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Community Outreach

Starting a Christian Club at School

Meeting With the Principal

These tips will help you avoid a setback in your meeting with a principal.

  • Most principals will positively welcome students trying to start a Christian club.
  • Don't assume the principal will say "yes."
  • Allow the principal to feel like he or she is a part of the process. Do not simply tell her what you are going to do.

Possible Questions to Ask the Principal

  • Are there any district policies, handbook rules, and regulations regarding campus clubs?
  • The federal law is covered by the Equal Access Act. What is the local application?
  • How does this school start clubs?
  • Are there initial regulations? (e.g., minimum number of students, must be chartered by student council, application forms, screening committee, etc.)
  • Request all forms, complete them, and continue the process.

Determine Who Makes the Presentation to the Principal

  • Students with a positive relationship with the principal.
  • Students currently active in the school.
  • Students who are good spokespersons (may or may not be the club's leaders).
  • Avoid student presenters who may have had previous conflicts with the principal or have pushed legal rights that could carry a negative connotation.

Example

Principal: "We don't allow religious groups to meet."

Student: "Could you please share with us any policies concerning this?" (Kindly request written information supporting his view.)

Principal: "If this club should meet, our staff, teachers, etc., can't participate. Are you willing and able to keep this going?"

Student: "Yes."

  • Students should not mention youth leaders by name or title. This could intimidate principals. Students should show the club is student-initiated and student-led, not adult-driven, which will strengthen the request.
  • Most setbacks involve new administrators or principals. They are usually cautious because they've never dealt with this issue before, or they experienced problems with the last Christian club they dealt with.

Compiled from a conversation between Steve Pulis, Youth Alive missionary with National Youth Ministries, and Bud Greve, former Springfield, Missouri, public school superintendent and principal.

This article is one of seven keys to starting a Christian club that are provided in the Youth Alive resource Starting a Campus Club. To purchase the packet Starting a Campus Club (item # 731-304), phone Gospel Publishing House at 1-800-641-4310. You may also visit the National Youth Department's Web site: www.ya.ag.org.