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Leading an NSA chapter is one of the most exciting and challenging opportunities we have, to help other people who stutter. It involves hard work, dedication, lots of long hours (ok, at least some), months of frustration and desperation hoping to find new chapter members, difficulties in getting people to open up, feelings of helplessness and sadness when they do, and anxious moments right before each meeting wondering if anyone is going to show up. It also involves the joy of leading a group (perhaps for the first time), the excitement of seeing a person who stutters open up for the first time, and the satisfaction of seeing someone gain personal self confidence and empowerment from participating in the chapter (which could last a lifetime)!
We encourage those who would like to help other people who stutter (and in return help themselves) and become a leader, who do not have a local NSA chapter in their area, to contact the NSA office directly at: leaders@WeStutter.org about starting a chapter in your area. Individuals at all fluency levels are welcome to become NSA chapter leaders.
After contacting the NSA office, you will be put in touch with the National Chapter Coordinator who will help you start and build your own chapter. Our National Chapter Coordinator will first contact you to find out some of your background and interest for starting an NSA chapter and determine if a chapter is needed in your area. We also require you to sign a short chapter leader’s agreement. Our only other requirement is that you be a paid member of the NSA.
From there you will need to find a meeting location, determine meeting times and put some effort into finding people who stutter in you area to attend. Our National Chapter Coordinator will assist you as well with these efforts.
You will then receive an NSA chapter leader’s manual (that includes ideas for 101 things to do in an NSA chapter meeting), be listed on NSA’s website and be assigned your own personal Regional Chapter Coordinator to provide initial and ongoing help with all of your needs in running an NSA chapter. Organized regional and national training is also offered each year for chapter leaders. You will also have available all of the resources of the NSA!
So what are you waiting for? It is time to help other people who stutter in your area!
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