msa volunteer crisis

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msa volunteer crisis
sis
10/09/00 at 14:07:49
alsalamu alaykum wa rhmat Allah wa barakatuhu

the msa at my university is having a serious problem in trying to get new members involved ...there are many many muslims on campus but we don't know how to get their attention  or get them 'hyped' into helping out with msa .....for example this yr there are  only a handful of new members which means our numbers are dwindling and we have to put more work into everything because of less muslim-power ...anyways  we tried brainstorming for ideas and came up with a few but we definately need ones that are more effective ...pls pls we need ideas so the muslim students can work together and make a difference insha'Allah

jazakum Allah khayran for any imput

walsalamu alaykum wa rhmat Allah wa barakatuhu

Re: msa volunteer crisis
bhaloo
10/09/00 at 14:24:26
slm

1). Free food usually works.  Put signs all over campus advertising this.

2). Maybe put on a presentation of The Message in one room and invite people.

3).  MSA basketball tournament for the brothers.

NS
Re: msa volunteer crisis
jannah
10/09/00 at 15:14:08
Top 10 ways to attract MSA students.

1. Food, food and more food- I can't emphasize this enough.

2. Interesting controversial topics in Islam: ie dating, marriage, abortion.

3. Sisters only/Brothers only activities Ie. halaqa's, henna parties, paint ball

4. Social activities-- picnics, end of semester ice cream, iftars, eid parties

5. Well known speakers from out of town.

6. A semester schedule planned out well in advance of the semester that lists all the variety of things going on.

7.  Regional conference, interfaith or Inter-MSA event with many participating local MSAs or other organizations on campus.

8.  D id we mention food? ;)

9.  Ask regular MSA members what they want to do as a group that they think will be fun.

10. Politically active events. ie Palestine awareness events, demonstrations.

Re: msa volunteer crisis
sis
10/09/00 at 16:53:31
alsalamu alaykum wa rhmat Allah wa barakatuhu

jazakum Allah khayr..i mean no offence but we've tried all those things..ur right more people tend to show up for those types of events ..but those people are the type that come for events..eg iftar's..etc...they don't actually get motivated to help out.....we need startegies to get people to help out with msa...showing support at events isn't a huge problem

we tried having a little session this past weekend to get volunteers....its just that only 2 new people showed up! ..thats it.....we don know how to get people to come to these meetings that  deal with 'msa work'  and also adverstising for the meetings hasn't been working ..its only a small number of muslims that tend to get the msg or even put in the effort to come........

and ya the food thing is sooo well known.....and not a problem..we just need more people to actually HELP ..not only participate ....

eg for Islam Awareness Week..muslims  come out of everywhere and listen to speakers even though its designed as an info thing for non-muslims ..and then all these muslims disappear..its great that everyone's concentrating on studying..but that leaves us who are organizing with a time constraint on our studies and daily lives........

pls more ideas plssss

jazakum Allah khayr
Re: msa volunteer crisis
chachi
10/09/00 at 18:39:23

How about setting up exam help volunteers?
Re: msa volunteer crisis
se7en
10/09/00 at 19:06:58
as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatAllahi wa barakatuh,

As for recruiting more participants, soften the image of MSA.  Having more social and casual events are awesome.   Don't call something a "Qur'an tafseer session" cuz that scares the heck out of some people.  Interesting flyers and actually actively going out and recruiting people help.  People will start to become regular members if they enjoy the meetings/sessions, and they have a circle of people they can talk to.    

As to getting participants involved in organizing and working on events, work with people who have some type of loyalty to the MSA.  Try to get them excited about getting involved, maybe have an open meeting where you can just throw around ideas and get some new innovative suggestions.  Some people feel restrained if you assign them tasks and MSA work just seems boring and tedious.  If you come up with an idea yourself, you want to see it successful.  Ask if anyone has drawing abilities and get them to make a logo for MSA, ask if anyone has writing skills to write something for the school paper... I dunno, just get people to use what they are good at and they have a passion for to benefit the MSA.  

If people attend events but don't come regularly, this means they do have an interest in MSA, but they're not hooked on it, they don't feel this attachment to it.  Nurturing that is what gets people active.



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