Beginning a Let's Erase the Stigma Club for students at your school, campus, or community center is a great first step in helping youth and your community.  We're glad you want to join LETS, and we think you'll feel rewarded while making a difference.  Starting a LETS Club is possible in any school or community that allows other Clubs.

STEP 1 | TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT LETS.

Try to get them as excited about LETS as you are!  If you're at a middle or high school, you might talk to students and teachers.  If you're at a college or university, you might talk to students, professors, research faculty, and department heads.  If you're at a community center, you might talk to members and leaders.  Ask them to participate, and invite them to learn more about LETS with you.

STEP 2 | FOLLOW YOUR SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RULES.

Ask your school's administrative office or the leaders of your community center what you need to do to set up a new club.  They may ask you to complete a simple form or permission slip.  Please obtain the necessary permissions for beginning your LETS Club and follow the rules of your school, campus, or community.

STEP 3 | SET UP AN INTRODUCTORY MEETING.

Schedule an introductory meeting to share ideas about the stigma of mental illness, talk about your LETS Club's mission, and think about ways you can help.  Encourage participation and dialogue.  Keep it informative and fun!

Have everyone sign in with their name, phone number, and email address so they can stay updated about your LETS activities.  After the meeting, you or a volunteer may want to send out a quick email to thank participants and invite them to return with friends.

STEP 4 | FORMALIZE YOUR PLANS.

Now it's time to think about details.  Schedule your first formal meeting to address organizational objectives, brainstorm, delegate responsibilities, and decide how you will run your LETS Club together.  Determine the following:

• Your goals, plans, and logistics for running your LETS Club.  Use the LETS Club Constitution to answer basic start-up questions.  
• When, where, and how often you will meet.
• Finalize approval from your campus or community administration.
• Ask a teacher or adult leader if they will be your LETS Club Advisor.
• Nominate or elect your LETS Club Officers.

STEP 5 | COMPLETE YOUR LETS CLUB CONSTITUTION.

Together with your Club, complete the Start-Up Constitution form online by choosing from the "Let's Start!" menu at www.lets.org.  Use this to set goals, decide how to use your grant, and become an official Club of Let's Erase the Stigma Educational Foundation.  Use this constitution to guide your Club activities.

You'll need to fill out a new Constitution at the beginning of each academic year.  To do so, simply complete the Renewal Constitution form online by choosing from the "Let's Start!" menu at www.lets.org.

STEP 6 | MEET, TALK, ACT!

As soon as LETS receives your Club Constitution, you'll receive access to the LETS Guidebook.  Now you can really dig in.  Is there something fun you want to do?  Something important you want to discuss?  A cool idea you have?  Let's!  Begin your regular meetings using the Guidebook and your own ideas to talk about the stigma of mental illness, activities your Club can do, and ways you can reach out to your school or community.  

STEP 7 | REVIEW YOUR LETS START-UP GUIDEBOOK.

This Guidebook is full of ideas to help you get organized and start erasing the stigma of mental illness, and it will be your guide throughout the year.  Copy your Club Constitution into the Guidebook as a reminder of your plans and goals.  Be sure to complete the Advisor Agreement.  

STEP 8 | APPLY FOR A LETS GRANT.

Create plans for a $1,000 grant from LETS by completing the Grant Application Form found in your Guidebook.

STEP 9 | TALK TO US!

LETS Educational Foundation will contact you to review your Constitution, approve your new Club, connect you with a mentorship opportunity, help you with a grant, ask if you need anything else, and congratulate you on your new LETS Club.  We promise to always stand by your Club!

STEP 10 | JUST FOR COLLEGES:

If you are in college or university, consider these options:

• Do you want to do fun activities and outreach on your campus?  
• Do you want to pursue research?  
• Do you want to mentor LETS kids at a nearby high school?  Do you want to offer or receive practicum credit?

Complete all the steps above, then connect with students, professors, research faculty, or department offices.  You may utilize your grant application for associated costs.  Next, tell us details about your school's requirements for these activities so we know how to help.