National Youth Rights Association

The success of the National Youth Rights Association depends on the growth and activity of its local chapters. Chapters are the best way for members to meet each other and work on issues that directly affect them. Start a chapter today! Click here to start a chapter!!! After you submit the form, our national staff will contact you to get your chapter up and running!

Can’t wait for us to contact you? You can friend our NYRA Chapters Facebook Profile, or e-mail us! If you send a friend request to NYRA Chapters, we will add you to our Chapters group. The group is a great way to connect with other chapter leaders, as well as people who want to start a chapter!

Why start a chapter? There are many benefits to starting up a NYRA chapter, including the following:

• Name Recognition. Our chapters aren’t just individuals or local groups; they are part of a national organization. We are an established 501c3 with a track record. Being seen as an official chapter of this organization will make a big difference in your ability to enact change. As such, the ability to cite NYRA’s name will give you more credibility. Media outlets are more likely to contact you and legislators are more likely to take you seriously.
• Support from National Staff. Becoming a chapter of the National Youth Rights Association means you have continuous access to the staff in our national office. Our staff is willing to help you with press coverage, campaigns, and fundraising. We hold Chapters Meetings online once a month to assist you with any problems or questions you may have. You can call us at 202-835-1739, e-mail us at [email protected], or reach us by mail at “National Youth Rights Association, 1101 15^th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington D.C. 20005.”
• Press Coverage. NYRA has a long-standing track record of building and maintaining press coverage. We maintain a powerful media presence and our various campaigns have been widely covered in many news sources. Our national staff is able to advise you on this process and assist you in building a relationship with the media in your local area.
• Fundraising. Our director of development can work with you to raise funds for your chapter. He can assist you in holding fundraising events, collecting in-kind donations from local businesses, applying for local grants, and recruiting new members.
• Technology. Once you become an established chapter we will provide you with your own NYRA e-mail address and website. Our staff members will instruct you on setting up and maintaining your chapter’s website, and they are always available to answer your questions.
• Promotion. Our national office will do everything we can to promote your activities and events. If you hold a local event, we will advertise it so nearby NYRA members can attend.
  • Facebook: We can use the NYRA Facebook page to promote your chapter’s groups and events, as well as any other messages you would like us to use to promote your activities.
  • Twitter: If you create a Twitter account for your chapter, our @YouthRights account will re-tweet all your activities.
  • Newsletter: NYRA sends out a newsletter via e-mail each month. Our chapters can submit a blurb about upcoming events or accomplishments, and we will publish the blurb in our monthly newsletter.
• Networking. Becoming a NYRA chapter also gives you the benefit of sharing resources with other student groups. No one has worked on more youth rights efforts than we have, and we are able to put you in touch with other students groups and activists leading similar campaigns. We also put you in touch with our established chapter leaders, who can assist you in getting your chapter off the ground, leading campaigns, and holding events.
• Campaigns. NYRA is a national organization with chapters across the country who have undertaken campaigns for years on a variety of different issues. Our experience, knowledge, resources and connections are all at your disposal as a NYRA chapter.

The New Chapter Application Process:

1. Fill out the Chapter Application form.

Click here to download the form!

You can e-mail the completed form to [email protected] or submit it by mail to:

National Youth Rights Association, 1101 15th St NW, Suite 200, Washington D.C. 20005

2. Pay the $30 start-up fee

This fee covers the NYRA website page for your chapter, your NYRA e-mail addresses, and the other resources we can provide you with as a NYRA chapter. You can pay the fee with a credit card here, or mail a check to National Youth Rights Association, 1101 15th St NW, Suite 200, Washington D.C. 20005.

3. Hold your first Chapter meeting!

At this meeting you should elect your officers, pass bylaws and draft your chapter’s constitution.

Still have questions? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page, it covers many common questions about NYRA chapters.

But wait, there’s more!

View a list of resources here. Our resources page includes a sample flyer, youth rights survey, the Chapter Handbook, and how-to guides for building press coverage, starting a student defense commission, and passing local legislation.

Read Chapter Success Stories here! This section will take you step-by-step through the journey of our more successful chapters. Think your chapter should be on this list? E-mail [email protected] with your success story!