The Golden Key Board of Directors, composed of corporate, nonprofit and academic leaders, is responsible for approving new charters.

The steps outlined below are designed to help guide you through chartering a Golden Key chapter. Based on the student organization requirements at the university, these steps may not necessarily occur in this order. 

Before you get started with the chartering process, click here to learn if you qualify as an individual member and apply today.

1. Search for additional officers and students, if required, who are academically accomplished and enthusiastic leaders with an interest in making a difference.  

• Your university may require any number of students to start a new organization.  The student organization guidelines will outline the required number of founding officers.  Some schools may also require a "waiting period" and/or student government approval.  Golden Key requires only one advisor and two officers, at a minimum, a President and a Treasurer.
• A maximum of five founding officers may be provided Golden Key membership fee waivers from International Headquarters.
• Familiarize yourselves with the Golden Key website to learn all you can about Golden Key International Honour Society.
• Assign or elect yourselves one of the officer positions: President, Treasurer, Vice President, VP for Community Service and Secretary. See New Officer Resources to get started.

2. Identify a full time faculty/staff member to be your Primary Advisor.

• The chapter advisor will play a large role in the chapter’s annual induction ceremony, which will be held every fall. S/he should be “student driven” and be willing to be an advocate for the chapter and the Society at the university. 
  

• Golden Key advisors are full-time university faculty and staff.  They come from various university departments, including Deans of Students, Department Chairs, Professors, Assistant Professors, Residence Hall Directors, Activity Directors and Academic Advisors.  The advisor or university official will need to submit the Prospective Charter Application to Tony Kearney at Golden Key headquarters. 
  

• The chapter advisor will submit an annual request for data on eligible students to the Registrar as well as answer phone calls from people who have questions about Golden Key after the membership drive begins.

3. Complete the Student Organization Registration on Campus

• Visit the Student Activities/Organizations Office to inquire about the requirements for starting a new student organization. Obtain or download the application/paperwork from the website.  Because each university has its own process, find out the requirements for starting a new student organization.
  
  
• Typically, the university will require you to submit a chapter-specific constitution and/or national constitution with your student organization registration materials.  Golden Key International Honour Society Bylaws can assist you in this matter.