Chapters make up the foundation of our organization
Start a chapter today! Check our list of chapters to see if your city or school already has one. If not, create one!
As a chapter head, you'll be practicing leadership while coordinating with members to write and send letters.
Note that you must be 13 years or older and in middle/high school to be a chapter head. Chapter membership is limited to those in high school and younger.
Current Existing Chapters
School-based
- Stanford Online High School
- Alameda High School
- Emerald High School
City-based
- San Ramon, CA
- Lake Forest, CA
- Pleasanton, CA
How Does It Work?
Step 1:
Words for the World sends letter-writing guidelines to chapter heads at the beginning of each month. These guidelines include information on who the chapters will be writing to, rules to follow when writing the letters, and the deadline for sending letters to our P.O. box.Step 2:
Chapter heads communicate Words for the World's guidelines to their chapter. They then facilitate the chapter's letter-writing process at their own discretion, proofread the letters, and send them off to our P.O. box.Step 3:
Once received, Words for the World will proofread the letters one last time before sending them off to their recipients. We do NOT include any of the chapters' identifying information including address, names, contact information, etc.Starting a Chapter
Based in your school:
Create a Words for the World club at your school to create a letter-writing community among your peers. If you are interested in starting a Words for the World club, please fill out the form below. We also suggest taking a good look at your school guidelines on starting clubs.
Based in your city:
To create a Words for the World chapter in your city, you will need to have a “base” to hold the majority of meetings. The base can be online (e.g. Discord), physical (e.g. local library), or a combination. You will also need a method to collect member written letters; one method is to have a drop-in box at a local library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there guidelines for writing letters?
Words for the World updates club heads on who to send letters to and special guidelines to follow monthly. The organization receiving the letters will often change and with them, the guidelines will too.
Can the chapters be co-led?
Yes, chapters can assign leadership roles as needed. Please contact Words for the World through email to update the Chapters page to reflect all leadership roles.
What are the responsibilities of the head?
The head is responsible for communicating with Words of the World and sharing important information with members of the chapter. Heads are also expected to mail the chapter's letters to Words for the World, ensure that letters follow guidelines, and manage volunteer hours. More details are given at the chapter head orientation.
Can members receive volunteer hours?
Yes! We give 30 minutes per letter written. Volunteer forms should usually be signed by the chapter faculty advisor (school chapters) or by the parent of the chapter head. Keep in mind that our organization is not yet officially registered as a 501c3 nonprofit. If a signature from an official nonprofit is needed, we can ask one our registered partnering organizations.
Can chapters start a social media page?
Absolutely! In fact, chapters are encouraged to do this and engage in other efforts to grow as a group. And if you tag us on a social media platform, we'll try to repost you.
What are some example activities/meetings that chapters can engage in?
Other than hosting letter-writing workshops, chapters might choose to engage in other letter related activities such as running a letter-writing station at their local fair/farmer's market/festival, hosting a "letters to the student body" school event, and learning about the history of letter-writing.