Club Resources
The Club Resources listed on the right will help you make the most of your club. Read below for 11 quick pointers.
11 Tips on Starting a Club
- Create recruitment materials. Think about the types of people you want as club members and tailor your materials to them. Exhibit at school activity fairs and publicize in the school newspaper. Make sure to include information on when and where your club meets!
- Structure Your Club. Hold elections or assign leadership roles to divide responsibility and promote active involvement. Some leadership roles that work well are president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, webmaster, photographer, project manager, outreach and publicity manager. Read more about leadership roles.
- Create Committees. Divide up club members and supporters into committees (i.e. events, publicity, membership). People will feel more invested if they have a specific responsibility that matches their interests and skills.
- Apply for a Do Something grant.You probably need money to make your projects rock. We want to give it to you. Visit www.dosomething.org/grants for a shot at $500 for your project.
- Involve the greater community. Partner with a local business or restaurant to offer discounts to volunteers who help out with your projects. The business will love supporting great community action, and you’ll have a chance to thank your volunteers for their hard work.
- Get involved with a Do Something campaign! DS will send your club information, posters, flyers, and stickers for upcoming campaigns. We focus on a different cause every month. Find one you care about and get on board!
- Have food at your meetings! This a simple but effective strategy to make sure club members attend meetings. It might even help with recruitment! Read more meeting tips.
- Involve all members in project decisions. Make sure you take a vote and ask for feedback before deciding which projects to take on. It’s important that all of your club’s members feel like they have a say in what you work on.
- Set up a communication system. Whether it be a facebook group, weekly e-mails, or group messaging through dosomething.org’s clubs system, it’s important that all of your members are kept in the loop on all projects, events and meetings and have a place to go to discuss club business.
- Recognize your volunteer’s efforts. Honor a volunteer or member of the month, thank them in event programs, give gift certificates for a job well done, send a thank-you note from a beneficiary. Make sure volunteers AND club members feel appreciated!
- Create a succession plan. Are you a graduating senior? What’s going to happen when you leave? Hold elections before you graduate for next year’s officers. Identify key club members and have them shadow you in your leadership role so they feel prepared to take over. Make sure you’re prepared to keep your club alive.