Thank you for your interest in activating a new SCRA Local Chapter!

Please ensure there is not currently an active chapter in your area before starting this process. The current chapters can be located on our Chapters Map. If your local chapter is dormant, please contact National Headquarters regarding reactivating a chapter instead of creating a new one. The following are instructions and documentation links to establish and activate a new local chapter.

This process is outlined in the SCRA Chapter Officer Handbook along with additional resources.

The Army Regulation that governs Private Organizations on Department of the Army Installations is AR 210-22.  Please familiarize yourself with the details when affiliating with a base, post, camp or station, city or local area. You should also be aware of any legal requirements of our city, county, or state and confirm any other requirements specific to your location.

In order to activate a new a chapter, please complete the following checklist. Upon the submission of the Letter of Intent (LOI Form), the Chapters coordinator will be in touch to work through remaining items.

1. Determine if there is a local chapter in the area and if not, is there sufficient local interesting establishing one.
2. Identify minimum of five (5) chapter officers* (including, but not limited to) who are active members of SCRA 
   1. President 
   2. Vice President 
   3. VP for Awards
   4. VP for Memberships
   5. Secretary/Treasurer (may be 1 person or 2 people) 
3. Recruit an additional 10 personnel who are or will become members for a minimum total of 15 charter members 
4. Identify a proposed Chapter Name 
5. Identify the local operational area, identified by zip codes, base name, geographical area
6. Determine the initial physical/mailing address for the chapter
7. Submit Letter of Intent Form declaring your intent to create a new SCRA Local Chapter (
8. Receive authorization to proceed from National SCRA Headquarters.

Next Steps in the Process:

1. Host an Exploratory Chapter meeting to:
   • Formally propose and vote on a Chapter Name.
   • Define Area of Interest (Closest military base, and zip-codes chapter covers)
   • Identify Interim Chapter Leaders (minimum of these 5); others as desired
   • Confirm Chapter Official address (Mailing and Physical – could be that of a chapter officer initially; needed for receiving packages from SCRA HQs, establishing a EIN, and then establishing a Bank Account)
   • Draft Chapter Bylaws to be signed by the Chapter President and Chapter Secretary
   • Propose chapter structure (Non-Profit as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(19), none, etc)
   • Establish Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS as a Non-Profit Organization, if desired
   • Direct the creation of a Chapter Bank Account, if desired
   • Determine whether to seek Approval by the Garrision Commander to Operate on an installation (if desired)
2. Submit “Request for Chapter Charter” Letter to HQ including:
   • State formal request to charter a local chapter of the SCRA
   • Proposed Chapter Name
   • Chapter Area of Operations (military bases and Zip-Codes)
   • Chapter Officer List by position w/ minimum of 5 (include Member #)
   • Charter member list w/ minimum of 15 (including officers) (Member #)
   • Chapter Bylaws (signed by the Chapter President and Chapter Secretary)
   • Provide assigned EIN from IRS, if used
   • Chapter Contact information (Official Mailing and Physical Address)
   • Identify Online Data Storage method for Continuity
3. Receive from HQs:
   • Approval Letter to Operate as a Chapter
   • Chapter Charter
   • Current Membership Roster
   • Instructions to create a membership drive
   • Instructions to help create a chapter page on SCRA Website
   • Announcement in National HQS newsletter and on Social Media
   • Access to Chapter President’s Page/Monthly Email/Quarterly Meeting
   • Inclusions to Chapter President’s SIGNAL App collaboration tool
4. Host first Official Meeting.
5. Host a Membership Drive, (contact the Director of Membership at membership@signalcorps.org)
6. Submit an article on all social media outlet and a submission to the SCRA Monthly newsletter

Additional responsibilities for an Active Chapter throughout the year include:

1. Submit Annual Report by 31 January each year
2. Voting and Installation of chapter officers (minimum every 2 years)
3. Identify if you have an O6/award approver affiliated with your chapter
4. Recruit local Corporate Sponsors
5. Notify Chapters Coordinator if/when chapter officer is replaced due to PCS or change in status
6. Reference & Utilize the chapters handbook

Maintain contact with the National SCRA Office.  If you have any questions about organizing your chapter, please contact COL Charles (Dean) Smith at chapters@signalcorps.org.