Program Set-Up Checklist

So you want to set up a girls’ program! Decide the direction of your program and consider your intentions, objectives and goals. In our experience, there are a number of factors that you will need to consider. For example, it is important that the need for a program comes from girls in the community, and that these girls are integrally involved in shaping what the program will look like. You may want to do this in collaboration with future participants of your group, so they have an opportunity to learn how to organize and engage with their community.

Consider the following questions to help you determine the direction and needs of your program.

• Are you creating a new organization or a program within an existing organization?

• Are you creating an informal group with no organizational status?

• Will you need organizational status in order to apply for funding?

• Do you want to apply for funding?

• Will you need liability insurance?

• Will the coordinator be volunteering or will they get paid (one day)?

• Do you want an advisory committee to offer you support, expertise, access to networks, programming advice, and ideas?

• Do you want to fundraise or find in-kind contributions?

• What is the structure of the program? Will it be a permanent drop-in space, an after school program, an ongoing or a limited workshop series?

• Where will your group meet? Do the girls involved support this location?

• Where is the program space? What kind of facilities do you need?

• What resources or equipment do you need?

• How will you promote your program?

• How will you engage people to support your program?

• Do girls have the support they need to participate? Girls may require the support of care workers in order to access the program or to be able to participate fully.