WELCOME

Dear Student Pro-Life Leader,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SFLA is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting and training pro-life students and families across America. Our mission is to identify, educate and equip pro-life students to abolish abortion in our lifetime. Our team has created this guidebook as a starting point and resource for you, a student who can lead other young people to stand for Life. We hope it will encourage you, give you a practical starting point, and help you to find a vision for what you want to accomplish in your community. Please know, our full-time team at Students for Life is here to help you every step of the way as you begin to take a stand for Life. Since abortion became legal in 1973, over 54 million babies have been killed. A whole third of our generation is lost. This is our battle, and with your help, we will abolish abortion in our lifetime. For Life,

Getting Started First Meeting First Meeting Agenda Interest Sheets Task Sheets Vision Sample Constitution Goals Plan Your Year Events SIgn up and Attendance Sheet Officers Hierarchy Retention Budget Fundraising Media Did You Know? Life in the Womb Defending Life SFLA Resources SFLA Trainings

2 3 4 5 6 7 8-9 10 11-13 14-15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22-23 24 25 26 27 28

Kristan J. Hawkins President Dear Parents of Pro-Life High School Students, You are instrumental in the organization of a successful Students for Life group. While many students are self-sufficient and may not be very dependent on their parents, others require their parents support in activities outside the home. This assistance can range from the need for transportation to some guidance in the decision making. Parents should also be prepared to counsel and advise students in the aftermath of exposure to certain experiences (such as a day outside of an abortion facility). In all of this, you should know that your children will be positively enriched by their involvement with Students for Life. At Students for Life of America, we encourage an active participation between youth and their parents. As both become more educated on pro-life issues, youth are mentored into developing personal ownership of their work as they fight for a truly just cause. Thank you for raising such a wonderful child! For Life,

Contact Us Students for Life of America 9255 Center Street, Suite 300 Manassas, VA 20110 571.379.7261 info@studentsforlife.org www.studentsforlife.org

Kristan Hawkins President

GETTING STARTED
Purpose: Create an organization that will
save lives and develop pro-life leaders.

Use Social Networks - Start a First Meeting Plan YourFacebook group for Set a date, time, and location: Choose a time your club. This is a free and and date that most
people can attend. Then, pick a location that will be convenient and comfortable for students. This meeting will probably take place in a classroom at your school, but it may also be conducted at a house, a church or a local coffee shop. Prepare to lead: A good leader is always prepared! Review the First Meeting procedures and agenda on page 3 prior to the meeting. You should also read through the events on pages 14 and 15 so that you have suggestions for the group discussion. Delegate: It can be overwhelming to be expected to handle all details of the meeting. Delegate some duties to the members of your core team. These duties may include ordering food or contacting invitees.

Find Fellow Leaders

The most crucial step in starting your new group is to establish a group of dedicated core members. These core members will be the people who help build your group and provide the extra manpower to make your efforts successful. Find at least three people. Three is a good starting number- not hard to organize and still big enough to get work done. Ask like-minded classmates if they would be interested in joining your group. Look on Facebook for peers with similar interests.

Talk to Administration
Set up a meeting with your school principal, vice principal, and/or dean of students to discuss the policies regarding school clubs and activites. Bring another student with you to support your case and be prepared to present some ideas and expectations for your pro-life group.

Invite People to Join Your Group

Invite friends and acquaintances who you think might be interested in attending your first meeting. Start by sending out e-mails or texts to these people. Hi, (name)! Im starting a pro-life group for our area, and you should come join us over at Starbucks this Thursday. Were planning some exciting things! Invite home schoolers to be a part of your group.

Talk to Teachers
Ask a teacher to be your groups faculty advisor. This teacher may be allowed to provide you a classroom for your meetings, and they can support and direct your group. Additionally, tell other like-minded teachers of your plans to start a pro-life group. They may be able to suggest other students who would be interested in joining.

Use Social Networks

Start a Facebook group for your pro-life group. This is a free and quick way to connect with people who may be interested in getting involved. Be sure that you are regularly updating this page with meeting reminders, event details, and other information about your group.

If you have concerns about your legal rights, please contact Students for Life of America
at info@studentsforlife.org

Students For Life 2

Post pictures and videos from your events so that classmates can see your group in action!

FIRST MEETING
Purpose: Get students interested
and invested in your pro-life group.

Suggestion
Meetings should be regularly scheduled. Set times for meetings beginning and end, prepare an agenda and plan ahead what topics will be discussed at each meeting. Your group should develop a good reputation for being reliable.

Introductions

Everyone should introduce themselves and be handed an Interest Sheet (page 5) to fill out.
Figure 1 - Right Have attendees fill in their name, class year, phone, and email before the meeting Group members should fill in the bottom portion during the meeting.

Name Class Year Phone Email

What types of events are you interested in?

Why are you pro-life? Why is each person at the meeting? Why are they
pro-life?

What? What events and activities should be done to act

on those convictions?

Support Culture Interests:

Politics Education

Many people wont know what types of activities and events your group can do. Discuss some events described on pages 14-15 .

Interests? Ask each person which events interest them. Make sure each attendee gives you the interest
sheet before they leave.

Interest Sheet (from page 5)

Take Charge For each event, ask the person who you think is
the most motivated and able to lead that event. Then, track their answer on the task manager sheets. (page 6)

Event Name Member Name Date Task L/H

Delegate Tasks Assign the tasks that must be done before the
next meeting. Use the Task Sheets on page 6 to help track the tasks and who is doing them.

Students For Life

Figure 2 - Right Fill in the leaders name and the event. Circle whether they are L, leading or H, helping. List the tasks involved and when the task will be due.

Task Sheet (from page 6)

Eat and Socialize

Now, end the meeting with some excitement
over all that will be accomplished and open the food!

FIRST MEETING AGENDA

Students for Life Introductory Meeting
Introduction
Introduction of group leaders Pass out Interest Sheets Icebreaker Ask each person to answer the question, Why are you pro-life?

Why your school needs a student pro-life group

Introduction of temporary mission statement, which you can find a sample of on page 7.

Ask members what events they think should be done and which interest them:
Develop a Cemetery of the Innocents Display Hold a Diaper Drive Organize a Candlelight Vigil Participate in Sidewalk Counseling Host speakers/debates Suppot pro-life candidates Attend protests o National March for Life, every January in Washington, D.C. Attend Conferences o Students for Life of America National Conference, every January in Washington, D.C. o Students for Life of America Regional Conferences across the country

Our First Event (sample)

Cemetery of the Innocents Display o Make crosses at next meeting o Using the task sheets, assign tasks that must be completed before the next meeting.

Election of Officers (optional)

Nominations/Appointments Election

Conclusion
Date, time, and location details of next meeting

Students For Life

Networking
Meet members after the meeting while enjoying refreshments.

5 Copy and cut this page

Support: Sidewalk counseling, volunteering time, helping parents Politics: Supporting pro-life candidates Education: Educating others about abortion Culture: Hosting speakers, cemeteries of the innocents

Students For Life

INTEREST SHEETS
Name Class Year Phone Email
What types of events are you interested in? What types of events are you interested in?

*example* Name Class Year Phone Email Email

What types of events are you interested in?

Name New Member 1 Class Year Phone

Name

Class Year 2011

Phone 555-555-5555

Email Mail@studentsforlife.org

What types of events are you interested in?

Support Support Culture Interests: Education Culture Interests: Education Politics Support Politics

Politics

Support Culture Interests:

Politics Educaiton

Culture Education Interests: Sidewalk counseling Dinner Meeting with legislators

*Interests should be written down by an officer during first meeting *

Name Class Year Phone Email

What types of events are you interested in?

Name

Name Class Year Phone Email

What types of events are you interested in?

Name Class Year Phone Email

What types of events are you interested in?

Class Year

Phone

Email

What types of events are you interested in?

Support Culture Interests:

Politics

Support

Politics Education

Support Culture Interests:

Politics Education

Support Culture Interests:

Politics Education

Culture Interests:

Education

Copy and Cut this page \ = Assigned X = Done / = Delegated to someone else

TASK SHEETS
H = Helping L = Leading
9/23 Event Name Member Name L/H L/H Event Name Member Name Event Name Member Name L/H

*example*

Event Name Cemetery of the Innocents Member Name John Doe L/H

9/23

Reserve lawn space

9/26

Purchase materials

9/27

Assemble crosses

9/27

Sign-up volunteers

10/03

Call everyone

10/03

Hold the display

*Tasks should be written down by by an officer during the meeting *

Event Name L/H L/H

Member Name

Event Name Member Name

Event Name Member Name

L/H

Event Name Member Name

L/H

Students For Life

VISION
Purpose: Establish a clear statement of the groups intentions and goals.

Establishing a Vision
Your current and future members need to know exactly what your SFL group is all about and where you are heading. Some of the following questions should lead this discussion. What do we want to accomplish- short term and long term? Where do we want to be a year from now? What kinds of activities are appropriate for our group? What should each persons role be in our group?

Establishing a common vision is important both to keep your group on track and to keep people on the same page. You do not want your group to become disillusioned because the group is not whatmembers expected it to be.

Write a Mission Statement

As you are planning your vision, write out a mission statement to give your group a steady focus. This mission statement tells people how your group aims to achieve your vision. Example: The mission of Students for Life of Smallville is to establish an active pro-life culture among the youth of our community by educating our peers on life and by actively promoting the right to life for all persons (preborn and born).

Students For Life

SAMPLE CONSTITUTION
(Your School) Students for Life
Constitution of (Your School) Students for Likfe (Date)
Article I: Name
The name of this organization is (Your School) Students for Life. No officer should hold any office for more than two terms. However, they do have the option of running for another office after their two year term is over. For the first year of existance, however, officers will be appointed. Section 3: Roles of the Officers A) President 1) Schedule and organize meetings and activities 2) Conduct the meetings 3) Provide general upkeep of the club B) Vice President 1) If the president is unable to perform any of the previously mentioned tasks, it will be the responsibility of the vice president to temporarily take over the particular role or responsibility 2) Preform any reasonable task requested to them by the President to further the goals of the organization C) Member Coordinator 1) Keep track of the schedule 2) Updates and maintains membership lists and takes roll 3) Keeps meeting minutes 4) Sends out e-mail reminders 5) Works on publications (website and/or newsletter) 6) Counts election, impeachment and amendment ballots and announces results immediately after the vote is taken D) Treasurer 1) Collects dues 2) Reports finances 3) Handles fundraising E) Outreach Coordinator 1) Handles publicity 2) Attends any external meetings with which the group could be associates and in addition establishes relationships with community groups, i.e. pregnancy care centers and local Pro-Life organizations 3) Organizes regular recruitment drives

Article II: Purpose

Members of (Your School) Students for Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to mobiling and equipping Pro-Life students on campuses across America to save lives threatened by induced abortion, euthanasia, and destruction of human embryos for research. In furtherance of these goals, members seek to promote respect for life at (Your School) and in the surrounding community, to educate on life issues, to help those in need so that life is a promising choice and to work with others who share common goals.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: (Your School) Students for Life is open to all (Your School) students, faculty and staff. No (Your School) student, faculty, or staff member may be denied membership on the basis of race, sex, religion, ethnicity, national origin, color, age, disability, or veteren status. Section 2: To become an official member, one must request official membership verbally or via e-mail to the President or Secretary. In addition to the request, one must attend three meetings. Section 3: If either or both of the official membership requirements specified in section 2 can not be fulfilled due to extraordinary circumstances, a minimum of three officers may consent to dismiss the requirement(s) for an individual to allow that individual official membership.

Article IV: Officers Students For Life 8

Section 1: The officers will include a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Section 2: Officers will hold office for a one year term starting and ending at 12:00 PM on the last day of classes for the fall semester.

SAMPLE CONSTITUTION

Section 4: The impeachment of any officer can only occur when two-thirds majority of official members vote to impeach. Section 5: In addition to the officer positions, it is at the Presidents discretion to appoint students to committees to coornate specific events or activities.

Article VI: Advisor

An advisor will serve at the request of the Presidents for as long as he or she is willing.

Article VII: Meetings

Seciton 1: The President must call a meeting at least one a month during the fall and spring semesters. Any official member may call a meeting through consent of the Presidents and any two officers. Section 2: The President will call the meeting to order and will address any relevant business. Those present will be given an opportunity to speak on each matter. Section 3: The Secretary will pass around a sign in sheet and will keep minutes on the meeting.

Article V: Elections
Section 1: Elections of officers will take place at an election meeting to be held once a year during the spring semester at least one week before the last day of classes for the semester. Section 2: Any official member may be nominated for office or may nominate themselves. Section 3: Members who are running for office must be nominated and accept their nomination at the nomination meeting which shall occur a minimum of one week prior to the election meeting. Section 4: Officers must be elected by a simple majority via secret ballot. Section 5: If any officer decides to step down, nominations will be accepted at the next meeing and the new officer will be elected one meeing later.

Article VIII: Independence

(Your School) Students for Life us not associated with any national, statewide, or local group.

Article IX: Amendments

In order to amend the constitution, an amendment should be submitted to the President. At the next meeing, the President will announce the proposal and a vote will take place by secret ballot. A two-thirds majority is necessary for approval.

Students For Life 9

GOALS
Purpose: Create a plan for making your vision a reality.

Setting Goals
To put your vision into action, your pro-life group needs concrete goals to move forward. As a group, come up with a list of goals that you would like to accomplish this year and in the future. These goals should be achievable and measurable.

Considerations
What is your group capable of doing? Where are the abortion facilities and Pro-Life Pregnancy Resource Centers? How could you help the people at these places? What training does your group need?

Create an Action Plan

Your group should have a copy of your goals to keep as a reminder of what you are aiming to achieve. Create a Pro-Life Action Plan like the sample below in order to focus and direct your group throughout the year.

Pro-Life Action Plan MISSION STATEMENT: To educate our peers and to encourage our community to actively defend
the lives of the preborn, the disabled, the elderly, and the silenced.

TO BE LIST: active, positive, encouraging, informative, truthful, compassionate

SHORT TERM GOALS LONG TERM GOALS

1 meeting per a month 4 fundraisers every school year Prayer Vigil twice a month

Double our members within 2 years Host 2 speakers every year Fundraise over $2000 over 3 years for a local Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) Students For Life

Accountability
Ask your group members to sign your Pro-Life Action Plan. This action will show that each member acknowledges the goals of the group and is willing to help bring your vision to reality.

10

PLAN YOUR YEAR

Purpose: Develop a vision for how you are
going to change your campus and community.

Areas of Interest
When planning your year, consider the following 4 areas of interest in order to meet the needs of your community and to achieve your pro-life groups goals. o Group growth o Supporting mothers and providing resources o Political action o Influencing and educating culture

Analysis
Now be practical and critical. Honestly assess where your organization is and what its limitations and advantages are. How many regularly attending members do you have and how many will you need? What money, speakers, advertisements, and other resources will your group need? What skills does your organization need to learn? What events will o Challenge and make the organization grow? o Make members more active and committed? o Make the biggest impact in your community?

Develop Your Calendar

What follows on page 12 and 13 is a guide to creating your ideal year, including space to help you plan which activities to do, when you will be doing them, and who will be in charge. We recommend that you fill this out either as soon as your group begins or shortly after you transfer leadership to new officers. Events will differ with each group depending on the resources, skills, and manpower of your group as well as the culture and the size of your school.

Growing Up Your Members

1. Grow Event Types Group Support and Resources Politics Culture

Students For Life
Growing the membership or developing the skills of the members in the organization. Directly helping families with resources or services on campus and in your community. Actions to promote pro-life candidates and influence elected officials. Influencing hearts and minds so that they join in the protection of Life.

Recruit the necessary members.

2. Activate
Members should be asked to help regularly.

3. Develop
Invest in members so they can achieve more.

Delegate Responsibility
Once you have set out basic goals and plans, assign someone to keep track of the group calendar. Decide who will accomplish which steps to make the groups goals a reality and use the Task Sheets on page 6 to keep track of who is doing what.

Budget Your Year

In order to pay for your year, you will need to create a budget. To learn how to do this, turn to page 20.

11

FALL CALENDAR
Late Fall (mid-October through December)
Type Group: Events Advertise to increase group size Train future leaders Hold socials to bond your members

Purpose: Use this sample calendar as a way to plan a successful year. Planning in advance helps you do more.

Early Fall (August through mid-Octber)

Type

Events

Group:

Advertise to increase group size Train future Hold socials to bond your members

Support and Research Support and Research:

Baby shower Lack of Choice events

Politics: Politics:

Volunteer and aid political campaigns

Culture

Post-aboritve speaker Human Life Alliance pamphlet distribution Cemetery of the Innocents display Culture:

Sidewalk counsel Diaper drive Write a letter to the editor about the lack of option in the community for pregnant women Volunteer and aid political campaigns Contact electied officials and ask them to support pro-life legislation in the next year Pro-Life movie night When Does Life Begin display Sidewalk chalk 3300 hearts

When

Who

What

When

Who

What

12

Students For Life

SPRING CALENDAR
Late Spring (mid-March through May)
Type Group Events Transfer responsibility to new leaders Plan and budget for next year Hold winter social to bond your members Canvas your campus

Purpose: Use this sample calendar as a way to plan a successful year. Planning in advance helps you do more.

Early Spring (January through mid-March)

Type

Events

Group

Determine future leaders Attend local or national conference Hold socials to bond members Support and Research

Support and Research

Baby shower Baby-sit for parenting student Forum on Campus Resources

Politics Politics Culture

Sidewalk counsel Celebrate year with families aided Plan to distribute pamphets to incoming freshman Register Pro-Lifers to vote Determine how to win next year Debate Prayer vigil at abortion facility Pro-Life film festival

Lobby for legislation at the state level Pass legislation through student government WIn local or student government office

Culture

Protest When does life begin display Image display (GAP, JFA, Fetal Development)

When

Who

What

When

Who

What

14

Students For Life

EVENTS
Purpose: Save lives and change the
culture in your community.

Make Our Culture Pro-Life Host a Speaker: Check out www.

studentsforlife.org for a complete listing of pro-life speakers, their costs, and their contact information. Also, get in touch with your local Pregnancy Resource Center and see if the Director will come speak to your group about what their center does and how you can help.

Day of Silence:

Encourage a Day of Silence as a sacrifice for those who cannot defend themselves. Check out www.silentday.org for more information.

Write Letters to the Editor:

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to be a voice for the preborn. Assign group members to watch for articles discussing life issues and to write responses. You can also write letters to the editors of your towns local blogs to fight pro-abortion bias in the media.

Cemetery of the Innocents Display: Create a visual display of the lives

lost from abortion each year using crosses, flags, or baby shoes. This presentation is a very powerful statement to have outside your school. You also may ask a local business or church if your group can use their land for the display.

When Does Life Begin Display: Place

signs around your neighborhood park, or in your school cafeteria, to depict the different stages of development. Then ask people to put a flag or post-it note by the stage where they think life begins and discuss the issue with them.

Get involved in Politics :

Chalking Hearts on Campus:

Students For Life

Draw 3300 hearts on the sidewalks around a local high school or church with text like, 3300 hearts will stop beating today because of abortion.

Contact your state legislature by writing letters, sending emails, making phone calls, and meeting with legislaters ask for their support of pro-life legislation and opposition to legislation that is not pro-life.

Support Pro-Life Candidates:

Prayer Vigils at Abortion Clinics:

Organize a vigil at an abortion facility to be a witness for Life. Pray for the victims of abortionthe aborted children, the mothers, the families involved, abortionists, and clinic workers.

During election years, volunteer with pro-life candidates to help them get elected.

14

MORE EVENTS
Purpose: Save lives and change the
culture in your area.

Support Mothers and Fathers

Baby Shower:

Host a baby shower at your school to benefit a local Pregnancy Resource Center.

Develop Your Group

Diaper Drive: Set up a table at a church or a grocery store and ask for donations of diapers, and other supplies, to help a local Pregnancy Resource Center. (Find your local Pro-Life PRC at www.optionline.org.) Distribute Flyers Listing Pregnancy Resources: Create and
post flyers in your area advertising for a local Pregnancy Resource Center. (Get sample materials at www.pregnantoncampus.org)

Canvass Your Community:

Grow your group and find out who your group should reach out to. Collect contact information for Pro-Life students by going door-to-door, visiting every homeroom before classes begin, and approaching students in the cafeteria.

Plan Socials: Celebrate successes and thank volunteers by having a social gathering with food and games at least twice per year. Attend Conferences: Attend
conferences (such as the Students for Life of America national conference held in Washington D.C. every January)to train and educate your group.

Sidewalk Couseling: Lovingly offer

support to women entering abortion facilities to save them and their child from the tragedy of abortion.

Host an SFLA Training Request an

in-person or online FREE training at www. studentsforlife.org from SFLA staff.

For more event ideas, instructions, and sample materials go to www.studentsforlife,.org.

15

Students For Life

SIGN UP AND ATTENDENCE SHEET

Support: Sidewalk counseling, volunteering time, helping parents Politics: Supporting pro-life candidates Education: Educating other about abortion

Students For Life

Culture: Hosting speakers, Cemeteries of the Innocents, major events

16

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Email Address

Year

OFFICERS
Purpose: Develop members into leaders and transition to new leadership.

Prepare Future Leaders

Each officer should be planning for and training their replacement from the moment that they take office. They should do this by identifying potential leaders and working with them throughout the year.

Delegate Tasks
Each time you delegate and train someone to do a new task, expect it to take longer than if you had done it yourself. However, realize that now youll never have to do that task again. It is an investment not only in the future of the organization, but in saving you time.

Announce Elections
At the last meeting of the first (fall) semester, announce that elections will be early next semester. Give a brief description of each position and what value it has brought to the current officer.

Encourage Candidates
At the beginning of the second semester, current officers should focus on encouraging their replacements and giving increasing responsibilities to them. They should help potential officers realize their capacity to make an impact, and nominations should be taken a week before the election.

Elections
Most organizations work best by only electing core positions such as presidents, media coordinator, outreach coordinator, and treasureer, and allowing the president or other officers to appoint the rest. In the election, the president should be elected first, and then the other positions. This way, if someone is nominated for President and loses, they are not prevented from seeking another position.

Transition
The new officers should transition into their leadership roles one to two months before the end of the school year, but not immediately after the election. A transition allows new officers to learn and to slowly take over from the old officers. This process aids in keeping institutional memory.

Celebrate
Formally transition leadership and celebrate as the final event for old and new members. Students For Life 17

HIERARCHY
Purpose: Recongnize the roles and responsibilities of each group member.

Faculty Advisor Officers

President* Member Coordinator* Outreach Coordinator* Treasurer

Action-Oriented Members
Why Have a Formal Students for Life Group?
Having a formal pro-life organization helps give members a sense of ownership and responsibility. It puts leadership in the hands of the entire group rather than leaving it up to only a few people.

Roles within your Pro-Life Group Faculty Advisor

The faculty advisor supports and directs the group. He or she will typically attend meetings, assist in organization, mediate with administration, and participate in events. Often the advisor will have the final say in what activities and events will be allowed.

Officers
Officers are the most dedicated and involved members of your pro-life group. As a team, they will make major decisions for the group throughout the year. The President is the voice of your group. In addition to scheduling and running meetings, this person will be the main representative for meetings with administration, community members, and fellow students. The Member Coordinator will keep track of every group member. They will collect contact information, send out meeting reminders, and keep attendance. The Member Coordinator will ensure that members participate, and this person may also recommend recruiting strategies. The Outreach Coordinator will be in charge of the details of each group activity and event. This person will advertise for events as well as handle major communications and logistics details (like contacting a speaker or arranging travel to an event). The Treasurer will regulate the groups finances. This person will develop a budget, keep track of expenses, and project protential expenses for future projects and events. The Treasurer may also contact and thank donors.

Students For Life 18

Action-Oriented Members
Action-oriented members will attend meetings and actively participate in your group events. Be sure to look to this group for suggestions because they will be putting your plans into action!

RETENTION
Purpose: Turn potential members
into future leaders and activists.

First Meetings
By the end of the first meeting (pg 3), a new member should have been Asked what their interests are and how they want to help. Asked to do a small task based on their interests (hanging flyers, recruiting, making crosses, etc). Invited to meet with a member of the core team who has similar interests.

Relationships
Core team members should develop personal relationships with other group members so that each member feels welcomed and valued. By getting to know each person, the officers will be able to identify individual passions and strengths. These relationships will build community, and they will help bolster a positive attitude among your members.

Socials
As a person gives their time and helps the organization succeed, they also deserve recognition. Be sure to thank members and to get to know them on a more personal level. One good way to do this is to have socials. Assign someone within the organization to host and plan the event. Find a social game that everyone will at least try. Good examples are Mafia, Catch Phrase, Apples to Apples, and Imagin Iff. Pick a date at least three weeks in advance and encourage people to invite friends. Motivate fellow leaders of the organization to invite their friends who arent yet members of the group to the social

Group Cycle
Always be doing one of the three following things:

Development
Your goal is to develop future leaders and activists by having individuals invest increasingly greater amounts of their time into something of which they will eventually take partial ownership. Once they begin to feel responsible, members will become more committed to your groups success. If your organization can develop the right culture and events to retain and develop members, it will always be growing and achieving greater success.

Delegation
Delegation requires leaders to come prepared to the meeting with an idea of what needs to be accomplished. Task sheets are a good way to get leader to keep track of who is doing what. One common mistake when delegating is trying to delegate to anyone willing. The better technique is to use the personal relationships developed to assign tasks to the appropriate individual with the ability to get the job done.

19

Students For Life

BUDGET
Purpose: Plan your expenses to prepare for
events in the coming year.

*Example*

Plan Ahead
Budgeting and fundraising are the only two ways to ensure that there will be money to do the important events you want throughout the year. The key to budgeting is to plan ahead. Use your group calendar that lists all the events that your group is hosting or events your group will be attending to help develop your budget.

Attend SFLA Conference and March for Life in Washington, D.C. with 10 Members Life Display Speaker Cemetery of the Innocents Display Lobbying at State Capitol Total

$2,510.00 $169.11 $500.00 $265.37 $250.00 $3,694.48

Project the Costs

Make sure you anticipate events costing more than you expect. Chances are that events will come up during the year that you did not plan, and your group will need to have money to ensure that it can host these events. Check with other pro-life in your area to get an idea of what they generally spend per year on certain items.

Use Your Budget

Throughout the year, it is very important that you refer to your budget before and after every event that you host. During the first year, it may be hard initially to make a budget and stick to it. However, it is important to record everything you spend so that the following year you will have a better idea of how much to budget for each event .

Create Your Own Budget Fall Semester

Event Description Est. Cost

Spring Semester
Event Description Est. Cost

Total

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

Total

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

20

Students For Life

FUNDRAISING
Purpose: Raise money for your group
so that you are able to save more lives.

Fundraising Event Ideas

Direct Mail Letter Campaign o Use your list of personal contacts as a starting point. Send them letters explaining what you are trying to do, why you are trying to do it, and ask for their financial investment. (Contact SFLA for sample letters.) o Include a self-addressed return envelope. o Keep lists of all donors so you can thank them and ask them for money later. Bake Sale o Ask permission to set up a bake sale table outside a church or a local business with pro-life owners. Many people will give you donations without taking a baked good. Marathon or Walk-a-Thon o Each participant gets people to give him or her money to pay the entrance fee. Participants receive a t-shirt commemorating the event, and prizes are given to the top finishers. Tournament o Miniature golf, bowling, and darts are good sports to use for tournaments. Charge an entrance fee and award prizes to winners. Car Wash o Hold a car wash at a gas station, church, or business parking lot. Ask for a minimum donation. Flower Sale Around Mothers Day and Valentines Day, this eventcan be a big fundraiser. To increase your profit, ask a local florist to discount or donate the flowers.

Find Personal Contacts

Go through your familys address book, and think of prolifers in your know in your community. Contact them to see if they would be willing to help you save lives by investing in your Pro-Life group.

Contact Local Churches

Get in touch with your local churches and ask if you can collect money after each service for a week or two. When people donate, collect their contact information so you can thank them and keep them updated on events that you host. Explain to anyone who donates the mission of your group and encourage them to participate in your events.

Call Former Students and Local Businesses

Some schools have pro-life groups that were organized in the past but may have since dissolved. Contact the former members, explain your mission and ask if they would be willing to help your group financially. Look into local businesses and ask if any of them are family-run or religious. Contact them and see if they would be willing to help you financially or donate food or office supplies to be used at your meetings.

Hold a Fundraising Event

Plan an event to raise money for your group. Recognize that these events are ways not only to raise funds but also to advertise for your group and to build public relations.

Remember: Always Thank Your Supporters

It is important to promptly thank everyone who gives you a donation. Keep donors updated with your group and invite them to events, no matter how big or small. Hopefully, once a person donates to your group; they will do it again.

Partner with Local Right to Life Groups

Ask your countys Right to Life group to sponsor your group or co-host an event with your group.

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Contact SFLA for help creating a fundraising plan for your group.

MEDIA
Purpose: Multiply the impact of your
groups by earning media attention.

Essentials
Establish relationships with local media Press Release Sample (page 23) Event details

Develop Your Media Contacts

Find a listing of media outlets for your area at www.newslink.org, and find the individuals in charge of higher education, community events, and social issues to develop a contact list. Get in touch with local media contacts to let them know that you will have a number of upcoming events. Before an event, send them a media advisory with your contact information. You will generally have the most success with your school newspaper, local media, and pro-life or Christian media.

Send a Compelling Press Release

A press release should be longer and more detailed than the media advisory, but not more than one page. Send your press release immediately after your event takes place. Make it read like a news story so that it is easy for a reporter to rewrite into an article. The first sentence should include the most important information. In the rest of the release, be sure to include quotes from a couple of different people who attended the event and an explanation of your group. As in the press advisory, list the date, your name, contact information, and the name of your group.

Greater Coverage with Feature Articles

Before your event actually happens, you may be able to receive coverage through a feature story of your main speaker, your group, a member, or through another angle that is relevant. For example, if a woman your group helped at a pregnancy resource center lives in your community, make sure that your school or local newspaper writes an article on her, cites your group, and mentions the upcoming event.

Prepare and Send a Media Advisory

Send the advisory one week and one day before your event. The advisory should go to local newspaper editors, to all your media contacts, and to the local contacts for wire services, like www.reuters.com, www.cnsnews.com, www. breitbert.com, and www.associatedpress. com. The media advisory should cover the basic: who, what, where, when, and why.

*Press Release Format* se For t* orma Lead: who, when, where, why, how

More details
Summary of organization; mission, meetings

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MEDIA
* Sample* Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Theresa Burch 555-555-5555 (cell) tburch@studentsforlife.org

Roe to Speak at Georgia High School

Norma McCorvey, from the 1973 Roe v. Wade, will be speaking at GHS. September 27, 2006On Wednesday, October 4, 2006, at 7 p.m. in room 145 in Cedar Hall at Georgia High School, Norma McCorvey will speak about her life, the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, and why she became pro-life and is now a pro-life advocate. This event is open to the public. Norma McCorvey, made infamous under the pseudonym Jane Roe, will be speaking at Georgia High School, in a speech sponsored by Georgia High School Students for Life. A pro-life advocate, McCorvey will talk about the court case rst led in Texas that ended up in the Supreme Court and resulted in the legalization of abortion in all fty states in America. The decision made in Roe v. Wade was a miscarriage of justice, said Theresa Burch. We hope that after hearing from Ms. McCorvey people will see just how wrong abortion is. Georgia High School Students for Life was founded in 2004 and is dedicated to abolish abortion in America.

For more information about this event, or the Georgia High School Students for Life, please contact Theresa Burch at (555) 555-5555, or through email at tburch@studentsforlife.org.

Students For Life

Georgia State Students for Life 5983 Main St. Atlanta, GA 12345 Phone: (987) 654-3210, Fax: (987) 654-3310

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DID YOU

KNOW?
Abortion Statistics
1.1 MILLION U.S. ABORTIONS EACH YEAR As many as 3300 BABIES ARE ABORTED EVERY DAY Nearly 1 in 4 (22%) pregnancies end in abortion 50% of women now seeking abortion have had at least one previous abortion. The U.S. abortion rate is among the highest of developed countries. 51% of abortions are performed on womenless than 25 years of age. Approximately 1/3 of American women have had an abortion by age 45. Abortion disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women Abortions can legally be performed in all three trimesters of pregnancy

Risks of Abortion
Medical Complications
Heavy bleeding Infection Incomplete abortion Sepsis Anesthesia Damage to the cervix Scarring of the uterine lining Uterine perforation Damage to internal organs Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Endometritis Death

Emotional Complications
Eating disorders Relationship problems Guilt Depression Flashbacks of abortion Suicidal thoughts Sexual dysfunction Alcohol and drug abuse

Higher Risk of These Issues Later

Breast cancer Cervical cancer Ovarian cancer Liver cancer Placenta previa Ectopic pregnancy Pre-Mature Birth

Students For Life

SOURCES:
Elliot Institute. (1999). Abortion risks: A list of major physical complications related to abortion. Retrieved from <http://afterabor tion.org/1999/abortion-risks-a-list-of-major-physical-complications-related-to-abortion/> Guttmacher Institute. (2011). Facts on induced abortion in the United States. Retrieved from <www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_in duced_abortion.html.> Ramah International. (2011). Abortion risks. Retrieved from <http://www.ramahinternational.org/abortion_risks.htm> Students for Life of America. (2011). Abortion facts. Retrieved <http://studentsforlife.org/prolifefacts/abortion-facts/>

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LIFE IN THE

WOMB
Baby Is That You?
Week 1: Conception occurs when the sperm fertilizes the egg 3: Heart is beating 5: Subtle movement 6: Brainwave activity has begun, hand movement 7: Rotates head, moves legs, hiccups 8: Becomes right- or left-handed 9: Sucking thumb, yawning 10: Unique fingerprints 11: Complex facial expressions, gender can be seen on ultrasound 16: Mother can feel the babys movements More fetal development 17: Active cerebral cortex graphics are available at 24: Baby can hear things outside the womb www.studentsforlife.org and on 25: Ability to taste the Students for Life of America 26: Sense of smell, tear production facebook page at facebook.com/studentsforlife. 27: Pupils react to light 31: Baby is most likely having dreams 35: Baby has a firm grip 39: All organs are now ready for birth Your group members should have a 40: BIRTH

basic knowledge of pro-life history, facts, and apologetics. Set aside time at each meeting to discuss one topic of interest.

For more pro-life information, statistics, and history, visit our website www.studentsforlife.org.

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SOURCES: AmazingPregnancy.com. (2012). Fetal development. Retrieved from < http:// www.amazingpregnancy.com/pregnancy-articles/category/pregnancy-articles/fetal-development> Endowment for Human Development. (2012).Interactive prenatal development timeline. Retrieved from <http://www.ehd.org/> Students for Life of America. (2011). Fetal development. Retrieved <http://studentsforlife.org/prolifefacts/fetaldevelopment/>

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DEFENDING LIFE LIFE Accepting the Challenge

When does life begin? When does life end? What is the value of a human life? Pro-lifers are constantly challenged to defend and explain their positions. Student pro-life activists should study common challenges and responses, and they should regularly practice discussion and debate. Each member of your pro-life group must be prepared with simple, logical answers to difficult questions. More information and help can be found at studentsforlife.org A common philosophical discussion that your group should review is The SLED Test. By learning and understanding this test, you will be more effective and more confident when defending life.

The SLED Test

Size
Look at a picture of a preborn child. What a tiny human! Is the embryo less of a human due to his or her size? NO. Notice that the people in life are different sizes and shapes. Some people are tall; others are short. One friend may be petite, while another is large. A persons size does not define his or her worth.

Level of Development
The embryo displays obvious differences in level of development when compared with a toddler. Similarly, a child is not nearly as developed as an adult. Disabilities may also prevent a person from reaching the perceived normal level of development. Despite a borns persons lack of self-awareness, lower intelligence, or physical disability, we continue to recognize that person as a human being. Therefore, an embryo should also qualify as a human being despite its level of development.

Environment
Human value does not change based on location. A teen living in Florida will still be equally valued as a human being if his family moves to Alaska. Likewise, a baby is a human regardless of location. This child is a human in the womb, in the birth canal, and outside of the mothers body.

Degree of Dependency
The embryo depends on the mother for protection and for nutrients for growth. Although the baby may not be able to survive outside of the womb, this does not take away from his or her value as a human being. Consider people in your life who depend upon medication, personal assistance, or technology. Every person should be valued even if he or she needs insulin, a live-in nurse, a wheelchair, or a mothers womb.

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SOURCE:
Scott Klusendorf. (2012). The SLED test. Life Training Institute: www.prolifetraining.com

RESOURCES
Purpose: Identify the resources available for your pro-life group.

What does Students for Life of America offer you?

Highschool.studentsforlife.org
Students for Life High School Website

www.abolishabortion.com
Activism website with pro-life events, petitions, blogs and more!

One-on-one consultations and trainings

In-person, webcast, phone, Skype, or e-mail

Postcards for students to distribute

Topics: Planned Parenthood, Personhood, Rape and Incest, Life of the Mother, Social Justice, and more!

Over 35 online guides and videos

Topics: how to plan events, host speakers, improve your pro-life group, and more!

Connections with pro-life groups and speakers across the United States Weekly e-mail and daily social media alerts and tips SFLA Team Members available to speak on select topics
Apologetics, Feminism, Social Justice, Adoption

SFLA National Conference (every January) and regional conferences throughout the year Monthly Event-In-A-Box
Monthly themes, flyers, and educational hand outs

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