Checklist for the start of the semester

Whether you are few or many, it is advantageous for the group to have new members. During the start of the semester, people are eager to find something to engage in and a community that suits them. This is the opportunity to show how great it is to be a part of Amnesty!

• How did you yourself get involved in Amnesty? What drew you to the booth or to a meeting?
  • Repeat the success. There's no need to reinvent the wheel if you have methods that you know work. However, if you have been doing the same thing multiple times with less successful results, it might be wise to try thinking differently this year.

• Create a plan well in advance!
  • Which events or meetings can you invite the people you come in contact with to? (Remember to entice them with food, always)
  • On which days will there be a lot of people, and where should you be visible to reach the most people?
  • What's happening during the semester starts? Seize all opportunities to showcase the group by having a stand in the cantina, in scavenger hunts, at association fairs, as a quiz team, etc.
  • Which theme or campaign should you focus on to generate interest among people?
  • Who in the group is available to contribute?

• What do you need to implement the plan?
  • Inform [email protected] well in advance if there is anything you need in terms of equipment and materials to carry out your plan. Typically, it's a good idea to have a table for the stand if you can't borrow one from the educational institution, t-shirts or sweaters, a roll-up banner, and potentially materials for a relevant campaign. If you're unsure about anything, contact the activist-team, so we can have a chat beforehand.

• Do you have enough people?
  • If you don't have enough people who can contribute or if you're very uncertain about being able to have a stand or organize an event during the semester start, let [email protected] know. They can put you in touch with people from other student groups who can assist or maybe even come and support you themselves.
    
    Note: If you have enough people and even more to offer, why not express your interest in assisting other groups in their recruitment efforts? It's beneficial for both them and your group to gain experience in how other groups work, and you'll get to visit a new school, university or city, and meet many new people. Amnesty will, of course, cover the travel expenses.

• Are you prepared?

For many people, it may seem very easy to engage in conversations with others about what is ultimately the cause they care about, and they can talk without any issues. However, for others, it can be a bit more challenging to get started, and it may seem intimidating to recruit new members to the group, especially for the first time.

Regardless, it's wise to have thought through what you want to say in advance and perhaps have a text to refer to when facing difficulties. We have created a short text that your group can use as a starting point and embellish with your own stories and relevant information:

Hello, have you heard about Amnesty? We are Amnesty International's group at *campus/school*. Amnesty International is the world's largest human rights organization, and here you can work to ensure that EVERYONE's human rights are respected, ALWAYS. Being part of an Amnesty group is a fantastic opportunity to get to know others at your campus and across the country, while engaging in your passion for human rights. (Success story): For example, last year the group focused heavily on [topic/campaign]. International pressure from Amnesty groups around the world contributed to *his release/changes in the law*. In an Amnesty group, you can simply contribute to creating positive change in the world, while gaining valuable experience and building networks. We will have an open meeting next Wednesday where the group will plan activities for the autumn. Would you like to join us and meet the rest of the group?