A chapter type is a category for chapters, such as "Regional" or "Student." You can limit a chapter type to specific membership types, so only members with those types can join chapters in that category. This article explains how to create, restrict, deactivate, and delete a chapter type. To create the chapters themselves, see Chapters, Sections, and Add-Ons.
Where to Find It
In the Membership & Committees Console, go to Setup › Chapters › Types. Select Create Chapter Type to add a chapter type, or use the edit or delete icon in the chapter type’s row.
Settings
| Setting | Options | Default | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name: / ID: | Text / generated | — | Required. |
| Status: | Active / Inactive | Active | Inactive types are left out of new offers, but chapter suggestions do not filter by type status; see below. |
| Deletion Protection: | On or off | Off | Only Rhythm staff see this setting. |
| Only certain types of members can join chapters of this type | Checkbox that shows a membership-type list | Off | Limits chapters of this type to the membership types you choose. |
| Membership-type list | One or more active membership types | Empty | Required when the checkbox above is on; Rhythm will not save the chapter type until you choose at least one membership type. |
If you want someone to participate in a chapter without full membership benefits, such as someone with an "Active Without Benefits" membership status, keep in mind that chapter-facing rosters and views may not treat that membership as active. Some associations use a non-member membership type and package that does not grant benefits. A member with that type and package can still select a chapter, and can change chapters later through the change-affiliation process.
Dependencies and Precedence
- The restriction applies when Rhythm offers chapters to an applicant. If a chapter type is restricted and the package is not on the allowed list, Rhythm leaves that chapter out of the offer. Order generation also refuses to add that chapter.
- Deactivating a type is not the same as removing its chapters from suggestions. Inactive types stop appearing in the Console chapter form and in new joins. Chapter suggestions do not check the type’s status, so a chapter with an inactive type can still be suggested even though it no longer appears in the chapter list.
- Deleting a membership type cleans up chapter types automatically. If you delete a membership type that a chapter type allows, Rhythm removes that membership type from the chapter type’s restriction list.
Change Impact and How to Revert
- Turning a chapter type inactive affects new offers immediately. Reactivate the type to restore the earlier behavior.
- Turning the membership-type restriction off removes the limit immediately. The membership types you already chose stay saved and reappear if you turn the restriction back on.
- You cannot delete a chapter type while any chapter — active or inactive — still belongs to it. Reassign or delete those chapters first.
Permissions
Creating, editing, and deleting chapter types are Membership administrator actions in the Console. If you cannot reach Setup › Chapters › Types, ask the person who manages security roles for your Rhythm account to give you access.
Validation and Errors
| What you see | Meaning and what to do |
|---|---|
| Rhythm refuses to save after you turn on the membership-type restriction without choosing any membership types | Choose at least one membership type, or turn the restriction off. |
| A server error appears when you delete a chapter type | One or more chapters still belong to it. Reassign or delete those chapters first. |
| "A record already exists with this name." appears beside ID: | This is a warning only and does not block saving. |