Getting Started Checklist
Your First 30 Days as Lodge DAP Chair
Section titled “Your First 30 Days as Lodge DAP Chair”Congratulations on becoming your lodge’s Drug Awareness Program Chair! This checklist will help you get organized and start making an impact right away.
Don't Overwhelm Yourself
You don’t need to do everything at once. Focus on the first week’s tasks, then build from there. The goal is steady progress, not perfection.
Week 1: Get Oriented
Section titled “Week 1: Get Oriented”Understand Your Role
Section titled “Understand Your Role”- Read the Lodge Chairs Guide to understand your responsibilities
- Review the DAP Goals & Objectives and Key Messages
- Familiarize yourself with the training website - bookmark pages you’ll reference often
Connect with Your Support Network
Section titled “Connect with Your Support Network”- Contact your District Chair - Introduce yourself and ask about upcoming district activities
- Contact your State Chair - Get added to state communications and learn about state-level resources
- Meet with the outgoing Lodge Chair (if applicable) - Get history on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and any ongoing relationships
Gather Information
Section titled “Gather Information”- Find out what DAP materials your lodge currently has (brochures, posters, Elroy costume, etc.)
- Get access to your lodge’s CLMS account for activity reporting
- Ask about any existing school or community partnerships
- Review any past DAP activities or events at your lodge
Week 2: Assess and Plan
Section titled “Week 2: Assess and Plan”Take Inventory
Section titled “Take Inventory”- Materials inventory - What educational materials do you have? What do you need?
- Equipment check - Does your lodge have access to an Elroy costume, tent, or other DAP equipment?
- Volunteer list - Who has helped with DAP in the past? Who might be interested?
Learn the Calendar
Section titled “Learn the Calendar”- Note key dates for the current Elk Year:
- October - Red Ribbon Week (last week of October)
- April 15 - Contest submission deadline
- July - Grand Lodge Convention
- Check your state’s DAP calendar for state-specific events and deadlines
- Identify local opportunities (school year start, community events, health fairs)
Initial Planning
Section titled “Initial Planning”- Set 2-3 realistic goals for your first year (e.g., “Visit 3 schools,” “Participate in Red Ribbon Week,” “Enter students in contests”)
- Identify 1-2 schools to approach for presentations
- Think about which lodge members might help with DAP activities
Week 3: Build Your Foundation
Section titled “Week 3: Build Your Foundation”Set Up for Success
Section titled “Set Up for Success”- Learn how to use CLMS for reporting - log any activities from the start
- Create a simple tracking system (spreadsheet, notebook, or app) for:
- Schools and contacts
- Events and dates
- Volunteer hours
- Materials distributed
Start Building Relationships
Section titled “Start Building Relationships”- Introduce yourself to your lodge leadership - Brief the Exalted Ruler on your plans
- Identify potential volunteers - Talk to lodge members about helping with DAP
- Research local schools - Make a list of elementary, middle, and high schools in your area
Order Materials
Section titled “Order Materials”- Review available Print Materials and determine what you need
- Contact your State Chair to request educational materials
- Download digital resources from the DEA Resources page
Week 4: Take Action
Section titled “Week 4: Take Action”Make Your First Outreach
Section titled “Make Your First Outreach”- Contact one school - Call or email to introduce DAP and gauge interest
- Plan one activity - Even something small like a lodge presentation or material distribution
- Recruit one volunteer - Having a partner makes everything easier
Get Visible
Section titled “Get Visible”- Present a brief DAP update at your next lodge meeting
- Share information about DAP on your lodge’s social media or newsletter
- Display DAP materials in your lodge
Document Everything
Section titled “Document Everything”- Log all activities in CLMS
- Take photos at events (with appropriate permissions)
- Keep notes on contacts and conversations
Quick Reference: Key Contacts
Section titled “Quick Reference: Key Contacts”| Contact | Purpose |
|---|---|
| District Chair | Day-to-day guidance, problem-solving, district events |
| State Chair | Materials requests, state events, contest submissions |
| National Directors | Major questions, speaker tour requests (via State Chair) |
Quick Reference: Key Resources
Section titled “Quick Reference: Key Resources”| Resource | Location |
|---|---|
| Print Materials Catalog | /materials-and-resources/print/ |
| Contest Information | /contests/ |
| Speaker Tour | /materials-and-resources/speaker-tour/ |
| Forms | /materials-and-resources/forms/ |
| DEA Resources | /materials-and-resources/dea/ |
| CLMS Reporting | /guides/lodge-chairs/clms/ |
Common First-Month Questions
Section titled “Common First-Month Questions””What if my lodge has never had an active DAP program?”
Section titled “”What if my lodge has never had an active DAP program?””Start small. Focus on one activity - maybe distributing materials at a community event or giving a presentation at a lodge meeting. Build from there.
”What if I can’t get into schools?”
Section titled “”What if I can’t get into schools?””Schools aren’t the only option. Consider:
- Youth sports leagues
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- Church youth groups
- Community centers
- Public libraries
- Health fairs and community events
”What if I don’t have any materials?”
Section titled “”What if I don’t have any materials?””Contact your State Chair immediately. Materials are provided free of charge. You can also download and print resources from this training site.
”How much time does this role take?”
Section titled “”How much time does this role take?””It varies based on your goals. Many Lodge Chairs spend 2-5 hours per month on DAP activities. Start with what you can manage and grow from there.
30-Day Milestone Check
Section titled “30-Day Milestone Check”By the end of your first month, aim to have:
- Connected with your District and State Chairs
- Learned how to log activities in CLMS
- Taken inventory of existing materials and resources
- Set 2-3 goals for the year
- Identified at least one school or community partner to approach
- Recruited at least one volunteer to help
- Completed one DAP-related activity (even if small)
You're Off to a Great Start!
If you’ve completed most of these items, you’re well on your way to running an effective DAP program. The next step is to review the School Outreach Guide to start building partnerships with local schools.