Has anyone ever started an on-campus organization?

[iqe2010]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello all.

Have any of you guys ever started an organization at your undergrad institution? If so, please elaborate.

I'm thinking of starting a pre-health association geared towards minority students who wish to enter a health care profession. This is my first semester at my institution (I'm a transfer), and they only have one pre-health club on campus so I think it will really benefit the students to have another pre-health group on campus.

I've served on the e-board for other organizations and it was a lot of work, so I can only imagine the work load ahead of me being the founder/1st president. But I really want to do this and I think I can.

 

[Life Sucks]

My friend did, but you can if you want, but I rather create a club you want. It looks better. A lot of people on here say that starting a pre-health club is discouraged. I say do whatever you want. Enjoy your classes and time. I was thinking about just joining the drama club, or maybe the school senate...for power of course! Glorious power!

 

[organdonor]

Most universities have standard procedures in place to start clubs. Every single one of those clubs on your campus that has a table in the commons area or recruits people during the first week of school (I know it's like I'm a psychic!) was started by a student so it's definitely possible to do.

The procedures are usually pretty laid out on the website. Go to your school's website and just search for "student organizations" or "clubs" or something similar. Navigate to "register a new club" or "start a new organization" etc. Usually you'll need several other students name and contact info that would be interested in the leadership of the club, a faculty sponsor, and a club constitution or bylaws.

It will take a significant amount of time to do. Whether it is worth it or not is up to you.

 

[Omppu27]

As the above mentioned, somewhere on your school's website should mention the requirements for starting an organization. Odds are you'll need a university employee (most likely a prof) to be your advisor. You might also need multiple people to go through some sort of training (presidential training, treasurer training, etc). I'd recommend making sure you have a group of people who are firmly committed to the organization before you get this whole process going. Getting an organization started is usually the easy part... Keeping it afloat and keeping its members excited is the real challenge. Advertising is key. You need to get the word out. Tip: people will show up if there is food. That is a fact. Especially for "poor college kids."

 

[Omppu27]

Ah, to add to my last post: get meetings and what-not going before you become an organization. You actually might need to have a constitution written before you're officially an organization. Your university might grant you some money too to get you started (maybe a couple hundred bucks). Money from there on out will have to come from other sources (bake sale, stadium clean-ups, fundraising at campus restaurants, etc.). Lastly, in the event that people do need to go through presidential/vice presidential/treasurer training prior to gaining organization status, and you want to have this status ASAP (maybe to gain the initial university funding), make it clear to the members that the individuals going through this training are only doing so that you can get that organizational status. You don't want to turn people off by having them think that you're having a power trip and just self-acclaiming these positions to certain people.

 

[ChemEngMD]

Hello all.

Have any of you guys ever started an organization at your undergrad institution? If so, please elaborate.

I'm thinking of starting a pre-health association geared towards minority students who wish to enter a health care profession. This is my first semester at my institution (I'm a transfer), and they only have one pre-health club on campus so I think it will really benefit the students to have another pre-health group on campus.

I've served on the e-board for other organizations and it was a lot of work, so I can only imagine the work load ahead of me being the founder/1st president. But I really want to do this and I think I can.

I founded multiple organizations as an undergraduate. Some from scratch and some expanded from existing national structures.

I suggest you look into starting a MAPS (Minority Association of Pre-Health Students) chapter at your school. It would be easier because there is an existing national structure and it would be more beneficial to you and your members because you will have national and regional conferences to attend that will be beneficial to you.

http://www.snma.org/index.php?pID=36

There is a powerpoint on that page on "how to start a MAPS chapter". Read it.

While this will be easier than starting an org completely from scratch, it still won't be easy.

Good luck and if you need any advice PM me.