With 60-84% of students never participating in school sponsored activities, these 5 tips will help guide your group to creating a culture of engagement that lasts well after the music stops. To learn even more, here's a great 7 minute video > bit.ly/DFTLeaders

1. Tips To Solving Student Apathy5
It’s Not About Marketing
Posters
are
great
at
a*rac,ng
the
a*en,on
of
students
who
are
already
paying
a*en,on.
But
what
about
the
other
60-­‐84%
who,
the
NSSE
says,
will
never
par,cipate
in
your
ac,vi,es?
Posters
and
flyers
don’t
work
for
the
dis-­‐engaged
First,
you
have
to
get
their
a*en,on.
Create Positive Confusion
The first step of student engagement is to get a student to pay
attention. Attention happens in many ways. One way is to scare a
student by doing a zombie run with blood on your face.While you’ve
captured attention, it will end up doing more harm than good. Instead,
focus on creating positive confusion. Confusion leads to interest, and
interest leads to engagement.
Find Parades Already in Motion
Ever
felt
like
the
only
one
on
the
dance
floor
trying
to
get
everyone
else
involved?
Instead
of
trying
to
start
your
own
parade,
listen
to
what
your
fellow
students
are
interested
in,
and
then
use
your
resources
as
a
leader
(budget
for
food,
room
reserva,ons,
posters,
etc.)
to
create
an
event
around
THEIR
parade.
Make Introductions Happen
It’s a simple rule; Dances are more fun, and last longer, when there are
more friends on the dance floor.As the host of the “dance,” your
responsibility is to connect as many people together on the dance floor
so there are more friendships. If someone is new, make sure to connect
that person with at least two other people. Even better, connect people
around shared interests so the conversation will flow more naturally.
Gradual Elevation
Ever
tried
to
drag
a
stranger
from
the
edge
of
a
Dance
Floor
to
the
center?
It’s
usually
not
a
pre*y
sight.
Know
that
everyone
is
at
a
different
stage
of
their
leadership
journey
and
just
like
in
a
video
game,
if
you
skip
too
many
levels
too
fast,
it
can
be
overwhelming
and
demo,va,ng.
Instead,
recognize
an
individual’s
current
level
of
engagement
and
give
them
one
step
at
a
,me
up
the
ladder.
Dance Floor Theory
Intro Video
bit.ly/DFTLeaders