This document provides guidance on how to start a HOPE Squad, which is a student-led group that aims to prevent suicide and help students in need. It outlines four key steps: help with funding through various sources like donations, school funds, and fundraisers; organize members by surveying interest and selecting officers; plan events like monthly activities and training sessions; and execute the plan through marketing and activities like HOPE week. Sample templates are given for funding sources, leadership roles, an event calendar, and other aspects of starting a successful HOPE Squad program.

1. HOW TO START A HOPE SQUAD
By Cristy Hill
B.S.- Health Education
M.S.- Professional School Counseling
cristyhill@yahoo.com

2. Rely on HOPE
Help
Organize
Plan
Execute

3. Help with funding
 Members pay for their own shirts ($7-$10)
 Parents of members donate a snack for each training
 Money from school (vending machine funds? Extra money somewhere?)
 Money from district (community council donors? Trustland funds? Safe school funds?)
 Donations from community (take fundraising letter to businesses, advertise on social
media)
 Fundraiser (rubber duck race, yellow balloon release, video game competition)

4. Sample funding
Incoming:
 School funds $700
 Private Donation $500
 Orthodontist Donation $300
 Other donations: bowling alley, movie theater, Elks Lodge,
Subway, Grocery store, photography

5. Organize members
 Step 1: Hand out a survey to all students
 Step 2: Tally votes
 Step 3: Ask members to be on the squad (diversity)
 Step 4: Ask 1-3 adults to be advisors
 Step 5: Assign officer positions
 Step 6: Hold a parent meeting to answer questions

6. Sample organization
President (opens meetings, brings ideas, inspires members)
Vice President (supports prez, brings ideas, inspires members)
Online communications (social media/websites)
Printed communications (posters and printed material)
Fundraiser-er (donation letter to businesses)
Happyness Advisor (birthday treats, stress management)

7. Stansbury High School’s
President of HOPE Squad
 http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=32447761

8. Plan events
 Step 1: Have an advisor/officer meeting
 Step 2: Plan all events for the year
(once a month? HOPE week)
 Step 3: Make a procedure for referrals
(form? How will you keep track?)
 Step 4: Discuss how you will contact/communicate with members
(remind101, blog)
 Step 5: Make a crisis plan
(what is members role in a crisis)
 Step 6: Discuss a plan for members to take care of their own mental health/how to handle
bullying
 Step 7: Combine with feeder schools to plan a twice a year activity

9. Sample event calendar
October:
 Survey students
 Organize squad/parent meeting/plan events
 2-hour training
 HOPE week
November:
 Combined training with feeder school with guest speaker
 Lunch time activity (friend-o-grams)
December:
 Lunch time activity (“wii are HOPE” gaming competition, hand out suicide hotline cards)
 QPR training by district professionals
January:
 Training by safe schools coordinator
 Lunch time activity (TBD)
 Pep Assembly

10. Sample
communication

11. Execute
Marketing!
 Assemblies, social media, school newspaper,
community newspaper, shirts, badges,
pictures of members by counseling office,
lunch activities, parent teacher conferences

12. Sample execution of marketing

13. HOPE week

14. Questions???
Help
Organize
Plan
Execute
Howtostartahopesquad.blogspot.com