The March of Dimes founded its Collegiate Council in order to involve college-age youth in it various initiatives. Former Chain Reaction members, who want to stay involved with the March of Dimes, can establish Collegiate Councils at their chosen colleges or universities.
Other Collegiate Councils are started by local March of Dimes chapters that contact college administration, staff and students who show interest in maternal and infant health.
College students are part of the next generation of parents, so Collegiate Councils plan programs that heavily emphasize health education. This health education can take many forms, such as participation in freshman orientation with presentations on healthy living or implimentation of healthy living workshops for dormitories, fraternities and sororities.
Many Collegiate Councils organize community service endeavors, such as volunteering to rock babies at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or serving as supportive mentors to pregnant teenagers in the community. Councils also help plan and execute fund-raisers, such as WalkAmerica.
By organizing and conducting these projects, Collegiate Council students gain important leadership skills through activities such as managing a committee or planning and conducting a meeting. Public speaking, goal setting, event planning and production are just a few of the skills that Council activities help develop.
Goals of the Collegiate Council include:
- Spreading March of Dimes public health messages to the next generation of parents.
- Developing personal leadership skills to help prepare college students for a future of community involvement.
- Fund raising to help the March of Dimes save babies.
- Building a volunteer base for the future of the March of Dimes.
Each year, outstanding Collegiate Councils, programs, members and advisors are recognized through the Collegiate Council Recognition Program. Involvement in a Collegiate Council also qualifies students for application to the National Youth Council!
To find out how to join or start a Collegiate Council at your university contact your local March of Dimes chapter.
