Establishing a new student organization is an exciting process. The Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL) is happy to help with the formation of new groups on campus. New student organizations may be started at any time during the year. Here are some tips for creating a new registered student organization.
- Talk to your friends and classmates about your idea for a new group. This is a great way to recruit new members and get feedback on your idea.
- Think about why you think Middlebury College needs this organization. Is it unique?
- Meet with the CCAL staff to discuss your idea and goals for the group.
- Talk to your professors and staff members on campus. They can provide insight and one of them might want to serve as an adviser. If you have problems finding an adviser, CCAL can assist you with the process.
Any currently enrolled student may apply to create a recognized student organization by picking up an application form from CCAL in McCullough and following these simple steps:
- Meet with the Assistant Director of Campus Activities for Student Organizations to pick up the Outline for Middlebury College Club Constitutions. This will be the guideline that will walk you through the process to develop the needed constitution.
- Organize your first meeting to gather students that are interested. You may reserve a room on campus with the Administrative Program Coordinator in CCAL. Advertise through the dining hall table tents and put up posters on campus to announce the date, time and location of the organizational meeting. Campus Activities will provide you with some start up funds to print your posters.
- Conduct your first organizational meeting. Discuss the purpose of the new organization, collect a list of students who show interest with graduation year, and discuss the elements of your constitution and a proposed budget (if necessary) to finance the organization for a year.
- Draft your constitution.
- Submit to CCAL: a proposed constitution, tentative outline of events for the academic year, sample budget, the names of group officers and faculty/staff adviser, and roster of at least ten (10) interested students (include name, graduating year, campus extension, and box number). Your constitution will be forwarded to the SGA Constitution Committee who will review and act upon your request. Please note that the Constitution Committee may contact organization members for confirmation.
- Upon recognition as a student organization, the officers may meet with the SGA Finance Committee to request funding. (Funding is not guaranteed to any organization)
- Forward a list of the officers to CCAL for the directory. Be sure to indicate which officers will represent your group for the SGA Finance Committee.
If you have questions, contact JJ Boggs - jboggs@middlebury.edu