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WHY does The JUNIOR Red Raider Club exist?

In the Fall of 2001, a small group of students noticed that Texas Tech University would benefit from an ongoing program that supports and recognizes the younger population of Texas Tech.  More specifically, the team wanted to support the young offspring and relatives of Texas Tech students, faculty, staff, and alumni.  The team later broadened their vision to include any young Texas Tech fan.  The team agreed that ongoing, safe correspondence would best nurture an authentic relationship between these youngsters and Texas Tech University.  This correspondence should acknowledge, encourage, and befriend young fans so that they feel attached to, and valued by, Texas Tech University.  The JUNIOR Red Raider Club (JRRC) was formed in September 2003, under the organizational wing of TECH Couples & Families (described below), to carry out this mission to the benefit of the entire TTU community.  JRRC coordinators hope to instill the value of higher education and personal growth into club members at an early age by emphasizing the role those values play in their own lives.   Additionally, coordinators hope that the parents of JRRC members benefit indirectly as a result of the positive influence youngsters receive from the club; a program that aims to support children often supports the efforts of their parents/guardians.

WHO is The JUNIOR Red Raider Club? 

Members are infants, kids, teenagers, and every age in-between!  JUNIOR Red Raider Club (JRRC) members are often the offspring or relatives of Texas Tech students, faculty, staff, or alumni.  They are Texas Tech fans that may someday consider attending our university as students!  Any pre-college individual is invited to join.  There is no discrimination in the application process – any interested youngsters are invited to join.   Age-appropriate programming will be implemented with each individual member. 

Coordinators are adults, students, and Texas Tech faculty and staff who have expressed a sincere interest in the ongoing recognition and support of JUNIOR Red Raider Club members 

A JRRC Leadership Board has approved all coordinators through an application process.  The JRRC Leadership Board is comprised of 12 appointed adults who oversee the planning and overall growth of the club.   If you are interested in such a position, please contact us.  Various leadership boards are being formed to handle the large response generated from this program.  There is a place for you on our leadership team; you will be given due credit and fulfilling responsibilities.

WHAT kinds of things can I expect from The JUNIOR Red Raider Club?

The JUNIOR Red Raider Club offers age-appropriate correspondence between members and Texas Tech University.

First, we offer a PenPal program.  JRRC members will receive a personalized postcard from a Texas Tech student, faculty, or staff member.  (Please read the section below entitled “Parental Involvement and Supervision.”)  Because correspondence with pre-teen and teenaged members is more involved, this will be the main benefit of membership they receive. 

Second, younger members will receive a personalized birthday-gram (postcard) and coloring book on their birthday.  Older members will receive a birthday-gram and existing informational brochures about Texas Tech University. 

Third, JRRC members enjoy dual-membership for the price of one membership. The dues paid to JRRC will also count as dues paid to TECH Couples & Families (TC&F), the first on-campus, registered Texas Tech student organization devoted solely to supporting and representing couples and families who are Texas Tech students, faculty, and staff.  (The TC&F membership base includes individuals who are dating, engaged, married, parenting as a single, parenting as a couple, parenting as a guardian, and singles who are supportive of these relationships.) 

Fourth, members can expect to receive personalized attention from TECH Couples & Families.  JRRC members have full membership privileges of TC&F members.  They are entitled to equal representation, access to resources, and recognition.

HOW much does it cost?   HOW long does a membership last?

The JUNIOR Red Raider Club is exclusive to due-paying members and coordinators.  The annual price of membership during November 1, 2003 through October 31, 2004 is an affordable $10.00 per member or coordinator.  We are a non-profit organization; therefore, dues are strictly used to defray program costs.   Age-appropriate programming will be implemented with each individual member.  The host organization, TECH Couples & Families, will coordinate the JUNIOR Red Raider Club as long as interest and resources exist.   Provided program success, membership is renewable yearly on November 1^st.   Members will be reminded, in early September, to renew their memberships. 

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT and SUPERVISION 

All correspondence sent to your household will be in postcard form so that parents/guardians can be confident of the relationship between their youngster and their Red Raider Pen Pal.  Please supervise. 

HOW did the club get started?

The Junior Red Raider Club is a program established and coordinated through a registered Texas Tech student organization, TECH Couples & Families.  The program has been in the works since November 2001.  A great amount of research, time, and care has been invested into the club.  A four-phase plan exists to ensure the growth of the program.

HOW do we sign up? 

Follow the application links above.  Clicking on the text will take you to the applications.  If you need more information, please e-mail carissanichols@hotmail.com or tom.nichols@ttu.edu.