Sustaining the Relationship

Three of the biggest problems that student groups encounter are (1) changes in leaderships, (2) summer vacation and (3) recruitment and retention problems. These issues can threaten to collapse a student group; however, the support your group receives from an off-campus group can help you to survive these troubles.

An additional problem facing students as individuals is staying involved after graduation. The vast majority of students involved in this movement cease their involvement after graduation. The relationship with an adult group can help keep alumni involved and active in the freethought movement.

Change in Leadership

• Encourage current officers to explain the collaborative relationship or network to their replacements.
• Have new officers immediately contact the off-campus groups to introduce themselves.
• Invite the off-campus group to the first meeting of the year to re-establish relations.
• Make an effort to reach out to new leaders in the off-campus group.

Summer Vacation

• Develop a listserv so that members of both groups can keep in touch during the summer.
• Have officers communicate their contact information before they leave for summer break.
• Plan a big joint event to kick off the school year. Designate one or two individuals from each organization who will be in charge of planning it over the summer. This will keep everyone engaged and ensure continued contact over break.

Membership Retention and Recruitment

• If your group is having trouble with membership, ask your off-campus group to help! They may have ideas and strategies for retaining members.
• Collaborate to throw a big event or bring in a well-known speaker. Events that get big publicity bring in big numbers. In the long run, this means more publicity for your group and more individuals who are exposed to the movement.
• Don't forget the SSA! We have materials on getting people to come to meetings and get involved - let us know if you're having trouble!

Alumni Development

• Invite a representative from the off-campus group to talk to juniors and seniors about how they can continue their involvement after graduation.
• Help graduates find a local freethought group in the area they are relocating to. The SSA can help - ask us!
• Encourage students staying in the area to attend the off-campus group meetings after graduation.
• Encourage new alumni to become officers in the off-campus organization.
• Encourage alumni members to keep in contact with their former student group.
• Encourage internships with national/international freethought organizations (the SSA offers internships every summer and sometimes during the school year as well), and ask about job opportunities in the movement.

You Can Also

• Designate one or two people in your organization to be in charge of the collaboration program. Or, create an entire committee to help facilitate it. This way, the off-campus group knows who to contact and that this person will be knowledgeable and helpful.
• Engage in fundraising specifically for the off-campus group's youth programs.
• Let your members know how they can help out the other group and vice versa.