The following information is intended to guide you through the process of founding an oikos group that in the end will be eligible to become an official oikos Local Chapter.

You can also download a short power point presentation on how to found an oikos Chapter, just scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Introductory remark

Founding an oikos group has a lot in common with starting a company. So actually, you can be a bit proud of yourself. You are just about to become an entrepreneur!

Starting a successful company requires preparatory work and thinking ahead. So does the launch of an oikos group that makes a difference. Although you are not risking to lose a lot of money, you will invest quite a lot of time and energy. This alone should be reason enough to spend some time planning your project. Here, you find an overview of the necessary steps that lie ahead of you.

 

I. Understanding oikos

Make sure that you know what oikos is about and that you can fully identify with the oikos mission and vision. Carefully read the 2006 oikos Vision, Mission and Activity Statement and the oikos Constitution.

 

II. Founder Members

Find a group of at least three, better five highly motivated and entrepreneurial students who share the oikos vision. [cf. recruiting oikos team members]

 

III. Advisory Council

Having brought together three to five founder members you should look for a university teacher who strongly supports your project and who is ready to preside your local advisory council.

 

IV. Activity Planning/Roadmap

Start planning your activities for the forthcoming  months. When planning a project be aware of the oikos objectives. You may ask yourself the question what you want to achieve with the event. [cf. Local Chapter Roadmap]

 

V. Chapter in accession status

As a recognised Chapter in accession your group receives the oikos Chapter in accession logo. It can be used to promote your group within and outside your university. You also have access to the oikos Project Development Fund and the oikos Project Leadership Programme intended to support Local Chapter projects.

To give your group the  status of "Chapter in accession", the oikos International Executive Board needs your application, comprising of

• a list of team members
• CVs of the future members of the board
• letters of motivation for the future members of the board including an endorsement to the oikos Vision, Mission and Activities
  
• a letter of recommendation from a local professor
• a roadmap about the activities planned for the upcoming years
  
• an English translation of your draft constitution

 

VI. Legal Entity

Before your first event takes place, your local oikos group should be established as a legal entity. This means that you will have to write down statutes that are in accordance with the constitution of oikos International. [cf. oikos Local Chapter Statutes]

The name of your new group consists of the word “oikos” and the name of the town where your local chapter is founded. This name-convention is very important, because it ensures that all our local chapters are recognised as a local chapter of the organisation oikos. In order to increase the recognition effect we expect that you include your standardised local oikos logo in your marketing material, your publications and on your website.

 

VII. First Funding Steps

Establishing your local oikos group as a legal entity is also a precondition to obtain funding. Sponsors will not transfer money to a private account, but only to the account of a legal entity. Local oikos groups are financed by a circle of sponsors, normally companies. When searching for sponsors use all the contacts you have. 

 

VIII. First Event

It is the first impression you make on your fellow students that will strongly contribute to your image in the future: try to be as brilliant, professional and innovative as you can. Come up with an exciting, innovative and professional event. Advertise it in a professional way and try to get as much press coverage as possible. [cf. oikos Activities]

 

IX. Being elected as an official oikos Local Chapter

If you have successfully mastered the steps mentioned above, nothing should stop you from being elected as an official oikos Local Chapter during the next Legislative Meeting of oikos International. After you have provided the necessary documents to the oikos International Executive Board, the representatives of the oikos Local Chapters will be very glad to welcome you as a full member of the organisation!

 

ARTICLE 6 Constitution oikos International

[MEMBER GROUPS]

II. Applications for membership shall be submitted to the association’s Executive Board. Together with its application, the applying group shall submit a report including an English translation of its constitution, a list of its team members, CVs and letters of motivation for the members of the board, a letter of recommendation from a local professor as well as information about the activities that it has conducted so far and plans for the future. Admission to membership shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of the Legislative Meeting.

 

 

Was it worth taking all the administrative hurdles?

"Yes, because it has been a learning experience, which is unique to every hurdle that you are faced with. On a personal note it has forced me to develop into a pragmatic idealist, which I think is better if you are an individual who wants to make a difference in this world."

Humphrey Mulemba, founder oikos Johannesburg

 

DS, KB 07/2008