How to Start an SGA Recognized Club on Campus SGA Club Affairs Committee

Step One: create a mission and purpose statement Mission statement should be about 1-2 sentences, talking about the focus of your organization. Purpose statement should be about 4-8 sentences, talking about why you want to be SGA recognized.

Step Two: create a membership list Create a membership list that includes all members of your organization.  The membership list should include the names, class year, and e- mail addresses of all members of the organization. To be considered for recognition each organization must have a minimum of 10 members including the president and treasurer. You may hold general information meetings without being SGA recognized to gain members

Step Three: create a constitution The constitution will be the backbone of your organization, and should be long lasting. Include information on how the organization will run, the duties of the officers, and more. Please visit the UVM SGA website to see exact guidelines on how to create a constitution.

Step Four: create an officer’s list The list should have the name of the positions and should explain each of the officer positions and who currently holds each of them.  This is important because different organizations may have different officers. Although all organizations are required to have a president and a treasurer, additional officer positions are often created to suit the special needs of specific organizations.

Step Five: create a schedule Create a schedule of events, activities, and meetings.  This list should be tentative, but it should give the Club Affairs Committee a sense of what you are planning to do.

Step Six: Advisor Form A signed form from your advisor saying that they accept the responsibilities associated with being an organization advisor. This should be signed by the advisor and turned in with the rest of your packet. You can find the Advisor Form on the SGA Club Affairs page on the Lynx.

Step Seven: go over the UVM Codes of Conduct Review the UVM Codes of Conduct http://www.uvm.edu/policies/student/studentcode.pdf

Step Eight: Risk Assessment Form Some organizations will need to complete an online Risk Assessment Form which automatically gets submitted to the UVM Department of Risk Management. This is up to the discretion of the Club Affairs Chair so if you believe your club may involve risk to members email the chair and they will let you know if you need to submit this form. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3M73W8M?sm=T4J9cgcVhUfSOI UhFogY1A%3d%3d

Step Nine: contact Club Affairs Committee Once your packet is complete you will need to contact the chair of the Club Affairs Committee to set up a meeting with the committee so that they can discuss recognition with you and answer any questions that you may have. Recognition is often an ongoing process and this meeting will likely be one of many until it is agreed that your organization should be brought forth in front of Senate for recognition.  Club sports must also meet with Leon Lifschutz, Club Sports Coordinator, to discuss issues that only pertain to club sports Recognitions often 1-2 months to be finalized with SGA

Step Ten: SGA Recognition Once your club has been approved by the Club Affairs Committee you will need to present your club to the SGA Senate for recognition Create a PowerPoint and short presentation (Club Affairs Chair will give you these guidelines once it is time for recognition) Give presentation during a Senate meeting Tuesdays at 7 pm in the Livak Ballroom on the 4th floor of the Davis Center President and Treasurer need to present but anyone else from club is welcome to come and watch

Benefits Eligible to receive an SGA budget one year after recognition Can use Virtual EMS to book tables and rooms Can table during First Year Picnic and ActivitiesFest Access to SGA and Student Life resources Marketing Fundraising Placed on all club lists

Requirements Must attend the Club Signers Workshop in the fall Must complete two check-in forms a year (one in the fall and one in the spring) Must keep Lynx page up to date primary contact roster events documents

Finances New clubs are not able to receive SGA funding for the first year they are recognized. The SGA Club Budgeting process happens each February with the SGA Finance Committee Example: If a club were to be recognized this semester they would not be eligible for an SGA budget until Spring 2019 If you have specific questions please contact the Finance Chair, Simon Pavlow, at simon.pavlow@uvm.edu

Questions? Sarah Flaherty: sflaher1@uvm.edu Office Hours: Mondays 11-2, Wednesdays 2-5 SGA Office on 3rd floor of the Davis Center