Some friends and I have started our own little book club amongst us, where we take turns reading books we pick. It’s really laid back and all, but technically we did start our own book club. Is there a certain level of “officialness” that a club needs to be counted as a legit club on applications? We were thinking of starting a “disc golf club” as well, but really it would just mainly be us meeting up and playing disc golf weekly. Do we need to do anything to make it legit?
Why don’t you ask your school librarian if you can open the book club up more and hold meetings in the library?
Normally, starting a club implies starting an official student organization at your school. However, I don’t think you should put this on your list of ECs unless you can turn it into more than just reading books with friends.
I assumed that student clubs were recognized by the school. Clubs aren’t bad to put on your application but I suspect some clubs that students post about here consist of a handful of members who all have titles like VP, secretary, etc. and don’t actually do that much. Opening the book club up to the school seems like a good idea!
Coordinating with some larger community would be a start. Also leaving some sort of infrastructure so that it continues after you leave. Otherwise how else are you going to differentiate it between just hanging out and doing something with your friends you already know?
I do alumni interviews and just getting together to read with friends would not be as meaningful as additionally going through the “form an official club” process and having a process for the club to continue without you. One shows that you do something you enjoy, and the other shows that you are trying to share that interest with the community and shows leadership.
Book Club, 12
vs
Founded Book Club: Worked with administration to create school club, recruited 10 members, established officers to continue club for the future,recruited teacher to speak on topic of Book.
The people in my book club have similar tastes and would like to keep it smaller. Also, one of our members does not go to our school which can complicate things if we made it affiliated to the school.
So on my EC’s list should I just refer to this as an informal club?
Yea, unless you guys have an organization recognized by an institution like your high school, it’s more like a hobby/hanging out than anything else (even saying ‘club’ would be misleading). It’s like me getting together with a bunch of friends to play video games and calling it ‘video game club.’
If you wanted to legitimize it, you would ideally work with a local library or school and create an group that is open to anyone who is interested, with some form of executive structure and a faculty/group mentor