ReThink Chapters - FAQ

How does a ReThink chapter work?

We empower middle school, high school, and collegiate students in communities to start ReThink chapters at their school or college and advance the ReThink movement globally in an effort to stop cyberbullying before the damage is done.

• Nominated students start a ReThink chapter at their school or college and become leaders to help empower young students to ReThink before posting hurtful messages online. After being nominated by a teacher, counselor, or administrator, nominators and students work with the ReThink Team to formalize their chapter.
• Your ReThink Chapter should meet once a week (before or after school) for the duration of the school year, except during school closings and holidays.
• The ReThink Advisor must be present at meetings and informed of all chapter decisions/activity.
• These student leaders that belong to the ReThink Executive Committee become change-makers that are galvanizing their community to promote inclusive, tolerant, and safe digital citizenship.
• These student leaders help recruit fellow students from their school or college to join their chapter, with a goal to have at least 25 students in every chapter.
• Student leaders lead the movement in their schools to motivate, encourage and advise fellow students to use technology safely and wisely, and to stop online and in-person hate and bullying.
• Student leaders become ambassadors for ReThink in their school or college to drive the movement to use the ReThink technology to stop cyberbullying.
• These student leaders organize activities throughout the school year in conjunction with their school or college’s administration to promote awareness of online and in-person bullying and to create a tolerant, inclusive environment for communities at your school or college.
• Student leaders receive regional and national recognition for their tireless work in the form of press releases, awards and online presence on ReThink website. They have the opportunity to become the featured ReThink Chapter leaders that are selected from around the nation.
• Based on ReThink Chapter performance, students are invited to participate in ReThink Regional and National Conferences.

What are the steps to start a ReThink Chapter?

We invite an educator, counselor, or administration member of a school or college to become a ReThink Advisor by forming a ReThink Executive Committee of interested students for the upcoming 2018-19 school year. Please nominate four student leaders from your school to start the chapter.

• Please fill out the simple form presented to you on the web page by filling in your name, school details and contact information. Please also fill in the name, email address, and a brief recommendation for student leaders being nominated.
• There is a yearly $250 administration fee payable to ReThink Inc. to start and operate a chapter. This can be sponsored by the school, local sponsors, PTA, student leaders and any other sources that can be made possible. We also recommend a one-time donation of $1 for each student member to ReThink. These contributions are so important – and are channeled towards the development and rollout of ReThink to schools and communities around the world at no cost to them.
• You should also submit official proof of administration approval/acknowledgement of the ReThink program. ReThink Team members can help with this process.

Could you tell us more about chapter Student Leaders and their roles?

We invite you to nominate student leaders from your school ReThink Chapte to lead and operate ReThink Chapter at your organization. Each chapter is required to have student leaders assume the positions below. Additional positions may be assigned based on the needs of individual chapters. Students must be passionate for this cause, regularly attend school, and have your highest recommendation. Upon selection, students are required to submit a short bio and picture. Students must also work to build their own ReThink Chapter website. The positions are as follows:

• Chief Chapter Officer (CCO) – The executive leader that will spearhead the ReThink movement at your school or college.
• Chief Chapter Technology Officer (CCTO) – A talented leader that can help build an individual chapter website for your school’s chapter and work with school technology department to implement ReThink for school devices.
• Chief Chapter Activity Officer (CCAO) – An outgoing leader that can plan activities (detailed below) to spread the ReThink message.
• Chief Chapter Fundraising Officer (CCFO) – Savvy leader that can help organize and grow chapter finances.

How long does it take to make it an official ReThink Chapter?

Upon receipt of your ReThink chapter nominations, it will be reviewed by the committee at ReThink and will be approved within 5 business days if all of the aforementioned necessary information is accurately and completely provided.

How do I prepare to run our ReThink Chapter?

All Executive Members must complete ReThink Summer Activities during the summer months and provide proof of completion of these activities (signed forms by the ReThink Advisor). These activities involve a time commitment of 2 hours a week during a period of 4 weeks over the summer, and are conducted virtually. These activities will center around:

• Leadership Skills
• Teambuilding Skills
• Cyber-bullying Education
• Organizational Skills
• Campaign-Building Skills
• A Final Project

What are some sample Chapter Goals for the school year?

All Executive Members must complete ReThink Summer Activities during the summer months and provide proof of completion of these activities (signed forms by the ReThink Advisor). These activities involve a time commitment of 2 hours a week during a period of 4 weeks over the summer, and are conducted virtually. These activities will center around:

• Your ReThink Chapter should meet once a week (before or after school) for the duration of the school year, except during school closings and holidays.
• The ReThink Advisor must be present at meetings and informed of all chapter decisions/activity.
• Each Chapter must fulfill the basic requirements listed below and conduct 6 events in a school year to maintain their status as a ReThink Chapter. Completing additional events will allow Chapters to become eligible to attend ReThink conferences (see below).
• Basic Requirement: Recruit up to 25 students in your school or 50 students at your college to join this chapter.
• Basic Requirement: Create various social media pages on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for your local ReThink Chapter. For example: @ReThinkSchoolName
• 6 Events: These events promote the ReThink Message and ReThink’s mission to stop cyberbullying before the damage is done. They are included in a packet provided to all Chapters before the start of the school year. A chapter must dedicate themselves to six events (2 Small Events, 3 Medium Events, and 1 Large Event) throughout the school year to successfully complete a year “ReThinking” cyberbullying. In addition, each event earns points (see the five examples provided below). When a Chapter reaches a certain number of points, they can also become eligible to be a part of some exciting opportunities (see below).
  • Example: Small Event – A day for your school to wear blue and yellow (ReThink Colors) to spread the message to ReThink Cyberbullying. Spread the word on your social media! (200 points)
  • Example: Small Event – Start a Month-Long “Download ReThink Technology” social media campaign at your school to promote the use of ReThink. Students that respond with pictures of the downloaded ReThink Use the @rethinkwords twitter handle. (200 points)
  • Example: Medium Event - Invite cyberbullying victims, law enforcement, or other relevant individuals to either speak to your chapter or to your school. Have conservations about what you learned! (300 points)
  • Example: Medium Event – All ReThink Chapter members visit a local elementary or middle school to present on bullying/online hate and inspire them to ReThink. (300 points)
  • Example: Large Event - Fund-Raising Goal: Raise $1000 from students, family members, and sponsors in your community to donate to your favorite anti-cyberbullying organization on behalf of ReThink! You can donate to ReThink, one of our partners, or any other group. Learn to advocate for the cause and spread the ReThink message. (1000 points)

What are some benefits of earning points?

Please refer to Sample events and points mentioned above. Below are some benefits of earning high Points and Recognitions:

• Complete events equivalent to 2000 points worth of activities and be selected to win a spot to host our annual “ReThink Regional Conference” at your chapter’s high school/college!
• Complete events equivalent to 3000 points to attend a round-table discussion about cyberbullying, technology, and innovation with ReThink Founder Trisha Prabhu and many other influencers and change-makers.
• Complete events equivalent to 5000 points to be the one chapter selected to attend our National ReThink Conference at the end of the year in May, where your Chapter will be honored at a gala with an award, a check for your school, and recognition for your incredible work to ReThink before the damage is done.
• All points earned have to be logged and signed by the Advisor to be accepted for selection to the aforementioned events.