For years, Livingston AZA #2361 was talked about like a legend. The amazing Alephs who came before me were big, loud, and everywhere. People assumed we’d always be strong.

But when I stepped into my one-year term as the 40^th Godol in Spring ‘25, that wasn’t the reality.

A couple years ago, our chapter split into two. A lot of our most active leaders left to help start the new chapter. At first, we tried to keep going like nothing had changed, but a slow decline had already started:

• Board member engagement was declining.
• Most programs had fewer than a handful of teens or were canceled.
• Less than a handful of new members were recruited all of last year.
• When my term began, there were several open spots on the board.

Around the same time, based on changing demographics in our main feeder city, one of the two BBG chapters in our area folded, and the remaining BBG chapter was struggling too. The whole BBYO community in the area felt shaky. On paper, Livingston AZA still existed, with 100+ members – again, only on paper. In real life, we were holding onto the name of a chapter that didn’t really function anymore.

Step One: Diagnose Honestly - Accept That It’s Essentially a Restart

When I got installed as Godol, it hit me: I wasn’t inheriting a “big legendary chapter.” I was leading a rebuild. That was scary, but it was also freeing. Once we admitted we were essentially starting from scratch and stopped pretending everything was fine, it became easier to actually fix things. Knowing is half the battle: You can’t fix what you won’t honestly diagnose and name as the problem.

Step Two: Focus on People, Not Just Programs

I realized quickly that no one was going to show up just because we posted a nice graphic on Instagram. Instead, I started with one of the most basic principles of what makes BBYO so great: personal outreach.

• I DM’d teens who hadn’t come in a while and asked what would actually get them to show up again.
• I texted 9th and 10th graders individually instead of just dropping an invite in a big group chat.
• I followed up after events to say “Thanks for coming” and ask what they liked or didn’t like.

It was awkward sometimes. There were people who left me on read. There were programs where I had no idea if anyone was actually going to show up. But slowly, one text at a time, more people started saying “yes.” Not because of a perfect calendar or a fancy theme but because someone reached out to them personally and actually cared if they were there. Great programs don’t rebuild chapters on their own; you need to build relationships.

Step Three: Turn the Board Into a Real Team

At the start of the year, we didn’t have a full board. Instead of just accepting that, we:

• Proactively reached out to Alephs who seemed like they wanted to get involved and help.
• Talked openly about expectations: showing up, answering messages, owning responsibilities.
• Made board meetings shorter, more focused with clear, useful agendas and with next steps for everyone.

As the board got more engaged, a powerful shift occurred - it stopped feeling like I was trying to fix the chapter on my own and instead, started to feel like a supportive team working collaboratively towards a shared goal. Accountability increased engagement. Engagement increased reliability. Most importantly, board members could count on each other to show up and show prospects and new members what it meant to be an Aleph. My board is excellent at making younger members feel cool and welcome in this brotherhood.

Step Four: Make the Calendar Trustworthy Again

One of the worst things that had happened to our chapter were canceled programs. Once members assume events are likely to be canceled, they stop planning to attend.

We worked on:

• Sending out a survey to get feedback on the types & timing of events people wanted.
• Planning earlier, instead of panicking the week of.
• Making sure every event had a clear plan and someone in charge.
• Building a balanced calendar: chill hangouts, meaningful Judaic moments, business meetings, game nights, bigger splash events (like going to a NJ Devils game and paintball), and of course, lots of food.
• Sending consistently clear email communications to members, prospects, and their parents (as many of us know from our experience, parents are often the ones forcing teens to try BBYO until they’re drawn in by the magic themselves).

We also started leaning into multi-chapter events. It reminded everyone that we’re part of something bigger and also brought the much needed energy until we could count on enough of our own members to attend. Once teens saw that events were actually happening, consistently, with double-digit turnout, they wanted to be part of the new LAZA we were building. Consistency rebuilt trust. Trust rebuilt attendance and participation.

Where Things Stand Now 

We’re still very much a “work in progress,” but nine months into my term, the picture is very different from where we started.

• We’ve already welcomed 28 new members this year (>9x increase compared to the prior year!).
• We now have a full board that shows up, supports each other, and cares.
• Our calendar is active and well-rounded, not empty or random.
• Every event this term has had double-digit attendance and growing.
• Even our bank account has doubled!

About four months ago, at one of our business meetings, we voted to officially change our chapter name to L’Chaim AZA (still LAZA). Our new name better reflects our large and growing active new member base that comes from a wider geographic area, and also represents how we are bringing our chapter back “to life”! None of this happened because one person “saved” the chapter. It’s because a bunch of teens decided that LAZA was worth fighting for and started showing up for each other.

If Your Chapter Is Struggling, Read This Part...

If your chapter feels like it’s on the edge of folding, I promise you’re not alone. A lot of us are in rebuilding eras right now. Here are a few things that helped us that might help you, too:

• Admit where you are.
  It’s okay to say, “We’re basically starting from scratch.” Diagnose honestly, it helps you figure out what actually needs to happen next.
• Reach out personally.
  One text or DM can change everything. Invite the kid you barely know. Invite the kid who came once and never came back. Someone probably did that for you at some point.
• Ask for help.
  Use your region, your staff, and your counterparts. You don’t have to figure this out alone. People want to see your chapter succeed.
• Protect your calendar.
  Try as hard as possible not to cancel. Even small programs matter. Consistency builds trust.
• Celebrate small wins.
  Going from 4 people to 13 at an event is a HUGE deal. One new member is a BIG deal. Those little wins add up fast.

We’re part of a chain. Teens before us poured their energy into this chapter, and now it’s our turn to carry it forward for the next generation (l’dor v’dor). If your chapter feels like it’s struggling - don’t get discouraged. With time, energy, and a whole lot of texts and group chats, you can bring it back “to life”.

LAZA is far from “perfect” now, but it is proof that renewal is possible. Nine months ago it felt like we were building from the ground up and today, when I walk into a program and see a room full of brother Alephs laughing and having fun, I’m reminded that revival is possible. Your chapter could be next!