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10 STEPS TO BEGINNING A GSA ON A HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS

Step 1: Follow Guidelines – A GSA must be established the same way any club is established on the campus. A teacher sponsor is necessary and communication with the principal must occur prior to establishing the GSA.

Step 2: Advisor – A supportive teacher or staff member such as a nurse, librarian, or counselor who may be considered an ally should be asked to help with this effort.

Step 3: Decide on the type of GSA; Support Group, Activist Group, Social Group.

Step 4: Ask your sponsor to Register your GSA with the District.

Step 5: Register your GSA with GSA Network and/or GLSEN. This will allow the sponsors to receive up to date information on issues related to LGBTQ

Step 6: Communicate with the school counselor about this club as they may assist in recruitment efforts.

Step 7: Pick a Safe Meeting Place – The meeting place may be in a teacher’s classroom or meeting room in the library. The location should be considered a safe place.

Step 8: Order Food from the DISD Food and Child Nutrition Website so that you may have some nutritional snacks. Access the form at: https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/21065.

Step 9: Plan for the Future – Develop an action plan for how the club will function on the campus.

Step 10: Establish a framework for the Ground Rules for discussions in the club. Ensure that the discussions are safe, confidential, and respectful.

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR GSA AND ITS MEMBERS SAFE: (Adapted from the GSANetwork GSA Safety Resource 2016-2017)

Make Sure your meeting Space is secure

If members of your club don't feel comfortable continuing to meet in the room you've been meeting in, consider moving it to a more discreet or secluded location. Make sure your members have a plan to get to and from the meeting safetly. Depending on the safety levels on your campus, you may want to consider not putting the meeting room location on your flyers or in the school announcements.

Stay Connected and Communicate Often

• Know your school's reporting process for incidents of harassment. (Dallas ISD Student Code of Conduct) FFH (LOCAL) Policy Reports of discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment or gender-based harassment, may be directed to the Title IX coordinator. FB (REGULATION)
• Refresh your GSA on your community agreements with the understanding that "what is said here, stays here and what is learned here, leaves here".
• Build a network of solidarity by coalition building with other school clubs.
• Encourage your GSA members to identify their support network: who can they text if they are feeling down? Who can they call for a safe ride somewhere? Is there an ally they've identified as a bathroom safety buddy?
• Create an alert system to notify each other of your location and be familiar with each other's schedules, so you will know if someone did not show up when they are supposed to.
• Arrange safe transportation to/from events or meetings.
• Download and use Safety Apps
• Work with your GSA Advisor to identify supportive adults in your schools you can go to

GLSEN

Jumpstart Your GSA

Part 1 Building  and Growing Your GSA

Part 2 Tips and Tools for Organizers

Part 3 Strategies for Training Teachers

Part 4 Understanding Direct Action Organizing

Part 5 Examining Power, Privilege, and Oppression

Part 6 Creating Youth Adult Partnerships

Part 7 Making Your Club Trans-Inclusive

Part 8 Evaluation and Celebration

GSA NETWORK

10 Steps to Beginning a GSA

How to Be an Awesome Advisor

GSA Network Resource Packet 

GSA Network Advisor Handbook