There are many obvious reasons your organization can benefit from involvement in such a program. You and other participants can jointly host events which allows for sharing of the financial burden, increased attendance, and the possibility of obtaining more well-known speakers. You will also have more people to involve in service projects, a larger pool for donations and membership fees, and many potential members you can recruit.

However, there are far more significant benefits to such a program. The crux of this program is that freethought will spread outward from the local axis. Community freethought groups will participate in an informal recruitment program that will, in essence, spread the seeds of rational thinking to a new generation.

One of the biggest challenges that the SSA encounters is the graduation of its leaders. When our students become alumni most disappear from the movement. Your participation in this program will help acclimate college students to the freethought environment outside of academia. By serving as mentors, friends, and cohorts, community members can assist in retention by simply encouraging students to leave the ivory tower and get involved in community action.

How to Implement a CANDLE Program

1. Contact the SSA to find out if there is a campus freethought group nearby
2. Designate one or two individuals to be in charge of the campus outreach program.
3. Call or e-mail student leaders and let them know what you are interested in doing (remember, all current SSA affiliates are also getting a copy of the CANDLE program so they will know what you are talking about).
4. Ask if you can attend a campus meeting
1. Set up a time to meet with campus leaders before or after the meeting.
2. See if you can make a short presentation at their meeting on your organization.
5. Extend the proverbial olive branch by inviting the campus group’s leader(s) to speak at your meeting.
6. Invite all the group’s members to attend an event, talk or discussion that you are holding.
7. In order to establish relationships, attend their meetings, contribute to their discussions, suggest joint projects and show that you are willing to get involved with their organization.
8. Volunteer your time by participating in a community outreach program or service projects that their group is planning.
9. Offer to provide students with a ride.
10. Make a small monetary donation: bring a small snack to the meeting or offer to purchase a small item needed for an event.
11. Once you have established a strong relationship with the local group you can begin to plan joint projects together.

 No Campus Group Near You?
Then Help Start One!