This is an unofficial Red Hatter Queens Handbookof helpful resources for Queens and Chapters.
2026 revision now available.

This handbook is a printable 84-98 page A4 size book, that covers topics such as:  Hatting History, Hatting Customs, Dealing with problems with members, Chapter Finances & Fundraising, Insurance &  Indemnity Waivers, Tips for Organising Outings, Tips for Hosting an Event, Fun Activities & Hoot ideas to Try, Games, Ceremonies and Red Hatter Songs.

It has been revised to not only add more information but also to update the cover and add pretty internal divider sections (There are versions available without these for those trying to conserve ink for printing).

 

The handbook is available in different formats.
To be mindful of extra cost in printing there are versions with or without the coloured cover and divider sections and with or without the “New Queen” section.  The covers/dividers can be downloaded as a separate file for those printing in colour through officeworks etc.

“New Queens” section is designed to help those starting a new chapter.  It is not included in all versions, but existing Queens may also find some useful information in it, so might like to download a copy that includes it.  It can also be downloaded as a separate supplement as well.

Note that the handbook is formatted for printing and putting into a display book (like this) or in plastic pockets in a ring binder.  It will be too thick to staple together.  Only the version called “Gutter” is formatted to have the extra margin width (known as a “gutter”) necessary for being spiral bound or having holes punched in it.

“Clickable” (Indexed) version:
This is designed to be read online or on your phone/tablet/laptop/computer, where the page numbers in the index can be clicked to go directly to that page and clicking “index” on the bottom of each page will take you back to the index page.

Full coloured printable version:
This version is suitable for full coloured printing.  It includes the cover and divider sections.

“Gutter” version for spiral binding:
This has an extra width margin added to every alternating side of the pages to allow for spiral or other such binding that could otherwise intrude into the printed space.  Please note I have not tested printing or binding this, so I cannot guarantee it will print correctly or with enough space in the margin for spiral binding.  Use at your own risk.  If you are printing this, it will only work if you are printing both sides of the page (duplex), it is not formatted to allow for single page printing (the extra wide margins won’t be on the correct sides if printing single sided)

Ink saving version:
This version does not have the cover or coloured divider sections included in the handbook download, so that it can be printed in black/white or ink saving, and has the cover as a separate download. You cannot add the divider sections in this version as the pages are not formatted to allow for that.  This version does not include the New Queen section but you can print that separately to add at the front if you wish.

Black and white printing version:
This version is without the coloured cover and divider sections, but with those spots left empty to allow for them to be added as colour printed pages.  This handbook can be printed in plain black ink, with the colour printed covers/dividers printed separately. This version does not include the New Queen section but you can print that separately to add at the front if you wish.

Starting a New Chapter Supplement:
This is the extra 14 page handbook for new Queens starting a new Chapter that is not included in some of the above Handbook versions.

Chapter Guidebook
This is an extra little 4 page guide that can be given to new members that explains Red Hatting and gives basic chapter guidelines.  it can be printed as an A5 size “booklet” using the “booklet” settings in Adobe Acrobat.

Why are there “notes” pages after some sections?  – These are to allow for the pages to print on the correct sides of a page so that sections always start on the right hand side.  You can use them as “notes” pages to add in some of your own ideas on things you’ve tried or make additions to those sections.

The Queen’s Handbook has been written and compiled by Queen Obsidian (me, who runs this website), using resources gathered online, as well as from a file of ideas that was passed around by Queen Razz (from the US), from ideas discussed at Queen’s Councils and contributed by other Queens.

There may be typos, grammatical errors and formatting mistakes – but I’ve done my best to try and squeeze the information into the most compact yet comprehensive handbook I could make, to help benefit all Hatters.  I’m sure you can appreciate the amount of work that has gone into this, largely by me alone – so please overlook any mistakes.

When doing the 2026 revision, a callout was sent to all Queens around Australia, asking for their ideas and contributions.  We had only 7 Queens respond.  From those responses, anything mentioned that was not already something present in the previous edition of the handbook was added into the 2026 revision.