Make it Entertaining
Make sure the first meeting is enjoyable and/or entertaining for participants (keep in mind that one of your major short-term goals is to have students return for the next meeting). Leave some time for mingling so that people can get to know each other. Food and drink often help to create an informal atmosphere.
Bring an Agenda
Be sure to come with a specific agenda in order to keep the meeting on track (see Sample Meeting Agenda).
Getting to Know Each Other
Allow everyone in the room a chance to introduce themselves; icebreakers and name games are often a good way to start a meeting full of strangers. Ask everyone to talk about themselves and explain why they came to the meeting, but set a time limit for 1-2 minutes per person (adjust time limit according to how many people are in your meeting in order to avoid the icebreaker taking too long).
Discuss your Vision and Goals
It is important to provide a vision for ZFA on your campus. This includes sharing your hopes for the chapter (i.e. what you might accomplish on campus, how many students might get involved) and the underlying position that brings the group together (i.e. Jewish national rights, justice for the indigenous peoples of the Middle East). At the same time, those attending should feel as though they can have a role in shaping the future of the chapter. The more ownership they feel over the development of the chapter, the more committed they will be in ensuring its success.
Campus Chapter Structure
Set a regular time and place for the next few meetings and, if possible, a permanent time and place for meetings during the entire semester. It is also important to organize an official chapter structure with which to move forward either at the first meeting or shortly thereafter. Structure is important so individual students will know exactly what they are responsible for accomplishing (see Campus Chapter Structure).