A   C o m p r e h e n s i v e   M a n u a l

cess.  Getting the administration to 

ments.  Make certificates of apprecia 

meet with you about your concerns is

tion and give them to anyone who

a success.  If you notice each success

helped in any way; and

along the way, you will have lots more

energy to keep moving toward your 

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Day to day, remember to notice what

bigger goal;

people do and thank them for their

contribution.  It s important to notice

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Ask people about their personal suc 

and acknowledge the little things as

cesses.  Notice the good news in the

well as the big things.  This also helps

lgbt press and spread the word.  Clip

to increase motivation to do more.

articles and make a "Good News

Newspaper" by compiling your clips.

If you don t inspire lgbt students most

Publish it once every six months or

people will continue to be immobilized

once each semester; and

by hopelessness.  You hear it all the time:

"you can t win," "why bother to try to

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Call up other lgbt groups in your

change things?"  "you can t fight City

community, on other campuses, or

Hall," "it takes so much effort for so little

national organizations and ask them

progress," or "this administration is so

to tell you a few brief stories about

homophobic, we ll never get anywhere!"

their accomplishments.  Almost every

If you consistently inspire lgbt students

right we have   the right to be a rec 

slowly people will begin to realize that by

ognized student group, inclusion in

working together you can accomplish

non discrimination policies, domestic

partner benefits, the passage of the

gay rights laws in various states, a

If you notice each success

million people marching in Washing 

along the way, you will have

ton supporting lgbt people and rights,

lots more energy to keep

etc.   was won by groups of people

moving toward your bigger

organizing and working together like

goal.

your lgbt group.

Celebrate Successes

things, that you can make changes.  You

will feel more energized and hopeful, and

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Any time your lgbt group reaches a

that feeling will spread.  You will feel

goal, make it news.  Put out a flyer,

more connected to a wider movement,

hold a press conference, hold a rally.

less isolated, and learn from others  suc 

Make it clear that your lgbt group

cess.

helped to make this happen.  Don t be

bashful.  Unless you do this most folks

Involve

on campus will have no idea that your

group accomplished anything.  Make

Give people the individual help and

it a habit to DO THIS FOR EVERY

attention they need in order to get active

SUCCESS!;

and stay active with your lgbt organiza 

tion.

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Hold an awards dinner/banquet and

use the occasion to recognize people

for their involvement and achieve 

B u i l d i n g   Y o u r   G r o u p

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