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1. Keep greeting each other. Every week, have each member greet someone he or she hasn't met before with the goal of remembering that person's name and something about them. When greeting newcomers, find out their interests, where they live and what they are studying. Then introduce them to one or two people with similar interests.

   Throughout the year, greet people you have met at InterVarsity events whenever you see them. Sit with them at lunch if you see them eating alone. Take time to chat with them between classes.

2. Be encouraging. Write short, encouraging notes to some of the members you've met at the various meetings. They need only be a few sentences long.

3. Stay open to new people. Avoid becoming exclusive and ingrown as the year progresses. There is nothing wrong with a strong executive committee or a close-knit worship team that works well together, but these groups should stay receptive and open to the input of other chapter members. Leaders should use the time before and after large-group meetings to hang with new people, not to do business together.

   How can your group avoid cliques? Here are some suggestions:

   • Outlaw private or "in" jokes.
   • Discourage sarcasm or put-downs. Did you know that it can take fifteen positive comments to "cancel" one negative put- down?
   • Open up problem cliques. If you spot an unhealthy, exclusive clique, try to open up the group by having people work with different members of the chapter on various tasks.
   • Keep people informed and included--even if they have not been involved for a while. Send them chapter newsletters and visit them in person. If someone has fallen away due to conflict or sin, give careful thought to confrontation and restoration in order to keep the group unified (see "When Leaders Clash" [Fall 1994] and "When Friends Fall" [Spring 1995]).