Chapters are the arms and legs of Gaining Ground Sustainability Institute of Mississippi. Gaining Ground chapters exist to bring global, national and state-wide issues of sustainability straight into their respective communities, neighborhoods and homes. Mississippi is a geographically large and demographically diverse state, with each region having its own particular needs, concerns and priorities.

GGSIM chapters promote local projects and events which directly benefit the people and places you are most familiar with. They bring inspired, passionate and active individuals together within their communities who then join up with others from all corners of our great state to both encourage existing models of sustainability and to implement new ideas that will make our lives healthier, happier, safer and more sustainable ... right in your own backyard. 

- Mississippi Mobile Farm on Wheels Project (Hill Country) 

- Monthly potluck meetings and informational presentations (Hill Country, Golden Triangle, Jackson, Pine Belt, Gulf Coast)

- Monthly organic gardening classes and workshops (Pine Belt, Hill Country) 

- Community Gardens (Pine Belt) 

- School Gardens (Hill Country, Golden Triangle, Jackson)

- Field trips to local farms and sustainable homes/businesses (Jackson, Golden Triangle)

- O'Garden Occupy Your Lawn (Golden Triangle) 

- Farm to School Pilot (Golden Triangle) 

If you have already checked out the existing chapter pages below and you are interested in starting a new chapter in your community, county or region, then please follow the below steps and fill out the associated application. 

I. Send us a Letter of Inquiry. This can be a quick email to info@ggsim.org. Let us know where you are and why you want to start a chapter. Please entitle the subject, "Letter of Inquiry", and include contact information.

II.  Once someone from Gaining Ground has contacted you, call an initial meeting of interested friends together. This could be you, your spouse, and a couple neighbors, or it could be a community-wide event. We suggest you have a pot-luck, or watch an informational movie, or go on a field trip to a sustainable farm or a green building site. Do something fun to get to know each other. 

III. Select officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer ). All officers  must hold current memberships in GGSIM. 

IV. Complete and submit the Gaining Ground Chapter Application below.

V. Once application is approved by the GGSIM Board of Directors, Chapters and the State Board of Directors are subject to the following agreement:

Chapter Expectations:

1). The chair of each chapter, or another officer in their stead, should attend the State Level Board of Directors meetings each month (either live or via video-conference at your local extension office).

2). Chapters will meet at least quarterly and send minutes following each meeting to their Regional Representative on the Board of Directors.

3). Chairs will provide regular updates for the website and newsletter (including local events, chapter projects, meeting dates, etc).

4). Chapters will present Gaining Ground to at least one organization in their area each year (i.e. civic clubs, gardening clubs, church groups, schools, and other public, civic organizations such as United Way, Rotary, 4H, City Council, etc.). PowerPoint presentations and materials will be provided if you need them.

5). Chapters will provide a display booth/table for at least one event annually such as a farmers markets, art festivals, or educational fairs, OR assist with a State Level booth at the annual conference.

6). Chapters will maintain communication within their local organization and throughout the state organization as administrators for our Facebook Page and with Mailchimp. In order to maintain consistency in appearance and communication, chapters will be asked to not create their own websites or Facebook pages.

7). There is an obligation of each chapter and its members to conduct themselves in such a way that maintains the integrity and stature, reputation and credibility, particularly in matter of fundraising and promotional marketing, of Gaining Ground Sustainability Institute of Mississippi. Chapters will also avoid partnership and sponsorships with organizations that do not share the values and goals of Gaining Ground.

* Once a chapter officer has served for one year, they have the opportunity to join the State Level Board of Directors 

State Board Expectations:

1). A Board of Directors Regional Representative will attend at least one chapter meeting each year.

2). Refer new members to chapter chairs in their locale for affiliation. 

3). Update website, Facebook, and newsletter with provided chapter information.

4). Maintain regular communication with chapter chairs.

5). Provide chairs with training on how to use Mailchimp, Facebook, and other online management tools.

6). Provide the following seed money and starter materials for each chapter as they reach each membership milestone:

~ 4-10    affiliated members = $200, 15 t-shirts, 50 brochures

~11-25   affiliated members = + $200, 15 t-shirts, 50 brochures, plus 1 GGSIM banner 

~ 26-50 affiliated members = + $200, 25 t-shirts, 50 brochures,  plus one tent

~ 51+      affiliated members = + $200, 25 t-shirts, 50 brochures, plus one digital overhead projector

* An affiliated member is either a new paying member who selects a particular chapter to affiliate with upon registration or any existing paying member who emails info@ggsim.org and requests to become an affiliated member in a particular chapter.