School district
Your school district probably has several employees that will be not only helpful but maybe willing to take you under their wing. We have found almost every adult thoroughly excited about this girl driven activity. In fact once we started getting the word about what we wanted to do most everyone has had suggestions for speakers in the area and other ways to build a network of supportive adults.

Specialists
My project advisor is the science coordinator of our school district. I believe every school district in Arkansas has a science coordinator who works with all science teachers in the district. My coordinator shared many contacts within the school district and the local university. She was able to advise me which teachers might consider becoming our sponsor. She made suggestions for activities and experiments for meetings.

Principals
We have attached a letter to ask permission of each principal of each school involved.

Sponsors
After securing permission from all principals of involved high schools and junior highs, your next point of contact will be the sponsor of GEMS at each campus. We looked for an energetic, enthusiastic female teacher in a STEM area who the students respect. Hopefully their classrooms/labs will be set up to hold the meetings. Since this is a girl led organization the sponsor’s responsibility will be to be present at meetings. Girl leadership will plan meetings, secure materials, and provide recruitment materials and speakers. Our sponsors have been so excited about this organization they have given advice, made school wide announcements and recruit students within their classrooms, spread the word to the other science teachers in the building. There are some experiment materials that only science teachers may order (i.e. Potassium iodide or 10% hydrogen peroxide to make elephant toothpaste) so plan ahead with a science teacher. Again a sample letter is attached:

University
Every community in Arkansas has a nearby University and most have a STEM department or college(s). These college students and faculty may be willing to serve as advisors or possible speakers. Go meet them, tell them what you would like to do and ask for advice.

Community
As you spread the word about your organizations ask everyone you know if they know any women in STEM areas. Take names and numbers and contact them to check into their interest. Check with STEM companies in your area to see if anyone would be interested in helping in any way. A local company may supply snacks, supplies or a speaker. It is in the company’s future interest to school support GEMS to increase their future work force.