L G B T   C a m p u s   O r g a n i z i n g

Ways to involve people:

planning an event, chairing a meeting,

etc.  People feel involved when what

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Name your "Group Builders."  Find a

they do matters to them, when they are

couple of people in your group who

engaged in a meaningful activity.  In

are good at coaching people and sup 

big meetings individuals rarely feel

porting new folks, and make it their

like they matter.  But when a person is

recognized role to help the group.

part of a small working group, and the

Some people already have the skills

group is counting on her or him, then

and personality to reach out and get

the person knows s/he makes a differ 

people involved.  Guilt and criticism

ence.  A committee is any small group

do not get people involved.  Getting

of people (ideally 2 6 individuals) that

people involved generally requires

takes on a specific task/role.  Some

slow, patient, persistent, one to one

typical committees in lgbt campus

organizations are:  (1) Social, (2) Edu 

cation, (3) Membership, (4) Diversity,

(5) Finances, (6) Publicity and Out 

reach, and (7) Political Action.  Any

two or more people working together

to accomplish something for the group

may be called a committee.  It is use 

ful to name committees because it

helps people to feel that the work they

do matters and is taken seriously by

others.  It is useful to have one desig 

nated committee chair, convener, or

contact whose name and phone num 

ber are available;

Photo   Alex Zaphiris

encouragement.  Someone has to take

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Recruit One to One.  Many leaders

make the mistake of asking for volun 

the time to listen to people, find out

teers in a big group during a meeting.

their interests and abilities, and give

"Who wants to put up posters for the

them jobs to do for the group.  Often

dance?"  (Silence.)  This silence drags

people need to start with jobs that are

the whole group down.  Everybody s

simple, small, and one time responsi 

hopelessness surfaces ("No one ever

bilities before they will take on bigger

wants to help") and for leaders there is

commitments.  Often the outspoken

also isolation ("I m the only one who

leaders of a group are not great at get 

ever does anything").  Instead of ask 

ting other people involved.  It s just not

ing for volunteers in the group, think

their strong suit;

about who might be good for the job,

ready to take on such a challenge, and

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Create Committees.  People do not

ask that person personally and private 

feel involved by sitting passively at a

ly.  Say specifically what you are ask 

meeting.  They feel involved by doing

ing her/him to do (what s involved)

something   making a phone call,

and why you think s/he would be good

writing a letter, hanging up a flyer,

for it:  "Jackie would you like to help

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B u i l d i n g   A   H e a l t h y   O r g a n i z a t i o n