Kick Off the Year Strong: Start Your SADD Chapter!

A new school year means new opportunities, new friendships, and a fresh chance to make a real impact. Whether you're a returning member or thinking about joining for the first time, now is the perfect time to kick off your SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter.

SADD is more than just another school club. It's a community of student leaders who are passionate about making their schools and communities safer, healthier, and more connected. From promoting safe driving and mental wellness to preventing substance misuse and encouraging positive decision-making, SADD members lead by example and inspire others to do the same.

Start Strong

A great year starts with a great kick-off! Bring your chapter together, welcome new members, and start building excitement for what's ahead.

Here are a few ideas to get your chapter started:

• Share the SADD Mission: Help students understand what SADD is all about and how they can make a difference.

• Grow Your Team: Invite friends, classmates, athletes, artists, and student leaders from every corner of your school. The more voices at the table, the bigger the impact.

• Find Your Leaders: Encourage members to take on leadership roles, organize events, and bring their own ideas to life.

• Set Your Goals: Identify the issues that matter most to your school, and create a plan for how your chapter will make a difference this year.

Turn Ideas Into Action

SADD gives you the tools and resources to create meaningful change. Throughout the year, your chapter can lead campaigns and activities focused on distracted driving prevention, seat belt safety, impaired driving awareness, mental wellness, and other topics that matter to students.

Whether you're hosting a fun awareness event, leading a school-wide campaign, speaking to younger students, volunteering in your community, or partnering with local organizations, every event, conversation, and action helps create a culture of positive choices.

Share Your Impact

Don't let your hard work go unnoticed! One of the most important things your chapter can do is tell your story.

Take photos, capture videos, keep track of attendance, and report your activities throughout the year. Sharing your successes helps celebrate your members, inspires other chapters, and shows the positive impact students are making across the country.

Reporting your events also helps SADD recognize outstanding chapters, measure the difference we're making together, and share your achievements with partners, supporters, and your community. Every event you host and every student you reach matters. So be sure to report it!

Your Voice Has Power

The best messages come from people your own age. When students speak up, others listen.

Your ideas, creativity, and leadership can influence your friends, strengthen your school community, and even save lives. You don't have to be perfect; you just have to be willing to step up and make a difference.

Whether you're launching a brand-new chapter or taking an existing one to the next level, this is your year to lead, inspire, and create change.

So gather your friends, connect with your advisor, make a plan, take action, report your impact, and get ready for an incredible year. Let's make this the strongest SADD year yet - one chapter, one event, and one positive decision at a time!