If You Can Dream It, You Can Create It
How to start a student-run organization
By Steven D. Cohen, University of Florida

Try as she might, Susan Heidenberg cannot help but break down every time she thinks about how much her son, Daniel, could have achieved had he lived past his seventh birthday. “Daniel’s bicycle and safety helmet have been gathering dust in the garage,” Heidenberg says. “His favorite shirt and jacket have been hanging in his closet, never to be worn again by the little boy who loved them so much.” On December 27, 1996, Daniel lost his life to acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The Dream
Inspired by Daniel’s death, I started a completely student-run organization at my old high school in Davie, Florida, the University School of Nova Southeastern University, to make a difference in the lives of pediatric cancer patients and their families. Friends for Life of America provided the students at our school with an ideal opportunity to serve the community and to develop leadership skills. After only nine months at the University School we had raised over $5,000 for patients and their families. As one of the first members of Friends for Life of America, Brown University student Jason Alperstein remembers his reason for joining the organization. “Knowing that I’ve played a role in helping these children leaves me with an incredible feeling—a feeling that simply cannot be experienced unless you get involved."

At the end of our first year, I approached my high school principal about expanding Friends for Life of America across the country. She listened intently to my ideas and then called them compassionate, yet grandiose. But I didn’t let her skepticism squash my determination. My friends and I worked even harder to make a difference in the lives of others.

As Friends for Life of America members became more involved within the community, they began talking to their friends about the organization. Through word-of-mouth advertising, Friends for Life of America began to branch out to other high schools across the country. In 2000, Friends for Life of America expanded to the university level by chartering the first post-secondary school chapter at the University of Florida.

Over the past five years, Friends for Life of America has transformed into an international organization, touching the lives of pediatric cancer patients from Gainesville to Guatemala City, from Boston to Bangkok. Together, high school and college students have raised more than $50,000 for patient services and for related organizations, including the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. These dedicated students have turned their ideas into realities by creating innovative programs like "Hearts for the Holidays," "Uniting for Life," and "Leukemia Awareness Month."  By emphasizing the importance of service, Friends for Life of America has inspired its members to make a dramatic impact in their communities.

The Challenge
While the task may seem daunting at first, starting a student organization at your school isn’t really that difficult. Once you decide what kind of organization you want to create, your next step is to find more students at your school who care about that particular cause. After completing the appropriate paperwork required by your school’s Office of Student Activities, ask some of your friends to help publicize an initial organizational meeting by talking with people they know about your idea. While flyers and posters will generate interest, "word of mouth" advertising is one of the most effective ways to recruit members. Though maintaining a large membership may seem important at first, the real challenge is to find a core group of members who will help plan and implement successful programs. Your fellow students will truly want to make an impact, so be sure to spend ample time preparing for that meeting by brainstorming ideas and charting out ways that the organization’s membership can serve the target population. At your first meeting, get your members excited about joining the organization by planning a kick-off event.

Remember to talk to the appropriate university officials before organizing any major fundraisers or service programs. Though you will be anxious to begin fulfilling your organizational mission, make sure to have a meeting with representatives from the Office of Student Activities to verify that your programs are not violating any university policies. If you decide to raise money for a specific cause, be sure to familiarize yourself with your school’s financial regulations. Contact the Finance Office or the Office of the General Counsel for information specific to your school.

The Impact
Though creating a successful organization requires a substantial amount of time and energy, it is well worth it. So if you can think of a way to better humanity, start an organization and make a difference.

In the case of Friends for Life of America, students have been able to change lives, while expanding their leadership abilities. “Serving on the Friends for Life of America National Board has helped me become a stronger leader,” says UF student Matthew Seymour. “I’ve learned how to better compromise with others, develop strategies, and think outside the box. I know that these experiences will continue to guide me long after I graduate from college."

Although the organization has changed since early 1997, Friends for Life of America stands as a testament that little high school clubs really can make a dramatic impact in the lives of others.

And with the right amount of planning, so can your organization.

Steven Cohen is a junior majoring in finance at the University of Florida. Named University of Florida Student Volunteer of the Year in 2001, Steven continues to focus on serving the community through a variety of charitable organizations. For more information about Friends for Life of America, please visit the organization’s web site at http://www.friendsforlife.com.

Contact Cohen at scohen@friendsforlife.com, Heidenberg at do26point2@aol.com, Alperstein at jalperstein@friendsforlife.com, and Seymour at mseymour@friendsforlife.com.

Copyright © 2005 Oxendine Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved