We need to encourage and inspire the next generation of conservatives. Your chapter can do this by sponsoring a Young Patriots high school chapter! This ongoing partnership with the teens in your community will help educate them about America's first principles, provide grassroots training and inspire engagement in the political process.
Register your chapter below for this activity
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| Start-Up Time | 2-6 hours |
| Kick-Off Event Time | 2 hours |
| Initial Supplies | Patriot Voices palm cards, lapel stickers, bumper stickers, signs |
| Estimated Cost | $50 - 75 (pizza, chips, soda, door prizes for the initial meeting) |
PLAN AND PREP
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Decide at which high school you will start this chapter. Encourage your members to help select a high school in your area. |
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Research guidelines and procedures for student groups/organizations in your school system. Check with the administration office at the school district and the high school. Draft a letter to the Principal or Superintendent. (Click here for a sample letter). |
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Recruit a faculty member to sponsor your group. |
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IMPORTANT: Identify one or two student leaders to help get this chapter started. |
| Once your chapter is approved by the school administration, meet with your faculty sponsor and student leaders to map out a strategy. |
| Sign up below to sponsor a Young Patriots Chapter and we’ll provide you a start-up kit, which includes “Our Sacred Honor” DVD, Patriot Voices palm cards, lapel stickers and bumper stickers. |
| We suggest your kick-of event be a showing of the “Our Sacred Honor” DVD, followed by discussion about our Constitution and how our American Revolution was different than the French Revolution. Click here for discussion points. |
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Create a flyer for your kick-off event. Click here for sample. |
| Suggestions for future meetings/events: guest speakers (mayor, state representative, state senator, community business leaders); shadow elected officials (mayor), state house trip, attend school board meeting, host a forum and other projects found on our “What’s Next” page. Consider an essay contest for Young Patriots members, offering a prize for the best essay and an opportunity to read it to your Patriot Voices chapter (invite local elected officials, media and entire community to attend). |
| Check out the Patriot Voices online store to purchase door prizes for events. Ask local business to donate items or gift cards for meetings and events. |
| Always provide refreshments! It’s a fact that teens like to eat! You’ll be surprised at how hungry they can be, especially when you serve something they like! Suggestions: pizza, chips, soda (Mountain Dew will be gone within minutes). And don’t forget the paper plates, cups and napkins. |
| Check out our downloads! |
PROMOTE
| Promote your new Young Patriots Chapter by announcing its formation and initial meeting in the local paper and school newspaper! Perhaps you can arrange a special interview for your students leaders and faculty sponsor. Click here for a sample press-release. |
| Work through your school sponsor to distribute your kick-off event flier. Especially target the teachers in the Social Studies Department. Suggest that they offer extra credit to those who attend. Students could be required to provide a Patriot Voices’ palm card as proof of attendance. |
| Post fliers around your community (library, banks, grocery stores, churches, etc). |
| Contact your local Republican headquarters/leadership and tea party groups and provide them with fliers to distribute. Ask them to help get the word out! |
| Start a Facebook group: “Your town’s name Young Patriots Chapter” and add your student leaders so they can invite their friends to join. |
| Create a Facebook group event for your kick-off meeting |
| Ask your members to personally invite any teens at the school to the kick-off meeting. Make sure they share that there will be pizza, door prizes, and a movie and encourage them to bring a friend! |
KICK-OFF EVENT
| Greet students they arrive and ask them to sign up to win door prizes. Make sure they include their phone number and email. |
| Talk about Patriot Voices and why you decided to get involved! Be enthusiastic! |
| Introduce key people – student leaders/faculty sponsor. Encourage others to consider leadership roles. |
| Share about the new Young Patriot chapter and your future plans. Introduce “Our Sacred Honor” DVD or your guest speaker. |
| Afterwards, guide discussion, allowing students plenty of opportunity to express opinions and ask questions. Click here for “Our Sacred Honor” discussion guide. |
| Ask for ideas for the next meeting and future projects. |
| Have fun and take lots of photos! Tweet using: @Patriot_Voices and #youngpatriots so others can see your activity. Encourage all of your chapter members to take photos, but make sure you have a designated “photographer” so that you end up with good shots for Facebook and Twitter and to email to our national team. |
| Send us an email report with photos: contact@patriotvoices.com |
FOLLOW-UP
| Follow up with those who attended with a phone call or email. See who is interested in getting involved and invite them to attend your next Young Patriots chapter meeting! |
| Add your signups to our network by using this grassroots tool. <link> |
| Soon after your kick-off event, host a meeting with your school sponsor and students leaders to talk about next steps, goals and your vision for their student group. This is a great opportunity to mentor young conservatives. With guidance, your Young Patriots chapter can serve an important function. |
| Always work within the guidelines of your school, keeping them informed about your chapter’s plans and activities. |
| After you’ve viewed the DVD with your Young Patriots Chapter, ask the school’s American History teacher to consider showing it in the classroom. Check with the school librarian for placement in the library. |
Add your name below to register your chapter for this activity and a staff member will contact you soon.
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