Q. What’s the purpose of these chapters? A. The purpose is to allow people who are 50 years or older to gather together in small, but tight-knit affinity groups of-similar-interests, where they can have fun, foster special friendships, fellowship in a faith-based environment, and celebrate their lives and their values at this special stage of life. Q. What makes them different from other groups? A. They’re unique from any other groups out there because: 1) you can only join once you’ve reached 50 or more, 2) chapters are intended to help members continue to grow in their faith, 3) fun, laughter. Friendship, and joy are at the core, 4) each chapter is established around a specific area of group interest, 5) focusing beyond one’s self is encouraged through service projects, missions, 6) special opportunities for travel, 7) participation in local, regional, and national events, and, 8) increased learning about issues and opportunities affecting you in your “second-half” of life. Chapter can have as few as 5 participants or as many as 50, but groups of fewer than 20 often develop deeper relationships. Q. What are the rules and regulations of the chapter? A. Rules and regulations are limited by design. We encourage loosely-structured, chapter models, in order to allow the freedom for the individual chapter to be successful through its own creative, prayerful and unique way. The chapters will be independent, self-sustaining, require a place to meet, and have strong leadership (a key). Enough guidance will be provided by Significant Living’s National Chapter Coordinator to further the overall purpose for the Chapters and to provide consistency with Significant Living’s overarching mission and vision. Chapter organizers, leaders, and members will be required to complete a personal and chapter application. Q. How will Significant Living’s International Office help me start a chapter in my own local community and continue to support us? A. Once you notify Significant Living of your desire to start, lead, or become a member of a chapter, we’ll send you a letter or email outlining next steps. Also your contact location will be placed on the Significant Living Chapter map, found at www.SL50.org. You’ll discover others in your area interested in chapters. Once a local, chapter leader is identified and approved, a starter kit will be provided to the leader to help him/her start a group and recruit members. We’ll provide a list of chapters and encourage interaction among them. We’ll have a dynamic website where you can gain information, obtain resources, and interact with other chapters, other members. Once enough local chapters are launched, we will hold regional and national conferences where chapter members can gather for broader fellowship, fun, learning, and service. Q. Are the chapters all going to join in a unified service project? A. Each chapter will decide upon its own local, state or regional service project or contribute to an existing project. But Significant Chapters as a whole, will also eventually, identify a unique, major, service project that will be identified with all Significant Living Chapters on a national/international basis. Ideas and passions for this project will be solicited from chapter members.