3. How to Start a Chapter - International Culinary Tourism Association

We are glad to hear that you are interested in starting a Chapter. Please review the following requirements. We are also available by email or by telephone at +1-503-750-7200 to go over these in greater detail.

PRE-CHAPTER SET UP

1) A minimum of 5 people is required to form a Chapter.

2) Hold a formative meeting to draft a mission statement/ goals/ member positions/ elect officers etc. You must record a copy of the meeting minutes to include with your application. Letters of support from local tourism authorities will also be considered.

3) Designate a Chapter chairperson.

4) Complete a Chapter application.

5) Receive approval from the Association.

6) Sign a memo of understanding between your Chapter and the International Culinary Tourism Association.

7) Return Agreement with payment for Chapter dues.

CHAIRPERSON

1) Must be member in good standing with the Association. Membership can be secured simultaneously upon Chapter application.

2) Must complete a Chapter Set-Up Application (online).

CHAIRPERSON'S DUTIES

1) Serve as primary contact for your Chapter.

2) Create local “ground swell” for culinary tourism projects to your Chapter and geographic area.

3) Organize conference calls for your Chapter.

4) Organize webinars for your Chapter.

5) Organize member recruitment for your Chapter.

6) Submit local culinary tourism news and research to the Association to share with the media.

7) Chair represents Chapter at regional educational symposia; helps market any regional symposia held in Chapter area.

CHAPTER MEMBERS

Each Chapter member must also be a premium Association member in good standing. If you or your members are not already a member of the Association, the cost of the memberships can be included in your application (reduced membership pricing applies for 5 or more members)

CHAPTER DUES

The base cost for Annual Chapter dues is US$1995 plus a nominal additional cost for each additional member (you only pay for the actual number of members you have). If you are not already a member of the Association, the cost of your membership will be included with your application. Because of differences in international currency purchasing power, the Association facilitates Chapter creation in economically disadvantaged areas with discounts corresponding to purchasing power parity. Please inquire for details.

OPTIONAL UPGRADES

1) Include your members with enhanced listings on FoodTrekker.com

2) Destination micro-site for your geographic area on FoodTrekker.com

3) Jump start your Chapter start up with a full day on-site Chapter Kick Off meeting, which includes our highly popular Hiddest Harvest seminar and our proprietary ToolBox Talk to get your new members excited and motivated.

CHAPTER GRANULARITY/ MERGERS/ DIVISIONS

1) It does not make sense to have two competing small Chapters within the Association. For example, 2 nearby small towns would benefit more from working together to promote culinary tourism. Therefore initially, we will only consider applications from 1) entire small countries; 2) states/provinces within larger countries; or 3) large metropolitan cities. We will review requests for other arrangements, including regional levels, on a case-by-case basis.

2) Multiple Chapters representing the same geographic area are not allowed.

3) It is beneficial for smaller areas working together with larger regional, state or provincial areas. Therefore, if a City or region chapter exists, membership will also be included for all Chapter Members in the Chapter at the next highest level. For example, if a metropolitan area creates a Chapter, its members will automatically be included in the Chapter for the state, province or small country, where Chapters at these macro levels exist.

4) As you Chapter grows, we will review requests to divide Chapters into smaller geographic areas.

5) If your Chapter is having trouble growing, we will review requests to merge 2 smaller Chapters into a larger one.

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