Ideas for OCCM Events

• Bible Studies

  • Assign topics to a member and meet up to discuss

• Socials

  • Organize a dinner or potluck

  • Bowling

  • Frozen yogurt or ice-cream

• Spiritual film or documentary followed by a discussion

• BBQ at a local park or lake

• Organize a keynote speaker event followed by Q&A

• Weekly prayer group

Ideas for Meeting Topics

Besides the variety of topics below, using the OCCM Curriculum is key to the spiritual and personal development of OCCM members. 

• Balancing school and spiritual life

• How to be a beacon of Christ

• Defending the Orthodox faith

• Conflict between science and faith

• Understanding the Coptic Church

• How to sustain a relationship with God through the busyness

• Dating through the eye of the church

• How can we invest more in our campus through our dedication to the club?

Topics of this nature, or related to, is the building block of OCCM. Don't let social media fool you with the glamorous post, activities, etc. All these things are great, but they are secondary. The primary intention of OCCM is to deepen the Orthodox faith as prescribed within our constitution. The true challenge that lies ahead of OCCM is to develop an environment where the members can grow spiritually and gain knowledge to deepen and define their faith. Just as we receive education from our universities to better shape our world and make a difference, we too should be giving our students the necessary spiritual education to shape the world and to share our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all! To Him belongs all glory.

Co-Programming

A great way to meet other organizations with similar missions or to plan even bigger and more publicized events, we recommend co-programming with other organizations at your universities. If you have an event idea, you can locate the contact info of other organization presidents and reach out to them asking if they would be interested in planning something with you. Many universities have interfaith councils or clubs, so establishing contact with them could be helpful.

Campus Involvement

It is very important for OCCM chapters to get involved on their campus and to serve their communities. Many campuses host various service events throughout the year and we encourage you to participate in these events. There are many local nonprofits that are in need of volunteers and establishing a routine community service plan is a great way to give back. (This can be volunteering at a soup kitchen or helping out at a nursing home.) Again, co-programming with other organizations is a way to get connected to campus and expand OCCM footprints.

We recommend participation in tabling events and passing out flyers to spread the word about your chapter and upcoming events. The online tool canva.com is a great tool to assist in designing flyers, presentations, and other materials.

Being present is another way to get involved on campus! Attending tabling fairs, going to other organization meetings, and being active on social media can expand your presence and get the OCCM name out there on your campus.

Chapter Collaboration

Interacting with surrounding chapters is a great way to get to know students at other universities. We recommend that all chapter presidents in a region create a group chat. For example, all the Tennessee chapter presidents would have a chat named “OCCM TN” that assists with communicating. Chapters can host state-wide retreats or socials, or can simply exchange event ideas. We highly encourage chapters to get to know each other to help foster fellowship and lasting friendships.