When leading a university chapter, one of the biggest challenges executive board members face is turning interest at campus fair tables into actual Service Learning Trip participants. How do you motivate students to commit their time, energy, and fundraising efforts to an international service trip? At The Ohio State University, the MEDLIFE executive board unlocked the formula, bringing roughly 60 volunteers across two dedicated chapter groups to South America. Implementing effective student recruitment strategies was key to building their chapter’s engagement and making this record-setting year possible.
Here is how OSU MEDLIFE built momentum, scaled their chapter numbers, and achieved their highest trip attendance in nearly a decade.
1. Build a Multidirectional Communication Network
Successful recruitment does not happen in a vacuum, it relies on constant alignment across all branches of a student organization. Ohio State University MEDLIFE Chapter President Nate attributes their smooth coordination and high turnout to frequent, structured check-ins across leadership levels.
“I think that our communication was pretty key,” Nate explained. “We had a lot of meetings with Ale and our chapter coach, and then also just coordinating the SLTs as well. We had a lot of communication between each of our different branches, whether it be the recruitment or just SLT coordinators, the presidents, or the treasurer.”
By keeping recruitment leads, treasurers, and coordinators in sync, the e-board ensured that when a prospective member asked a question about trip logistics or costs, they received immediate, accurate answers.
2. Combine Fundraising with Interactive Club Culture
Financial commitments are often the largest barrier for students considering travel. To overcome this, the OSU team focused on creative recruitment ideas that blended fundraising directly with social bonding.
“We needed to make some pretty fun fundraisers that also get people involved in the club,” Nate shared. “So I think our communication is what allowed us to do that.”
When fundraising events feel like fun social gatherings rather than chores, potential members are far more likely to join the club, meet current leaders, and picture themselves going on a trip together.
3. Maintain Morale Throughout the Academic Year
Recruiting a student is only the first step; keeping them engaged until departure day requires consistent touchpoints. The OSU e-board prioritized team spirit across all meetings to ensure members felt connected long before stepping onto an airplane to perform volunteer work abroad.
“I think we just always had a big team morale. We always stayed in touch with one another, whether it was our e-board meetings or whether it was our general body meetings… the continued collaboration that we had, that was what made the difference.”
The Power of Purposeful Recruitment
By combining strong leadership alignment, engaging events, and high team spirit, the OSU chapter achieved monumental results for their community projects.
“This year I’m most proud of how many people we brought to the SLT. We brought like 60 people this year,” Nate said. “It’s just a record number for us in probably 10 years or so, and I think that was just really important to us and is really great impact.”
Refining your chapter’s student recruitment strategies is about more than just filling spots, it is about empowering a larger cohort of passionate students to make a tangible global difference. Double-down on communication, keep morale high, and watch your chapter thrive!
If you are looking to replace standard, passive extracurricular activities in high school with an unforgettable leadership experience, consider joining or starting a MEDLIFE Chapter at your school. To learn how to get started today, fill out the interest form below!