How to start a club

Start ClubDisclaimer: These regulations may be reviewed by the Student Representative Council (SRC) and changes may be enacted at any time it is considered necessary. All changes will be reviewed and approved by a two-thirds vote of the SRC. Changes will become effective at the discretion of the SRC.

 

CLUB CHARTERING PROCESS

QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHARTER RECOGNITION

A. Student Interest Qualifications

  1. 1. The prospective student groups must show that there exists a definite interest for the proposed organization in the University community. Interest will be demonstrated by ten (10) UNC students enrolled in a minimum of one (1) credit hour for the current academic term declaring membership. The membership roster is included in the chartering packet.

 

B. Club Membership Qualifications:

  1. Consist of a majority of UNC students.
  2. Have only student members holding voting rights and authorizing financial actions.
  3. Have a minimum of ten (10) active student members at all times.
  4. Have membership requirements that do not conflict with the SRC Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity policies.
  5. Statement of Disclosure and Confidentiality: All membership lists required by SOT or SRC will remain confidential. Only members of SOT and SRC may have access to the lists if a need is apparent. Officer information will be considered public knowledge.

 

C. Club Leadership Qualifications:

  1. Be selected or elected by the membership of their organization.
  2. Be members of the Student Body of UNC for their term in office.
  3. Officers of the organization may carry any title designated by the group's Constitution so long as there are at least three student officers at all times.
  4. The majority of the officers must be students. Non-students may hold advisory position.
  5. If the leadership wishes to request fund three student leaders will be responsible for signing work copies and one of which will keep financial records.

 

D. Advisor Qualifications: All clubs must function with counsel and guidance from a University administrative, faculty, or staff advisor. That advisor shall:

  1. Be selected by the student membership as outlined in the organization's Constitution.
  2. Provide guidance in program and financial matters.
  3. Assist the student officers in attaining organizational goals.
  4. Encourage open lines of communication between students, faculty, and staff.
  5. Maintain the inventory of permanent items that are the property of the organization.
  6. Provide an element of continuity for student organizations from year to year due to the factor of student turnover.
  7. Advisors may not authorize any of the group’s expenditures.

 

PROCEDURES FOR CHARTER RECOGNITION

A. If the prospective groups have met all SRC qualifications, the following items must be completed and submitted to the SRC VP for Student Organizations.

  1. Club Constitution
  2. Student Organization Charter Packet.

 

B. Club Constitution: SRC and UNC do not allow University institutions for clandestine purposes; therefore, each organization must include information in the Constitution concerning the following:

  1. A clear mission statement outlining the organization's goals and objectives.
  2. Parameters of membership requirements (if any).
  3. A list of offices and the duties of those offices. Terms of selection and removal must be included.
  4. An Equal Opportunity statement.
  5. Advisor selection process, duties, and responsibilities.
  6. Amendments procedure.
  7. Contents of the Constitution may not violate any article of the Student Body Constitution or any SRC bylaw.

 

C. The SRC VP for Student Organizations will review the completed chartering packet and constitution with the SOT and make a recommendation to SRC. (SEE PART 3)

 

PROCEDURES FOR CONTINUING CHARTER RECOGNITION

A. If the student organization is still in compliance with the SRC Qualifications and wishes to continue their charter recognition for the next academic year, they must update their files by the due dates set by SRC VP for Student Organizations. Due dates will be stated in the charter packet. Organizations must resubmit the following to maintain their recognition:

  1. Club Constitution
  2. Student Organization Charter Packet

 

B. Club Constitutions: A current Constitution must be on file including any amendments made within the last year. If no changes have been made to the Constitution within the last year, then the current Constitution will be read by the new offices and resubmitted with the appropriate dating.

 

PROVISIONAL CHARTERS

In the event that a student organization submits its chartering materials to the VP for Student Organizations by the due date but the materials lack some of the requirements (such as an advisor, at least three officers, a Constitution, etc.), the VP for Student Organizations may grant that group a provisional charter. The group will be given a due date as to when the missing required information must be submitted. During this interim period, the group may seek funding. In the event that the required information is not submitted, the group may continue to seek a charter but may not seek funding during the current cycle.

 

CHARTER REVIEW OR REMOVAL

Student organizations failing to update or complete their information by the specified datelines will be declared inactive. Student organizations that are inactive for one calendar year will have their charter rescinded and funding secedes. (See Section 9 for more information.)

 

BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF CHARTER RECOGNITION

Student organizations must have charter recognition from SRC in order to receive special services, resources, funding, and facilities from SRC and UNC. Charter recognition ensures the effective and equitable allocation of these resources, when possible, and provides SRC with the ability to enhance and coordinate activities of chartered organizations.

 

A. SRC charter recognition benefits and privileges include:

  1. Eligible student organizations may request financial assistance from SRC according to the SRC Guidelines for funding student organizations. See Chapter X Part 2.
  2. Chartered student organizations may request a mailbox in the Student Activities area. The allocation of mailboxes will be based upon need, availability, and past use.
  3. Ability to access Student Organization Resource Room.
  4. Ability to have a representative participate in the deliberations of SRC. (See Section 10)

 

B. UNC benefits and privileges include:

  1. Use of most University buildings, facilities, and services at special chartered student organization's rate or free of charge according to prescribed University area policies.
  2. Use of the University's name in conjunction with the group's name for official group functions.

 

C. REPRESENTATIVE STATUS

All student organizations that are chartered may select a member to serve as representative to the SRC.

  1. In order for the Empowered representative to be recognized, the organization must submit the name, address, and phone number of the representative to the SRC VP for Student Organizations.
  2. The representative must be a voting member of the student organization. This may be done at any time during the year. S/he is to represent the interests of that group to the Student Representative Council and have been selected by that organization through whatever means specified in its' Constitution or/and Bylaws.
  3. The SRC need not to approve the organization's request for empowered representative status to be valid.
  4. No organization may have more than one representative to SRC.

 

D. Upon charter recognition, the VP for Student Organizations will inform the appropriate University offices and the student body as to which student organizations have been chartered through SRC.

..continued: information on club funding