Start a Chapter

Why Start a Chapter?

Starting a Guardians of the Heart chapter is an opportunity to lead a movement that inspires change in your school or community. As a chapter leader, you'll help spread life-saving knowledge, promote heart-healthy habits among peers, and take meaningful action to prevent the world’s leading cause of death—heart disease. Whether you're passionate about health, education, equity, or community service, leading a chapter allows you to develop leadership skills, build impactful connections, and be part of a national network of youth dedicated to building a healthier, more informed future.

What Chapters Do

  • Peer Education

    Chapters lead the way in making heart health understandable and engaging. From organizing workshops and expert panels to sharing educational content online or at school events, chapters act as ambassadors for preventive care and wellness. Youth learn from youth, making the message more resonant and effective.

  • Community Outreach

    Each chapter connects with its local community by hosting events such as blood pressure screenings, CPR training, and lifestyle medicine scavenger hunts. Chapters also collaborate with local libraries, schools, hospitals, food pantries, and other organizations to broaden their reach and deepen their impact. These efforts both spread awareness and support community-wide involvement in heart health.

  • Legislative Advocacy

    Chapters empower members to speak up and advocate for policies that promote cardiovascular wellness and preventive care. Whether it’s championing healthier school lunches, pushing for access to AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs) in schools, or engaging in policy discussions on a town, county, state, or national level, chapters provide youth with the tools, platform, and confidence to influence lasting change beyond their immediate circles.

  • Health Equity Action

    Chapters work to ensure that heart health education and resources reach everyone, especially underserved or underrepresented communities. This can include translating materials, partnering with local organizations, or designing culturally relevant events and initiatives that reflect the unique needs of their community. Every chapter plays a vital role in reducing disparities and building a more inclusive, heart-healthy future for all.

Interest Form

4-Step Guide to Starting a Chapter

1. Submit the Interest Form

The first step to starting a Guardians of the Heart chapter is to fill out our Chapter Interest Form. This helps us learn more about you, your school or community, and your goals. Once submitted, our team will review your information and get in touch with next steps. There’s no commitment at this stage—just an opportunity to express your passion and begin the conversation.

2. Connect with Leadership

After submitting the form, you’ll be invited to a brief virtual meeting with our National President or a member of our leadership team. This conversation is a chance to learn more about our mission, expectations for chapter leaders, and the support you’ll receive. We’ll also share helpful tools, ideas, and guidance, and answer any questions you may have before officially getting started.

3. Build Your Team & Community

Once your chapter is approved, it’s time to start building your team and creating connections. Recruit members at your school or in your community, identify potential local partners, and begin planning your first outreach efforts. We’ll provide resources and templates to help you lead with confidence and build a strong foundation.

4. Host Your First Event

Your chapter’s first event is your opportunity to introduce Guardians of the Heart to your community and set the tone for your impact. Whether it’s a heart health workshop, a CPR training, or a community wellness fair, we’ll help you plan, promote, and execute your launch event successfully. After that, your chapter is officially active and ready to lead heart-forward change!