Club Status
Why Start a Club?
So, you want to start a club? There is a whole range of great reasons to get students organized! Whether you study a common discipline, share an interest or hobby, or share a culture, religion, or political belief, your club can contribute to campus life. Your Students' Union is here to help with a whole range of club services.
When thinking of starting a club, the first thing to do is check the TRUSU Clubs Directory to see if a club that serves your interests already exists. If there is one, send them an email to get involved! If your club is new, get at least ten members together and decide on the goals of your club. Now you are ready to apply for club status!
Applying for Club Status
To apply for Club status, you must complete and submit a Club Registration Form.
When filling out the registration form, you and your fellow members must decide on a club name. The name will start with "TRUSU" and end with "Club". For example, you may name your club the "TRUSU Quilting Club", but not the "TRU Quilting Association". Shorter names are best. Second, you need a short description of your club's aims and purposes. Simply state what you hope to accomplish. For example, you may state: "To promote quilting as a hobby among students". Finally, you need to decide amongst yourselves either through consensus, nomination, or election who will become your two signing authorities. These two members will be the club's official representatives. They will be needed to access Students' Union financial services and will assume the liabilities for the club. They must list their contact information, student number, and provide a signature.
Once you have completed these fields on the Club Registration Form, have your fellow members list their names, student numbers, and signatures on the back. At least ten signatures are needed to apply as a club. A completed Club Registration Form will be accepted at the Members' Services Desk in the Students' Union Building (SUB). Your application will be reviewed at the next council meeting, which you will be invited to attend. After a decision has been made at council, the proposed signing authorities will be contacted via email.
Changing Your Signing Authorities
Often clubs find that their signing authorities are graduating, or taking a semester abroad, or no longer interested in leading the club mid way through the semester or academic year. If this happens, your club must register new signing authorities with the Students' Union to ensure that you have access to the full range of club services.
To register new signing authorities, simply fill out the Club Signing Authorities Registration Form and drop it off at the Members' Services Desk in the Students' Union Building. Your club will be contacted once the signing authorities have been officially updated.
Renewing your Club Status
Clubs that wish to continue being a club in the new year must submit a Club Renewal Form. Once council has ratified your club you do not need to re-register, but you must update the Students' Union with your new signing authorities for the new academic year. The club year starts over every year on August 1st, if the Students' Union does not have a club renewal form for your club by August 1st, your club will not have access to any financial services until a Club Renewal Form has been received.
To complete the form your signing authorities from last year must sign off on your signing authorities for the year coming up. If your signing authorities are no longer around and cannot sign off on the renewal you must attach proof that they are no longer around in the form of an email or letter from the individual.
