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Start a DAMA® Chapter in Your Region

Chapters are the vital connection points of the DAMA International® global network: independently governed, not-for-profit communities that bring the global DAMA® vision into local focus through events, webinars, study groups and certification support.

Start the Journey ↓ Read the FAQ
0Stages
0Typical timeline
0Founders to start
0Affiliation fee waived

The DAMA® Chapter Lifecycle: where are you?

Stage 1 Interested Party → Forming Chapter Stage One · 1–3 months Stage 2 Forming → Affiliated Chapter Stage Two · 3–12 months Ongoing Thriving Community Ongoing operations
1

Stage One: Become a Forming Chapter

Estimated duration: 1–3 months

Tick each item to check your team's readiness. This checklist is for you, nothing is submitted.

0 / 13 ready
✓Research your jurisdictionUnderstand the requirements for establishing a not-for-profit organization locally and build your roadmap accordingly.
✓Check your areaMake sure no other DAMA® Chapter exists in your target area, see Find your local Chapter. Other interested parties in the same area will be connected with you to join efforts.
✓Minimum founding members3 at city level · 5 at regional/province level · 9 at country level. Country-wide chapters are possible by exception (particularly for small-population countries).
✓Sector diversityFounders must represent at least 3 sectors (e.g., finance, education, public service).
✓Employer diversityNo more than 25% of founding members employed by the same organization.
✓Data Management skills75% of Founders must have Data Management skills.
✓DAMA® membershipAll Founders must be Individual Professional Members of DAMA International®.
✓LocationFounders must reside or work in the area where the chapter will be established.
✓No existing board rolesFounders may not be on the board of an existing affiliated chapter.
✓Naming conventionDAMA® <Country> - <City> or DAMA® <City>. Country-wide names possible by exception (small-population countries).
✓Legal considerationsYour country may require more founders. Applications aren't accepted from countries where the US has no diplomatic relations; founders cannot be on the OFAC list.
✓RoadmapYou need to create a roadmap with milestones and target dates for meeting the affiliation requirements.
✓3-year commitmentFounders must commit to serving the chapter for a minimum of 3 years.
1

Submit your application

Submit the new Chapter application.

2

DAMA reviews your submitted application

If approved, the application moves on to the next step.

3

Submit artifacts

4

DAMA® reviews artifacts

Final check of all artifacts before requesting board approval.

5

Board approval: you're a Forming Chapter

Submit Application
Weeks 1–2
Check for geographical overlap; coordinate with other interested parties if applicable
Weeks 2–3
Confirm the founding members meet all criteria
Week 3
Choose Chapter name (per naming convention) and submit the new Chapter application
Weeks 4–6
DAMA® reviews and, upon approval, sends the Letter of Intent and Code of Ethics
Weeks 6–7
All Founders sign the Letter of Intent and the DAMA® Code of Ethics
Weeks 7–8
Develop project roadmap with milestones · start recruiting DAMA® members
Week 8
Submit artifacts to DAMA®
Weeks 8–10
DAMA® reviews the application
Week 11
Officially recognized as a Forming Chapter
Week 12
Submit a contact URL (LinkedIn, Facebook, Meetup, etc.)
Week 12+
Connect with your Regional Coordinator; join Presidents' Council meetings; begin meetups & social media
2

Stage Two: Become an Affiliated Chapter

Estimated duration: 3–12 months

Everything your Forming Chapter must complete to reach full affiliation.

0 / 8 ready
✓Register your not-for-profitLegal documentation required by your jurisdiction (Statutes or Articles of Incorporation) must be approved by DAMA® before submission.
✓Obtain a Government IDE.g. a Tax ID for the new organization.
✓Develop & adopt Chapter BylawsOperational Bylaws must be reviewed by DAMA® before being enacted.
✓3-Year StrategyDevelop a 3-year strategic plan with milestones. See the Strategic Plan One-Pager example.
✓Sign the Affiliation AgreementThe formal agreement between your Chapter and DAMA International®.
✓Update founding members if neededInclude or replace founders; the same diversity requirements apply.
✓Meet IPM recruitment targetsDAMA-I Individual Professional Members by scope: 15 city · 25 region · 50 country.
✓Code of Ethics: all Board membersEvery Board member must sign the DAMA® Code of Ethics.
1

Draft legal organization statutes

The legal documentation required by your jurisdiction, reviewed by DAMA® before submission.

2

Draft Operational Bylaws

Reviewed by DAMA® before being enacted.

3

Create the 3-year strategy

Use the Strategic Plan One-Pager example as a template.

4

Get the Not-For-Profit letter and Government ID

Letter of Incorporation (or equivalent) and Government ID or Tax ID.

5

Sign the Affiliation Agreement

Signed by your Chapter board.

6

Request board approval

DAMA-I Board reviews the complete affiliation package.

7

DAMA® signs the Affiliation Agreement

DAMA-I countersigns and your Chapter officially becomes Affiliated.

  • 3-year Strategic Plan One-Pager
  • Legally required incorporation documentation (e.g., Statutes, Articles of Incorporation)
  • Letter of Incorporation or equivalent
  • Government ID or Tax ID
  • Operational Bylaws
  • Signed Affiliation Agreement

Note: a simple English translation of each document is required (if applicable).

Once approved, the Chapter becomes Affiliated: it can manage membership and gains full access to DAMA®-I programs and events.
Months 1–2
Determine the legal process to establish a not-for-profit in your jurisdiction
Month 3
Start recruiting IPMs
Month 4
Develop a strategic plan with milestones
Months 4–5
Draft legal organizational statutes and Chapter Operating Bylaws
Month 5
Submit Bylaws and statutes to DAMA-I for approval
Months 6–7
DAMA® reviews artifacts
Months 7–8
If approved, finalize artifacts and legally register the not-for-profit organization
Months 9–10
Submit all final (sealed) legal documents, Operating Bylaws, and government registration (with English translation where applicable)
Month 10
Ensure all Board members have signed the DAMA® Code of Ethics
Months 10–11
Sign the Affiliation Agreement
Months 11–12
DAMA® Board approves the Chapter and countersigns the Affiliation Agreement
Month 12
Chapter officially becomes an Affiliated Chapter
Month 12+
Launch full membership management and local programming
Total suggested timeline: 12 months. The timeline accounts for variances in legal processing across jurisdictions. If delays are anticipated (especially forming the legal entity), request an extension from DAMA-I before the 12-month deadline. A monthly progress report must be submitted to DAMA-I.
Staying in good standing

Chapter Obligations

While Forming
  • Use full Chapter name + "Forming Chapter" in all materials
  • Report monthly progress to DAMA®
  • Follow the DAMA® Code of Ethics
Once Affiliated
  • Operate under your Chapter's bylaws and the DAMA-I Code of Ethics
  • Website must include:
    • Chapter Bylaws
    • Board contact information
    • Statement: "Affiliated Chapter of DAMA International®"
    • Synchronized CDMP® content (if applicable)
  • Update DAMA® with changes to Board contact information
  • All Board members sign the most current Code of Ethics online
  • Annual reports: Board members, roles & terms · Membership plans & member counts · Chapter Activities
  • All Chapter Board Directors must be Individual Professional Members of DAMA-I in addition to chapter members
Why it's worth it

Benefits at each stage

Benefits grow as your Chapter progresses through the lifecycle.

Forming Chapters

Stage One
  • Use of DAMA® logo (per branding guidelines)
  • Access to mentoring from established Chapters
  • Participate in Presidents' Council meetings
  • Participate in Regional Council meetings
  • Build community through meetups and social media
  • Access to the speaker roster

Affiliated Chapters

Stage Two, everything above plus
  • Full participation in DAMA®'s global community
  • Discounts on events
  • 50% bulk discount from the DAMA-DMBOK® publisher (min. 10 books)
  • CDMP® prep discounts from REPs
  • Option to hold annual CDMP® PIYP (Pay If You Pass) event
  • Eligibility to nominate members to the DAMA® board
  • Access to licensed DAMA-DMBOK® content
  • Option to suggest speakers for the speaker roster
  • Eligibility for Chapter Awards
Everything you need

Documents & Resources

Sample documents: read before you commit

DAMA® Letter of Intent DAMA® Chapter Affiliation Agreement DAMA® Code of Ethics

Important: these documents are provided so founding members can learn what they will commit to. Do not download, sign and submit them. You will receive them electronically for your signature.

Guides & templates

Roadmap for Interested Parties Chapter Quick Start Guide Strategic Plan One-Pager Example Affiliation Checklist Chapter Bylaws Outline Chapter Bylaw Sample Event Guide Affiliation Process Charts Brand Guidelines Disaffiliation: Unrenewed Affiliation Disaffiliation: Affiliation Breach Disaffiliation: Chapter Dormancy

Need help? Use the Chapter Contact Form.

Brochures

DAMA International® Brochure CDMP® Brochure DAMA-DMBOK® Brochure

Marketing & Promotion: DAMA® Brochures

DAMA International® Brochure · CDMP® Brochure · DAMA-DMBOK® Brochure. These can be modified with your chapter logo and contact information and delivered as printable PDFs. Contact info@dama.org.

Available in: English · French · Spanish · Italian · Dutch · Japanese · Chinese · Portuguese
Pay If You Pass CDMP® (PIYP)
Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Formation & Affiliation

No. You must move to Affiliated status within 12 months, unless an extension is approved by DAMA®-I.

Typically within 12 months from signing the Letter of Intent, but local legal processes may affect timelines.

Yes! You're encouraged to start community-building early through events and meetups.

Yes, if all legal and structural requirements are met, and faculty/professionals are included in leadership. Students must be of age; underage students are not accepted.

Country-wide chapters could be approved as an exception in the starting phase, based on the country's size and demographics.

A new Chapter must have 2/3 of founding members from different organizations and three (3) different sectors. During the Chapter's lifecycle, there must not be a majority of voting members from the same organization.

No. All Founders must reside or have their primary business in the same location (city for city chapters, region for regional chapters, country for country chapters).

A disaffiliation process must be completed before a new Chapter can be created in the same location.

Legal & Financial

Yes, there's an annual affiliation fee (waived for the first year).

No, but the "doing business as" (DBA) or public name must follow the Chapter naming convention.

If your jurisdiction does not recognize not-for-profit organizations, you can still create a legal organization as long as its legal document includes wording provided by DAMA-I regarding board members not receiving emolument, inclusion, and non-participation in political activities.

Not without a legal entity. Consult local legal/tax advisors.

No, but it's preferred that at least one becomes certified as soon as possible.

No, but Chapters get discounts (e.g., 50% off DAMA®-DMBOK® in bulk) which can aid in fundraising.

Not initially. A LinkedIn, Meetup, or Eventbrite page is acceptable at the Forming stage. A website is highly recommended once affiliated.

Your assigned Regional Coordinator is your first point of contact. You can also reach the DAMA-I team through the Chapter Contact Form or at info@dama.org.

Reference

Process Charts

The official DAMA Chapter Affiliation Process charts. Click a chart to enlarge it.

New Chapter Request, Forming Stage process chart
New Chapter Request: Forming Stage Stage 1
New Chapter Request, Affiliation Stage process chart
New Chapter Request: Affiliation Stage Stage 2

Ready to bring DAMA® to your community?

Submit your application to start Stage One, or reach out with questions. Your Regional Coordinator is ready to help.

Submit Application   Chapter Contact Form
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