimination, are the responsibility of the educational institution to adjudicate based on their existing processes.
The National Office reserves the right at any time in its sole discretion to: change a chapter’s status (i.e. to close or suspend a chapter, even temporarily or based on meeting certain conditions determined on a case-by-case basis) and / or provide specialized technical assistance to better support a chapter.
 
Active Minds National Staff is available to answer your questions, provide support, and otherwise help your chapter succeed. If you have any questions or concerns involving the Chapter Expectations or want to access any additional resources, please contact the team by emailing chapters@activeminds.org.

Proceed to the next page to acknowledge these expectations.

Expectations of Active Minds Chapters: Acknowledgement

Please answer the questions below to acknowledge the Expectations. By completing the below, you are acknowledging that you read, understand, and agree to the Expectations and all obligations as stated.







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