Action Step 1: Build a team and lead a meeting

As individuals, you can each have an impact on global issues. You can talk to others about global issues, raise money to support innovative projects, sign petitions and write to your government officials to demand that they create good policies addressing issues such as global poverty, education, and health.

However, your actions will have a far greater impact if you work with others. With a group you can reach a larger audience, share the workload of activities you plan, and have fun while affecting change. Now that you are leading a Global Action club, you will need to recruit people to join you and form a team. The following information will help you organize as a group and make a plan for action.

Bringing People Together

Do you already have a group of people that you work with, such as a club, band, team or other extracurricular activity? If not, do you think that other people at your school or in your community would be interested in joining you in this effort? Here are some tips for organizing a group:

This may sound obvious, but start by talking with your friends. Tell them about what you've learned and why you want to act. Ask them if they would be interested in joining the Global Action club at your school, or if they know other people who might be interested. Also spend time reaching out to people who you think might not care - with the right kind of recruitment "pitch,"you will be surprised by who is interested in helping out. Unexpected people might become your best allies and most motivated volunteers. A team of students from all different backgrounds, interests, grade levels, and social groups will make an effective group because you will reach the widest range of people possible. This will also prevent your club from being perceived as (or becoming) just another social clique at your school. You should also strategically seek out certain people who have helpful skills, such as an artist, someone who is very organized, a good speaker, etc. (See list on page 5)

Work with the adult ally/advisor to the club. Look for an advisor that is equally enthusiastic and inspired as you are. S/he can assist you in working with your school administration and give you advice and support. Ask your advisor if s/he knows any students who may be interested in joining the effort. It is likely that an adult at your school will have an idea of who should join the club that you otherwise might not have approached.

Meet with the Club Commissioner or Student Activities Director. If your school has one, this person is a valuable resource to you. S/he knows all the clubs on campus and can direct you to clubs with similar goals. You could also try talking to the student body president and recruit members of other clubs with similar goals. Your club may even want to form an alliance with another similar club on campus such as Amnesty International or KEY.

Talk to people in other clubs and organizations. Contact the leaders of clubs and ask if you can make an announcement at their next meeting. Pitch the Global Action Club to the group and sign up interested students, other clubs may help promote your events or even help you get more volunteers to run an event.

Use the school's morning announcements, newsletter, official school calendar... Try any and every method of getting your club recognized. Even if people don't join, hearing about it will remind them that this club exists. It will increase your profile and possibly make students, parents, and teachers more likely to support events that your club is hosting.

Use Your Club Day. Does your school host a day or a specific lunch period when students are able to find out about all of the clubs they can join? If so, have pamphlets or flyers about your club and include when/where your first meeting will be held. Display a colorful poster with pictures of what your club did last year and what your club is going to do this year. Remember to be enthusiastic so that students know that even though your club is going to tackle very serious global issues, you still know how to have fun while doing it

Keep a contact list of people who express interest. Have people who are interested sign a list with their contact information so that you can reach them when you are ready to have your first meeting. Use e-mails provided on the list to send out meeting reminders and updates to the group.