To learn more
 about starting a
 College Republicans
group,
call
Betsey Morthland
at
309-786-5285

1.           Check to see if the school currently has a sanctioned club on its roster. Oftentimes, a College Republicans group existed at one time, but is no longer active. Nonetheless, the club is still available to be reformed.

2.           Does the club have a faculty advisor/sponsor? If a club exists, who is its sponsor? Is the person a Republican? If no sponsor exists, can you find a fulltime faculty member who is a Republican and is willing to advise the club?

3.           In addition to a faculty sponsor, most colleges require a full slate of officers for a club to be sanctioned. About two weeks into a semester, hold an initial club meeting late afternoon on a Monday through Thursday. Promote it throughout campus. Be careful to follow the college’s guidelines for advertisement. Ask the Political Science Professors to announce the club meeting to their classes. It is best if you already have at least a couple of students interested who will come to the meeting and nominate each other for office. These should be students who are bold and charismatic.

4.           Draft a club constitution and mission statement and submit it to the college’s Dean in charge of Extra-curricular Activities. If a group’s constitution currently exists, it may need updating.

5.           Consider affiliating with the Illinois College Republican Federation, www.illinoiscrs.org. They offer help in drafting a group’s bylaws, as well as sponsor state-wide events a couple of times a year.

6.           Set up a Facebook for the group for communication purposes. Traditional college students have to be reminded several times of upcoming meetings, events and activities.

7.           Start immediately planning meetings/events that are consistent with the club’s mission. These should be suggested by the students.

8.           Encourage students to work for a candidate. A good way to facilitate this is by having candidates come to club meetings to speak.

9.           Encourage students to run for office. College students can make great candidates.

10.       As much as possible, publicize everything your club does in the school papers, as well as in the local newspapers, and on television and radio. Students want to be involved in groups that are actually doing something. The more they hear about activities, the more they want to participate. Give a report on the College Republicans at your local Central Committee/Women’s meetings.

11.       Expect opposition! The liberals on campus will be beside themselves if a College Republicans group is the most active club on campus. When you experience opposition, you’ll know you have arrived.