US Lacrosse has 62 regional chapters in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Some of these chapters existed before the inception of US Lacrosse in 1998 as local lacrosse foundations, associations & organizations and others became a provisional chapter after US Lacrosse was formed. Each chapter exists to provide programs and services created at the national level to its local membership.

Chapter Definition (from page 6 of the 2009 Chapter Operations Manual): A chapter of US Lacrosse is an extension of the national organization. A chapter unifies, promotes, and provides programs and services to the many aspects of men’s and women’s lacrosse in its geographic area. Each chapter serves as a conduit to the national headquarters of US Lacrosse and has the authority to conduct business conforming with the approved requirements outlined in the Chapter Agreement, and the US Lacrosse Board/Council/Committee member Conflict of Interest Policy.

Chapters run their own:

     • Hall of Fame banquets
     • Special Benefits
     • Fundraisers
     • Tournaments
     • Festivals
     • Meetings and Gatherings

Additionally, chapters host US Lacrosse National Programs such as:

     • Coaches' Education Program Clinics
     • Officials' Training Clinics
     • Fast Break Initiatives
     • Host US Lacrosse National Team Events
     • Equipment Grant Programs
     • Send teams to our U-13 and U-15 National Youth Festivals
     • Conduct National Tournament try-outs
     • Coordinate girls' high school All-American and Academic All-American selections
     • Send teams to the U-15 US Lacrosse National Championships.

*Note: Girls' high school all-Americans are governed by the respective chapters; boys' high school all-Americans are governed by geographical areas. For a list of men’s division high school areas, please click here.

All of our chapters are supported by the Chapters Advisory Council. The Chapters Advisory Council, as an extension and support network of the sport’s national governing body, upholds the US Lacrosse mission by providing responsive and effective leadership and facilitation with commitment to education, respect, good spirit, trust and tradition among the organization’s chapters, regions and national entities.

The scope of work of the Chapters Advisory Council is as follows:

• Compliance such as non-profit boards, incorporation, financial and legal
• Educating chapter leadership on all of the above.
• Governance Committee work with chapter volunteers educated in the following areas: Non-profit duty of care, duty of loyalty. IRS filing requirements for non-profit entities, legal committee, accounting and strategic planning.
• Chapter network communication.
• Chapter/National program and services development, along with web development.
• 2009 Chapter Operations Manual.
• Implementation of the National Chapters Leadership, in conjunction with the US Lacrosse National Convention.
• Liaise to our US Lacrosse Board of Directors, Women’s Division Board of Governors, Men’s Division Board of Governors and US Lacrosse Youth Council.

If you serve on your local chapter board and you are interested in serving on any of the Chapters Advisory Councils committees, please contact the Director of Chapter Relations by e-mail at esturgis@uslacrosse.org. You may also contact the Chapters Advisory Council Chair, Dr. Jack Light, by e-mail at jdldmd47@aol.com to find out what committees are currently in need of more volunteers and to obtain a committee application.

While there is a certain level of consistency amongst all chapters when it comes to administration and responsibilities each chapter has its own identity. To get involved with your local chapter or to ask questions contact the chapter president. Contact information for all 62 chapter presidents can be found at http://www.uslacrosse.org/chapters/index.phtml.

At the start of 2009, the 10 largest US Lacrosse Chapters based on current members are:

A US Lacrosse chapter is an extension of the national office. Each chapter is its own corporation that operates according to its bylaws and its board of directors.

Click here for a complete list of chapter benefits as outlined in the 2009 Chapter Operations Manual.