Chapter Playbooks
Clear, practical guides to help chapter leaders run meetings, lead teams, and design responsibly.
What This Resource Is
Short, structured playbooks that support student leaders in running effective, inclusive, and organized chapters. Each playbook provides practical frameworks you can adapt to your chapter's needs.
Leadership Playbooks
Meeting One: Welcome & Vision
45-60 minutesGoals:
- • Build initial trust
- • Set the tone
- • Gather input on what members want
Welcome & Icebreaker
10 minUse a low-pressure activity: 'share your name and one thing you're redesigning in your life right now'
What is ReDesignHer?
10 minBrief overview of the mission and what chapters do
What do YOU want?
15 minOpen discussion: What problems do you want to solve? What skills do you want to build?
Norms Discussion
10 minCo-create group agreements (respect, participation, confidentiality)
Next Steps
5 minAnnounce Meeting Two and ask for volunteers to help plan it
Meeting Two: Explore & Ideate
60 minutesGoals:
- • Generate project ideas
- • Begin skill building
- • Strengthen group cohesion
Check-in
5 minQuick round: 'One word for how you're feeling today'
Design Thinking Intro
10 minBrief intro to empathy, define, ideate, prototype, test
Problem Brainstorm
20 minSmall groups identify problems in school or community
Share Out
15 minEach group shares top 2-3 problems
Materials Inventory
5 minWhat recycled materials can we collect?
Next Meeting Preview
5 minAnnounce we'll choose a project direction next time
Meeting Three: Choose & Plan
60-75 minutesGoals:
- • Select first project
- • Assign roles
- • Create action plan
Recap
5 minReview ideas from last meeting
Dot Voting
10 minEveryone gets 3 dots to vote on favorite project ideas
Discussion
15 minDiscuss top 2-3 vote-getters, refine into one project
Role Assignment
10 minIdentify needs: builder, researcher, communicator, documenter
Action Planning
15 minBreak project into tasks with deadlines
Materials & Next Steps
10 minWho's bringing what? When do we meet again?
Day 1: Understand
2-3 hoursDefine the Challenge
State the problem clearly. Who is affected? What's the impact?
Map the System
Draw or diagram how the current system works. Identify pain points.
Expert Input
If possible, talk to someone affected by this problem. Listen deeply.
HMW Questions
Turn insights into 'How Might We...' questions that open possibilities
Day 2: Ideate
2-3 hoursIndividual Brainstorm
Everyone sketches ideas silently for 15 minutes. No talking.
Share & Build
Each person shares their top idea. Others add to it.
Vote on Favorites
Dot voting to identify most promising concepts
Combine & Refine
Can you merge good ideas? Make one stronger concept?
Day 3: Prototype
2-4 hoursChoose Materials
Pick recycled materials that match your idea
Build Quick & Rough
Low-fidelity prototype. It doesn't need to be pretty.
Test Internally
Try using the prototype yourselves. What breaks? What works?
Document
Take photos and notes on what you learned
Day 4: Test & Reflect
2-3 hoursUser Testing
Have 3-5 people try your prototype. Watch and listen.
Gather Feedback
What worked? What didn't? What surprised you?
Reflect as a Team
What did you learn about the problem? About design? About yourselves?
Decide Next Steps
Iterate? Start over? Move to implementation?
Silent Brainstorming
When to use: When dominant voices tend to take over
How it works: Everyone writes ideas on sticky notes for 5-10 minutes without talking. Then share all ideas anonymously.
Why it matters: Gives quieter members equal voice and prevents groupthink
Round Robin Sharing
When to use: When discussing options or gathering input
How it works: Go around the circle, each person shares one thought. Can say 'pass' but will come back to them.
Why it matters: Ensures everyone speaks and prevents interruptions
Dot Voting
When to use: When you have many options and need to narrow down
How it works: Post all options on wall. Give everyone 3 dots (stickers or markers). Vote for favorites. Most dots wins.
Why it matters: Democratic, visual, and quick
Fist to Five
When to use: When checking agreement or comfort level
How it works: Hold up fingers: 0 = strongly disagree, 5 = fully on board. Discuss any fists or ones.
Why it matters: Quick temperature check, surfaces concerns early
Think-Pair-Share
When to use: When tackling complex questions
How it works: 1) Think alone (2 min), 2) Discuss with partner (5 min), 3) Share with whole group
Why it matters: Builds confidence before speaking to large group
Distribute Roles Equitably
Don't let the same people always lead. Rotate roles: facilitator, note-taker, materials manager, timekeeper. Ask who wants to try something new.
Red Flags:
- ⚠️ Same person always talks first
- ⚠️ Some members never volunteer
- ⚠️ Work isn't evenly distributed
Recognize Different Contributions
Leadership isn't just being loud. Celebrate the quiet organizer, the detailed note-taker, the thoughtful questioner. Name contributions publicly.
Practices:
- ✓ Weekly shout-outs
- ✓ Rotating 'spotlight' recognition
- ✓ Documenting everyone's role in projects
Handle Conflict with Care
Address tension early and privately when possible. Use 'I' statements. Focus on behavior, not character. Always assume good intent first.
Steps:
1. Name what you're observing without judgment
2. Ask questions to understand their perspective
3. State the impact on the team or project
4. Collaborate on solutions together
Support Different Work Styles
Some need detailed plans. Others need flexibility. Some work fast, others need time. Build in options: group work AND independent work, structured AND open-ended tasks.
Accommodations to Consider:
- • Offer written instructions and verbal
- • Provide quiet work time
- • Allow people to choose their contribution
- • Check in individually
What Leaders Learn
Why This Matters
Leadership is learned, not assumed. These guides help students lead with confidence and care, building skills that extend far beyond design projects.