Start a Chapter

Overview

Starting a chapter is a process that runs through LFHI. You submit the Get Involved form, LFHI vets you and connects you with other vetted people in your area, and together you stand up a chapter through a phased progression: forming, crawl, walk, run. The Foundation covers the full principles, training areas, and tier system. This guide covers the operational steps.

Step 1: Submit the Form

Go to the Get Involved page and select “Start a chapter in my area.” Provide your name, email, location, training area interests, and any relevant skills or experience. This is the only way to initiate a chapter.

LFHI reviews every submission. Expect a Signal message from LFHI within a few days of submitting. That initial conversation covers:

• Who you are and what experience you bring
• Whether you have read the Foundation
• Whether you have access to a location for meetings and training
• Whether you know other people in your area who are interested

The requirement is demonstrated competence or commitment in at least one of the six training areas, not a specific credential. Military service, trade skills, first responder experience, amateur radio licenses, teaching background – all count.

Step 2: Building Your Group

LFHI holds and connects applicants from the same geographic area. As more forms come in from your region, LFHI introduces vetted individuals to each other. A chapter requires a minimum of five or six people who have each been individually vetted by LFHI.

If you already know five or six people who want to start a chapter, have them each submit the form individually. Everyone goes through the same vetting process.

Step 3: Chapter Authorization (Phase 0 – Forming)

Once the founding group is assembled, LFHI authorizes the chapter. This means:

• Chapter name assigned. All chapters use the format LFHI [City/Region]. Examples: LFHI Upson County, LFHI Nashville, LFHI Central Texas.
• Leadership roles filled. The founding group assigns the six roles defined in the Foundation:

With five or six people, some members will hold two roles. Roles rotate at least annually.

• Communications infrastructure stood up. See the Chapter Communications Guide for setup procedures. The requirements are:

  • Signal group for all chapter members
  • Proton email for external contact
  • Matrix access for chapter lead and comms lead (provided by LFHI central server)

• Meeting location and schedule confirmed. A property, community center, church, or public park that supports both indoor planning and outdoor training. A fixed monthly date for training days.

• LFM support. The Light Fighter Manifesto LLC supports new chapters with loaner equipment, startup funding, and coverage through LFM publications and platforms.

Step 4: Establish Baselines (Phase 1 – Crawl)

The first three months focus on getting every member to baseline competence. The chapter is not running its own training yet. Members are attending established courses and structured events together as a group.

Medical

Every member completes Stop the Bleed and CPR/AED. Stop the Bleed is 60-90 minutes and free. CPR/AED is typically 3-5 hours through the American Heart Association or Red Cross. Contact your local hospital, fire department, or Red Cross chapter to schedule sessions. If a member already holds EMT, Combat Lifesaver, or any clinical license, they have met this baseline.

Communications

Members study for and pass the FCC Technician license exam. The exam is 35 multiple-choice questions. HamStudy.org provides free practice exams. Schedule 4-6 weeks of study, then book a VEC exam session as a group through ARRL. FEMA IS-100 and IS-700 (free, online, approximately 3 hours each) introduce the Incident Command System and the National Incident Management System. Members with an existing amateur radio license or military comms experience have met this baseline.

Marksmanship

The chapter attends a structured, instructor-led course as a group. No unstructured range days. Project Appleseed runs two-day rifle marksmanship clinics nationwide through volunteer instructors. NRA Basic Rifle or Pistol courses are another entry point. Local handgun, carbine, or PRS-style matches are also acceptable. The point is a controlled environment with qualified instruction, not a chapter member running a range day.

Physical Readiness

Group hikes and rucks. Start with a 4-6 mile route at 20-25 pounds. Attend Orienteering USA local events if available in your area. Practical baseline: bodyweight fitness (push-ups, pull-ups, plank, sit-ups), a timed 2-mile run, and a loaded ruck march. No specialized equipment required. Show up and move together.

Homesteading

Attend Cooperative Extension workshops as a group. Extension offices operate in nearly every county and offer free or low-cost classes on gardening, food preservation, and animal care. Contact your county extension office for the current schedule.

Technical Independence

Complete EFF Surveillance Self-Defense and Privacy Guides digital security basics as a group. Cover encrypted messaging, password managers, two-factor authentication, and VPN usage. Ensure all chapter communications infrastructure is operational and every member knows how to use it.

Members who arrive with prior experience in any area help others reach the baseline. That is expected, not optional.

Step 5: Build Capability (Phase 2 – Walk)

Months 3 through 12. Members are pursuing additional certifications through established organizations. The chapter is attending events and courses regularly but is not yet running its own formal training sessions.

• Chapter attending Appleseed clinics, matches, Extension workshops, and similar structured events on a regular schedule.
• First outreach event. The chapter teaches a free public class based on a skill it has trained. If your chapter completed Stop the Bleed as a group, teach it to the public. If your Comms Lead got members through the Technician exam, run a study group at the library.
• Members with prior experience begin mentoring newer members within the chapter.
• The Training Roadmap lists certifications across all six areas at every tier. Use it as the roadmap for individual progression.

Step 6: Full Operations (Phase 3 – Run)

Twelve months and beyond. The chapter has members with certifications and experience and is capable of running its own training.

• Full chapter rhythm from the Foundation: monthly training day, monthly outreach event, quarterly field exercise, annual chapter assessment.
• Chapter running its own training sessions led by qualified members, in addition to attending external courses.
• Active community outreach: free public classes open to the community.
• Members mentoring newer members. Contributing to regional coordination with other chapters.
• Chapter supporting its county and adjacent counties as described in the Foundation.

Common Mistakes

Running unstructured training before members are qualified. Phase 1 exists for a reason. A chapter that starts holding its own marksmanship training before anyone has attended a structured course is a liability. Use established organizations until your members are qualified to teach.

Skipping the baselines. Stop the Bleed and CPR are non-negotiable. The Technician license is non-negotiable. Do not move to Phase 2 activities until the baselines are met.

Trying to cover all six areas simultaneously. Focus on one or two areas at a time. Add areas as your chapter builds competence.

All planning, no training. If your monthly meetings are discussions about what to train rather than actual hands-on skill work, people will leave. Meetings support training. Training is the core.

Ignoring outreach. The Foundation is direct: a chapter that only trains its own members is a club. Schedule your first free public class before the end of Phase 2.

Depending on one person. If the chapter stops functioning when the Chapter Lead is unavailable, the chapter has a structural problem. Six roles exist for a reason. Rotate annually.

Checklist

Phase 0: Forming

• Get Involved form submitted and vetted by LFHI
• 5-6 members individually vetted
• Chapter name authorized
• Six leadership roles assigned
• Signal group created
• Proton email created
• Matrix access received (chapter lead + comms lead)
• Meeting location confirmed
• Monthly training schedule set

Phase 1: Crawl (months 1-3)

• All members completed Stop the Bleed
• All members completed CPR/AED
• Members studying for FCC Technician exam
• VEC exam session scheduled
• Chapter attended at least one structured marksmanship event
• Chapter conducted at least one group ruck or hike
• Chapter attended at least one Extension workshop
• All members completed digital security basics
• All comms infrastructure operational and tested

Phase 2: Walk (months 3-12)

• Members pursuing additional certifications
• Chapter attending structured events on regular schedule
• First free public class delivered
• Experienced members mentoring newer members

Phase 3: Run (12+ months)

• Monthly training day established
• Monthly outreach event established
• Quarterly field exercise conducted
• Chapter running its own training sessions
• Regional coordination active with other chapters