These upcoming weeks are exciting ones for the Princeton High School DoSomething.org club [1]. PHS is in the midst of running their FIRST ever Teens for Jeans drive, not to mention organizing a staff vs. students charity basketball game (sounds like a slam dunk to us!).
Club leader Zaynab Zaman shares how she worked to build the club back up – when it collapsed during her sophomore year – to 40 members, with the help of amazeballs co-leaders.
Who/what inspired you to create (or join) a DoSomething.org club?
I was part of a Do Something club at my middle school, and I loved it, honestly. I loved decorating boxes and packaging canned foods, because even though it took a while sometimes, it was something really rewarding for me. I learned what it felt like to do something really good for other people, with other people. I think, by joining my middle school club, I figured out the important elements of any club, it’s just that this one, where we help people and bond, happened to be my favorite. That's why I was shocked and unhappy when I learned that my high school did not have a Do Something Club! For the first two years, the leaders were not very organized, and did not run the club smoothly or effectively. It collapsed during my sophomore year. I talked to the teacher in charge, and she offered me the chance to lead the club and build it back up again. So I did, and now I am proud to say that we have 40 members, most of whom come to each meeting and participate in the events we plan. It’s a lot of work leading a club, but I have wonderful co-leaders to help me, and again, I love the bonding and the do-good things that we're experiencing as a club. I wouldn't give it up for anything!
Tell us about the most awesome sauce campaign or project you ever completed?
We are in the middle of our first ever Teens for Jeans drive, and so far we have over 60 pairs of jeans! We involved all the local middle schools and elementary schools in our area, to get as many donations as possible. We decorated boxes for this drive, and we also made posters and put up signs, as well as advertised it all over the web and through word of mouth. Also, in March we're planning a giant staff vs. students charity basketball game, and we've already started organizing that, so I predict that will be the most awesome thing we've ever done!
Tell us about a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?
It was difficult to bring this club back up onto its feet after it had gone to pieces the years prior to this one, because there was a certain opinion of it. However, I did manage to make it prominent and give it a successful, publicized start this year, and subsequently it’s become easier since then. It was also difficult organizing many events, because I've learned that it requires a lot of responsibility and time.
Any advice for other students looking to start (or join) a DS club?
I advise that they really connect with the site before doing anything. It's so helpful, and I don't know if I would have been successful at all if I hadn't gotten my ideas and gotten help from this website, as well as support.
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Think your DoSomething.org club should be featured? Apply here [3].
Does your club have 10+ members? We want to throw you a free Pizza Party [4]!