You can become part of the South Dakota HOSA family. Starting a chapter at your school is easy to do...Come...Lets get things started!
Take a "Pulse"- Determine Student Interest
Nobody knows your students better than you. Ask students about careers they may be interested in. If there are many students interested in healthcare, you've taken the first step in establishing SD HOSA in your school.
Obtain Local Administration Approval
The first step in starting a local SD HOSA chapter is to get your local administration on board. The most effective way is having a teacher (advisor), along with a core group of interested students, approach your principal or superintendent. Be prepared to answer questions regarding SD HOSA -Future Health Professionals and share with him/her some brief descriptions about how SD HOSA could really impact students at your school.
Contact South Dakota HOSA State Office
Have your local school advisor (usually a health science or science teacher) contact the South Dakota HOSA state office by phone (605.357.1576) or email (Brock.Rops@usd.edu) to request a charter number, password, and affiliation packet. Make sure to exchange all contact information so that all information can be sent and received in a consistent and timely manner.
Review Material in the Packet
Lead students, along with your local advisor, should review the affiliation packet. The packet will include information regarding HOSA nationally. Information includes data, membership, resource library, website, annual dues (typically $20), and competitive event information.
Recruit, Recruit, Recruit!
Now it is time to grow your membership. Hold a membership drive using posters and promotional videos provided to you by the South Dakota HOSA state office. Member registration for your local chapter closes October 1 in semester one and March 1 in semester two. The more students you can get involved, the more energized your chapter will be. Students, teachers, administration, healthcare professionals, and alumni can all become members of your local chapter!
Chapter Login Information and Affiliation
Once the recruitment process is over, contact the SD HOSA state office to receive your login and affiliation instructions. Using the charter number and password, the advisor will log-in at www.hosa.org to affiliate the chapter with National HOSA. Dues for membership are $20/academic year. The online affiliation system is multi-faceted. It can be used to affiliate members, view your account balance, print a membership directory, complete online registration for conferences, add proctors for online testing and more.
In a nutshell, you will:
- Sign a letter of intent in starting a chapter (email)
- Complete affiliation with National HOSA (online)
- Modify Chapter by-laws using a HOSA template (email)
- Complete a Program of Work using a HOSA template (email)
Elect Officers and Assign Duties
At your first meeting, plan to hold officer elections and have your officers help complete a "Program of Work" and "Local Chapter By-laws". A template for each of those is found on this site.
Stay Proactive
In order for your members to really enjoy their experience, have your officers start brainstorming ways to get local healthcare professionals involved, research the robust HOSA competitive events program, take advantage of community service opportunities, and plan fund raisers. Plan on attending SCRUBS camp in your area along with the Fall and Spring SD HOSA Leadership Conferences.