Start a chapter at your school.
A student group that makes sure no one has to stand alone.
Students started Stand for the Silent. A chapter keeps it going.
A chapter is a group of students, with one adult sponsor, who look out for each other at school. It takes one meeting to get going.
Why Start a Chapter
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Kids who are hurting often don't tell anyone.
A chapter gives them people their own age to turn to, and a group that has said out loud that bullying isn't okay at your school.
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It comes from students, not from a rule.
When students say bullying isn't okay, other students listen in a way they don't always listen to adults.
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Kirk's visit lasts an afternoon. A chapter lasts all year.
If Kirk has already spoken at your school, a chapter keeps his message going. If he hasn't, a chapter is a great place to start.
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You don't need permission to care.
You need a few friends, one adult, and one meeting. We'll help with the rest.
How to Start a Chapter
Five steps. Everything you need, including the Letter of Intent you fill out in step 3, is in the chapter packet.
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Find an adult sponsor
- Any adult in your community can be your sponsor. They don't have to work at your school.
- Read the chapter constitution together. It's in the packet.
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Hold your first meeting
- Elect at least a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Everyone who joins signs a pledge card.
- Choose a name, write a mission statement, and decide where and how often you'll meet.
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Fill out your Letter of Intent
- It's a one-page form in the packet. You can type right into it.
- There's a real chapter's example to show you how.
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Send it to us
- Email it to contact@
standforthesilent.org . - Questions first? Use the form at the bottom of this page.
- Email it to contact@
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Get your approval letter
- You'll get an email with your official Chapter Approval Letter from Kirk Smalley.
- Then it's time to get to work.
The chapter packet
Steps, a checklist, the Letter of Intent, the chapter constitution, ideas, and an order form. Fillable PDF.
What Chapters Do
Every chapter decides its own plans. Here are some ideas other chapters have used.
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Put on a skit for younger kids
Older students perform for elementary schools. Once you're approved, we'll share our play script for free.
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Start an Affirmation Station
A spot in a classroom or the school office where students leave kind notes for each other.
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Read to younger students
Share our How to Handle Bullying activity books with younger kids and talk about them together.
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Mentor younger classmates
High school students mentor younger students or help work out conflicts between them.
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Host an event
A talent show, a parade float, a poster campaign, or a mixer that brings different groups together.
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Wear your shirts together
Pick a day, like every other Friday, when the whole chapter wears Stand for the Silent shirts.
A real chapter's mission statement
“Our goal is to make a stand at our school against bullying and no longer allow or turn our backs on it. We will stand together and make it known that bullying is not, and will not, ever be tolerated at Fletcher Schools.”
Everything You Need
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Chapter packet
Fillable PDF, 10 pages
The steps, a checklist, the Letter of Intent, the chapter constitution, ideas for your first year, and a merchandise order form.
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Pledge card
Printable PDF
Everyone who joins your chapter signs one, including new members who join later.
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Shirts and wristbands
Stand for the Silent store
Optional, but chapters love them. Buying from the store also supports our work in schools.
Send us your Letter of Intent
Once your sponsor has signed the Letter of Intent in your chapter packet, save it and email it to contact@
Have a question first? Ask us below.
Ask Us a Question
Ask anything about starting a chapter, and we’ll reply within two business days.
If you're under 13, please ask your adult sponsor to send this for you.
Prefer email? Write to us at contact@
Questions Chapters Ask
Who can start a chapter?
Any group of students with an adult sponsor. Officers can be any age, and your sponsor can hold an officer role too.
Does our sponsor have to work at our school?
No. Any adult in your community can be your sponsor, like a parent, a coach, or a youth leader.
Does it cost anything?
Starting a chapter is free. Shirts and wristbands are optional.
Can we use the Stand for the Silent logo?
The logo is a trademark, so please ask us first. Use the form above and tell us how you’d like to use it.
Can our chapter raise money?
Yes. Your sponsor approves each fundraiser first, then our Board of Directors gives final approval. The money you raise stays with your chapter unless the Board lets you know otherwise.
How do we send our Letter of Intent?
Once your sponsor has signed it, email it to contact@
What happens after we're approved?
You’ll get your Chapter Approval Letter from Kirk and our monthly Chapter Spotlight newsletter, which includes the link to request our free play script.
Is there anything we need to send in after that?
Your sponsor sends us an updated member list each quarter and a yearly audit of the chapter’s money. The constitution in the packet has the details.
It's time to stand.
Get the packet, find your sponsor, and hold your first meeting.