Introduction → Good Fit → Chapter Expectations → Application Process → Apply
How the Application Process Works
Becoming a SSAFE chapter is a collaborative process. We want to learn about your community, understand the sustainability work already underway, and make sure that SSAFE is a good fit for your residents and your organization.
The process takes place over several weeks and requires participation from residents, community leadership, and SSAFE volunteers. You do not need to complete everything at once. We will guide you through each step along the way.
1. Start the Conversation
Before submitting an application, we encourage you to talk with other interested residents and the appropriate members of your community’s administration.
If you have questions at this stage, please contact us. We are happy to talk with you before you begin the formal application.
This is a good time to discuss:
- Why your community is interested in SSAFE
- Who might participate in a chapter
- What sustainability work is already taking place
- How a SSAFE chapter might fit into your existing structure
- Whether your community is prepared to meet SSAFE’s participation and financial expectations
2. Submit Your Application
Once you have reviewed the information on this site and believe SSAFE may be a good fit, you can submit the online application.
The application asks about your community, your residents’ interests, existing sustainability activities, leadership, and your plans for establishing a SSAFE chapter.
You may need to gather information from several people in your community before completing the application. We recommend allowing some time for this rather than trying to complete the application in one sitting. You can download a printable version of the application on the following page.
A $250 application fee is due when the application is submitted.
3. Application Review
After receiving your application, members of SSAFE’s Expansion Committee will review the information and contact you with any questions.
The purpose of this review is not simply to determine whether you have completed the form. We want to understand your community and begin a conversation about how SSAFE can work with you.
4. Meet with the SSAFE Expansion Committee
The next step is a conversation with members of the SSAFE Expansion Committee. This is an opportunity for both sides to learn more.
This is also a good time to ask questions. We want you to have a clear understanding of what becoming a chapter involves before moving forward.
You can expect to discuss:
- Your community and its sustainability goals
- Your residents’ interests and level of involvement
- Existing sustainability programs or committees
- The role of administration
- How you envision your chapter developing
- SSAFE’s programs and opportunities for participation
- Financial expectations and fundraising
5. SSAFE Ambassador Visit
If the application continues to move forward, SSAFE will arrange for a trained SSAFE ambassador to visit your community.
The ambassador’s visit is an opportunity to see your community firsthand, meet residents and appropriate staff, and learn more about your sustainability efforts.
The visit is not an inspection or an evaluation of how “green” your community is. We are interested in understanding where you are today and where you would like to go.
The visit also gives your residents an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from someone who has experience with SSAFE.
6. Board Approval
The SSAFE Board of Directors reviews and approves new chapters.
Board approval represents SSAFE’s formal invitation for your community to join the SSAFE network.
We will notify you of the Board’s decision and discuss the next steps.
7. Onboarding
Once your chapter has been approved, we will work with your chapter leaders to get you started.
Onboarding may include:
- Hold a Zoom meeting with the Chapter Leader(s) and the SSAFE Executive Director
- Review next steps and timelines
- Answer any remaining questions about joining SSAFE as a new chapter
- Establish who will manage your SSAFE membership roster
- Set up account access to download membership reports
- Review upcoming meetings and invitations
- Provide materials for SSAFE orientation and membership sign-up
- Schedule a SSAFE orientation presentation via Zoom for your residents
- Provide materials and assistance with chapter formation
- Review future fundraising expectations
A $1,000 onboarding fee is due at this stage. This fee counts toward your first year’s fundraising expectation.
New chapters have up to one year before annual fundraising is expected to begin, giving you time to establish your chapter and develop a fundraising approach that works for your community.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The process requires several hours of participation spread over that period rather than several hours all at once. You may need to gather information, coordinate with others in your community, participate in one or more meetings, and prepare for the ambassador visit.
The application process typically takes several weeks, although the actual timing varies from community to community.
Much of the timing depends on the availability of your residents and administration, scheduling the ambassador visit, and the SSAFE Board meeting calendar.
Ready to Begin?
If you have reviewed the information on the previous pages and believe SSAFE is a good fit for your community, we invite you to take the next step.
We will work with you throughout the process so that you know what is needed at each stage.
