This year on October 5th, 44 different clubs gathered in the UNIS lobby and set up their tables for the annual Club Fair. Armed with colorful posters and online presentations, the clubs offered various experiences, including debate, publication, cultures, charity, and academics. Despite such variety, many students still feel that their interests are not represented, and so they decide to take on the challenge of starting a club of their own.

However, starting a new club is not easy. The logistical work alone makes it a challenging initiative as it entails finding a suitable advisor, setting up a club agenda, and other tasks before the club fair even begins. Afterward, founders have to learn how to advertise their club, which is probably the most difficult step. While a club may have many new members at the beginning of the year, more members may quit due to their fading interest. This applies to many clubs at UNIS, regardless of size or experience. Another big challenge is to “make sure that people want to have the time to attend and think that it’s worth attending,” said Luke Serrano, president of the Drama Club.

There are many ways to approach these issues, but most club members agree that the best way of overcoming them is through organization and communication. Luke suggests that one way to encourage involvement within clubs is by sending out surveys to get members’ opinions. This helps to steer the club in the direction that its members think is best, allowing members to actively help with club decisions.

Anoushka Joshi, co-president of Model UN, thinks that another good way of keeping a club organized is to start an “excomm,” or an executive committee, composed of club members who are committed to helping run club. As well as maintaining order, forming an executive committee helps to make the club experience “as personal as it can be” because they can cater to everyone’s needs and make sure that everyone steps away from the club with the feeling that they are being listened to. Without strong organization and communication, many clubs can have many inconsistencies and thus difficulties in sustaining the club.

However, even the most efficient clubs may have troubles in getting recognized. With such a large amount of groups vying for students’ attention, it’s difficult for your club to stand out. To address this, some clubs recommend getting as engaged as possible in school activities. Elizabeth Letsou, also co-president of Model UN, suggests hosting events and participating in gatherings like bake sales or assemblies, which are good opportunities to gain publicity for your club. Another tip is to become active on social media, such as Instagram or Facebook. This helps your club members stay tuned about your group’s goals and updates.

Finally, one of the most important qualities that you need to start a club is genuine interest and passion. When you are passionate about a topic, it is far easier to work towards success. This should be emphasized with your club members too. Olivia Kim, co-president of REACANA, recommends teaching members about the purpose of your club to get them actively engaged. When club members become personally interested in your purpose, it is much more likely that they would like to help the club succeed.

With 44 clubs already involved and more on the rise, the popularity of starting a new club has been overwhelming. So what should you do if you want to start a club? The answer involves a clear organization, active engagement with the student body, and a real passion for what you are doing. With these pieces of advice in mind, your club can definitely flourish in the 2018-2019 school year!