There are many different ways to go about organizing in high schools.  The most important aspect is gaining access to a school.  Your group should utilize as many tactics as possible to reach young people.  The topics listed on the other pages are projects/campaigns that your group can take on within a school.  The following are some basic ideas for folks to do in schools, especially if you are just starting out.  And because we cannot stress this enough, young people relate and respond to their peers more than anyone else, student/youth involvement and leadership is ESSENTIAL!!

Here are some ideas and tips to get you started, and then just get creative:

• Gaining access to a school
• Tabling/leafleting
• Student organizing
• Classroom presentations
• After school programs
• College prep workshops

Equal Access (in schools)

By law, school administrations must allow both the military and people that are offering alternatives to the military to have space and time in the school.  This means that if the military recruiters are in a school for 5 hours per month, then you are allowed just as much time.  Sometimes, the school uses the excuse that by allowing college recruiters in, they are balancing the military recruiters. You could argue that you are providing an alternative perspective, the truth about military service (especially if you bring veterans), the things recruiters do not tell students and more options than just the military or college.
Once again, many administrations do not know that you are afforded these rights by law and will make you prove it to them before allowing you in.  In that case, you should site (and bring a copy of) No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 Section 9528.  Most organizers utilize this right by setting up a table with CR literature in the lunchroom/lobby during lunchtime.   See Equal Access for more info.


Tabling/Leafletting

Leafleting at high schools is a very effective counter-recruitment activity. Students can do it inside their schools (see info on students' rights), while non-students can do it on public property near school entrances (see leafleting guide).
When leafleting is done as students arrive in the morning, it can stimulate discussions in classrooms throughout the school day. It's also a good way to reach and empower students who might become involved in further counter-recruitment activities.

Here are some quick tips to make the best out of your efforts

• Its about education – offer info, answer questions
• Ask questions - encourage dialogue, critical thinking
• Don’t bore them, be excited, passionate,
• Say something when you hand students flyers

Things you should always have:

• Opt Out forms
• Info/stories from veterans
• Alternatives to the military (college, job training, activities)
• Flyers for upcoming events
• A way to get in touch with your group
• YOUNG PEOPLE!!!

Good to have, FUN stuff:

• Gimmies, goodies
• Candy
• Pens
• Key chains
• Having a competition
• Artistic expression
• Music

Student organizing

Start a club to do CR work.  Talk to your friends or folks you think might be interested in participating.  Have a meeting with a few people to start the process.  Click here to get info on a High School Peace Club Starter Kit!  (link to South Bay Youth for Peace page in database)
Assign tasks like:

• Find out about the rules regarding clubs/organizations at your school
• Begin the process of starting a club (paperwork if necessary, etc.)
• Make a flyer about the group
• Make copies of the flyer
• Pass out flyers
• Hang flyers up at the school, around town at libraries, events, stores, etc.
• Get an advisor - talk to some teachers who might be supportive and are willing to help out (make copies, reserve meeting rooms, talk to the administration, offer advice, etc.)

Classroom presentations/discussions

Find some teachers who would be willing to have someone speak to their classes.  Ask teachers to ask other teachers they know.  Suggest it to instructors who teach history, government, current events, psychology, sociology, etc.  Invite veterans to come to and talk about their experiences in the military.  Invite counter recruitment activists to talk about their work.  Invite after school program coordinators, sports coaches, art instructors, college and financial aid professionals, etc.  Schedule discussions about the military, war, peace, human rights, etc.  Show films followed by discussions.  

After school programs/community involvement

Help promote and provide students with opportunities for community involvement, being part of a team, leadership skills, using energy and talents for positivity and healthiness.   Some ideas are sports, tutoring, art workshops/training (music, poetry, paining, theatre), mentoring and clubs (book, chess, singing).  Some of these programs are offered in the community, while some of them you might have to initiate and/or coordinate.  There are also community service programs that students might be interested in (such as reading to kids, highway cleanup, working with the elderly, etc.)

College information sessions/workshops

You could invite a representative from a college to lead, or have anyone who has been in college (especially a young person) info sessions/workshops on college including some of the following topics:

• What is college for? Why go to college?
• What is college like? The basics
• Can I afford college?  How to get financial aid
• Figuring out what to study/Choosing a major

Click here to learn about The California Student Opportunity and Access Program which is instrumental in improving the flow of information about postsecondary education and financial aid while raising the achievement levels of low-income, elementary and secondary school students or geographic regions with documented low-eligibility or college participation rates, and who are first in their families to attend college.

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Want flyers/brochures?  Click here to go to the resources page .