Starting a Red Hat Society Chapter

The spirit of the Red Hat Society forbids rules, per se. You don't have to limit your chapter to any particular size; you don't have to meet on any particular day or do any proscribed activities. In short, you can come up with your own royal titles, your own fun traditions and your own way of doing things within your chapter.

There are, however, some common-sense guidelines that we must insist upon:

  • Women of all ages are encouraged to take their royal place. Women 50 wear red hats and purple clothing; while women under 50 wear pink and lavender until they "reduate."
  • And, although we try not to concentrate on it too much, we do have some legalese you need to agree to in order to become a member. (Probably no more than any other group out there and unfortunately necessary.)

Steps to Getting Started

  • Register your Chapter and establish a username/password for yourself as chapter queen, in order to make full use of the Red Hat Society website. (Queens are automatically Supporting Members with their chapter registration / annual renewal fees). Register your chapter now »
  • Register any Members within your new Chapter. All information on how to process those Members can be found in your Queen Handbook which will be sent to you when you officially join the Red Hat Society. You may also access the "Smart Hatter's Guide" section of our website for tips on how to register your members.
  • Utilize your chapter roster online to send emails to your members and have access to their renewal date information to ensure the Legacy of the Red Hat Society lives on.
  • Dress up! Buy a red / pink hat for yourself and/or for someone else. Ladies are strongly encouraged to follow the age/color guidelines, and to not wear purple/red until they have reached THE BIRTHDAY.
  • Reach out. Invite other women into your chapter.
    • List your chapter as open to new members on the Red Hat Society website and other Supporting Members of the Red Hat Society will begin contacting you to join you in your chapter.
    • RHS is proud to be the true connector of women. Our customized social networks, the QMB and QMB2, are designed to assist you in connecting with official Supporting Members around the globe. Use this website to meet and get to know other Red Hatters around the world.
  • HAVE FUN! (Did we need to say it?) Plan fun events and go out with your chapter in your ensembles (also known as "full regalia"). And watch the magic that ensues!