Nobody knows your students better than you. Ask students about careers they may be interested in. If there are many students interested in healthcare, you've taken the first step in establishing SD HOSA in your school.

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The most effective way is having a teacher (advisor), along with a core group of interested students, approach your principal or superintendent. Have your local school advisor (usually a health science or science teacher) contact the South Dakota HOSA state office to request a charter number, password, and affiliation packet. 

Lead students, along with your local advisor, should review the affiliation packet. The packet will include information regarding HOSA nationally. Information includes data, membership, resource library, website, annual dues (typically $20), and competitive event information.

Now it is time to grow your membership. Hold a membership drive using posters and promotional videos provided to you by the South Dakota HOSA state office. The more students you can get involved, the more energized your chapter will be. Students, teachers, administration, healthcare professionals, and alumni can all become members of your local chapter!

Using the charter number and password, the advisor will affiliate members. Membership dues are $20/academic year. The online affiliation system is multi-faceted. and is used to affiliate members, view account balances, complete online registration for conferences, add proctors for online testing and more. 

At your first meeting, plan to hold officer elections and have your officers help complete a "Program of Work" and "Local Chapter By-laws" and then stay proactive!