So, you want to know more about organizing a branch of D3 Community Outreach, Inc. Where do you start? It all begins with wanting to make life better for young people in your community. Once the idea of a branch catches on, you’ll find that momentum will build, and you’ll be on your way to making a real difference in young lives.
1. Get started:
To become an affiliate please contact the home office and speak with our Director of Organizational Development for more information.
Establishing a branch of D3 usually starts with one or two individuals who initiate the idea and then get others interested.
The first step can be taken by YOU. Discuss the idea with representatives of service clubs, local government, civic, social, fraternal and labor organizations. Then, they can reach out and involve other community leaders in business, industry and the professions.
Spread the word and stimulate interest in starting a branch of D3!
2. Contact the home office of D3 Community Outreach, Inc:
D3 home office will provide technical assistance and support to branches of D3 across all 50 states. After you gather community support, have your group’s representative contact the home office to discuss setting up a working partnership. The D3 Director of Organizational Development (DOD) for your state will help your group take the next steps.
3. Organize a steering committee:
Hold a meeting — invite people who are interested in starting a branch of D3 and invite the DOD. Keep your group small to start.
Explain the purpose of the meeting to the group and have the DOD talk about D3 Community Outreach, Inc. If the group is committed and interested in pursuing the idea further, form a steering committee to begin preliminary organization work.
4. Conduct a Community Readiness Assessment:
The need for a branch of D3 in your community may be quite obvious, but you still need to put it in writing. To document the need, your DOD will provide you with a Community Readiness Assessment to get the details. Have your group complete the assessment and return to your DOD, who’ll help your committee with the results.
This survey will determine how effectively the needs of young people are being met in the community. It may also help to identify community resources available that could help support a branch of D3.
5. Develop a Management Operating Agreement:
Once the Readiness Assessment is complete, it’s time to put together official policies for establishment of your community’s branch of D3. Your next step, assisted by your DOD, is to work out a Management Operating Agreement.
6. Organize a Unit Advisory Council:
Once policies are in place, you can organize a Unit Advisory Council, elect officers and establish committees that will help operate a branch of D3. Consult with the DOD for guidance in selecting a Unit Advisory Council.
7. Secure a location:
Now is the time to scout a location for your branch and/or find a suitable building. Work with your DOD on a location and the kind of building that would be satisfactory for a branch of D3.
8. Determine costs:
Create a budget for the cost of building renovations, equipment and an operating budget for one year. The DOD will be invaluable to your committee in this kind of practical planning.
9. Raise the funds:
You are now ready to raise funds together with the DOD and home office. The most common method of raising funds is through a community-wide founder’s campaign using face-to-face solicitations – get out there and ask! Consult with the DOD to develop a resource development plan that will get your branch off to a great start.
10. Recruit a Club director:
The wheels are in motion: now you’re ready to employ a qualified professional who has a passion for assisting youth to lead your branch. The assisting DOD will provide guidance in this all-important process of identifying good candidates.
D3 COMMUNITY OUTREACH, INC. HOME OFFICE
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
1108 Kendall Dr.
Durham, NC 27703
MAILING ADDRESS:
PO BOX 11837
DURHAM, NC 27703
CONTACT INFORMATION:
OFFICE – 919.321.4707
FAX – 919.321.0377
EMAIL – INFO@D3COMMUNITYOUTREACH.ORG
