How do I recruit and grow my chapter?

You've joined the biggest student-led movement for global health and are ready to make an impact as a Chapter Leader... now what?

As a Chapter Leader, you have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills, broaden your understanding of global health, and most importantly, make a real difference in a community in need.

Establishing a strong foundation for your chapter is crucial for the success of your brigade planning, and we are here to provide the support you need to get started.

First Impressions Matter: the Table

• Setting up a table at a busy area on campus is one of the easiest ways to gather interest in your brigade!
• Print this banner to make it clear what organization your table represents. 
• Open up a laptop with your EventBrite sign-ups for your first information session. 
• If you have a second laptop available from a co-leader, have a video playing in the background. 
• Use these templates for flyers. 
• Bring dollar store candy or donated baked goods to draw people in. 
• Smile & be confident! 
  
  

Build your Team: the Info Session

• Use these customizable info session slides:
  • Honduras
  • Panama
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Guatemala 
• Utilize your Global Brigades support system. Reach out If you'd like someone to help you rehearse, or even attend virtually. 
• Invite co-leaders to help you present -- strength in numbers!
• Track sign-ups & attendance on Eventbrite.

Help us Help you: Use Eventbrite 

By using our Eventbrite platform, you:

• Have an organized virtual space to keep track of interest
• Create an official virtual space to build credibility on campus
• Share emails of interested volunteers with Global Brigades, so that we can support you with follow-up
• To request access to our platform, fill out this form.
  • From there, you're welcome to go ahead and set up your event.

Utilize existing clubs & professors 

There are already classes and clubs on campus full of students that would be eager to join your brigade! Utilize those existing networks to reach out to groups of students at a time - here are templates you can use to email both professors & student club leaders. 

Get creative & cast a wide net with recruitment -- for example, premed students may be your first target audience, but Spanish majors could join to get hands-on Spanish experience in Central America! Education majors could take the lead on organizing public health presentations for kids - aim for a diverse group of students to maximize your brigade!

Tips for Talking about Fundraising at Both Events:

• Community impact: 
  • First & foremost, your donation goal is to support critical medical care In under-resourced areas. On your brigade, your clinic may see up to 600 patients!
• Logistics: 
  
  • Other than your flight, your donation goal will cover all of the logistical costs Involved - meals, housing, in-country transportation, Insurance, etc. 
  • It's great for volunteers to know they do not have to worry about coordinating any of their own logistics, and that it will all be done expertly by Global Brigades!
• Fundraising: 
  
  • As a team, you will fundraise together to reach your goals.
  • Have fundraising ideas ready to share right away. 
• Life Skills: 
  
  • Fundraising and organizing events is a valuable life skill that will serve your volunteers beyond just your brigade.

Ready to learn more about fundraising? Dive into another article here!