Chapter Initiation Guide
Think of your CEO chapter like a startup. You have a team, a mission and a blank canvas. This guide gives you the framework, but the best chapters make it their own.
Chapter Leadership |
Every CEO chapter runs on two roles: a faculty advisor who provides guidance and continuity, and a student executive board that runs the show. Some chapters operate with three officers. Others have 30. The right size depends on your membership and what you're trying to accomplish.
The one rule that applies everywhere: every member should own something. A project, a committee, an event. Chapters where people have real responsibility stay healthy. Chapters where three people do everything burn out.
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Getting Started Option 1: The advisor recruits students they already know from classes or campus involvement and appoints the founding board. Option 2: Hold an interest meeting, then select the board through applications, nominations or elections. Either way: Set clear expectations, hold regular executive board meetings and give your leaders room to figure things out. CEO HQ has resources to help, but the learning happens in the doing. |
Plan your leadership transitions early. Define whether elections happen at the start of the academic year or calendar year, and schedule overlap meetings so the outgoing board can brief the incoming one before the semester ends.
Build Buzz on Campus |
Entrepreneurship isn't just for business majors. The best CEO chapters pull from engineering, arts, sciences, communications and liberal arts. Cast a wide net.
Use every channel your campus offers: flyers, classroom announcements from friendly faculty, campus TV, social media, chalking, student org fairs. Then hold a casual interest meeting where you introduce the leadership team, share what's coming up and convert curiosity into membership on the spot.
Pro tip: CEO has a chapter award specifically for chapters that excel at reaching students across all colleges. Build cross-campus from day one and you're already working toward recognition.
Programming and Activities |
Start with regular meetings (weekly or bi-weekly) and build a semester calendar of events early. Ask your members what they want, then build around that. Here's what works across chapters nationwide:
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Competitions and Awards |
Each year at the Global CEO Conference, over 25 awards go to students and chapters. Competitions are announced late spring through early fall.
Global Pitch CompetitionStudents pitch their business idea in front of judges and a live audience for cash prizes. Start working on your idea early, practice at a chapter-hosted pitch night and refine your delivery before the conference. Learn more about the Global Pitch Competition. |
Chapter AwardsEvery chapter should apply for the awards that align with their strengths. Working toward a specific award gives your chapter a concrete goal and keeps members engaged all year. Categories include: Outstanding CEO Chapter Leader Outstanding CEO Chapter Advisor Outstanding Overall Chapter (requires conference presentation) Outstanding Student Entrepreneur Note: Winners may not compete for the same award for two years following their win. |
Chapter Success Pillars |
Three pillars form the foundation of every successful CEO chapter. You'll get the full breakdown during your discovery call or in the chapter planning guide that comes with your membership.
Sample Leadership Structure |
This model comes from The UT Entrepreneurs, the CEO chapter at the University of Tampa, and has been reviewed by CEO's Student Advisory Board. Adapt it to fit your chapter's size and needs. Check with your student government for any required leadership guidelines.
Position |
Primary Focus |
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President |
Final executive decisions, advisor liaison, CEO HQ point of contact, sponsorships, CEO of chapter business |
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Vice President |
Leads executive board meetings, oversees VP coordination, COO of chapter business, manages speaker program |
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VP of Member Services |
Recruitment campaigns, new member onboarding, attendance tracking, meeting minutes |
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VP of Community Development |
External relationships, networking opportunities, newsletters, reporting chapter activity to HQ and your college |
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VP of Web Communications |
Website and social media management, digital content, chapter business online presence |
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VP of Finance |
Financial records, membership dues, student government appropriations, chapter business budget |
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VP of Marketing |
Marketing plan and budget, campus promotion, event advertising, coordination with web communications |
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Speaker of the Assembly |
General meeting facilitation, creative programming, student government liaison, conference logistics |
CEO Global Headquarters |
CEO Global Headquarters is hosted by the University of Tampa at the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center. As a national 501(c)(3), CEO serves over 250 chapters and 16,500 members with resources, events and collaborative opportunities that extend well beyond what your local chapter can offer on its own.
All members must be registered on joinceo.org to access webinars, chapter development sessions, email updates, conference registration, how-to guides and the careers section. HQ will also create customized logos and branding for your chapter.
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Annual Dues $450 per chapter, billed annuallyAll chapters launch with a $900 two-year membership commitment. At least one faculty advisor or chapter president is required to start. Members must be registered with CEO HQ before October 1 to qualify for member pricing. Dues statements are processed via anniversary billing automatically. Individual memberships are available at institutions without a recognized CEO chapter. Individual members receive the member conference rate but do not have access to the CEO web platform or other chapter benefits. |
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Ready to Start a Chapter? |
You have two paths. Register online right now, or reach out for a more hands-on onboarding experience.
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Quick Start Register online as a "New Chapter" or "New Member" and your account will be set up automatically. |
Guided Setup Email globalhq@joinceo.org with your contact info and who the invoice should be addressed to. HQ will send an invoice, and once payment is received, you'll get: |
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All chapter members must register with CEO HQ using your chapter-specific link.