Student Trustees and Student Advisory Committee Members Support Affiliation Fee

From a student leadership perspective, BACCHUS provides these key elements of support: Identity, Student Empowerment, Leadership, Community, National Purpose, Credibility. 

When the BACCHUS Student Advisory Committee came together as a group, we identified the reasons that we connect with the network. As peer educators and student leaders, we are often over-programmed and ridiculously busy. Many of us are involved in other organizations and have part-time jobs that we have to balance with classes and studying. BACCHUS exists for a reason - to help us help others, but there are also many other benefits to being a part of The BACCHUS Network. 

Identity. BACCHUS has a strong history. Professionals in higher education and in health and wellness organizations know what our network stands for.  BACCHUS is an organization that has a history of supporting student leadership, a non-profit that has a unique perspective to longstanding collegiate issues, and is a network that cares about the students that they serve. BACCHUS legitimizes our work by putting a face to the term “peer education”. Because of BACCHUS, people know what peer education is and why it’s important. 

Student Empowerment. BACCHUS is both a student-led and student-driven network. The staff at the national offices ensures that they make each decision with the best interests of students in mind. The network empowers college students and shows us that we have the power to educate our generation and create change. It’s not the professionals on the BACCHUS staff who are talking to college students. They are providing us with support and resources so that we can save lives. That’s pretty amazing. 

Leadership. Peer educators that are a part of BACCHUS have huge opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Not only does the network help you become leaders in the field and leaders on your own campus, there is the opportunity to become a leader on the regional and national level. BACCHUS relies on their student leaders at all levels and these leadership opportunities help us grow into young professionals. We get experience leading a team, communicating with campuses, and talking with professionals in higher education. The experiences impact us for a lifetime. 

Community. At some point, we’ve all felt like we are the only ones who care. BACCHUS works to show us that we are not alone. The network offers opportunities for students, professionals, and experts to connect and work together. The network offers a support system for peer educators at colleges and universities across the country. We know that we are not alone and that there are over 32,000 students and advisors who care about making a change just as much as we do. 

National Purpose. Peer educators have such a unique role on their campus and BACCHUS recognizes your importance! The network provides resources and support to sustain peer education on campuses across the nation. It connects students on each campus, gives them a sense of pride that they are part of a national initiative, and teaches them about successful educational programs happening on campuses throughout the country. 

BACCHUS offers opportunities for national recognition through awards programs at the General Assembly, by highlighting your creative education in campaigns and on our website.  This shows others on your campus what you already know–that your work is important and is making a difference. 

Credibility. Because of BACCHUS, we have real data that shows how important peer education is on our campuses. We also have programming materials that support our work, certification programs, and professional development opportunities. All of these offerings provide credibility by further advancing what it means to be a peer educator. 

The 2011 Student Leadership of The BACCHUS Network believes an annual affiliation fee for peer education groups will contribute to the long term sustainability and growth of the organization.