Chapter Guidelines

1. Welcome to Leadership

You Are the Storyteller, the Steward, and the Spark

Welcome to Project Semicolon’s Chapter Leader Program! This initiative was created to transform how we engage with communities around the world. By empowering passionate individuals like you to lead local chapters, we aim to foster connection, raise awareness, and provide resources to those who need them most.

Chapters are extensions of Project Semicolon—not independent nonprofits—ensuring consistency and alignment with our mission. You are now a part of something that has changed lives across the world, and your leadership will help shape its next chapter.

This work is deeply human. Whether you’ve experienced loss, walked your own path of survival, or simply believe in building a world where no one feels alone in their mental health journey — you belong here. You’re not expected to have all the answers. What matters most is your presence, your openness, and your willingness to create a space where stories can be shared, stigma can be broken, and healing can begin.

The semicolon is more than a punctuation mark. It’s a promise — that even when the story could have ended, it didn’t. As a Chapter Leader, you help others live out that promise. One gathering, one conversation, one walk at a time.

2. Role and Responsibilities

As a Chapter Leader, you are the heart of Project Semicolon in your community. Your role includes:

Raising Awareness: Hosting events, sharing educational materials, and engaging with your community to spread mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Building Connections: Creating safe spaces for open conversations and fostering a sense of belonging.
Being a Liaison: Representing Project Semicolon’s mission and values while maintaining regular communication with the organization.
Organizing Events: Participating in global initiatives like World Semicolon Day and planning activities tailored to your local community.
Reporting Progress: Providing updates on events, outreach, and community impact.

3. Core Values and Standards

Each chapter must embody the organization’s values:

Inclusivity: Welcoming all individuals regardless of background, gender, race, or beliefs.
Empathy: Approaching conversations with compassion and care.
Integrity: Acting in alignment with Project Semicolon’s mission.
Unity: Staying consistent with organizational messaging and branding.

4. Community Engagement

Strong engagement creates lasting impact. Ways to connect include:

Outreach: Partner with schools, workplaces, and local orgs.
Support Groups: Host peer-led mental health support groups.
Awareness Campaigns: Use observances to boost visibility.
World Semicolon Day: Host events encouraging storytelling and remembrance.

5. Running Events & Meetups

Your Chapter brings our mission to life. Events can be simple or large — what matters most is connection.

Semicolon Mental Health Walks Signature Chapter events that promote visibility, solidarity, and remembrance. Walks may include:

A welcome message and explanation of the semicolon symbol
A moment of silence for those lost
Story sharing or dedications
A casual walk with signs or branded materials
Closing reflections and resource sharing

Other ideas:

Story-sharing nights
Art therapy or creative events
Educational panels or workshops
Safe-space circles or journaling nights
Events with local orgs or tattoo studios

All events must:

Be inclusive and welcoming
Prioritize participant safety and accessibility
Be shared with HQ at least one week in advance

6. Operational Guidelines

Branding: Use approved logos and messaging
Fundraising: Coordinate all efforts via the provided tools
Event Planning: Notify us of large events and use event templates
Compliance: Follow local laws and rules regarding events and donations

7. Communication and Reporting

Submit monthly reports by the 1st of each month
Attend quarterly check-ins with Project Semicolon
Provide event photos (with consent), highlights, and impact stories

8. Training and Resources

We provide:

Online training modules
Educational brochures and toolkits
Customizable flyers and social graphics
A support team for assistance and feedback
Access to other leaders for peer support

9. Accountability and Evaluation

To maintain impact:

Chapters undergo an annual review (Jan 1–Feb 1)
Chapter performance is evaluated on engagement, event frequency, and alignment with mission
Feedback and suggestions are welcomed from leaders and communities

10. Chapter Terms and Responsibilities

Chapter leadership must remain with the approved leader.
Chapters do not expire but are reviewed annually.
If relinquishing your chapter, notify HQ so a new leader may apply.
All PS-provided materials must be returned if leadership changes.

11. Branding + Naming Guidelines

Chapters must use the approved name: “Project Semicolon [Chapter Name]”
Abbreviations or alternative names are not allowed
Logos must follow brand guidelines and include location qualifier
Make clear you represent a chapter of Project Semicolon Inc.

12. Sponsorship + Funding Rules

Chapters cannot raise personal or outside funds
All fundraising must occur through the official platform
Admission may be charged (max $30 USD per event)
Crowdfunding campaigns are prohibited
Speaker fees are not allowed (paid or received)
Sponsors not on prohibited lists may be approached; funds go through HQ

13. Media + Content Guidelines

All press releases must be approved
State clearly that you represent a Chapter of Project Semicolon
Staff at HQ are the official spokespeople for the organization
Video and audio content must include location-specific branding
No podcasts may be created for chapters
Photos must be released under a Creative Commons license (non-commercial)

14. Web + Social Media Policy

Do not build external websites or buy domains
Project Semicolon will provide web space
Social handles must match chapter name
Profile photos must use official Chapter logo
You may tag sponsors for event promotion, but not for unrelated content
Logos may appear in photos but not as standalone posts

15. Recognition and Support

To honor your efforts, we provide:

Chapter spotlights across our platforms
Leadership awards
Access to exclusive merch
Invitations to shape future initiatives

You are the heartbeat of this movement. Your work matters more than you know — and we’re with you every step of the way.

Chapter holder:

Project Semicolon asks that the chapter leader be the primary organizer of the chapter.

Chapter term:

Your Project Semicolon chapter is valid from it’s date of approval and does not expire. An annual review of all chapters will be conducted between January 1st and February 1st of each calendar year.

License relinquishment:

Project Semicolon Chapters are non-transferable—you cannot transfer your Project Semicolon chapter to another individual. If you want to relinquish your chapter to allow another organizer to lead it, you’ll need to notify us first. The new leader will need to fill out their own application and be approved through the normal process.

Releasing properties:

If you decide to relinquish your Project Semicolon Chapter, or Project Semicolon requires new leadership for your Chapter, you must transfer ownership of all Project Semicolon provided resources to insure the continuation of the Chapter.

Branding + Naming

Naming:

Because Project Semicolon chapters exist to serve their communities, each chapter is named after it’s unique location, such as a city, neighborhood, or street.
Project Semicolon chapter names must comply with the guidelines and are granted at the discretion of the Project Semicolon team.

Name usage:

You must always refer to your chapter with the full name your chapter was approved for in all copy, messaging, logos, etc. For example, if your licensed name is “Project Semicolon New York”, you may not refer to your chapter as “Project Semicolon The Big Apple” or any other variation.
You should always refer to your chapter as Project Semicolon [Chapter Name], not simply “Project Semicolon”.
Your chapter name should be written as Project Semicolon [Chapter Name].
Name abbreviations and variations are not allowed.

Project Semicolon brand positioning:

Make clear in all communications that your chapter is a chapter of Project Semicolon Inc.

Project Semicolon logo

Your Project Semicolon logo should adhere to the Project Semicolon logo style guidelines and should be used to represent your chapter at all times.

Sponsors + funding

Not for profit:

Project Semicolon is a volunteer endeavor.
You may not use your chapter to make money.
You may not use your chapter to raise funds for charities or other organizations.
All fundraising will be required to use the provided fundraising tools on your Project Semicolon Chapter page (Each approved chapter will have a unique page on the Project Semicolon website). You can request funds for Chapter related activities inside your leader dashboard.

Admission:

You can charge an attendance fee for a Project Semicolon chapter event. Tickets can be no more than $30 USD.

Fundraising and crowdfunding:

Project Semicolon chapters cannot organize separate ticketed Project Semicolon-branded fundraising events or use crowdfunding platforms — such as IndieGoGo, Kickstarter, or other local platforms — to raise money for any aspect of a Project Semicolon chapter. All events should be approved using your support form in the Leader dashboard.

Speaker fees:

Project Semicolon chapters may neither pay nor charge speakers to speak at Project Semicolon events.

Eligible sponsors:

You may not approach any sponsors that fall under our prohibited sponsor or prohibited industries lists.
You may contact prospective sponsors not included on these lists without prior approval from Project Semicolon, however, all funds should go through your Project Semicolon fundraising page. These funds can be requested at any time from your Leader dashboard.

Media + Distribution

Press releases:

All press and press releases must be approved by Project Semicolon Inc.

News media and your event:

If you are interviewed for broadcast TV or radio, clearly state that your chapter is a Project Semicolon chapter.
Project Semicolon staff should be the sole spokespeople for Project Semicolon and the Project Semicolon organization as a whole. Route requests for interviews with Project Semicolon staff to Project Semicolon Inc. Please ask all journalists and/or bloggers be respectful of the difference between the Project Semicolon and Project Semicolon chapters.
Project Semicolon receives request from all over the world for interviews and event speakers. Project Semicolon may call on Leaders to handle these requests in their communities and surrounding areas.

Content:

You may create video content specific to your Project Semicolon Chapter. Any content – whether audio or video – including documentaries – must abide by the following:
- No use of the Project Semicolon and/or plain Project Semicolon logos without your unique location qualifier
You may not create podcasts based on your Project Semicolon chapter.

Creative commons:

Photos used for Project Semicolon chapters must be released under a Creative Commons license (“Attribution – NonCommercial – NonDerivative”), so they can be freely shared and reposted.

Website domain:

Do not purchase a domain name or build outside websites for chapters. Project Semicolon will be working to provide a unique space for chapters at projectsemicolon.com. Project Semicolon is a protected trademark so, if you find that someone is using a domain name that represents your chapter, actions can be taken to protect your chapter.
If you feel that your chapter has grown to the point that it needs it’s own website and resources, Project Semicolon will consider these requests on an individual basis and assist in this process.

Social media profiles:

Social media properties, such as Twitter and Instagram, should have names that mirror the official, licensed name of your Project Semicolon chapter.
You must use your official Project Semicolon chapter logo as your social media profile image (including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).
Rules regarding naming, sponsorship, and branding apply to all social media platforms.

Sponsors on event social media:

You can mention a sponsor’s specific contribution to your chapter in your social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, by tagging their social media accounts, using their hashtag or including their organization name in an image caption.
You or your sponsor can produce a video about the sponsor’s contribution to your event, to be shared on your or the sponsor’s social media channels. This must be produced with your approval of the way your collaboration is presented.
You cannot share sponsor content that is unrelated to your Project Semicolon chapter, e.g. a sponsor’s marketing campaign, product announcements, etc.
You cannot post a sponsor logo (or logos) on its own, but logos may be included if visible in an event photo or other creative material.

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