Tools for Organizing:

Student/Campus Organizing:

Becoming a Recognized Student Organization

Although you can run a chapter of your organization without seeking official recognition from your school you will miss out on significant resources. By becoming a recognized student organization (RSO), you will gain access to campus rooms and resources for meetings and events and you may qualify for funding through campus activities funds.

In order to become an RSO, you will need to contact your school's Student Activities Coordinator. (This person is also often called the Student Life Coordinator or other similar name; she should not be difficult to locate.) Ask her what you need to do to become an RSO. Most likely you will have to submit a constitution, a set of by-laws, a budget, or some combination of these things.

A constitution or set of by-laws should clearly lay out the name, purpose, and mission of your group. It should indicate how students become members of the group, how they can run for leadership positions within the group, and how those leadership roles operate. Talk to your school's Activities Coordinator before writing anything; make sure that you are covering all of the specific information that she is looking for.

If your school wants you to draft a budget because they are considering giving your group money, make sure that you are realistic (you probably won't get to start out with thousands of dollars), but ask for as much as you think you may need to spend. Items that you will probably need to purchase include at least $50 for dues to the national organization (to become a recognized chapter), copies for flyers and literature, materials for signs and banners, food and drinks for meetings and events, and travel money for delegates to statewide and national conferences.

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