Promoting healthy dating relationships in teens - Toolkit for implementation of high school-based domestic violence courage clubs - Jamie ...
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Promoting healthy dating
relationships in teens
Toolkit for implementation of high school-based domestic violence courage clubs
Getting started
3 Initiating a high school-based domestic violence courage club
6 Increasing awareness of high school-based domestic violence courage clubs
10 Courage Club sample constitution and by-laws
12 References
2
Initiating a high school-based
domestic violence courage club
Prevention and awareness are effective ways to reduce or prevent unhealthy relationships. A high school-
based domestic violence club (HSBDVC) could increase awareness about healthy dating relations and provide
resources for students who are experiencing domestic violence in a relationship. Starting an HSBDVC is a very
important step in addressing domestic violence and promoting healthy relationships with teens.
Step One Step Two Step Three
Find an Advisor Generate Initial Interest Official School Courage
Ask a teacher, counselor, or In addition to promoting the idea Clubs Checklist
coach to serve as an advisor and/ of initiating a HSBDVC at your This step will look different
or sponsor of the club. Think school, you will need an initial depending on the school you
of someone with whom you group of interested students to attend and it will involve a
have had positive experiences support you in this endeavor. significant amount of time and
with during your time in high Start talking to students at your dedication from all interested
school and the reasons a certain school in order to see if there is students.
advisor would be a good fit for a an interest in starting a HSBDVC.
domestic violence courage club. It will be important to gain buy-in
from fellow students as they will
be the ones to help in the official
creation of the courage club.
Initiating a high school-based domestic violence courage club 3
It will be important for you to check with your school for the most up-to-date requirements and to work with your
potential advisor and initial group of interested students to complete. Below are a few examples of the steps
required to create a courage club at different high schools.
Ardrey Kell Hopewell Other requirements to create
Submit to the Inter-Club Council • Faculty advisor a club at your high school
the following information during • Minimum of three initial may include the following:
regular meeting times: members • Signatures from fellow
• Faculty advisor • Meet with assistant principal to students in support of the
• Stated name and discuss potential club creation of the club
purpose of the club • Once approved by assistant • Creation of a club mission (see
• Membership list, principal, register with Student example below)
including officers Government Association by • Creation of a club constitution
• Written constitution and the deadline (dates vary for and by-laws (see appendix)
bylaws which shall include, each semester) • Minimum GPA for members to
but not limited to: • Once registered, club can remain active
• Name of the club officially begin and must • Annual community service
• Purpose of the club maintain three members to hours
• Officer positions and duties remain active
• Elections of officers
• Membership requirements Sample Club Mission
or guidelines (i.e. who can Providence The mission of our club at is to increase
• Amendment sections (i.e. • Application packet due each awareness about the impact and
how the constitution and spring (requirements are scale of domestic violence and
bylaws can be changed) updated January of each year) engage with students to prevent
• Upon review by the Inter- • Presentation to Executive dating violence. We seek to
Club Council and the advisor, Board share information about healthy
a simple majority vote of relationships through activities
ICC members if required for at school and school-sponsored
approval. events.
West Charlotte
• Faculty advisor
• Organize interested group of
East Mecklenburg students
• Faculty/Staff advisor • Apply with Student
• Formal student Government to become a club
leadership team in the spring semester
• Participation in required Inter • Once approved, club can
Club (ICC) activities and events begin the following semester
• Organization must be
approved by the principal prior
to recruiting members
Initiating a high school-based domestic violence courage club 4
Did you know that approximately 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner?
Increasing awareness of high school-
based domestic violence courage clubs
Once a HSBDVC is established, it is time to get creative in planning activities to engage and educate peers
about domestic violence. Remember that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and October
is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a great time to partner with local community
organizations, such as the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage and host events and fundraisers in your school/
community to build awareness about intimate partner violence and how to prevent it.
Below is a list of ideas and activities that you can implement year-round in your school’s club.
The Jamie Kimble Foundation Host an awareness campaign or activity
for Courage’s video Utilize social media and make a public service
The story of Jamie Kimble can be used at the announcement on dating violence.
beginning of your event to give background and a For example, your club can collaborate with school
personal story of domestic violence. media sources to create a video or radio piece that
can be aired during the month of February for Teen
Volunteer at an organization Dating Violence Awareness Month and October
in your community during domestic violence awareness month.
Host a food drive for a local shelter.
Create a video on your school campus with
Make it fun and create a contest between students teachers, advisors and in your circle of friends.
at your high school. For example, whichever club
Ask the question: “What does respect mean to you?”
donates the most food items can win a pizza party.
How do you interpret or establish boundaries?
Spend time at a domestic violence shelter
Organize a bake sale or neighborhood awareness
and volunteer as a club.
campaign.
Contact the organization to see what their needs are
Have your club make purple bows to be sold to
for volunteers. There may be peak times of the year
have students place on their lockers or on their
when they need more volunteers, so make sure to
neighborhood mail boxes to show unity and support
make this part of your calendar planning as a club
against intimate partner violence.
and make it an annual tradition.
Important phone numbers to remember
01 02 03
National Teen National Domestic National Sexual
Dating Hotline Violence 24 Hour Assault Hotline
866.331.9474 Crisis Hotline 800.656.HOPE
800.799.7233 800.656.4673
Increasing awareness of high school-based domestic violence courage clubs 6
Utilize local resources
Look to leaders for inspiration. Coordinate a Wear Orange Day at your school to
raise awareness for teen dating violence.
Inquire as to whether there are local leaders in your
community who are survivors of domestic violence TDVAM is a month-long national campaign dedicated
and who are willing to share their stories at one of to raising awareness about teen dating abuse.
your club meetings. Every February, people across the United States
join together for a national effort to bring awareness
Coordinate a Wear Purple Day at your school to to teen dating violence. Promote “Wear Orange”
raise awareness for domestic violence. to show solidarity and to raise awareness about
dating violence. Share selfies to raise awareness
Purple is the official color of the national domestic
and stopping dating abuse before it begins. Only by
violence campaign. This could be done the same
continuing to talk about these difficult issues can we
day as a pep rally or guest speaker during domestic
call attention to teen dating violence.
violence awareness month.
Raise awareness
about teen dating
violence by promoting a
“Wear Orange Day”
at your high school
each February
7Plan activities for your school and community
Start public art projects. Other ideas
Sidewalk/Walkway Chalk or large Sponsor an awareness walk/ Distribute purple ribbons,
poster board/wall board - have run for healthy relationships at bracelets, or stickers, the official
passersby answer a prompt your high school or co- sponsor ribbon color of domestic violence
(Prompt ideas: “Dating Abuse one with a community partner. national campaigns, to reach a
is…”; “A world without dating This could be a great time to large number of students in a
abuse is…”; “Love is…”; “In a incorporate survivors of domestic short amount of time.
relationship, I have the right to… violence as speakers for a run/
“; “To stop dating violence, I walk event. In Charlotte, the Do the Write
will…”) Thing (DTWT) Essay Challenge
Host a party for dating violence is an initiative of the National
Decorate T-shirts and display awareness or Holiday Ugly Campaign to Stop Violence, a
them on clothespins. T-shirt ideas Christmas Sweater event. non-profit organization made up
could include words for survivors of businesses, and community
of dating violence and what Partner with a school athletic and government leaders. This
being in a healthy relationship team to raise awareness during a group is committed to reducing
means. game, such as asking the football youth violence and improving
team to wear purple socks during the health of our families and
Create a safe, locked mailbox. one of their games in October. communities. The Do the
Write Thing Essay Challenge
Instruct students to anonymously Program began in 1994 as a local
write down experiences of dating Work with school media to create
announcements and a possible program in Washington, D.C.,
abuse or witnessing domestic and expanded in 1996 to other
violence in their families and the video to use during half-time for
education and awareness. cities across the U.S. Today, the
impact it has on them. program includes thirty cities and
Coordinate a bake sale and twenty National Guard sites.
Create an awareness campaign.
include statements about healthy
You can then put messages on relationships with each baked
T-shirts or posters as part of an good. Proceeds can either
awareness campaign, or start a benefit your club or be donated
social media project by taking to JKFFC.
pictures of selected things said
or video tape actors saying the Screen a movie about
experiences. domestic violence and healthy
relationships or host a film
Host a poetry slam/spoken festival to showcase movies over
word event on dating violence. a set period of time
Partner with a local coffee shop
or small venues to host the event Host an art show and ask your
and see if they are willing to fellow classmates to create
donate any proceeds to a local artwork of what a healthy
shelter. relationship means to them
Increasing awareness of high school-based domestic violence courage clubs 8Launch a social media campaign
Raise awareness through social. Engage with teens on social media to take a stand
Launch a social media campaign to share red flags against dating abuse. Use appropriate GIFs or
associated with teen dating violence as well as green graphics designed for Instagram and messages
flags associated with healthy relationships. for Twitter and Facebook.
Encourage teen ambassadors to actively promote We’ve included a few examples to get you started.
social media messages using hashtags such as:
#TeensforCourage,
#DoYouHaveTheCourage,
#WearOrangeforTDVAM
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Your partner
has an explosive KNOW THE
WARNING SIGNS
temper and
Your partner
blows up a lot.
attempts to
isolate you
from friends
and family.
Learn more using
#DoYouHaveTheCourage
Learn more using #TeensForCourage
5 steps towards a
healthy relationship
1 in 4 teens report verbal,
emotional, sexual and stalking
violence each year.
Learn more about teen dating violence
#DoYouHaveTheCourage
Learn more at #TeensForCourage
9Courage Club sample constitution
and by-laws (modified from Wesley University sample constitution)
New and emerging student courage clubs can use this example when developing a constitution and bylaws
specific to their club needs. Established clubs can use this when updating or changing their bylaws.
Article I Article III • Represent the club
• Appoint committee
Name & Purpose Officer chairpersons subject to the
Section A: Name – The name of Section A: Officers – The approval of the Executive
this courage club shall be [name officers shall be a President, Committee
of XXXX Courage Club]. Vice-President, Secretary, and • Serve as an ex-official member
Treasurer. [These are general of all committees except the
Section B: National Affiliation officers, add officers specific nominating committee
– If the club is a member of a to the needs of the club, if • Perform such other duties as
national or state organization, necessary.] ordinarily pertain to this office
add the following statement and
attach a copy of the national Section B: Eligibility – Officers Section B: Vice-President –
constitution as it will become must be [full-time students, It shall be the duty of the Vice-
part of this document: “The rules carrying at least 1 credit, etc.] President to:
and regulations of the National • Preside in the absence of the
Constitution shall be followed Section C: Election – The President
when not inconsistent with the officers shall be elected by ballot • Serve as chairperson of the
rules and regulations of CSM.” at the last meeting of the spring Program Committee
semester by a majority of the
Section C: Purpose – The vote cast for that office. Section C: Secretary – It shall be
purpose of this club shall be: the duty of the Secretary to:
1. [List in detail the purposes Section D: Term – The officers • Record the minutes of all
and objectives of the clubs.] shall serve for one year and meetings
2. their term of office shall begin at • Keep a file of the club’s
3. the commencement of the fall records
4. semester. • Maintain a current roster of
membership
Article II Section E: Vacancy – If a vacancy • Issue notices of meetings
occurs in the office of President, and conduct the general
Membership & Dues the Vice-President shall assume correspondence of the club
Section A: Eligibility – the office for the remainder of the
Membership shall be open to term and vacancies in any other Section D: Treasurer – It shall be
[define membership qualification, office shall be filled by a special the duty of the Treasurer to:
i.e., majors in a particular election. • Receive all funds and process
academic area, etc.] upon Request for Payment, Deposit
payment of the dues as outlined Article IV Slip, and Officer Signature
in Section C. Forms.
Duties of Officers
• Keep an itemized account of
Section B: Dues – Dues shall be Section A: President – it shall be all receipts and expenditures
$ per year. [List national and state the duty of the President to: and make reports as directed
dues separately if applicable]. • Preside at meetings
• Vote only in case of a tie
Courage Club sample constitution and by-laws 10Article V Article VII Article VIII
Meetings Advisor Committees
Section A: Meetings – Regular Section A: Selection – there shall Section A: Program Committee
meetings shall be held bi-monthly be a faculty/staff advisor who – A program committee
during the regular school year. shall be selected each year by composed of the Vice-President
the membership. as chairperson and four other
Section B: Special Meeting members shall be appointed by
– Special meetings may be Section B: Duties – The the President before the end of
called by the President with responsibilities of the faculty spring semester, whose duty shall
the approval of the Executive advisor shall be to: be to plan the overall program of
Committee. • Maintain an awareness of the club.
the activities and programs
Section C: Quorum – A quorum sponsored by the student Section B: Other Committees
shall consist of [example: two- club. – [List other committees
thirds (2/3)] of the membership. • Meet on a regular basis with germane to the club such as
[The number required should be the leader of the student club finance, publicity, membership,
small enough to ensure that a to discuss upcoming meetings, professional relations, social, etc.]
quorum will usually be present long range plans, goals, and
but large enough to protect the problems of the club. Section C: Special Committees
club against decisions being • Attend regular meetings, – The President shall have the
made by a small minority.] executive board meetings as authority to appoint any special
often as schedule allows. committees, with the approval of
Section D: Parliamentary • Assist in the orientation of new the Executive Committee, from
Authority – Robert’s Rules of officers. time to time as need demands.
Orders, shall govern this club • Explain and clarify campus
in all cases to which they are policy and procedures that Article IX
applicable and in which they apply to the club.
are not inconsistent with these • Maintain contact with the Amendments
bylaws. Student Life Office. Section A: Selection – these
• Provide direction in the area bylaws may be amended by a
Article VI of parliamentary procedure, two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of
meeting facilitation, group- the chapter membership.
Executive Committee building, goal setting, and
Section A: Responsibility – program planning Section B: Notice – All members
Management of this club shall • Assist the club treasurer in shall receive advance notice
be vested in an Executive monitoring expenditures, of the proposed amendment
Committee responsible to the fundraising activities, and at least five days before the
entire membership to uphold corporate sponsorship to meeting. [The time may be
these bylaws. maintain an accurate and up- extended to the following
to-date account ledger. meeting.]
Section B: Membership – This • Inform club members of
committee shall consist of the those factors that constitute
officers as listed in Article III and unacceptable behavior on the
the faculty advisor. part of the club members, and
the possible consequence of
Section C: Meetings – This said behaviors.
committee shall meet at least
once between regular meetings
of the club to organize and plan
future activities.
Courage Club sample constitution and by-laws 11References
Brown, C. (n.d.). About Let’s Talk About Boyz Awareness & Prevention Teen Dating Violence Curriculum
Series for Girls. Retrieved February 1, 2017, from http://safezonespot.info/index.php? option=com_
content&view=article&id=178&Itemid=458
Sample Constitution or Bylaws for Student… (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2017, from hFp:// www.bing.com/
cr?IG=A8E57589ACEF4C20807441BC84EEE0E9&CID=3941A54E850B6A00113BAF61843A
6B75&rd=1&h=k1_DbZZTzUaFvwfSA8CYDvHu78Ts2C5bTnBZBY8thQ&v=1&r=hFp%3a%2f%2fwesley.edu
%2fwpcontent%2fuploads%2f2015%2f08%2fSample_Constution_1_.pdf&p=DevEx,5061.1
Runaway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2017,
from http://www.nrcdv.org/rhydvtoolkit/key-terms-resources/glossary.html
12For more information about initiating
a domestic violence courage club at
your high school, please email
info@jkffc.orgYou can also read
