10 Cool Tips for Finding New Members

1. Advertise, Advertise, Advertise! Plan a meeting for making posters. Come up with catchy slogans, cool art, and colorful graphics. Bring in your favorite quotes. Posters not only can advertise meetings, but also educate your school and prompt interesting conversations. Never underestimate the importance of visibility! Many students have noted that their posters have been torn down repeatedly. While most students find that if you continually put up the posters again the people tearing them down will usually stop, some GSAs have put statements on the back of posters educating those who tear them down, such as "We will not be silenced by intolerance and hate." You also can advertise using a club bulletin board. There you can share information about LGBT issues, current events and upcoming meetings.

2. Bring-A-Friend Day Every member of the GSA brings a friend to the meeting. This can help to get new people involved in the group while changing people's perceptions about what the group is and destroying stereotypes about sexual orientation and gender identity.

3. Open Meeting w/ Guest Speaker Many groups invite speakers or guests from local LGBT or diversity groups to discuss different issues. Speakers may be invited for an open meeting, or an administration-approved, school-wide event. Community groups that have been invited to schools include GLSEN chapters, PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays) chapters, the local ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), local LGBT community centers, and local bisexual and transgender groups.

4. School Newspaper An editorial, letter to the editor or notice in the school newspaper can be a great way to let other students know about what's going on in your club and what your club is about.

5. Sign-In Sheets Having sign-in sheets enables students to give information about who they are and how you can contact them (i.e. email, phone) about upcoming meetings. Be sure that you ask on your sheets only for “safe” places to contact them.

6. Club Share Work with other school clubs to plan shared events. Each club can take turns holding a special open event, and other clubs can go as a group to support it and learn more about that club. This is a great way to build connections with other clubs, while reaching students with your information.

7. Movie Time Lots of people like movies. Screening a movie with an LGBT-related theme can be a great way to attract potential members. After the screening, hold an open discussion about the movie that ties into the issues concerning the GSA. This enables visitors to see what your group is about, and to join in your discussion. Need help finding LGBT movies, books or curriculum? Visit GLSEN's Bookstore through the link at the top of this page.

8. Tabling Setting up a table about your GSA can be a great way to give out information on your club, its issues and current events. Some schools have a Club Fair where you can table, and others allow school clubs to set up during school lunch in the cafeteria.

9. Provide Snacks It's always nice to have some snacks available, and this is a great way to encourage people to come by your meeting - especially if you meet after school or during a lunch period.

10. You're Invited! The most effective and easiest way to get new people at your meetings is simply to ask! Asking someone in person, 1-on-1, provides you the opportunity to tell the person why they should come, what's happening in your GSA, and how important their contribution would be. A great invitation strategy is to make a piece of paper with multiple sections on it that says something like "You're Invited! GSA, Meeting Time & Place! Take 1 and Pass It On!" As you pass the paper to your friend, tear off one of the sections and ask them to "Take 1 and Pass It On!"