Clubs Academy 16 Maximising your club

Maximising Your Club  Introduction  Your Ambitions  Sponsorship  Funding  Community Engagement  Trips  Collaboration  Conclusion

Maximising Your Club

Introduction  What do you want to achieve?  One year, one society, one you  Who else do you have?  Who is on your committee?  Do you know them?  Do you them well?  Do you know them too well?  Balance personal friendships with professionalism  When might this be difficult?  When might this be useful?

Where Do You Want To Go?  Consider what was covered in the year planning  Check that each objective fits into SMART format:  Specific  Measurable  Achievable  Realistic  Time  What do you need to take you there? Example: Increase membership by 10% this semester through running new collaboration events. Get whole committee to promote these events makes it realistic. Reviewed at end of Autumn 2016.

Be Ambitious!  Don’t be modest, with good planning your society can achieve anything!  Use your team around you  Plan each event with a realistic timeline  Options to consider  Can you work with a University department?  Can you engage with a community group?  Who are the other stakeholders for your project?

Sponsorship  Many clubs look to maximise their income by approaching local or national companies for sponsorship.  When creating a sponsorship contract, make sure the benefits to both parties are clearly laid out  When approaching, be professional by writing a letter and knowing who you want to reach  Give a good account of your society, and what they will receive in return.  Don’t forget to get the money!

The Approach?  There are plenty of options to approach  Local pubs and clubs, may look for a return in hosting socials in that venue.  Be careful not to get drawn in as cheap PR work!  Can have benefits of cheap room hire too  Eg. Kilted Kangaroo and Assassins Guild  Bigger organisations may look for links too  Your membership is your greatest asset  This can be great exposure for a relevant company  Eg. Barbri International and Law Society

Things to Consider  Budget the costs of printing a logo onto garments  Ensure that you fulfil your part of the arrangement  Any questions? Ask the Union!  Consider who else has sponsored other clubs  What can you offer?  Inclusion on publicity and publications  Exposure to your membership  Footfall and awareness on campus  What do you want?  Discounts  Expertise  Donations/Prizes

Funding  The Stirling Fund is a great platform for achieving your society’s most ambitious goals.  AirTV & Careers  Computer Club & University Department  Air3 Xtra  When writing a funding application of this kind:  Be formal and specific – especially with numbers!  Include a way of evaluating the project  Talk to anyone with an interest, get support and don’t duplicate another idea.

Funding

Vice Chancellor’s Fund  Whilst the Stirling Fund is open in October, the Vice- Chancellor’s Fund opens every spring.  Very similar forms, funded by different parties  Consider who is behind each grant  Eg. Stirling Fund = Alumni, what would they value?

Club Grants  Another funding stream is the club grant fund  Well received applications here are ones which are:  Specific & accurate  Innovative  Will make a lasting impact on the society  Don’t just focus on the big numbers. Only apply for what you need.

Club Grants  Club Grants have changed!  Capital Equipment Fund  Investment into equipment or materials you need  £300 limit for each application  Special Event Fund  For events, trips, or any other single events  £300 limit for each application  Previous examples include equipment for new societies and ambitious trips

External Funding  Don’t rely on Club Grant funding.  There are plenty of alternative sources for money such as the Round Table (£250 for community focus projects)  Rotary Clubs, Stirling Council Community Grants, Active Communities, Tesco Charity Trust amongst many more  Earn Your Stripes criteria are excellent evidence for external funding  You can recycle what you used for the Community award

Grant Applications  Earn Your Stripes and Event Trip Planners can be excellent evidence for applications…  How many students will this project have an impact upon?  Review your Community and Inclusion Stripes criteria  Outline the amount of funding being sought (£) (200 words)  Check the event planner for how to breakdown costs

Grant Applications  When applying for community grants you will be asked for impact and wider involvement.  Review your Community stripes criteria:  Have been involved with supporting or participating in an event in the local community.  Have opened up their activities to the wider community on at least one occasion.  The society can provide evidence that it actively encourages its members to be responsible and engaged members of the community.

Community Engagement  This can be a great way of taking your club forward  Be broad, and consider what other parties you can work with  Eg. Nature Society and local conservation groups  Political societies holding debates at schools  Sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with others  This can be great for your own future personal development, making a huge legacy for your society, and setting an amazing example of our student body.

Community Engagement  This can have other benefits too:  Opens up new contacts  Future speakers at events  Adds value to membership  New experiences and opportunities  Fundraising  A bigger pool of people can mean more attendees at fundraising events  Recognition  Can lead to being recognised for your effort.

Trips  Have been really successful events for societies.  Politics (Barcelona), Business (Amsterdam), Wizarding (London), Biology (Amsterdam), Italian (Italy)  International Society (Isle of Skye), Geography (Edinburgh, Dynamic Earth), Pool Society/Medieval History Competitions

Trips  Think about what would add value to your club  What hasn’t been done before?  What would the purpose be  Is there a particular event or place to visit?  Can you create new links?  What is affordable and realistic  Closer to home can mean more participation  Plan an itinerary first and foremost  Does the idea and plan meet your society’s aims?

Collaboration  Working between clubs is a great way of maximising your club  Improves value for members  Offers new and bigger opportunities  Examples from Clubs & Socs Awards Ball  Suits & Scrubs  Laser Quest  Queer Disco  Makes for great events!

Challenge  Find another club  Create an idea of a joint event for next year  What would be appealing to both societies?  What could you not do without a larger group of people?  10 Minutes  Idea/concept, timescale, target audience, finances, marketing…

Collaboration  What did you come up with?

Thank You! Keep an eye out for future club development next semester