Resources for Starting a GSA or LGBT Group
We seem to get lots of questions about starting GSAs, so I decided to put together an FAQ. =3 A lot of my information comes from the GSA Network's website. (I'll either quote it or paraphrase things.)
Getting Started
"Decide if your GSA is a support group, activism club, or social group." (The GSANetwork.org)
You need to find out your school's policies on clubs, and what process you have to go through to start a club.
You'll probably also need a faculty advisor, and you'll certainly need to talk to the administration about your idea.
The GSA network also suggests informing any any counsellors your school might have, since they can prove helpful as well.
"Address the nature of your organization and its goals in an official mission statement. Your school may require your club to write By-Laws rather than a mission statement. "(GSANetwork)
Help for Writing your Mission Statement Ready, Set....
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Who?
You want fellow students there, right? Advertise! If people tear your signs down, just put them back up. Or put them higher up. =3
You might also want to delegate the work. Have someone in charge of food, someone in charge of advertising, etc.
Possible positions include: Facilitator, secretary, advertiser, president, vice-president, treasurer...And don't forget commitees!
-What?
What sort of things do you want to talk about, address, and do? Make a list of activities and topics, and get input from other students. Think up as many activities and topics as possible, and narrow down the list when you meet with other organizers. Prioritize!
-Where? You'll need to pick a meeting place ahead of time. You'll probably want somewhere quiet and, if possible, a bit secluded. Remember that some people might be wary of coming to meetings if everyone in the school will know that they're there.
-When? Pick a time and be there early, and plan to stay late. You can't accomodate everyone, unfortunately, so don't try to.
-Why? Why do you want to start a GSA? Think about all the aspects, and it'll be easier to plan out what you're going to do.
Go!
-Have a pre-meeting with as many students as possible, to discuss activities, advertising, rules, etc.
-Speaking of rules, you should definitely have a set of basic rules in place, in regard to confidentiality, derogatory words, and speaking.
-"You may want to start out with a discussion about why people feel having this group is important. You can also brainstorm things your club would like to do this year. " (GSA Network)
-"Develop an action plan. Brainstorm activities. Set goals for what you want to work towards. Contact Gay-Straight Alliance Network in order to get connected to all of the other GSAs, get supported, and learn about what else is going on in the community. " (GSA Network)
Handy Hints
- Have a donation jar ("$ 4 Food)
-Have food available.
- Have a suggestions/questions box, so people can ask things anonymously.
-"Set the Agenda: make a list of issues and topics to be discussed at each meeting." (GSA Network)
-"Decision Making: Figure out how your group will make decisions: majority vote, consensus, dictatorship." (GSA Network)
-"Make sure people are not feeling ignored and that the group remains respectful." (GSA Network)
-"Take minutes at each meeting for members who couldn't attend
Post the notes on a GSA bulletin board or web page so students can read them anonymously ." (....Guess where I'm quoting this from!)
*Updated Sept. 30th, 2010. If you notice any of the links are broken, please PM me and I'll fix it. Thanks.
