How to Start a Campus Club
Christian Clubs are supported by the equal access act and have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. To start a club at your school, follow these simple steps.
Step 1 - PRAY
Everything we seek to do for God should always begin with prayer.
- Ask for God's wisdom and direction.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). - Pray for God's favor upon your dream to start a campus club.
- Pray for the approval process.
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. . ." (Luke 18:1).
Students and adults from your church and community can join your team by supporting your club in prayer and by becoming Prayer Zone Partners.
Step 2 - CONNECT
It's been said that one is too small a number for greatness. It's important to connect with the people who will enable your club to be a success.
As you begin the process of starting a campus club, take time to check the spiritual PULSE on your campus. The Campus Alliance has developed a way to evaluate the health of the Christian movement on your campus. It will also be useful for the ongoing evaluation of the health of your club. You can find this evaluation on the campus clubs_digisource or conduct an online evaluation at
CONNECT WITH OTHER STUDENTS
Make a list of students from multiple churches and denominations who are interested in forming a Youth Alive chartered club. Be sure to use the Student Interest form when making your list.
Check out the Youth Alive Preparation Sheet to help walk you through some steps to make your club's start successful. You can refer to this sheet throughout the process of forming your club.
CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY
Make a list of at least three businesses, churches, and community leaders who will support the formation of your campus club. You can use the Business, Church, and Community Support List to help you.
These community leaders will strengthen your effectiveness and possibly provide a means of sponsorship for the club. A lot of times, people are willing to support a cause that builds students' hope, but they're just waiting for someone to ask for their help.
CONNECT WITH FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS
Preparation
Before you meet with your principal, do your homework. Here are some tools to help prepare for and make a more powerful presentation:
- Student Interest List
- Preparation Sheet
- Business, Church, and Community Support List
- Meeting with the Principal
- Youth Alive Constitution
- Students' Bill of Rights - (A summarized version of the equal access act.)
- The Equal Access Act
Initial Appointment with Principal
Schedule an initial appointment with your principal.
- Warmly and respectfully approach your principal with your interest in starting a campus club. Come prepared with your Student Interest List and, if possible, the name of a faculty advisor.
- Ask him or her to fill you in on the school's policy and procedure for this type of request.
- Politely ask for the school policy in writing if you are told you cannot start a Christian club on campus.
Presentation Appointment
Schedule a presentation appointment with the principal or administrator at your school. When preparing for your presentation, remember to be respectful, organized, and wear appropriate
attire.
If your presentation is denied at first, check out Overcoming Obstacles.
Step 3 - EQUIP
Once you've been approved to start a club, it's important to get all the tools available to make your club the best it can be.
- Register your club with the National Youth Alive office and you will receive a free club charter. This demonstrates to school administrators that your club is nationally recognized and official.
- The campus club_digisource is a CD ROM that has tons of tools and resources to keep your campus club strong and effective. It includes ways to serve your campus, meeting guides, posters, invitations, logos, and much more.
- Alivewire is a free Campus Club monthly e-mail. It is loaded with encouraging stories, ideas for campus ministry, and student testimonies.
- Check out the many free resources available throughout this website to organize and operate your club.
