Getting Started

Every journey starts with a single step, but often one of the biggest challenges starting a dads group is taking that first step.   Be There Dad® provides guidance and tools to assist and encourage dads take the first steps.

Visioning and Planning                                      

When dads begin to establish a Be There Dad group, they can use the Be There Dad Visioning and Planning guide to set their course and determine “where they want to go”. The Visioning and Planning Guide follows the principles of Be There Dad®.   Dads will receive a copy of the Visioning and Planning Guide after registering as a Be There Dad® group under the Contact Us tab.

BTD® Quick Start Checklist

Dads that want to get started as quickly as possible can use this Be There Dad® Quick Start Checklist to assure they are taking all the necessary steps. A copy of the BTD Quick Start Checklist will be provided to dads upon registration.

Priority	Suggestions	Comments
LEADERSHIP	Identify small group of leaders Delegate roles and responsibilities	Chairman/Vice Chairman Communication Activities Service Recruitment
IDENTITY / OWNERSHIP	Choose name Design t-shirt Order t-shirts
RELATIONSHIP WITH SCHOOL	Leadership meeting with Principal [or school designee} Ask for support Identify school “champion” Identify Principal/school needs
RELATIONSHIP WITH PTA	Meeting with PTA President Offer to partner with PTA Establish relationship Ask for PTA mailing list	BTD Group may be a subpart of the school PTA
RECRUITMENT	E-mail list One on Ones Table at PTA Events Car rider line Donuts for Dads	Recruit as many dads and dlps as possible
INITIAL MEETING	BTD Leadership Team member speaker Gather dads’ names and contact information Obtain commitment from dads	Commitment card Purchase t-shirt
SCHEDULE MEETINGS	Leadership team All dads Timing and calendar
DEVELOP CALENDAR	Develop dads group calendar for activities and service Get dads events on school calendar
LOCAL ACTIVITIES	Schedule a few independent achievable events/activities	Invite dads on mailing list
COORDINATED EVENTS	Kick Off event Clean Up Day Visioning and Planning Retreat Father Daughter Dance Community Service Project	Commit to participate in coordinated activities
RESOURCES - BTD Leadership Team	Jeff Usher Alan Hendrix Doug Cox Dion Jones	[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]