My old coach is ready to start a new fencing club in the area (he intends to make everything free

But yeah that's not the point). We've gotten a place, couple coaches, and about 15 fencers coming to fence already
So here comes the question... What exactly is the procedure on becoming an USFA club? We've looked at the club membership application but there's some confusion. The application says, "Each Member Club must have a minimum of ten members of the USFA who have declared that club as their club." I assume by declaring that club as their club means that people have put down the club as their fencing club on their USFA application... But how would we do that when we're not an USFA club - yet? So, should we send in the club application first, wait til we become an USFA club, then have people join USFA? Or should we all join USFA first, declare the club as our club even though it's not anywhere in the USFA record, then send in the application?
Hope my question wasn't too confusing o.o'