Start a Section

The success of our sections lies in the collaborative team efforts of advocacy, volunteerism, service and leadership. Through our sections' work on the front lines, they help us lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities.

The more sections we have, the greater our nationwide outreach and the more effectively we can help women of African descent realize their full potential.

Read the steps below to learn how to start a section in your community. We appreciate your interest and welcome your participation!

1. A group of women that is interested in starting a Section must form a "Committee to Organize." The Committee to Organize should function with a temporary chair and secretary, and other temporary officers as needed.

2. The Committee to Organize should request and submit an Authorization to Organize a Section or Guild of NCNW to Ms. Esther Wynn at NCNW's National Office.

3. Upon receipt of the approved Authorization to Organize a Section or Guild of NCNW, the temporary officers must contact the heads of local NCNW national affiliate organizations and ask them to designate a representative to support the Section. NOTE: There can only be one officially designated representative from at least three different national affiliates in the community, participating in the formation of new sections.

4. Prior to electing temporary officers, the start-up section must recruit members from diverse segments of the community. Each member of the Committee to Organize should participate in recruiting members, taking into account the diversity of educational backgrounds, economic statuses, marital status, employment levels, geographic parts of the community, special talents and leadership experiences. NCNW is for all women - Leave No One Behind.

5. When a sufficient number of women has expressed an interest, the section must hold a formal meeting and election of officers. The Certification of Meeting and Election of Officers Form must be completed and forwarded to NCNW's National Office along with the Membership Enrollment Reporting Forms and the appropriate membership fees remittance. These forms can be requested from the National Office after submission of the Authorization to Organize a Section form.

6. NCNW's Board of Directors will issue a Charter in accordance with NCNW's Bylaws when there are Fifty (50) members in the new section (25 for a collegiate section) and when all financial and legal requirements have been met. The Charter recognizes the Section as a subordinate group of NCNW with rights, privileges, and responsibilities to operate for educational and charitable purposes as a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization.

7. Service is the framework for activities, programs and projects of local Sections. Base your Section's activities on the needs of your community, especially as they relate to NCNW's current program targets.

8. The National Headquarters will closely coordinate and monitor the new section to assure that the new group is operating within the goals of NCNW. Our website also includes a number of resources that help Section leaders coordinate their memberships and recruit, retain and reclaim members.

9. Every three years a section is required that it's in full compliance with NCNW and the IRS. This process is called re-certification, and the Sections must complete re-certification forms to report their election of officers, membership, Fair Share contributions, convention representation, and participation in national support programs, projects, and events.

For more information, please contact Esther Wynn, Manager, Membership Services (202) 383-9121.