Turn Your Passion Into Action: How to Start a Club on Campus

By Hermes Falcon, senior journalism & sociology major

Bringing your hobbies and passions to Bradley is one of the best parts of being on campus. Here, there’s always an easy way to combine work and play: Either join a club or start one of your own. Bradley currently has more than 200 student organizations, and if you have a particular interest that isn’t offered, you’re encouraged to start your own club. 

There are four steps to starting a club: the idea, the training, the advisor and the paperwork. A shining resume isn’t one of the requirements. Cara Wood, director of student activities on campus, shares some tips for those interested in starting a club.

The Idea

Once you have an idea for a club and four board members, a minimum of two having an executive position, you can reach out to Wood to pitch it. Your four board members can be your friends who are just as passionate about the club as you are, or students you just met who share similar hobbies. Wood then reviews the idea and compares it to active clubs to see if topics overlap. If a club with your idea already exists, you’re connected with the club officers “so you can network with people of similar interests,” said Wood.

The Training

If your idea doesn’t coincide with an already existing club, Wood then asks two board officers—usually the president and vice president—to take the Bradley Organization Leader Training (BOLT) exam.

BOLT is a 23-25 minute long video that Wood updates every year to keep students in the loop if policies on campus change. After you watch the video, you take a 10-question quiz and must score an eight or higher. If you don’t pass, no need to worry—you can retake the quiz until you do. 

Starting a club on campus isn’t about scores or having a good memory. It’s about passion for community and leadership.

The Advisor

You also need a faculty advisor for your club. You’re encouraged to reach out to professors you know who may have a general interest in the club topic. 

“[The faculty advisors] are there as much as you want them to be to provide some form of education, mentorship and support,” said Wood.

The Paperwork

After all the other elements are satisfied, you must turn in a constitution and by-laws for the organization. A template is available here that will help you take the first steps towards getting your club off the ground.

The constitution and by-laws ask you to specify the purpose of the club, who can become a member, which executive roles are present, how people are elected, the duties of executive officers and how to add amendments and by-laws in the future if needed.

Maintaining an on-campus organization

The hardest part about starting a club isn’t the paperwork or the training or even finding a faculty advisor—it’s keeping the club alive.

According to Wood, the number of clubs that make it past the first year is not very high—but once they do, their place on campus is solidified. “I always caution students to think about the longevity of their passion project,” said Wood. “I’d love to see more clubs last the test of time.” 

Wood pointed out two critical qualities clubs need to have if they want to be successful: dedication and organization. Clubs that plan activities for their members ahead of time “show passion and dedication for the club’s purpose and its members,” she said. And clubs that properly balance responsibilities and tasks between board members last beyond the first year.

Starting a club can help develop leadership skills, expand personal social networks and teach students essential life skills like conflict and time management. Wood encourages students to become active in student organizations.

“Students who are engaged in clubs find a greater connection to campus,” she explained. 

Your interest, whether general or niche, can serve to make your time at Bradley more memorable and enjoyable. Clubs can be your legacy on campus, if you’re willing to take an idea and bring it to life.

To learn more about active clubs on campus, please visit the Student Organizations’ home page.

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