COLUMN: Have a club? Starting one? Come talk to CSCO
Yes, “membership has its privileges.”
There are more than 200 clubs and organizations at Utah State University ranging from the Honor Society to the Runners Club. About half of these organizations belong to CSCO, the Council of Student Clubs and Organizations. It’s a kind of club of clubs. It is the umbrella organization that connects university clubs with each other and with myriad opportunities.
Clubs who don’t belong are missing out on the privileges of membership. What would those privileges be?
CSCO offers important assets like money, services and experience to organizations that belong. Need to get the word out?
Having access to the university paper, The Statesman, to publish notices and important club news is critical to the success of your club. How about a photocopy? CSCO clubs get 50 free copies per semester. And 200 free mail-outs every year, in addition the Associated Students of Utah State University design room privileges, which include staff and help in designing a club logo, brochure or flier.
How about a place to meet? CSCO clubs are able to use campus facilities for their meetings and activities. Best of all, CSCO organizations qualify for grants of financial support given by ASUSU.
If “membership has its privileges,” shouldn’t every club become involved? That was the question asked by Tim Cannon, who is president of the Spanish Club at USU. He started using services offered through CSCO, and the club tripled in size.
He said, “When I discovered all the benefits of CSCO, our club started taking off.”
Cannon cited a recent example of how CSCO has helped the Spanish Club. He said, “Last month we did a service project that was advertised on the Back Burner page in The Statesman. The project was a huge success, bigger than we anticipated because people knew about it.”
He had this advice for organizations on campus that aren’t members of CSCO, “Clubs that aren’t taking advantage of CSCO should. It’s there for one reason, to help campus organizations become successful.”
How does an organization or club become a member of the CSCO? It’s easy. Go to Room 326 in the Taggart Student Center and pick up an application and manual. Qualifying organizations need to have a club constitution, a name and a non-profit purpose. There must be at least five members. And the club must hold meetings at least once a month with 40 percent or more attending.
Each month CSCO meets to discuss policies, procedures and the campus calendar. Each member club appoints a representative to the council. You can find out more about CSCO and how to join on the USU Web site by clicking student resources, then clubs and organizations. Or you can go to the Web site www.usu.edu/asusu.
Yes, “membership does have its privileges.” Make sure you are getting yours.
Anne Marie Leavitt is the president of CSCO. Comments can be sent to her at amleavitt@cc.usu.edu.