Chapter Overview
The Young Writers Initiative (TYWI) Chapters Program seeks a world where everyone is a storyteller. Members will develop the creator within them by enhancing writing techniques and developing ideas alongside fellow creators.
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From URL to IRL, TYWI will give you the resources, ideas, and opportunities to impact writers in your community in the ways they need the most. The Chapters program allows you to launch a TYWI Club at your high school, university, or local public library. Through this club, you will complete writing-related service projects and events, as well as a major project before the end of the academic year. We hope TYWI Chapters will help our members find friends in local writing communities while exercising important skills that will help them succeed in their future, such as collaboration and leadership.
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What are the Benefits of Starting a Chapter?
- Writing Resources: TYWI sends Chapter Presidents weekly announcements with writing-related resources and periodic mentions of ongoing or upcoming writing competitions and events (including ones that are not affiliated with TYWI).
- Resources for Running Your Chapter: TYWI provides ideas for things to do at each chapter meeting. We provide resources and tips for fundraising, planning events, hosting workshops, etc. We will also initiate a shared presentation program for Chapters to use at workshops and events and give you the opportunity to partner with NaNoWriMo.
- Outreach and Marketing Resources: We provide call sheets and email templates to smoothen the process for reaching out to guest speakers and venues for hosting events and workshops. We provide poster templates to advertise your club to your school and to publicize events you might host. Additionally, Chapters have access to TYWI’s mascot and logo for other posters or flyers you want to design.
- Networking Resources: We host a Chapter Convention at the beginning of each school year, so chapters can get to know each other. Chapter Presidents will have access to the Council of Chapter Presidents to speak to and get ideas from other chapter presidents.
- And more.
What Do Chapters Do?
- Community. The primary goal of TYWI has always been to foster connections between young writers. TYWI Chapters bring this goal to their local communities. By hosting biweekly meetings with a consistent group of attendees performing interactive and collaborative activities, a TWYI Chapter creates a platform for local young writers to form bonds with other writers.
- Education. These biweekly meetings will include activities (presentations, games, write-ins, etc.) that encourage members to keep writing. A group of supportive peers will help members develop their skills and improve their writing.
- Volunteering. Each member of a TYWI Chapter is required to complete four hours of writing-related community service each year. These can range from volunteering in one of TYWI’s service departments to hosting writing workshops for elementary students at your local library or elementary school.
- Projects. Each TYWI Chapter is required to complete a major project before the end of the school year. These are long-term writing projects that your chapter works on throughout the year. These can include launching a LitMag, starting a blog, hosting a summer camp, or organizing a writing contest.
Who Can Apply?
- High School Students (equivalent of U.S. grades 9–12) in any part of the world.
- College/University students in any part of the world.
- Teachers/Faculty Members of high schools or colleges in any part of the world.
- Public Library Patrons no more than 25-years-old and no less than 16-years-old.
If you are interested in starting a chapter, please review the following steps and requirements.
Step to Apply
Step 1: Apply using this form. Please be detailed and honest about your experience with writing, leadership, and TYWI.
Step 2: A Director of Chapters will reach out to you to schedule a meeting. During the meeting, you will be given the necessary documents to start a TYWI chapter.
Step 3: Inform your school/library and take any actions necessary to start a club there, such as applying for club initiation.
Step 4: Spread the word! Find members that share your love for writing.
Step 5: Once you meet the requirements (see below) to start your chapter, host your first meeting and elect leaders.
Step 6: Congratulations, you are now an official TYWI chapter! Be sure to keep in contact with the Director of Chapters for future information and deadlines.
Step 2: A Director of Chapters will reach out to you to schedule a meeting. During the meeting, you will be given the necessary documents to start a TYWI chapter.
Step 3: Inform your school/library and take any actions necessary to start a club there, such as applying for club initiation.
Step 4: Spread the word! Find members that share your love for writing.
Step 5: Once you meet the requirements (see below) to start your chapter, host your first meeting and elect leaders.
Step 6: Congratulations, you are now an official TYWI chapter! Be sure to keep in contact with the Director of Chapters for future information and deadlines.
Minimum Requirements to Become an Official Chapter...
… For High School Chapters
… For College/University Chapters
… For Public Library Chapters
- Six student members (must be full-time students of the school)
- One Teacher Advisor (must be a faculty member of the high school)
… For College/University Chapters
- Six student members (must be full-time students of the university)
… For Public Library Chapters
- Six members.
- At least 50% of members must be 25-years-old or younger.
Ready to Apply to Start a TYWI Chapter Near You?
Testimonials & Success Stories
- “This is the first time a writing club has ever survived a full year at my school, and it looks like this one will be around for a long, long time.”
- “I did have a great time running my club. I think the idea of a major project is perfect for the club; it got me and my members engaged and also gave us something to work on… Allowing chapter presidents to have creativity and freedom regarding club meetings while also providing some structure is a great balance.”
- “I’m glad for the opportunities presented by this club… Making this club has provided a great community of writers, and it’s fun to plan and talk to others passionate about the same things as you.”
- “Our major project was a writing and art installation that was viewable in the local community center in late April and early May. We also chose to dedicate a portion of the installation to our sponsor, who passed away in late March.”
- “We had a guest author speak to us! It went smoothly, and those who attended had a great time!”
- “One of our club members hosted a Poetry Open Mic Night at a local coffee shop.”
- “We helped out at our school’s literary magazine open-mic night set-up! This was a really fun night for us.”
Current Chapters
- Cresskill High School, NJ
- Morris Knolls High School, NJ
- Bergen County Academies, NJ
- Stuyvesant High School, NY
- Hollins University, VA
- Carroll Sr. High School, TX
- Edmond Santa Fe High School, OK
- Haas Hall Academy at the Jones Center, AR
- Haynes Academy, LA
- Les Isabel La Católica, Spain
- George Cosbuc National Bilingual College, Romania
