On FAQs:
I'm working on putting together some Frequently Asked Questions on how to effectively start an activist organization here at Brandeis. But I want your input! What challenges have you faced when you started a group? What things took you some time to figure out how to do? What do you want to know?
It should go without saying that any answers we'll provide are general--the nature of every club is different. Some of these questions are just questions for you to think about when you're starting or maintaining a club. Here are some basic questions that I hope will be answered on the FAQ:
The basics
-How do I register my new club? (The union's response can be found here, but we hope to give you a better sense of the time/effort it takes.
-What is the real difference between a recognized, chartered and secured club? What are the pros and cons of each?
-Writing a constitution is mandatory for a club. But, how much do people really pay attention to constitutions? What's the benefit of a well crafted constitution and how do I make one?
-How do I get funding for ...?
-Where do I go to reserve a room in...?
-When and where is the activities fair? What are some strategies to get more people to sign up for my club at the Activities Fair?
Club Organization
-What are some different models of club organization? What does it mean to be "bottom up," as opposed to "top down"? Should my club have an e-board?
-What are some interesting ways to organize on facebook, and other social networking sites?
Club Sustainability
-The first few meetings of my club went really well, but as the semester goes on, attendance drops. What are some ways to boost attendance?
-How can I build an e-mail list?
-That awesome leader we had graduated and all his/her knowledge built up after 4 years went right out the door, too. How could I have prevented this? What can my club do to keep its memory?
Outreach
-Check out our organization list t0 find other Brandeis activists!
-When are ARC meetings with representatives from other clubs?
-How can I outreach to other like-minded clubs?
So help us out! What do YOU want to know? Post in the comments or email: afertig AT brandeis DOT edu
