Starting a Student Group in Your Area

If there isn't a student group on the campus in your area, you can reach out and help get one started! The SSA does this often, so keep in touch with us - we can help!

1. Decide which school(s) to focus your energies on. Keep the following in mind when making this decision:

• Colleges are easier than high schools
• Four-year schools are easier than two-year schools.
• Residential colleges tends to have more clubs and active students than commuter schools.
• Larger schools will be easier than smaller schools
• Public schools will be less hassle than private, and far more so than parochial schools.
• Remember that students often don't have cars - location is key!

Go to http://www.secularstudents.org/groupstartingpacket and request a Group Starting Packet for the college you're planning to work with. Mention in the comments section that you are an off-campus group looking to organize a local collge.

Find interested students

• Flyer and/or chalk the campus (see below on flyering strategies)
• Table in high-traffic areas
• Spread the word via word-of-mouth

A new campus group will need two things: members and ideas. Put them in touch with the SSA and we will provide them with activity packets, travel and project grants and speakers. We also have information on events and membership recruitment.

Let go! After all the work you've done, it will likely be difficult to let the leaders take over the group, but they need your respect as peers as well as their own independence. On the other hand, you already have a strong working relationship with this group - don't let it fall by the wayside!