Culture of Life Studies Program

Building a culture of life, one student at a time

Start a Pro-Life Club

Do you want to spread the culture of life in your community? Start a pro-life club in your parish, school, or homeschool group! This group gives you and other students a place to develop and strengthen your pro-life beliefs. You can talk about current developments and ways to reach your community. Fun group events will help you build relationships with your pro-life peers. Together, you can find ways to raise awareness about abortion.

Anyone, at any age, can help build a culture of life. We’ll show you how to start a pro-life club that saves lives and fights the culture of death in your community.

Starting the Club

First, don’t try to start this club by yourself. Create a founding board with at least two or three members. You can recruit friends, classmates, and peers who share your passion for life. You should also have a pro-life adult advisor. This person can offer direction when needed and help with technical needs, such as planning trips. A parent, teacher, or someone from church may be a good choice.

Each founding member should be invested in the club. If you want it to succeed, you will need to commit time and energy to help it grow. Most importantly, the board must all be firmly grounded in the truth that life is sacred from fertilization. The board’s beliefs will set the tone for the club moving forward. Recruit founding members who are passionate about protecting life and making a difference in your community.

Once you have your board, schedule a planning session. Use this time to create a name, mission statement, and set of values that outline your pro-life stance. These statements will help your club remain consistent in its beliefs and messaging. The more unified you are, the more effective you will be.

This meeting is a great time to create policies as well. Determine how you will choose or elect club officers to replace the founding board. Outline membership requirements and responsibilities. These policies will help you stay organized as you grow.

Finally, create goals for your club. Do you want to focus on education or activism? Will you raise money for local pro-life organizations? Do you want to attend local or national events? You can create new goals over time, but it’s important to give your group a purpose from the start.

If the club will be at your school, you may need to get approval. Check with administration and be sure to follow any rules.

How to Host a Pro-Life Club Meeting

Events run more smoothly with some planning. These tips will help you schedule fun and productive club meetings. Of course, you can decide what works best for your group and goals, but these ideas are a good place to start.

Hold a Kickoff Event

Your first meeting should be a fun, introductory event. Open it up to anyone interested in or curious about the club. Offering free food is always a great way to encourage people to attend. You can host a pizza party, a BBQ at someone’s house, or an ice cream social. It doesn’t have to be fancy; just make it fun!

Once you set a date, advertise the event. Hand out flyers, send invitations, and encourage the board members to tell their friends. You can also add a notice to your church bulletin or school newsletter.

At the kickoff, offer a short presentation for the club. Explain why you’re starting it and what you want to accomplish. Make sure you share your mission statement and values so people understand what the club is about.

To wrap up, invite everyone to the next meeting. Give a date, time, and place so people can plan. You can also encourage attendees to set a reminder on their phones so they don’t forget.

Encourage Conversations about Pro-Life Topics

Some meetings can focus on low-key discussions about recent events or important pro-life topics. These conversations can help everyone stay up to date with the latest news. They also allow you to explore difficult questions, such as How do I handle discussion of the “hard cases” for abortion?

Here are some ways to encourage pro-life conversations:

- Discuss a current event: Have each member bring a recent news article on a pro-life topic. Discuss the event, debunk any misinformation, and determine a pro-life response.
- Have a roundtable discussion: Start by picking a topic to discuss. You can choose something in the news or ask members to make suggestions. Generations for Life’s pro-life club curriculum has several topics you can use as well. Come prepared with prompts or scenarios in case the conversation lags.
- Talk about an assigned reading: Have everyone read an article or a chapter of a book between meetings. You can also have members listen to a pro-life podcast or watch a video. Talk about the content at the next meeting.
- View and discuss a pro-life video together: Many pro-life organizations offer videos you can watch during your meeting. Educate members about abortion methods, learn about the overpopulation myth, or watch a speech from an event. Afterward, discuss what you learned.
- Play “Who wants to be a lifesaver?”: Have each member sit in the hot seat and answer pro-abortion arguments. You could also set up a mock debate between members.
- Test your abortion knowledge: Divide the club into teams and have everyone answer a questionnaire about abortion (or another life topic). See how many answers you can get correct. Afterward, talk about the answers, especially the ones people got wrong.
- Understand the pro-abortion position: Break down and discuss a pro-abortion argument. Try to understand why someone might believe it. Then, use that understanding to develop a solid response.

As a club leader, it’s your job to make sure these discussions remain useful. Remind everyone to stay calm. If conflict arises, try to redirect the conversation. You can always encourage people to resolve conflict outside of the meeting if they get too heated.

Above all, these meetings should be a safe place to inform and develop your beliefs. These discussions are practice for conversations you might have with people who support abortion. If you are unsure or can’t agree about a topic, encourage members to research the topic further and revisit the discussion during your next meeting. You can even find a guest speaker to answer your questions!

Invite a Pro-Life Speaker to a Meeting

Many pro-lifers would love to speak to a group of passionate pro-life students. Someone who works at a pregnancy center or as a sidewalk counselor would be a good choice. You can also invite someone from your parish or a local church who is involved in the movement. People who work in foster care, homeless ministries, nursing homes, or other life-affirming organizations are also excellent options.

Watch a Pro-Life Movie

Movies like Unplanned, Bella, and Gosnell are great choices for a movie night. To save time, watch the movie at one meeting and discuss it at the next. Encourage members to bring any thoughts and questions they have about the movie to the second meeting.

Get Creative!

These meetings are both fun and productive. You can design T-shirts for your club or for a fundraiser. If you are attending a rally or march, create signs with pro-life slogans. Make armbands for Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. Let your creativity flow while having fun.

Devote a Meeting to Prayer

The fight against abortion is also a spiritual battle. Spend a meeting praying for the end of abortion and for the protection of all preborn life. Pray for the mothers in your community who may be considering abortion. Ask God to bless pro-life work.

You can also cover local abortion mills in prayer. Remember the staff, activists, mothers, fathers, and babies as you pray. Your team can also pray outside of these abortuaries after school or on the weekend. For safety reasons, always go as a group and with an adult.

Plan Field Trips

There are so many ways to put your beliefs into action. Coordinate with a local pregnancy center to go and work as volunteers. Plan a visit to Washington, DC, for the National March for Life. Volunteer together at a soup kitchen. Join a peaceful pro-life protest. If you want to take a field trip, work with your club advisor to figure out the logistics.

Tips for Leading a Pro-Life Club

Organization and preparation are key for any club. As a club leader, you should always plan each meeting ahead of time. Use these tips to run each gathering successfully.

Have a Plan for Meetings

Before your kickoff event, decide how often your club will meet. Will you meet once a week or once a month? You should choose a consistent time to meet as well (such as Tuesdays or the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.).

Your club will also need a place to gather. If you’re meeting at school or church, you will likely get a room assigned to your meetings. You can also meet at someone’s house, especially if this is a homeschool club. Renting a public meeting space is another option, though that can be expensive.

Additionally, the officers should meet every 1-2 months. You can meet in person or over Zoom to make things easier. During these sessions, create a calendar for upcoming meetings. Schedule the topics for each gathering and plan for any upcoming events.

This is also an excellent time to evaluate the club. What can you do better? Does anything need to change? Are you reaching the goals you’ve set?

Be sure to keep these meetings open to members too. Listen to any feedback they have to keep your club dynamic and effective.

Manage Each Meeting

Every meeting should start with prayer. You can also play an icebreaker game to help everyone get to know each other.

Next, go over any announcements and new business. Resolve any unfinished business from the last meeting, but don’t spend the whole meeting on business. Try to save most of your time for the planned activity.

An officer should lead every meeting. You can appoint one person, such as the president, to lead every time or have officers take turns. The meeting lead will guide games and discussions and keep the meeting on schedule.

That said, some people are better at organizing events than speaking up at meetings. That’s okay. Instead, find a job that better suits their gifts. Delegate other tasks, such as bringing snacks or taking notes during meetings. Ask different members to lead and organize events. Everyone has something to contribute.

If you have time after the activity, encourage members to stay and socialize. You can also invite members to informal hangouts after the meeting. Grab a snack at McDonald’s or meet at someone’s house. These get-togethers are a great way to build friendships within the club.

Encourage Participation

Participation leads to investment. If club members are quiet during discussions, try asking them questions directly. Let everyone know that their thoughts and opinions are valued. Be careful not to scare people away, but encourage everyone to be involved.

For example, have different people read portions of an article out loud. That gives them an easy way to participate with less pressure than joining a discussion. Intentional inclusion is important. You want everyone to feel comfortable and valued.

At the same time, don’t let anyone take over discussions. Talkative members may unintentionally leave others out of the conversation. Gently redirect the discussion when needed to include everyone.

Get the Word Out

Your club needs new members to grow. The bigger your group is, the wider your reach. Plus, your club will educate and equip pro-lifers to save lives. That means you should try to connect with as many students as possible.

The easiest way to attract new people is to encourage members to bring guests. You can even have “invite a friend” nights. This includes friends who may not agree with the pro-life stance. By inviting them to meetings, you can expose them to pro-life truths and help change their minds about abortion.

Your pro-life club can also create flyers and postcards to advertise the club. For a more creative idea, tape pieces of paper with the club’s info to candy and pass them out. Your church or school may also let you advertise on campus or in a bulletin.

It’s especially important to advertise your special events. These no-commitment gatherings are an excellent way to introduce others to your club and goals. Just make sure you include the name of the club and a contact email or phone number so people can get in touch.

Plan Outreach Events

Outreach events can take many forms. Some clubs stick to local events to save money and focus on their communities. Others also join national events. There’s no right or wrong option.

Local events could include:

- Chalking 2,813 hearts on a sidewalk (with permission) to represent the number of babies lost in abortion each day
- Holding a prayer vigil for life
- Hosting a pro-life movie night for the community
- Offering a pizza party or ice cream social for students
- Inviting a dynamic speaker to talk about a pro-life topic
- Hosting an abortion debate between a pro-life speaker and a pro-abortion speaker
- Making and placing 100+ white crosses in the ground as a cemetery of the preborn
- Partnering with a local pregnancy center to host a baby shower or diaper drive for mothers in need
- Holding a bake sale
- Organizing a marathon/walk-a-thon/bike-a-thon
- Recruiting local bands for a Rock for Life benefit concert
- Hosting a sport or game tournament
- Auctioning donated items and experiences
- Running a car wash
- Asking local businesses to donate food, sponsor events, or give money
- Sending fundraising letters to friends, family, local businesses, parishes, and any other potential donors

Some clubs hold a Pro-Life Week filled with events to raise awareness and celebrate life. Choose a different activity and goal for each day.

The point of every event is to raise awareness about life issues. For some events, you can include a short presentation about your club and its goals. Handing out flyers and making signs is better for other events. Just be sure to talk about abortion and its harm.

These events are a great opportunity to reach people who are unaware of or indifferent about abortion. Encourage attendees to speak with a club member if they have questions. You can also invite them to the next club meeting to continue building connections.

Your team can also join larger events held nationwide or in your own state. The national March for Life is held in Washington, DC, on or around January 22 every year. Many states also have their own March for Life. These events will require travel, accommodations, and a larger budget, but they are worth the trip!

Life Chains, pro-life speaking events at college campuses, and conferences are also excellent options.

Organize Fundraisers

Raise money for your club to pay for events throughout the year. You can also fundraise for a pregnancy center or another pro-life organization. You can raise money by:

- Holding a bake sale
- Organizing a marathon/walk-a-thon/bike-a-thon
- Recruiting local bands for a Rock for Life benefit concert
- Hosting a sport or game tournament
- Auctioning donated items and experiences
- Running a car wash
- Asking local businesses to donate food, sponsor events, or give money
- Sending fundraising letters to friends, family, local businesses, parishes, and any other potential donors

Every fundraiser should have a specific goal. You can raise money to pay a guest speaker’s fee or to put on an event. If you have a large goal, such as raising money for a trip to the national March for Life, divide the budget into smaller parts. Asking donors to help reach smaller goals, such as just transportation costs, can encourage more giving.

Don’t limit these donation drives to money. Your pro-life club can ask for items for other organizations as well. Collect baby supplies for a local pregnancy center. Gather toys, books, and clothes for foster children. Participate in food drives for soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Caring for others in your community will show that your club is not just focused on abortion but committed to building a culture of life.

Sample Calendar of Events

August

Because you are a pro-life club for students, your calendar should follow the school year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t meet or hold events during the summer. Instead, use the start of the school year to generate additional interest and excitement in the club. Encourage members to invite other students to the first meeting of the year. Your team can also hold elections for officer positions at the end of summer so you’re ready to start fresh.

Kick off the school year with a party at your parish, school, or in someone’s backyard. During the event, play games and icebreakers to help everyone to get to know each other. Provide pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, potluck dishes, or other tasty foods. Make sure you save time to welcome everyone back and to go over the plans for the year.

August is a great time to pick a patron saint for the year as well. You can also begin a spiritual adoption program to pray for the preborn throughout the year.

September

Join a 40 Days for Life fall campaign in your community. You may be able to join a campaign with your diocese or a group in your area. Check the 40 Days for Life website to find a local campaign.

October

October is Respect Life Month. There are several nationwide pro-life events your club can join.

The Culture of Life Studies Program, for example, holds a Pro-Life Essay Contest for middle and high school students in the fall. Winners receive several exciting prizes, including cash! The deadline for submissions is usually early November. During October, your team can help each other write and edit your essays.

Held on a Sunday in October, the annual Life Chain is another great event to take part in. Pro-lifers in the US and Canada stand along a specified route, creating a “chain” of people to raise awareness. Your club can create signs to hold as you join the chain.

October 9 is Cupcakes for Life day! Pro-lifers bake these sweet treats in honor of the millions of children who never had a birthday. On this day, your club can set up a table to hand out free cupcakes. To raise awareness, offer printed materials about abortion with every cupcake. You can also set up signs and start conversations to share the truth about abortion.

As mentioned earlier, your club can participate in the Day of Silent Solidarity. Pro-life students across the country commit to a day of silence to raise awareness for abortion. Some write “LIFE” on a piece of red tape and wear it over their mouths. Held on October 15, this is a great way to advocate for the preborn. Be sure to prepare printed materials to hand out during your silent protest.

Pro-Life T-Shirt Day is another opportunity to speak up for the preborn. Buy or make T-shirts that share a pro-life message. Using the hashtags #prolife and #prolifetshirtday, post pictures of your club members on social media. This event is held twice a year, so start thinking of new ideas for April!

November

The holidays are the perfect time to support people in your community. Arrange a time for your club to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or mobile pantry. Many organizations hold Thanksgiving dinners that you can help at too.

During one of your meetings, have your team write thank-you notes to moms who chose life. Give the cards to a local pregnancy center to hand out.

November is also National Adoption Awareness Month. Spread the word about the beauty of adoption and discuss how all children are gifts.

December

December is the season of gift giving. Use your meeting time to make and give gifts to families at a homeless shelter. You could also run a toy drive for children in need.

Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth. To draw attention to this fact and to God’s love for the preborn, take an empty manger display and carol outside an abortion clinic. Invite others from your parish and community to join you.

Don’t forget a club Christmas party! Hold a White Elephant gift exchange, eat Christmas cookies, and rejoice in the birth of our Savior.

January

There are two large pro-life events held in Washington, DC, in January. First, your club can attend the national March for Life. There is also an expo held for the event. Your team can meet other pro-lifers and learn about organizations that fight for life in the US.

The day after the march, several organizations host the National Pro-Life Summit. This conference trains pro-life activists through numerous workshops and talks. Best of all, it is held in DC. You can extend your trip and accommodations by one day to enjoy both the conference and the march!

January 22 is the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. It is also the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Catholics are called to observe the day through penance and prayer. Encourage your club members to attend Mass on January 22.

Additionally, your club can take part in the 9 Days for Life novena held January 16-24. Commit to following the prayers, reflections, and suggested actions.

February

February (which comes from a Latin word meaning “to purify”) is often dedicated to purity and chastity. Devote your meeting time to learning about purity and its place in a culture of life. Organizations such as The Culture Project and the Chastity Project offer helpful resources. You can also invite someone from your parish to speak to your group about this topic.

March

In March, Students for Life of America holds its National Pro-Life Chalk Day competition. If you register by the deadline, you can request a Chalk Day kit for your club. On the day of the event, write slogans or draw pictures that raise awareness about abortion. Don’t forget to enter pictures of your chalk drawings into the competition!

World Down Syndrome Day is March 21. Every year, thousands of babies are aborted because they have Down syndrome or another medical condition. Mark this day by inviting someone with Down syndrome to speak at your club and educate your team about the condition. You can also create gift baskets with baby supplies for newborns with Down syndrome. Take the baskets to a local hospital and ask staff to deliver the gifts to families who have recently welcomed a child with Down syndrome.

April

The second National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day is held in April. While you can reuse the same shirt, try to make or buy one with a different pro-life message.

May

In May, National Right to Life holds its pro-life video contest. Share a pro-life story or create a video that raises awareness about abortion. Along with the chance to win a prize, this contest offers the chance to learn or sharpen your video production skills.

Note: NRLC also holds competitions for pro-life essays and speeches. The deadlines for these contests can vary, so check the NRLC website for information about this year’s competition.

June/July

School’s out! Plan fun summer activities, such as a camping trip, picnic, bowling night, or trip to an amusement park, to keep your group together over the summer. You can also continue your activism by inviting members to volunteer, pray, or attend pro-life events over the summer.

Additional Resources