Running a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) is a challenge for those wishing to accept it. You have to deal with the various rules and regulations of the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), the internal rules and regulations of your RSO, as well as marketing your club to new and prospective members. I have been fortunate enough to be on the executive board of multiple RSOs and have run the gambit of quality in terms of leadership. I hope this article can stand as a guide for what to do and what not to do when you take over as a leader in an RSO.

Tip 1 – Have a Plan For the Semester

Many clubs on campus have a specific activity associated with it. For example, the Gaming Club focuses around video games and tournaments (and does a fairly good job with it). Some clubs, however, struggle to find activities to have for each meeting. Having a specific topic or area that a club must work around can be a challenge, especially with an inexperienced e-board. Some clubs that I have been a part of in the past struggled to find their focus until well into the semester. It would be similar to a musical group not deciding which song to perform for weeks and filling that time with completely unrelated activities. That’s why it’s important to at least have a rough outline or target of how the semester should go. Maybe there’s a specific event or trip your club wants to host. Maybe there’s a joint project the club will be working on throughout the semester. Regardless, a solid plan with room for improvisation is key to a successful RSO.

Tip 2 – Train in Transition

Almost every club has to hold elections every semester in order to decide the e-board for the next semester. However, certain clubs only host elections when an e-board member is leaving that position. Replacing a member of the e-board can be difficult for some clubs, as sometimes a lack of interested members can leave the club stuck on how to replace that member. Sometimes the candidate that is chosen is ill-equipped to handle the weight and responsibility of their respective position. In any event, proper training is essential. Make sure that the e-board-to-be is trained sufficiently to take over where the member who is stepping down left off. Too many times have I seen someone come into a role that they were completely unprepared for and make a detrimental impact on the club and its functions.

Tip 3 – Have Fun

I know it’s cliche but clubs are meant to be an enjoyable thing at the end of the day. As students, we have to deal with classes and work in addition to all the other stresses that life throws at us. Having an RSO that members can come to knowing that they can decompress after a long week should be the aim. It’s not a class or a professional team, it’s a club.