By Jimmy Long
Assumption: Both Christian and some non-Christian students are most open to getting involved in a Christian organization during their first weeks on campus. During that time, they establish lifestyle patterns they will most likely keep throughout their entire time on campus.
Goal: Every InterVarsity chapter should have an effective new student outreach that is applicable to their campus.
Procedure:
- Impress upon the chapter the need for an effective new student outreach.
- Discover what orientation activities the university offers for new students. Plug into those events.
- Plan a major event or events (picnic, cookout, square dance, etc.) for new students within five days after they arrive on campus. In the spring, secure facilities, permission, and people to help.
- During the summer, encourage IV students to invite incoming students from their hometown to this beginning event.
- If the university permits, write to all incoming students. Welcome them and invite them to the IV orientation events.
- The day new students arrive, plaster attractive, quality posters announcing your events all over the campus.
- Mobilize returning IV students to go to the residence halls to invite the new students. Give them a quality flyer or brochure that explains IV on your campus, gives details of the first few events, and furnishes a telephone number to call for more information.
- At a commuter school, set up a table at the end of registration. Serve lemonade and invite students to your events. (Informal surveys at UNC-Chapel Hill over the last 10 years have shown that more than 85 percent of all new students who came to an IV meeting came because of personal invitation.)
- At the orientation event, offer a picnic or dessert, allowing new students to informally meet returning IV students.
- Organize singing and a clear presentation about IV on your campus and how they can be involved. Involve students, staff, and your faculty advisor in this.
- Give students the opportunity at the event to express their interest in IV. At least have a sign-up sheet to get their name, address, and phone number. The most effective means for getting them involved is to have them meet their potential small group leader.
- Make an announcement about the next IV event on campus.
- Within 48 hours, send small group leaders or other chapter members to personally visit each new student who came to the orientation event. Encourage them to become involved in a small group and bring their friends.
