A sample chapter handbook, possibly useful

1. NC State University
Saket Vora

2. Dear Students,
As you read this letter I ask one thing; let your imagination guide you. I want to be able to show you how
students around the world can work together to better thousands and thousands of lives around the world.
Across the globe, 4 people die of hunger every fifteen seconds. Can you picture 16 people losing their lives
to the hunger-poverty crisis in the minute it takes you to read this note? Malnutrition is a terrible burden on
millions, especially those living in poverty. We commonly hear statistics on the number of deaths or horrid
images of the sick and the dead but we do not hear enough about the solutions. We, as students and
citizens of this world, have the ability to contribute our energy, creativity and leadership to become a part
of the solution as we give hope, access, and the resources necessary for thousands in dire need. Nourish
International (NI), a student based organization will do just this by investing in your ideas as students to run
creative fundraising ventures so that we can continuously implement sustainable development projects
around the world. Can you imagine working to help build an irrigation system for a community 16,000 ft
above sea level in the Andes Mountains? Or how about gathering enough funding and resources to set up a
supplemental drink program in India for 150 children for up to 4 years? Where do you see yourself
traveling and making a life-altering difference for an entire community?
As a sophomore, I founded Hunger Lunch (the organization from which NI was developed) at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hunger Lunch (HL) began by selling lunches and
accumulated over $30,000 in its first three years. With this funding, students of HL carried out
international relief work including the irrigation system in Andes Mountains and the supplemental drink
program in India. Hunger Lunch naturally evolved into NI as students were full of ideas for new and
creative fundraising ventures from cooking classes to entertainment services. We were no longer only
serving “hunger lunches”. So the active leaders of HL have come together to form the vision for a
multinational student-based organization that will allow us all to help alleviate the hunger-poverty crisis.
If you can picture students running various fundraising ventures simultaneously over the academic school
year across the globe and intermixing between universities over the summer to implement sustainable
development projects, then this is the organization for you. We know that every student can make a world
of difference, but many rarely realize their true potential until they see it for themselves. So come join our
efforts and see what a difference you can make in this world.
Sincerely,
Sindhura Citineni
Co-founder and former Director of Nourish International
Saket Vora

3. Introductory
Information guide
What is Nourish International?
Nourish International (NI) is a student movement which combines action with
advocacy to alleviate poverty. NI empowers college students to think critically
about the global poverty crisis, and make a tangible contribution to poverty
reduction.
Core Values:
• We invest our earnings in sustainable development projects that help individuals
get out of poverty
• We earn money through business transactions such as selling goods and services
to other students on campus. We do not ask students for donations.
• NI is student driven and student-led
The Basic NI Model:
During the academic year, students (NI members) implement various fundraising
activities, which we call “Ventures” to differentiate them from traditional
fundraisers. Ventures cater to the student market, meaning they provide a good or
service that other students are willing to purchase for the inherent value of the
good or service. Examples of past ventures include swing dances, poker
tournaments, and lunch sales. During the year, students find sustainable
development projects by researching Poverty Eradication Partners (PEP’s). PEP’s
consist of any organization that is carrying out grassroots development work
around the world. They include NGO’s (nongovernmental organizations,
nonprofits, and international relief organizations. Examples include Save the
Children and FDNC Uganda.
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4. NI
members
Impoverishe
Venture d
PEP’s
s Community
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5. NINO Resource Guide
James Edward Dillard (james@nourishinternational.org)
James Edward Dillard is the Executive Director of Nourish
International. James joined Nourish in 2007 and was
instrumental in expanding Nourish to campuses across the
United States through the Chapter Founders campaign.
Bryon Zandt (bryon.zandt@nourishinternational.org)
Bryon is the marketing director. He can help out with matters
that relate to the website, email, flier design and listservs.
Jenna Farmer (jenna.farmer@nourishinternational.org)
Jenna joined Nourish in July 2009 as Chapter Coordinator,
serving as a mentor and connector for chapters
Carlyn Cowen (carlyn@nourishinternational.org)
Carlyn joined Nourish in 2008 as a summer intern and is
currently serving as director of development.
The national office also has a team of interns that assist staff members
in their projects.
The national office provides resources through:
Fliers, Brochures, Graphics, Marketing Materials - Google Sites
Summer Project Database
The Website – http://www.nourishinternational.org/
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6. Brief History of NI
Fall 2002 – Sindhura Citineni founds Hunger Lunch
Summer 2003 – Sindhura conducts first development project in
Hyderabad, India
Summer 2004 – water irrigation project implemented with Save the
Children in Jucumarini, and Andean village in Bolivia.
April 8, 2005 – Hold’em for Hunger, the first venture since HL is held
April 20, 2005 – The concept for Nourish International earns 2nd place
in the Carolina Challenge
Fall, 2005 – Hunger Lunch changes name to Nourish International
(NI). Sindhura Citineni becomes first full time employee of NI.
Spring 2006 – NI incorporates and recruits a distinguished board of
directors
May-June, 2006 – NI partners with Fundacion Los Robles to construct
4 educational food gardens at primary schools.
June, 2006 – NI finances community orchard project in India
organized by Bridgetrust.
September 6, 2006 – NI submits 501c3 application to federal govt.
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7. Fundamental Chapter Organizational Structure
President/
Chairperson
Membership Coordinator
Ventures Projects
“(Co)President/(Co)Chairperson”
Primary responsibilities:
• knowledge and supervision of the operations of the entire chapter
• communication with NINO
This includes:
• supervision of chapter meetings and events, venture planning, summer
project progress
• assist in problem-solving and execution of events
• brainstorm/develop new and unique ideas in all aspects of the chapter
• appoint and train committee leaders
• implementation of NI national policies
• dissemination of information, news, and agendas from the NINO to the
chapter
• reporting chapter information to NINO, including budgets, summer project
progress, chapter membership information, etc.
The President/Chairperson is also initially responsible for dictating the agendas of
meetings, the schedule and the organizational structure of the chapter.
Ventures Committee
Primary functions:
• oversee and implement each Venture
• Venture Committee Chair appoints and supervises Venture Leaders
Lacking a Marketing/Publicity Committee, Ventures is responsible for:
• publicizing Ventures
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8. • creating literature on ventures, projects, and chapter/campus relations
• marketing NI to expand membership, including poverty awareness
Projects Committee
Primary functions:
• research and select sustainable development projects
• plan projects, including researching language and cultural differences,
coordinating travel logistics, contacting PEP’s ______________
• analyze impact and effectiveness of projects upon completion
• present findings to chapters, NINO, and national symposia and seminars
“Membership Coordinator”
Primary Responsibilities:
•
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9. Outline for a General Interest Meeting
I. Introduction/Welcome – 15 minutes
1. Who we are/our mission: explanation of NI history and our goals, as well
as describing the student-driven aspect of our structure
2. How we do it: brief explanation of Venture-Project format, noting the
difference between seeking charity and providing goods and services to
fund our efforts
3. Summer Project presentation: slideshow/documentary to accompany
description of our previous projects
II. Committee Explanation and Interest Assessment – 15-30
minutes
1. Break into equal groups, each group being directed to a short presentation
of the various committees and the tasks/opportunities involved in each
2. Rotate until all groups have seen all the committees
3. Pass out Interest Assessment cards to collect name, email address (very
important), phone number, major, year in school, and in which
committees each student would be interested in participating
III. Reconvene and Close the Meeting – 3 minutes
1. Thank everyone for coming and let them know they will be contacted
about upcoming committee meetings
2. Encourage them to attend/participate in/volunteer at upcoming Ventures
(always be promoting!)
3. Let everyone know that the NI members will remain for 30-45 minutes to
answer questions, explain more about the program, or to just hang out
Important: At this point, students will engage in conversation with themselves
and with us. It is important not to discourage this by ushering everyone out of the
room at the “end” of the meeting. By showing them that we’re willing to answer
questions if they like or just hang around and chat, we’re demonstrating what
makes us different from all the other organizations that want their membership
too. Remember, we stand out from every other organization because a) we are a
completely student-led and -driven international movement and b) we form great
relationships with everyone we work with.
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10. Hunger Lunch
Hunger Lunch Director
The director is in charge of reserving the BC walkway for
every Hunger Lunch. Her or she assists the other HL leaders
and spends extra time creating ways to make Hunger Lunches
even better.
Volunteer Director
The volunteer director is in charge of soliciting volunteers for
each hour of the Hunger Lunch, including setup (10am-11am),
cleanup (2pm-3pm), and every hour in between. The volunteer
director also sends out an email to the listserv before each lunch
reminding all volunteers and members about the lunch and what
times they signed up for volunteering.
Supplies Coordinator
The supplies coordinator is in charge of ensuring that there are
enough supplies for each lunch. They must also locate storage
space for supplies.
Food Coordinator
The food coordinator is in charge of ordering food from the
catering service each week.
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11. Supplies List
Sam’s Club is the best place we’ve found to get supplies.
Necessary
Plates
Forks
Napkins
Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
Cups
Food stands
Sternos
Stemmed Lighter
Icing on the cake
Radio
Saket Vora

12. Nourish International - Outline for Round 1 Publicity
The beginning of every school year sees turnover on campus of students and
professors, which includes our customer and membership base. As a result, it is vital that
we engage in Round 1 and Round 2 publicity to broadcast our organization and
Ventures every year. The purpose of Round 1 publicity is to raise awareness of and
attendance to both the General Interest Meeting the second or third week of class and to
our principal Venture, Hunger Lunch. To that end, this is a brief outline of some
effective marketing techniques and our target audiences.
Friends
This is the fundamental, most effective, and easiest way to recruit volunteers,
attendees, and supporters for our chapter and events. Simply put, it is the
responsibility of all the leaders of NI to inform their friends, roommates,
classmates, study groups, acquaintances, et c. about Hunger Lunch and NI and to
invite them to our GIM and HLs.
NI Listserv
It would be hard to overstate the importance of developing a NI listserv from the
very beginning. In essence, an effective listserv will be a tool to reach an
enormous number of students and faculty with the highest interest in our
organization. EVERY person that even expresses interest in hearing about NI, or
a HL or even about poverty and hunger in general, along with anyone who attends
a GIM, HL, or other Venture, needs to write down her/his email address.
Other Student Organizations
Utilizing the resources of other student orgs is an excellent way to reach students/
faculty who have already demonstrated an interest in social work/relief. The
tactic for this method is to simply go through friends and acquaintances in other
organizations. If you approach them with collaboration in mind and explain the
mutual interest of our endeavor, it will not be difficult to solicit their cooperation.
Once they have given their consent, there are two ways we would want to utilize
this resource: acquiring access to their listserv and thereby a larger audience, and
the opportunity to speak briefly at a General Body Meeting about our program
and upcoming events.
“Guerilla Marketing”
This type of marketing is time-intensive, but highly effective and very fun.
Examples of guerilla marketing include traditional campus mass-promotion
methods like distributing handbills, posting fliers, and displaying banners or
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13. signs, but should also utilize more creative strategies. Previous efforts have
included the Hunger Lunch Bike (piloted by none other than your fearless leader,
Jooooooel Thomas!), rapping in campus commons, Poker in the Pit, and others.
This is your chance to be creative and have fun with unusual and eye-catching
advertising.
Class announcements
There is a reason every organization makes announcements and distributes fliers
to classes at the beginning of every semester: IT WORKS. If we are to make the
most effective use of this method, it will require a considerable time investment.
THE KEY TO THIS IS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
PROFESSORS. It is imperative to be respectful of the professors and not disrupt
their classes. The impact made possible by this communication is absolutely
worth the effort you will invest.
Department Heads
Another way to reach a large number of potential members/customers is through
departmental listservs. By speaking with the heads of departments such as
sociology, anthropology, health sciences, nursing, political sciences, biology, et
c., you can gain potentially gain access to the department listserv to distribute
information pertaining to a GIM or announce and explain a HL. The nature of
this method might preclude busier students from engaging in it, since it requires
you to visit a professor during office hours, make a short presentation on NI and
our Ventures, and ask for their assistance. In the long run, these dept. heads can
offer much more to our efforts than we had ever foreseen, so they should not be
neglected. Initially, however, this method should be considered secondary to the
others mentioned.
Remember, the purpose of NI is to grow advocacy and action to alleviate poverty, and
that starts with you. Every student deserves a chance to help our cause however they see
fit, so don’t take anyone for granted: spread the word! The more creative you are and
the more fun you have with this, the more effective it will be and the bigger and faster
start your chapter will have. Good luck!
Saket Vora