<p>I was thinking of starting an Amnesty International Club at my school, and I've looked through everything they have on their website about starting a club, but...I'm still confused as to how exactly the meetings run. Can anyone who's in AI tell me how the meetings go, what you do, how often you meet, etc.? Thanks!</p>
<p>bump.............</p>
<p>I am currently in AI this year, but we're with a new animator, so the club wasn't all that great and the people in it didn't want to do anything to rise our popularity- result: we were 4 (including the animator) at the end of the year! I'm in a school who doesn't give much thought about social implication so.... Be sure that there's people interested . And you should also try to get a a structure (president, secretary...): it will really help your club to be more efficient.</p>
<p>Anyway, at the beginning of the year, we had a big meeting, where he showed us AI videos, and explained to us what was Amnesty. We ran the meetings pretty messily. Sure, we had the agenda to look on, but sometimes, things could get pretty out of hand. I'd say the best way to run a meeting would be having a somewhat loose agenda, in which you write really everything you want to talk about, and make sure that the discussion doesn't go anywhere that isn't relevant.</p>
<p>During meetings, we talked about the different projects we had going on or we talked about the new campaign (if there was a new one out). We also tried to find ways to interest students in human rights. We had a kiosk at Open day, we went to the provincial Convention (which was really cool- you shouldn't miss it) and we did round in 7th grade to organize a big letter-writing campaign. We met at least once a week, but if we had projects going on, we could pass in his office to continue our work or meet to talk.</p>
<p>You know that convention I told you about? It's really a good way to pep up the club members. Our provincial one was simply amazing! All the student clubs in our town were there and I got to meet some new people from all around my province. We had those little workshops with people who influenced human rights and there was a variety of subjects: the 9/11 and muslim community, J8 and many others. It's a great way to connect with other AI members and share your ideas.</p>
<p>Hope I was some help for you!</p>
<p>Thank you, cherie, your response was immensely helpful! I think my biggest concern for starting a club is simply getting people interested--the kids in my school are pretty apathetic. They simply don't care about what's going on in the world...<em>sigh</em> But attending a regional meeting sounds like it worked for you, and I am definitely going to try to talk the school administration into letting us go, and I am super-excited about starting the club next year :)</p>
<p>Sure, maybe one day we'll get them to stop serving cockmeat sandwiches at "tanamo bay.</p>
<p>I want to start AI at my school too. I can't find anything on their website about starting a club. Link?</p>
<p>How</a> to Start a Group</p>
<p>Glad I could help you plumdum229!</p>
<p>I have the same problem as you: the students here at my school aren't even remotely interested in what's going on outside, in the real world! It helped that the club was already founded when I first came around but then, all the people who said they had an interest in the group didn't go to the meetings anymore! Regional conventions are really the best place to pep the students up about Amnesty- I met a lot of people there and even if I didn't see them afterwards, it was really a great experience. Hope we'll be able to continue the club next year...</p>
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Sure, maybe one day we'll get them to stop serving cockmeat sandwiches at "tanamo bay.
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</p>
<p>And possibly make bottomless parties more popular.</p>