As undergraduate students, many of us take what organizations we are involved with on campus very seriously. We put a lot of effort and thought into joining organizations that will benefit us and make the time we spend here at UNH well spent. Many students start out as general members at the beginning of their freshman year and work their way up to the executive board as the remaining time goes on. I respect members of clubs and organizations that take the time to be active members and actually work to make a club or organization better.

With all of that being said, I do have to say that a majority of people who do join a club or an organization join just to get their name on the list. They never have any intention of doing anything productive such as going to events or helping make the club a better club in the UNH community. In fact, these types of people often shine a bad light on clubs and organizations, because of just that. My question to you then would be why did you join? Why waste your time and the time of the organization?

I am a member of a few organizations on campus. Throughout my involvement in these organizations I have noticed a great deal of things and attitudes that need to change. Everyone wants to be a top 20 club, but no one seems to want to take the time of put out the effort to do it. It doesn’t happen any other way. So here are some guidelines about being in a club. Really take them to heart and if you find that you are one of “these” people, try to pull yourself out of that category.

First, if you a member of something, make every effort to attend meetings. Meetings are a waste of time is no one attends them. Do not just read the minutes because attendance really is a factor, and do not make up an excuse because you do not want to leave your room for fifteen minutes. If you do not have class or another meeting, make the effort to go.

As a club member, you should make every effort to also attend any club events your organization organizes or co-sponsors. Nothing shines a more negative light on an organization if 100 people are on the roster and only four attend events. Additionally, no member should complain that an organization is putting on events. Yes, this has happened. I have been to meetings where members groan because there is going to be an event they are asked to go to. If there aren’t any events being hosted, then what is the point of meetings? If there aren’t any meetings, then what is the point of a club? I personally like to be involved in my organizations so that when I do attend meetings and events, I feel that the time I invest in the organization is worthwhile.

Lastly, but don’t be fooled, this is a big pet peeve of mine, I have a problem when people complain when clubs and organizations tighten their grip on their club members. Never have I heard more grumbling than when an organization announces that they will have an attendance policy, require members to attend a certain amount of events, or join a committee to participate more. Club members seem to forget that clubs have every right to tighten the reins on club members if they so choose. It makes for a better club with more dedicated members. If you do not like it, then you can always quit. Why be a member of something you are not willing to commit 100 percent to. Most organizations do not require lifelong membership, so if you are really that unhappy, you can always leave. These complainers are also those that complained that the organization never did anything worthwhile from the beginning. So, just to clarify, we complain when they don’t do anything, and then we complain when they try to make things better. Seems like a lose-lose situation.

Remember everyone that being a member of something doesn’t just mean that your name is on the roster. It means putting some of your time into an organization by attending meetings and events to make this organization something you can be proud to say you were a part of later.