Building School Partnerships

Creating Lasting School Relationships

Your success as Lodge DAP Chair depends largely on your ability to build strong relationships with local schools. Schools that trust your lodge will invite you back year after year, creating sustainable impact on young people in your community.

Understanding the School Perspective

Before approaching schools, understand what they're dealing with:

• Overcrowded schedules: Every minute of instruction time is valuable
• Liability concerns: Schools are careful about who interacts with students
• Past experiences: They may have had poor experiences with outside presenters
• Competing requests: Many organizations want access to students
• Curriculum requirements: They must meet academic standards

Your job is to make partnering with DAP easy, valuable, and safe for schools.

Finding the Right Contact

Different schools have different decision-makers:

• Elementary schools: Principal or assistant principal often decides
• Middle schools: May have a health coordinator or counselor who handles prevention programs
• High schools: Often have a designated community partnerships coordinator
• District level: Large districts may have a central office that approves all presenters

Start with the principal's office and ask who handles community education partnerships.

Your Initial Approach

When reaching out to a school for the first time:

Lead with Value

Don't lead with "we want to come talk to your students." Instead, lead with what you offer:

• "We provide free, age-appropriate drug prevention education"
• "We support schools during Red Ribbon Week with materials and activities"
• "We're local volunteers committed to your community"

Establish Credibility

• Mention the Elks' long history in your community
• Reference the DEA partnership
• Offer references from other schools if you have them
• Emphasize that all volunteers are vetted lodge members

Be Flexible

• Offer multiple format options (assembly, classroom, lunch-and-learn)
• Work around their schedule, not yours
• Start with whatever access they'll give—a small opportunity can grow

Building Trust Over Time

The best school relationships develop over years, not weeks:

• Show up reliably: Be on time, prepared, and professional every visit
• Follow through: Do what you say you'll do
• Seek feedback: Ask how you can better serve the school's needs
• Stay in touch: Don't disappear between visits—send occasional updates
• Remember names: Personal connections matter
• Express gratitude: Thank teachers and administrators for their partnership

Leveraging Existing Connections

Look for lodge members who already have school connections:

• Current or retired teachers
• School board members
• Parents or grandparents of current students
• Athletic coaches or band boosters
• Business owners who work with schools

These existing relationships can open doors that cold calls cannot.

When Schools Say No

Not every school will welcome you immediately. Common reasons for rejection:

• "We already have a drug prevention program"—ask if you can supplement it
• "We don't have time"—offer shorter formats or specific events like Red Ribbon Week
• "We need to go through the district"—follow their process patiently
• "We had a bad experience with presenters"—offer references and a pilot visit

A "no" today doesn't mean "no" forever. Stay in touch, and try again next year with a new approach.

Working with Private and Charter Schools

Don't overlook non-public schools:

• Private schools often have more flexibility in scheduling
• Charter schools may be eager for community partnerships
• Religious schools may welcome the values-based approach
• Homeschool groups sometimes organize cooperative events

These schools can be excellent partners while you build relationships with public schools.