The First Six Steps In Forming an NYCLU Campus Chapter

1. Read through the materials in the ‘Start a Chapter’ section of the NYCLU website.
Read through all the materials here, especially those relating to procedures. Also make sure to check out issue-related resources and start to develop an agenda for your chapter that covers the issues that are relevant to you and your school.

2. Choose an advisor.
Certain institutions require student groups to have an advisor as a precondition for official recognition and access to school funds. Your student activities office should inform you of that in the group registration packet. Even if your school does not have such a requirement, having an advisor is a good idea to help ensure continuity and stability. After your current leaders have graduated, an advisor can help ensure that the organization stays on track, and acquires new leaders. An advisor can also be very helpful in providing guidance to students and sharing information about administrative processes, school policies, and hiring and admission issues.

3. Hold an initial organizational meeting.
Use flyers, e-mail announcements, and word-of-mouth advertising to promote your first meeting. Think of a location and time that might be most convenient for other students. Consider providing snacks or hosting a speaker on an interesting topic to help draw potential members.

4. Register with your institution as an official club.
Visit the website or office of your school’s student activities department to find out how to register your Campus Club and apply for school funding. Registering your organization with your school often has many benefits, including access to meeting rooms, tabling opportunities at student involvement fairs, Web space, and money.

5. Register with the NYCLU as an official student chapter.
In this way, you can take advantage of the organization’s resources and avoid reinventing the wheel. This allows us to be as helpful as possible, offering assistance and counseling to help guide you through this initial process. Also it helps us better track where student groups are forming and how fast we are growing as an organization. From time to time, the NYCLU may also contact your group for assistance on a legislative campaign or to notify you if a speaker from our organization is coming to your area. Designate at least three contact persons (Primary Contact, Secondary Contact, and Advisor) for your Student Chapter. The Primary Contact is presumed to be the club chair or president unless indicated otherwise. Also, be sure to submit the Campus Chapter Registration form to the NYCLU so we can stay in touch with your campus group.

6. Establish an organizational structure.
Creating a Constitution and By-laws that explain group rules and procedures is the final step to official recognition by the NYCLU and likely also by your school. You should check to see if your school’s student activities department has specific requirements for the text of your Constitution. Please send a copy of your Constitution and By-laws to the NYCLU Campus Organizer (ksavagesangwan@nyclu.org).

(Thanks to the ACLU of Ohio)

Printer-friendly Version