How to Start a Club

• Have a full-time faculty or staff advisor is encouraged. Unless, deemed by Campus Activities that an advisor is mandatory
• Have a club constitution
• Maintain at least 10 members (50% +1 must be enrolled AppState students)
• Attend CORE Conference in the Fall
• Attend Town Hall in the Spring
• Renew their registration with the Office of Campus Activities on an annual basis (renewal window begins in Spring Semester)
• Provide the Office of Campus Activities with updated information in Engage when new officers have been elected

• The purpose of the proposed organization must be compatible with the overall mission of the University and not be in violation of any state or federal law.
• The leadership of the group and control of the activities of the organization must rest with the (current AppState) student membership. Appalachian State University will not accept or recognize any other affiliation which places governance authority for the group outside the University.
• The proposed organization must have at least one full-time member of a current AppState faculty or administrative staff of the University who has indicated a willingness to serve as advisor and to attend club meetings and activities as decided on by the student membership.
• The proposed organization must afford opportunities to members on the basis of personal merit and not race, sex, creed, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin or ancestry. (Greek social fraternities and sororities are exempt from discrimination on the basis of sex by federal law.)
• Students wishing to form a new organization must prepare a statement defining the need for such an organization.
• Students wishing to form a new group must have a proposed constitution providing information concerning the name, membership, qualification for membership, financial plans, method of electing and removing officers, and the qualifications of officers of the proposed organization (See Constitutional Checklist).
• Current AppState students shall make up at least fifty percent plus one of the total membership of any student organization.
• There must be a minimum of ten current AppState student members for the new organizanization whose names must be submitted with the application in Engage.
• All officers, or leadership positions, must be enrolled students at Appalachian State University.
• Decision-making must be vested in the student membership.
• Affiliation with non-University groups must be disclosed.

If the proposed club or organization can meet all of the required criteria for recognition and all concerned parties feel that there is a need and/or interest on the Appalachian campus for a new organization, Campus Activities may grant the following temporary privileges to the organizing group:

• The use of University facilities for three organizational meetings for the purpose of organizing the group and developing a constitution and by-laws.
• The use of University advertising facilities to inform the student population of the group's intent to organize.

New organizations function for one year under temporary recognition. However, at any time, Club Council reserves the right to review any organization to determine the validity of the group's recognition. Groups are generally granted club or organizational status on campus after one year of activity as long as the organization:

• Submits a Student Club and Organization Re-Registration Form via Engage within one month of the first day of classes in the fall semester.
• Continues to meet the standards for initial recognition.
• Acts within the policies and regulations for recognized organizations.
• Operates within the purpose stated in the constitution for the organization.
• Maintains organizational finances and good credit status with the University and the community in the manner prescribed by Campus Activities. This includes handling all transactions through an organizational checking account with two signatures required on all checks.
• Attends all club/organization mandatory meetings sponsored by Club Council (one per semester).

Any group or person seeking to establish a social or service fraternity or sorority should consult the officers or the constitutions of the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, or the AppState chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Councils, or consult the Associate Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life.

The following items are required to be in your constitution. If the following is not stated in your constitution, you will not be recognized by Campus Activities :

1. Membership Requirements:  You must state that the majority of your membership (50%+1) must be App State students, and only App State students are allowed to be officers or hold leadership positions.
2. Campus Activities Clause: Your club must state and adhere to the Campus Activities Clause.
   1. The Campus Activities Office maintains the discretionary authority to require modifications to any Club Constitution in circumstances where safety concerns are present or where constitutional provisions fail to meet institutional safety expectations. Each club is required to establish and uphold internal governance controls, including clearly defined officer roles, procedural safeguards, and accountability structures that support safe and responsible operations. If such internal governance controls are determined to be inadequate or ineffective, the Campus Activities Office may mandate constitutional revisions to ensure alignment with institutional safety standards. Clubs are obligated to implement any required changes in a timely manner as a condition of continued recognition
3. Supremacy Clause: You must state that you will abide by all University, State, and Federal laws and policies. Here is the language clubs and organizations need to use:As a club/organization affiliated with Appalachian State University, we are required to comply with all University policies, as well as all State and Federal laws. In the event of conflict between University policy and State and Federal laws, State and Federal law will supersede.
4. Non-Discrimination Clause:  This clause is created by The General Counsel's Office and is strongly enforced by Campus Activities. Therefore, if the following language isn't in your club/organization's constitution you will not be recognized through Campus Activities and receive the benefits.
   1. ___(your club/organization)_____ "states that no student will be excluded from membership or participation on the basis of their race, color, religious status or historic religious affiliation, sex, national origin, age, political affiliation, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or unless exempt under Title IX."
5. Process for Election and Removal of Officers AND the process of Removal of General Members: Be sure to include detailed information for how you plan to elect and remove officers. We also encourage you to include removal of members as well.
6. Finances: (required if club/org has or obtains a bank account)  If you are planning to apply for funding through Club Council then you have to obtain an EIN through the IRS and open an off-campus bank account. This section needs to be detailed - how will your club/organization manage funds, who is responsible, and the transferring of the organziation's bank account and EIN to the next officers. Campus Activities requires two individuals, preferably officers, to be on the club's bank account.
7. Advisor: (required for Department Affiliated Organizations, UREC Club Sports, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and clubs deemed high risk by Campus Activities) What is the advisor's role and responsibilities, this should be decided between the club members and advisor. Advisors can not hold leadership positions nor vote.

Need help writing your constitution? Check out the Constitutions Template to assist you or email Club Council at clubcouncil@appstate.edu