What is a Voluntary School Club?

A Voluntary School Club is a student group, led by either a teacher or a student, which takes a leadership role in developing and implementing volunteer activities either within or outside the school. The activities of the Club vary based on the interest of the members. The activities of a voluntary Club have to be non-profit, and all members of the club would be considered as volunteers.

How can the VSP help you?

The VSP will support the establishment of VSCs by: Providing opportunities for basic training in relation to community mobilization, recruiting volunteers and writing proposals for their activities Acting as an advisory organisation Promoting and recognizing the activities of the youth in our newsletter, facebook page and other promotions Connect (match/recruit) youth to voluntary opportunities that organisations and individuals may have

What are the aims of a Voluntary School Club?

A Voluntary School Club (VSC) aims to: Provide a safe space and trust building for youth across race, class, religion, sex, etc. Promote open youth-to-youth communication Enhance leadership development among young people

What are the benefits of a Voluntary School Club and volunteering?

Development of important personal and interpersonal skills, including critical thinking and problem solving Increase positive sense of self-confidence and self-esteem Reduction in risky behaviour or becoming involved in unsafe activities, such as using drugs and alcohol Development of important job skills, including organization, the ability to run meetings, and experience working with a wide variety of people Provides leadership opportunities for young people Opportunity to share information student and youth peers among

Creating a Voluntary School Club

A Guide for Students
Volunteerism Support Platform c/o Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport 70-71 Main Street Georgetown, Guyana 592-227-7575 nvspguyana@gmail.com

Building networks and relationships within schools and communities

ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTARY SCHOOL CLUB IN YOUR SCHOOL

Where to Start?
If you and a group of students want to establish a Voluntary School Club in your school, you need to think about and decide on several areas. You need to:

Clearly define your goals

Once you have your members together, it is time to sit down and figure out exactly what you want to do. Members might brainstorm for ideas, but essentially, you will want to try to answer two questions: W hat do we want to do? and How should we go about doing that?

Develop a system for roles and responsibilities

Basic activities to maintain the club include: 1. Regular monthly meetings 2. Record-keeping of meeting discussions, members, fundraising, partners, etc. 3. Assigning roles such as a club president, treasurer, secretary, with agreed-upon criteria (these roles can change at the beginning of a school year through student election) 4. A teacher within the school should be designated to provide support to the club 5. Agreed-upon ground rules to guide the interaction and activities of the club

Decide what issues the Voluntary School Club will address

What problems would you like to change and are important to people your age?

Insert H

Decide where the club should be based

The ideal place to host a club is on the premises of the school the students are attending. The club should not add any financial costs to the students participating and students should depend on the support of teachers of the school to aid in the hosting of their club.

Explore available resources

It is important to know what resources are out there in your school and community. It can be difficult to ask for money or help from others. Remember, though, that you're not asking for help for yourselfyou are asking them to support a cause you believe in. So square your shoulders and give it a try!

Get to work!
Now that you have decided what you want to do, go to it! With the hard work of planning behind you (at least for the moment - there will always be changes on the way), it is time take a deep breath and go to it!

Recruit members and supports

In order to build the membership of the club, you can: 1. Create and distribute flyers to students in your school to promote the club and its purpose 2. Set up an information desk in the school when there are special events such as school orientations, sports, and other school events 3. Attend and/or participate in events happening in the community and meet with community based organizations to learn more about what they do 4. Engage teachers to talk about your goals and activities

Celebrate your successes!

Even if something was not a huge success you hoped it would be, everyone should give themselves proper credit for what has been accomplished. Organizing a youth group of any kind is hard work. Be sure to celebrate all of your small successes along the way. Not only do you deserve it, but celebrating will also help keep energy high, so your group will be able to move on to bigger and better things. Invite the VSP and the media to highlight your activities.

Training for members & teachers

It is important that you sit down at the very start and talk about what is expected from teachers and from participants. Do not assume that you do not need to prepare yourself or the group for an activity or a meeting! Brainstorming with teachers and other club members can help you to decide what information and action are needed for an activity.