Many students at Salt Lake Community College have learned that starting a club on campus and choosing your members is much easier than depending on your dad to build you a clubhouse in the backyard.
While there are no secret handshakes or underground caverns, SLCC encourages students who wish to start a club to gather four friends who share the same interest and just do it.
“It’s easy,” said Erik Castaneda, Clubs and Organizations vice president. “We’re here to help you every step of the way.”
After obtaining an application from either the Clubs and Organization office (Taylorsville Redwood Campus) or Student Life and Leadership offices (Jordan and South City campuses), the club needs a name, a purpose and at least five members who are currently enrolled at SLCC.
The next step is to acquire an advisor. An advisor must be a full-time faculty, staff or administration member. The most successful clubs have advisors who are as passionate about the club and its members.
Once an advisor as been selected, the application can be submitted. Be sure to arrange a meeting with the Clubs and Organizations advisor to review your club’s mission, purpose and objectives.
Once the necessary procedures have been reviewed with an advisor, the club is ready to hold its first meeting. The first meeting should include all interested individuals and the advisor. At this time be sure to acquire a list of all potential members, along with contact information, and elect your officers. Members should also be made aware of when and where you are going to be holding your club meetings (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.).
The next step is to create a club constitution which will cater to the club’s needs. The constitution will help establish the club’s purpose, its officers and its advisors. Be sure to view the example provided in the application packet.
The last step is making it official. Once the club has been approved, someone in the club will need to set up a training session with Castaneda.
At this meeting, policies and procedures will be reviewed the club’s on-campus bank account will be set up where $250 bonus will be deposited for becoming club at SLCC.
“Clubs looks fantastic on a resume,” said Castaneda. “Partly because it is an organization, mostly for those who start out in a club can say that they had started it from basically a grass-roots project to something that is officially recognized by the college.”
SIDEBAR
- More information about clubs visit http://www.slcc.edu/sll/Clubs_Organizations
- To obtain application packet visit the Clubs & Organizations Office at the Redwood Campus (SC 232 – in the Student Involvement Center) or in the Student Life & Leadership Offices on the Jordan Campus (Student Pavilion 202) or South City Campus (E174).
- Email Clubs@slcc.edu
