#smokefreesummer

Check out this SWAT Recruitment ad that was created by Manatee County’s SWAT Chapter during their last leadership training. Makes you think…why did you join SWAT?

“One person can make a difference and everyone should try.”

                                                                                             – John F. Kennedy 

            In SWAT, every person can make a difference. Every member matters. Our strength comes from our unity, determination, and dedication, and with every new member, we become stronger. People are the greatest force of change. Our mission is to spread awareness amongst our peers, to further our mission of a smoke-free world, and to become the generation that puts an end to Big Tobacco. To accomplish these goals we have to engage youth – to recruit and retain as many of our peers as possible. To do this, we must enrage, engage, and empower.

            First, we have to enrage – to create critical consciousness. When youth are aware of critical issues that can and must be addressed, when they are enraged by social injustice, they become motivated to act. This step of enragement begins during recruitment and continues during retention. To enrage and attract new members, we can make them aware of Big Tobacco’s manipulation. Show them quotes, videos, and advertisements that prove Big Tobacco’s lies, and make them aware of the horrifying reality of the effect of tobacco on public health. This process is perfect for recruitment, for it enrages youth in the face of injustice and illustrates the work that needs to be done. It can be continued during retention, for there are constantly new issues to be angered or inspired by. Keep SWAT members updated on new laws, emerging tobacco products, and new Big Tobacco strategies. However, it is important that you do this in a fun, engaging way. Bring in a guest speaker, have them follow an advertising campaign, or get a member to give an oral presentation. Keep them enraged and motivated!

            Second, we have to engage. This is essential for both new and current SWAT members, because it keeps them working and active. To engage during recruitment, speak to your prospective member like a colleague, like someone who is valuable. One of the most crucial steps is to bridge the prospective member’s interests with SWAT’s mission. For example, if someone plays an instrument, ask him or her to perform at a SWAT community event. If he or she loves sports, tell them about how tobacco affects athletes. In this way, you can tailor your message and mission to your audience, and engage new members. At the same time, you can keep current members engaged by making sure that events and activities are interactive and fun. Constantly create new, exciting opportunities for members, such as leadership positions, field trips, or a banquet. Expect members to put in an equal amount of work, and make those expectations clear. The most effective club is one in which every member is engaged and inspired.

            Third, we must empower. Empowerment can be defined as a social action process through which people gain mastery over their lives and communities, reaching their full capacity. For both recruitment and retention, empowerment is essential, because it shows members the power they can have over society. Tell new members about how their peers have made a difference – how they have passed legislation, shaped pop culture and media, and lowered teen smoking rates. At the same time, you can keep seasoned SWAT members empowered by giving them constant opportunities to really make a difference. Give them leadership roles, let them talk to policy and decision makers on a city, county, and even state level, or have them give interviews or write press releases to the media. Show them that THEY can make a difference… and everyone should try.

            Recruitment and retention are the two basic, essential components of every SWAT club. We need people to make a difference, to affect meaningful change. The youth are our valuable resource – one that we must cherish and cannot waste. So remember: enrage, engage, and empower!

Thoughts from the Youth Advocacy Board –

SWAT Recruitment and Retention

  The main basis of Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), are the members which convey and advocate the truth about the Big Tobacco industry. To recruit new members into SWAT, I recommend that we should focus and promote what we truly represent. This involves education on what Big Tobacco actually does to advertise to the public, especially the youth. This would include the tactics of associating tobacco products with candy products and strategically placing advertisements near schools or parks. Another idea is to show how RJ Reynolds said they do not sell to youth, but their actions say otherwise; including, the document from February 29, 1984 which stated that the youth are replacement smokers for those who die from tobacco-related illnesses. Try to paint a picture of the bad guys (Big Tobacco), and the good guys (SWAT!). Another recommendation I would give to improve recruitment is to showcase past successes SWAT has had, such as the Not a Replacement campaign and the various accomplishments of each county chapter. Always try to relate to those who you want to recruit as colleagues/teammate. It's good to pitch SWAT as a interactive, fun, and inviting organization!!

  Some ideas I would recommend regarding SWAT retention include inspiring them to take action within their community, educating them on laws regarding tobacco products, and making sure that each youth grants an equal amount of participation. Depending on the level of each youth in the organization of SWAT, each strategy of retention will vary. Make sure that each participant in the SWAT organization is ready to contribute to the best of their ability. Another recommendation I can give is to provide, to those who are ready for it, leadership opportunities so that these individual youth may expand their horizons and skills.

Thoughts from the Youth Advocacy Board –

SWAT Recruitment and Retention

              Having active participants is crucial for all clubs. In Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) having a strong student body helps us to carry our mission to great lengths across the nation, and possibly worldwide. There are many ways in which we can recruit and retain many of these members. In my local SWAT club we do many events that actively engage students in the school while at the same time teaching them about the dangers of tobacco. By engaging students in SWAT events you are encouraging them to learn more about the program, and even spike their interest in joining the club as well. Once they become involved in a club; it is still very crucial to make sure that the club does activities to engage its members. Many students want to be a part of an active club instead of a “lame duck” club.

              It is also important to remember that EVERY student matters greatly to the club. Sometimes clubs tend to be rather large in amount of participants, and students don’t feel a close connection to the advisors or leaders of the club. As being such a wide organization throughout the nation, it is important that we recognize students, and tell them how important they are to the national efforts of SWAT. Many students would appreciate this greatly, and feel the need to actively participate to a greater extent.

              To conclude my previous thoughts, the SWAT program has done many great things to recruit and retain many of the SWAT members. They know that every student drastically impacts the mission of SWAT whether they are on the Youth Advocacy Board, a leader in their local chapter, or just a participant. If we continue on with our motives will have absolutely no problem with gaining and keeping members!

Thoughts from the Youth Advocacy Board –

SWAT Recruitment and Retention

  With my experience as a SWAT president I have found several means of recruiting and keeping members engaged. First and foremost you have to make SWAT appealing. We live in an age of non-stop movement - branding is everything. When I attempt to recruit members I always aim for the wow factor. I create fun activities for my team to execute. The reality of recruitment is that it becomes boring if you repeat the same worn-out tactics used months ago. If it bores you it will bore the people you’re trying to recruit. Admittedly some of my activities are borderline insane, but they are effective. When I go to recruitment events I love performing skits with powerful messages. Dress up, develop an accent, have fun. Recruitment becomes dangerously powerful when it informs and entertains at the same time.

So once you have a bunch of members, you’re wondering how to keep them engaged. Luckily for you SWAT gives members wonderful opportunities. Don’t keep your club in a classroom – branch out! Talk to commissioners about the dangers of tobacco and strive for resolutions; host tobacco free events at your local health department; make informative public service announcements. Most importantly treat your members as equals. They will respect you if you respect them. Being a leader isn’t about telling people what to do. Being a leader is having the ability to improve your team as a whole. Every member counts. Every voice makes a difference.