Student Chapter Guide

As a student you are at the forefront of learning and have the opportunity to introduce new ways of thinking with guidance from faculty and professors. Pre-Meds Without Borders is a leadership platform designed for stand out students to adapt and explore classroom teachings into real world impact. The student chapter model serves to raise awareness and mobilize support for grassroots initiatives while empowering students to be proactive agents for change. With an increasing national footprint, Pre-Meds Without Borders provides a robust framework for passionate young leaders to make a lasting and recognizable impact.

Through partnerships with leading nonprofit organizations and members from the professional community, we continue to provide distinct opportunities for students to get involved in meaningful volunteer assignments and career development programs. There are several ways to be a part of the leadership initiative — from membership at an existing student chapter, to participation at the national level. For students without access to a chapter on campus, this provides an opportunity to accept a leadership role in establishing a new student chapter.

The following sections of the Student Chapter Guide will help you get started.

Starting a Chapter

You have decided to establish a new Pre-Meds Without Borders student chapter. To begin a successful chapter, you must understand the foundation and common goals shared amongst other chapters within the Pre-Meds Without Borders network. It is important to know that you and your fellow students will be sought out as leaders in the advancements and impact your chapter brings about.

Getting Started

It’s easier than you think!

A representative from the Chapter Relations Team will reach out to assist you with establishing a successful chapter presence on campus and introduce Pre-Meds Without Borders to your student body. The Chapter Relations Team will serve as a resource and help you navigate through the process of starting a new chapter.

To get in touch with a member of the Chapter Relations Team, please visit: http://pmborders.org.

Establishing a Student Executive Board

A dedicated member of the Chapter Relations Team will be appointed to assist you with recruiting a team of highly motivated students to join the Student Executive Board. A typical board will be comprised of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The following are suggestions on how to get started:

  • Directly approach friends, peers, roommates, lab partners, etc.
  • Request to “chalk”, distribute flyers and make a brief announcement before class lecture.
  • Ask academic advisors, professors and resident advisors to share information via common listservs.
  • Use social media to invite friends to join Pre-Meds Without Borders.

Planning

The foundation is set! Now, you have a group of passionate and committed students ready to mobilize the student chapter model. Initially, you will want to arrange an informal meeting with your Student Executive Board to establish core objectives, and decide on various events, fundraising and programming activities.

By utilizing available resources such as, the Programming Guide and researching existing chapters, you can create a roadmap for the upcoming semester. Taking the time to do this will ensure that programming initiatives are consistent with organizational objectives, university guidelines and function to enhance the student experience. After you have defined your own chapter’s plan, the Chapter Relations Team will help you establish necessary partnerships.

General Body Meeting

Hosting a General Body Meeting will serve as an opportunity to introduce the chapter to the student population on campus and outline upcoming events and programming. Marketing and promotion will be critical, as this will be your first event. For helpful recommendations, please reference the Programming Guide.

Selecting a Faculty Advisor

The next step is to identify and appoint a faculty advisor. The ideal candidate should be an active faculty or staff member at your school, who is passionate about the student experience and can dedicate their efforts towards the

development of the campus chapter. The advisor will support the Student Executive Board by serving as a constant point of contact on campus and serving as a vital intermediary between your chapter and Pre-Meds Without Borders.

Obtaining Formal Recognition

To obtain formal status on campus you will need to complete and submit necessary forms to your Student Association. Gaining support from the administrative body at your school is an important aspect of establishing a new student chapter, driving fundraising initiatives and advancing chapter development.

Get in touch with your Student Association to obtain information regarding guidelines that must be met to ensure that your chapter secures formal recognition at the University. This will allow you to be a formally recognized student organization on campus; enjoying benefits which include office space, use of facilities and unique opportunities to connect with other student organizations.

Congratulations

Now that you are officially established, remember that you will be part of a collective team of students nationwide working towards shared objectives and common goals. Your work as a chapter within Pre-Meds Without Borders has the potential to provide a lasting impact and propel change.

As ideas and questions come up, you can always reach out to a member of the Chapter Relations Team for support.

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Pre-Meds w/o Borders

Written by

Advancing healthy initiatives. #FutureDoctors

Pre-Meds Without Borders

Pre-Meds Without Borders

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