| So you’ve got an idea for a new student club? The privilege of using the College name and resources is one that cannot be extended without careful thought. To gain recognition as an official club, we must consider several factors, such as your club’s purpose and objectives, the relevance of your club to the campus community, and the business-like manner in which you have applied for recognition. Here are some step-by-step guidelines to organize a club: | |
STEP 1 Stop by the Office of Student Life and meet with the Director of the Office of Student Life (Room 211, Commons Building) to discuss your proposal. The Director may know of other students interested in this type of club or may refer you to another club with similar objectives.
STEP 2 Talk to other students, staff, or faculty to see if you can identify at least four other members for your club. After preliminary approval from the Office of Student Life, you may set up an organizational meeting (or two) to determine interest, solicit ideas for activities, and prepare your constitution. (SEE GUIDELINES FOR A CLUB CONSTITUTION in the next section).
STEP 3 Your club will need a faculty or staff (part-time or full-time employee) member of the Takoma Park campus to serve as advisor. When you are looking for an advisor, be prepared to explain the purpose of your club and allow them to read the section of this manual on "the Role of Advisors". Some clubs may want to have two advisors (co-advisors) depending on the nature of the club.
STEP 4 Organizers of a new club (and the advisor, when possible) will need to write a constitution using the guidelines for a club constitution (in the next section of this manual). A variety of current and inactive club constitutions are available from the Office of Student Life as examples. Once completed provide a copy to the Student Senate and request that it be approved at their next meeting. If approval is denied, an explanation will be given. If modifications are requested, you may resubmit the constitution after making the necessary changes.
STEP 5 The last step is to complete a "Club Registration" form (SEE FORMS). While you only need to prepare a constitution once, a registration form must be completed once a year OR whenever there is a change of club officers. Registration expires the LAST DAY of CLASSES of each school year (Spring). Submit "Club Registration" form and approved constitution to the Office of Student Life.