By now, you have been at university for about 3-4 weeks. You probably visited many stands at Fresher’s Week and trawled the information boards for relevant social groups. But what if there is no society representing your interests? You might think it’s difficult to start a group, but it is not. Here are the things you need to think about and do to start a group.
Can You Really Afford the Time?
The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you are willing and able to start a society. As its founder, you will be expected to do the brunt of the work while you are there. The group will (hopefully) exist long after you are no longer a student, but you have to put the effort in to get it off the ground. That means choosing responsible people willing to help, but it also means the hard graft.
Find Support
You may look to your immediate friends, but if they don’t share your particular interest then you may need to look further. This could mean round-robin emails, other groups that you did join, or asking the Guild for advice. You will need ongoing help to run the group, find venues, promote it and generally get word out about what you do. Then, and only then, should you make formal steps to establish your society.
Think About Your “Business Plan”
Although it won’t cost you money to start up a group, you will need to justify it to a board of university decision makers. Think of it a bit like going on Dragon’s Den. You’re asking for money and resources, after all, and if you want to part with it to help your group get off the ground then you will need backing. Your plan can be simple – what is it about, to whom would it appeal and your mission statement.
Promote, Promote, Promote
Assuming you get clearance and Guild funding, you need to attract members. University noticeboards and forums are a great place to start. You will need to look beyond this scope though. You may find fundraiser events and look to support groups outside of the university – particularly if related to social issues such as health and rights. In the beginning, it will take a lot of effort and you will sometimes wonder if it is all worth the effort.
Organise
The most important thing is to ensure that you are organised with your group or people will stop going. This means regular meet ups that start on time. It means getting information out there, promoting the group to others. It also means presenting the idea that you know what you are doing. Poor organisation is a quick way to destroy a great group and a good idea before it is even off the ground.