Building your Organization
Most environmental student organizations have about ten people at their meetings and are mostly white. While small groups are easy to work with, there is a limit to the progressive gains one can achieve by working with a small organization. So if you need the extra edge to win a large campaign, if you want to simultaneously tackle multiple issues, or if you want to avoid burning-out your members, then you need to develop your organization.
Building a Base
The best way to grow is by running an exciting dynamic campaign that draws people into your group. Large numbers of students will learn about your group and write their names on your sign-up sheets if you hold rallies, teach-ins, sponsor speakers, petition, and regularly table (promoting your organization and your campaigns). Whenever your group organizes a notable activity (petition, rally, educational forum), always send out press releases to both campus and off-campus media. With a little work, your organization will receive substantial media coverage, especially in smaller papers that are always looking for stories. Media coverage builds your organization’s credibility and helps you recruit. Finally, build alliances with other progressive organizations (both student and community ones) by participating in their campaigns and events, and getting them to likewise participate in yours.
By being visible, you can collect a large list of people who support your group and its goals. Organize this list in either a spreadsheet or database program (like Excel or Access). You might want to include name, mailing address, email, phone, expected graduation date, skills, level of involvement (fanatic, supporter, meeting attendee, etc) and summer contact information. Some schools allow groups to create voice mail lists. While people in this larger list might not attend your meetings, they will attend rallies, films, speakers and other events.