How to Make a Successful School Club

Students at your school are potential club members.

If being a member of a school club is good, then starting your own school club is even better. Starting and running a successful school club will develop leadership skills that will help you later in life. However, starting a successful club is not easy. In order to succeed, you need to work hard and be dedicated.

Instructions

1. Ask your teacher whether there is a formal approval process for clubs at your school. If there is a formal approval process, ask which forms you need to have a club approved.

2. Fill out the approval forms for your club. Look over the forms when your teacher gives them to you. If they say that you need a complete executive team, ask your friends to be president, vice president or treasurer. Once you have the names of everyone you need (generally, the student executives and a sponsoring teacher), turn in the forms to your school's secretary.

3. Advertise your club. Use a word processing program to make signs with large, bold lettering. State the name of your club at the top of the page, and state the location, date and time on the bottom of the page. Give a brief description of your club's purpose. Print copies for each floor of your school, and put the posters up around your school or on bulletin boards.

4. Ask people to get involved. Talk to people you know, and ask them to join the club. Whether or not the people you talk to can personally get involved, ask them to spread the word by telling their friends, especially if their friends have interests related to the club's purpose. For example, if your friend, Jack, doesn't want to join your violin club, but does have a friend, Violet, who loves the violin, ask Jack to tell Violet about the club.

5. Plan the club's events for remainder of the year. Ask your guidance counselor for a directory of organizations related to your club's niche. Search this directory for the names of events in this niche, then contact the event organizers about how to register. If you think it is possible for your club to register and attend these events, request application forms.

6. Hold meetings regularly. Work out an itinerary before each meeting. For example, if you have a debate club, schedule an itinerary that includes a training session and a debate session. Schedule meetings at a time that members can attend. If need be, ask members to fill out a form stating their availability, and pick the time when most members are available. If you need to cancel a meeting, tell the membership as soon as possible; otherwise, members may see the club as not being serious and quit attending events and meetings.

References

• Youth Empowered Action: YEA Camp's Tips for Successful School Clubs