FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GROW AND USSA
What is USSA? What do they do?
Founded in 1947, the United States Student Association (USSA) is the nations oldest and largest student organization, and the only one that is completely student run and funded. Based in Washington, D.C., USSA advocates and organizes on issues such as the federal budget and Department of Education policy, as well as financial aid reform, voter registration, civil and human rights issues, affirmative action, and numerous other issues, decided upon by USSA’s campus membership.
What is a GROW?
GROW is the GrassRoots Organizing Weekends project of the USSA Foundation. GROW teaches fundamental organizing skills as well as leadership development for students. The trainings are led by other student activists from around the country who have won concrete victories on their campuses using GROW skills.
How can I participate in the GROW training?
Sign up now and show up on March 1st at the training site. If you do not sign up before February 25th, we cannot guarantee you a space in the training.
Why do I want as many people as possible in my organization to attend the GROW training?
GROW trainings are an experience. If after attending the GROW you go to your organization's next meeting really pumped up and full of new ideas, but no one else from your organization attended the GROW, they might not be able to relate. If you think your organization could benefit from the proven organizing skills taught at the GROW, you need to get as many people from your organization as possible to the GROW.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't come if no one else from your organization is! It just means that if you are the only one, you may find the task of relaying the skills you learned at the GROW to your fellow organizers a taxing one.
How can I get other people in my organization to attend the GROW training?
Let them know about it NOW! The biggest barrier to participation is that it takes up a full weekend. People need to have it on their calendar far in advance in order to free themselves upMarch 1st-3rd (like get homework done ahead of time)
When you present the GROW opportunity to your organization, you might want to print out pages from this website to show them. Try to figure out why it would be useful for the organization's immediate goals.
Why do I have to attend the whole GROW? Can't I just come for part of it?
As previously mentioned, the GROW is an experience. You will get to know the other participants well through discussion, brainstorming sessions and group work (which is one of the best reasons for attending: getting to know all the progressive leaders from many different organizations on campus.) Changes in the participants from session to session disrupts the development of familiarity and comfort as well as the skill development the training aims for. For this reason, we ask that you please make a commitment to plan your work ahead and schedule your activities around the GROW for this one weekend. GROWs don't come to a campus near you every day.
HOWEVER, because a large number of peole have expressed concern about the conflict with the Lunar New Year events on Friday night, the USSA trainers have decided to do a special catch-up activity on Saturday morning for Lunar New Year folks. As the GROW ends before the Lunar New Year events, we encourage all GROW participants to join the LNY events right after Friday's session.
Of course, more exceptions can be made if truely necessary. Please contact Allison Brim if you want to discuss your situation
(919) 613-3420 or agb7@duke.edu.
Does it cost me anything? Some campuses charge participants
in order to cover costs and ensure commitment to attend. We are working
very hard to fundraise in order to make attendance free. We hope that
people will make good on their commitment to attend without the penalty
of losing their advance registration fee. How do I get involved with USSA? If your campus is a USSA member
your campus student government president will receive monthly information
from the USSA office. This will include current information about the
status of federal legislation that USSA is working on. There will be an
Action Plan that will give you a campaign loaded with actions, tactics
and projects to activate students on your campus with the potential to
become a member of USSA. Ask about becoming a delegate to our two Annual
National conferences to participate in setting the national student agenda!
To become a campus member check out our website:
www.usstudents.org, or call our
office at 202.347.USSA.