By: Alan Levine

This is the time of year in which student groups are finding their identity; they are forming their leadership structures, recruiting new members, and discovering their group dynamic.

I have been in touch with pro-Israel student groups from all over the Western U.S. and Canada and many seem to encounter the same problems.  Based on that, a few tips in building up your pro-Israel activism organization!

• Mission and goals- students can lose interest when they are not clear on the direction of the group.  Clearly articulate it to your members.

o   Mission Statement:  The title “pro-Israel” is not enough. Is your mission to support Israel politically, to lobby elected officials, to encourage Aliyah, to organize Birthright trips, or to promote Israeli culture?  Your mission may include all of these, but just make sure it’s clear to your members.

o   Short term, mid-range, and long term goals: Do you plan on bringing in pro-Israel speakers, working with the media, challenging anti-Israel professors, or building relationships with campus leaders?  What are your priorities?

• Recruitment

o   It is always time to recruit.  If you are a senior, recruiting freshmen and sophomores now is the way to ensure your groups survival after you graduate.  New members will also provide man power for this year.

o   Always have a sign in sheet!  People should sign their name and provide their e-mails when attending any of your events.

• Internal education

o   Schedule “closed-door” events to discuss the news, discuss a book, or watch a historical film.   You can also invite a Hasbara campus coordinator to run an activism training seminar.

o   Send your up and coming leaders to off campus activism training programs such as the Hasbara Fellowship in Israel!

• Group cohesion

o   Your inner circle should work together as a group, but should not be a clique either!

o  If they are strangers, they will not trust each other, and will not work well together

o  If they are a clique, they will never recruit new members or do outreach to students who are not yet educated on Israel issues.

o   If your core group of activists feels like they don’t know each other, schedule a retreat.  It does not have to be overnight; pick a Sunday and go far away from campus.

o   If your core group feels too cliquey—schedule an on-campus barbeque for new members.  Do not allow your executive board members to sit together at this type of event!  They should be mingling.  And bring your sign in sheet!

• Assign roles-make people feel like they are needed and have a purpose. There are important roles for all levels of involvement, but always allow people to become more involved. (See diagram).

o   Inner core- Handles budget, speaks on behalf of the organization, meets with students leaders, decides which goals, programs, and initiatives to pursuit.  Ultimately responsible!

o   General membership- Volunteers for event planning, can write pro-Israel op-eds, attends general meetings and most events

o   Peripheral membership- Members of your Facebook group.  Show up to big events, provide bodies and pro-Israel rallies, and can sign petitions.

I hope these tips are helpful.  Please feel free to contact any of your campus coordinators or me with any questions.  Go get ‘em.