Student Chapter Activity Ideas

Volunteer to help animals in your campus’ community

There are many ways that HSVMA student chapters can help animals in need in their campus community. These are just a few ideas:

• Organize a work day at a local animal shelter or sanctuary.
• Participate in local spay/neuter clinics for community cats or animals of low-income families; Collect food and supplies for pets of people experiencing homelessness.
• Organize a microchip or vaccination clinic in a low-income area.
• Coordinate a program to provide nursing care for sick animals at a local shelter.

Host a social event

Social events aren't only a great way to show potential members that you are a welcoming and fun group, they're also a great opportunity to partner with other student clubs on campus. Before the event begins, be sure to give a quick pitch for HSVMA and have informational materials available near the entrance and exit.

Examples:

FREE MOVIE NIGHT

Feature a film related to animal welfare. Some examples include:

• Blackfish
• The Cove
• Dealing Dogs
• Food, Inc.
• March of the Penguins
• Marley & Me
• Peaceable Kingdom
• Shelter Dogs
• The Witness

CO-SPONSOR A CAMPUS EVENT`

• Concert
• Festival
• Seminar promoting another social awareness theme related to animal welfare, such as green living
• Etc.

Participate in legislative efforts

Veterinary students can be effective advocates for animal welfare legislation since lawmakers give added credence to testimony from the veterinary profession. Here are just a few examples of how you can get involved in efforts to advance animal protective legislation:

• Organize a letter-writing drive on behalf of a specific animal welfare bill in your community.
• Recruit veterinary students to testify at your state Capitol on an animal protection bill; Distribute emails to the campus community on important animal welfare legislation.

Recruit more members

In addition to social events, the following ideas can help bring more members to your chapter:

MAKE THE MOST OF THE HSVMA SPEAKERS BUREAU

Choose topics that will appeal to the student body and advertise the presentation all over campus. Be sure there are plenty of HSVMA brochures to hand out to attendees at the event.

HOLD A “BRING A FRIEND” MEETING

Have each chapter member bring a non-member friend to a meeting and have a brief introduction about HSVMA, a fun ice-breaker activity, and snacks. Even if they don’t join the chapter, ask the friends to sign up for HSVMA’s e-newsletter and to consider an HSVMA membership—both are free!

LIST UPCOMING ACTIVITIES IN YOUR COLLEGE/CAMPUS NEWSPAPER

SET-UP AN INFORMATIONAL TABLE

Sign up for a table at freshman orientation and student activities fairs to spread the word about the chapter.

WRITE AN ARTICLE FOR YOUR CAMPUS NEWSPAPER

Get the word out to fellow students by talking about a chapter project, a Speakers Bureau presentation, or upcoming activity.

BRAINSTORM WITH EXISTING MEMBERS

Ask current members if they have ideas for other ways to bring in new members.