How to Start a Junior Chapter

 

Request a Charter Kit

Click here to request a Junior Charter Kit. The kit includes an Application for a Junior Charter, contact information for the Diocesan Assembly and Provincial Directress and President, as well as other important information to help you get started. 

                                                                     

List of Materials for Study

Click here to view the list of materials needed for the study.

  

How to start a Junior Chapter

To start a Junior chapter you must:

1. Obtain approval from the clergy of the parish.
2. Identify at least one, preferably two, Daughters to serve as Junior Directresses or co-Directresses. The Directress must be a current member of The Order or she may serve her three month preparation period for membership during the formation of the Junior Chapter.
3. Bring together three or more baptized girls or young women ages 7 to 21.

Once these three steps are in place you are ready to move forward. Below are the suggested steps for continuing the journey of starting a Junior Chapter at your church.

 

Outline of Steps

1. Request a Junior Daughter Charter Kit from the website or by contacting the National Office. The Charter Kit contains a lot of information to help you get started including the Application for a Junior Charter, and contact  information for the Diocesan and Provincial Directresses and Presidents.
2. Obtain a copy of the  The Junior Directress Manual either from this website or purchase one from the online store. The Junior Directress Manual  contains a great deal of information to help start, maintain, and grow your chapter.
3. Publicize the formation of a Junior Chapter using your parish announcements, newsletters, bulletin, weekly calendar and website.
4. Hold an interest meeting with the girls and their parents.
5. Obtain the Leader's Guide for the Study Guide, the  Junior Daughters Handbook and appropriate age Study Guide for each prospective member. See list of Materials for Junior Study.
6. Once established, post and distribute a notice of scheduled study sessions.
7. Hold "The Service of Preparation for Junior Membership (Candlelight Service). Coordinate the date with your clergy and senior chapter president.
8. Conduct the study sessions.
9. Assist the girls in picking a name for their chapter and electing officers (if appropriate).
10. Contact the diocesan assembly president or diocesan assembly directress and invite them to "The Service of Institution of a Junior Chapter and Admission of Members."
11. Coordinate a date with your clergy, and diocesan assembly president or diocesan assembly directress for the Services of Institution and Admission and publish it.
12. Complete the following paperwork and submit it to the National Office along with payment.  Please allow four weeks for processing.

• Application for a Junior Charter (included in the Charter Kit)
• Application for Junior Membership for each new member
• One completed National Order Form
• One form of payment for the total order

What do I do for their Preparation period?

Every girl or young woman thinking about becoming a Junior Daughter must complete a time of study. During this time the girl develops her personal relationship with Jesus and grows in her love and commitment to God, and His church. The candidate learns about the Order, the Rules of Prayer and Service, and begins practicing them in her own life. For candidates 11 years old and under, use the Study Guide for Primary Grades. For candidates 12 years old and older, use the Study Guide for Youth. A Leader’s Guide is available for both the Primary Grade and Youth Study Guides and includes lesson objectives, activities and guidance for discussion questions. The Study Guides are also available for purchase from the online store.  Further, the Junior Daughters Handbook has a section called “Resources for Study” that you may find helpful. Junior Directresses should feel free to follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit when leading these young sisters in Christ.

 

Where do I go for help?

Whenever you have a question about starting or maintaining a Junior Chapter, general or specific, other Directresses are always willing to help. The National Junior Daughter Chair can provide you with support in prayer and resource and is available to assist you in any way she can. There is also a yahoo group for Junior Directresses. This group consisting of Directresses from all over the world, communicate and share ideas and concerns that relate to Junior Chapters. It also has a lot of resources to help in your ministry. Please contact the National Junior Daughter Chair for an invitation to join. We hope to see you there!