Outreach to Other Clubs
With the intent of helping students discover that there are cross-cultural opportunities right in their own community, consider taking the initiative of building relationships with a club on your campus that is different than yours.
• International Student Club: As mentioned above, internationals are a natural group to focus on in building cross-cultural friendships. Find out if there are any special events being held on campus by their club. See if your group could join in as a whole group in helping host it.
Ethnic minority clubs: Ask the Black Student Union if your group might jointly celebrate with them in some way during Black History month. Ask them to help you jointly plan and invite students to an event. Consider speakers from the African American Christian community. Let your partners be the guide on what might make it meaningful for all involved.
• Consider the same with other clubs such as the Hispanic Student Club.
• Perhaps there is an environmentalist club: Find out if you could co-sponsor a campus recycling program or city clean up day.
• Find a worthwhile project in your community such as a homeless shelter food bank or soup kitchen. Invite several groups to help in a fundraiser, food drive or clothing collection.
These ideas are meant to help your group participate in your campus community in a way that demonstrates the Gospel. Working together often fosters friendships. The Gospel is validated by authentic, caring relationships.
"During New Student Outreach for our group we had a table of materials set up with a poster board displayed. The poster board said, "Hello! How are You?" We invited internationals to write the same words underneath in their own languages. Using different colored markers, we had a wonderful display of languages represented on our campus. It provided a great opportunity to invite the Internationals to a special event."
InterVarsity Staff Boston, Massachusetts"Our group wanted to find a tangible way to care for the campus and student's needs. We noticed that some students were not eating very well, especially at the end of the month. So, we had a food drive and provided an on-campus food bank. It has become such a recognized program, that the university has now offered to take it over and house it. Our students still team up with others from a variety of clubs to collect food. It has strengthened our relationship with the university and our personal friendships with others on campus."
Tony Black. IVCF-Canada staff York University, Toronto, Ontario
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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