Starting a Student Association

Here's how to start an Operation Smile Student Association at your school

1. Commit to Starting an Operation Smile Student Association (OSSA)
   
   Operation Smile Headquarters has created a Student Association Start-Up Kit. It will provide you with the necessary tools to recruit prospective members and effectively execute your first meeting. To request a Start-Up Kit, please complete the OSSA Start-Up Kit Request Form.
   
   
2. After you receive your Start-Up Kit, review all the information. Schedule a meeting with your Principal or equivalent school leader to discuss your interest in establishing an Operation Smile Student Association. Local requirements vary, state to state. You may certainly attach your new Association to an established club in your school such as Interact, Key Club or Student Council. Student Programs is - Education, Leadership & Fun-Raising!
   
   Registered Student Associations can request the Student Programs Handbook by writing to:
   
   Operation Smile
   Student Programs Handbook
   6435 Tidewater Drive
   Norfolk, VA 23509
   
   
   
3. Find a Sponsor
   
   It is required that every Student Association have an adult sponsor (21 years of age or older), in order to be registered as an official subsidiary of Operation Smile. The sponsor may be a faculty member, school nurse, parent or community leader. Who your sponsor is will vary depending on your local and state rules. Your sponsor must be the person to register your association.
   
   
   
4. Jump-Start Kit
   
   After your new Operation Smile Student Association is registered, you will receive a Jump-Start Kit. Your kit will include suggested fundraisers, a DVD about Operation Smile and suggestions to make your Association a success! Your Student Association will continue to receive updated materials, event information and ideas to help you spread the Operation Smile mission throughout your community, K-12, College, service organizations and senior citizen groups. In addition, you will receive information about Operation Smile's annual International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) that is held in the summer at a different college or university. The annual ISLC is attended by hundreds of students from around the world! Everyone is welcome.
   
   

Here's how to become a student volunteer on an Operation Smile international medical mission

• Be involved in an Operation Smile Student Association
• Be involved in a Student Association that raises at least $750
• Attended at least one Operation Smile International Student Leadership Conference (held every summer)
• Applied, been accepted and completed Operation Smile's Mission Training Workshop (held twice a year)
• Be 16 years of age at the time of the mission and be a high school freshman, sophomore or junior