TeenHelp - I've been trying so hard to start a team at my school...

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I've been trying so hard to start a team at my school...

I've wanted to be dance team captain for years. I was on a dance team and on my way to captain but family got in the way of that.. not for reasonable reasons... the school I'm currently at doesn't have a traditional Texas dance team (drill team). So I decided to create one for the school. I got all the paper work done ahead of time, flyers, uniform designs, order forms, physicals, etc. You need a sponser and 12 people. I got a sponser.. But I'm having trouble getting 12 people.. the sponser scared a lot of people away due to comments she has made that have made members uncomfortable that have left. I would also try to recruit new people but she seems to be in the way of the process of hanging up flyers, announcments, meetings, etc. When I can get them done very quickly to help start before the year ends. It would be hard to find another sponser, it has to be a teacher, but also she was a cheer coach and cheer and dancer are very different so I feel like the team would need someone with dance insight and understands that dance is not cheer...

I'm starting to give up on my dream and think that what I've worked for.. for about 6 years is not ment to be...

Any tips on recruiting new people/students to help get it started, and convincing another teacher to sponser?

Also.. do you think the current sponser would take it the wrong way if I were to get a new sponser even if its better for the team?

Re: I've been trying so hard to start a team at my school...

Hey there Arion!

First off, it's awesome that you're doing this! I know how tricky it is to start a new organization or club at school, so kudos to you for pursuing something that you love to do!

To recruit students you should try putting up flyers around school, making an announcement (if possible), or putting information in your school's newspaper or newsletter. Sometimes it can be hard to get others involved just because they simply don't know about it! Another idea that could help you grow the club is to recruit students who will be coming to your school next year (such as the incoming freshman!). They're often looking for ways to get involved and you can emphasize the fact that they're going to not only be a member of this team, but get to help build it from the ground up!

As for finding another teacher to sponsor this team I don't think it would be considered rude to turn to another if the turn out would be better. If you're worried about it, maybe talk to the teacher who has agreed to sponsor you and ask if she'd be all right with having a co-sponsor, and take it from there. It can be helpful to have multiple perspectives, and sometimes different personalities just click. If you explain to the current sponsor that you truly believe it'd be best for the team, I don't think that she would be offended by finding another sponsor.

Best of luck!

Erin