Clubs and organizations: how to start one

By Sol Ayala 

Online News Editor

At Trevecca, students have a variety of opportunities to engage with campus life. Writing for the student newspaper, joining a club, or, even more exciting, take the initiative to start their own organization.

Each semester during club rush, you can make your way to each of the tables and get to know about all the clubs and organizations, chat with the representatives, get a few goodies, and sign up for what arouses your interest.

If you looked and you didn’t quite find something for you and you have an idea for a club, here is how you can start your own.

Establishing a Club or Organization

Official student clubs and organizations are recognized by the university when its goals are likely to contribute to the student development and culture of the university. Members and advisors of student clubs/organizations have responsibilities related to the activities and conduct of the members and advisors. 

Type of organizations

Special Interest Clubs: Clubs that are centered around a common interest. You can start your own film club and watch movies.

Academic / Professional Organizations: Emphasis is the knowledge, skills, and experience related to a particular field of study.

Service Organizations: focuses on providing service to the campus and community.

Campus Ministries: groups of students who work alongside their advisers to help provide spiritual growth opportunities for students as well as local and global outreach and service opportunities.

Institutional Organizations: Institutional Organizations cover various institutionally supported organizations that include but are not limited to Honor Societies, Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association, Diversity Council, International Student Association, Commuter Council, and others. 

Club Sports: Club sports are student-run sports teams that compete competitively with other universities or colleges but are not regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and do not have varsity status.

Media and Publications: These organizations manage student publications, including TrevEchoes student newspaper, Darda yearbook, and others. 

Find an advisor

Each student organization is required to have at least one University full-time/adjunct/part-time faculty or staff member serving as the advisor. Pitch it to a professor/staffer who you trust and share interest in the club/organization.

Submit a registration form

From the share point, submit an organization registration form on Involve to become a recognized student club or organization. It will ask you to fill out an about statement for the club/organization, your advisor’s name and email, a cover/logo image, and your contact information.

Next steps

After you submit your form, the ASB Vice President will determine the approval of the club/organization, and you’ll be asked to complete and submit the following

Submit an Organization Constitution and Organization Charter: the coordinators for clubs and organizations will help you with a template for both.

Then you’ll present and meet with SGA—SGA leaders will vote to submit a request to the Student Life Council for Approval. If approved by SGA and the Student Life Council, then you got yourself a club.

You’ll receive a budget and can now start coordinating and scouting for members, meeting times, and social media engagement as an official club/organization of Trevecca.