Student Federation is the organization that recognizes new clubs and funds various campus activities. For those not immediately involved in the federation, starting a club or being a treasurer in a pre-existing club can be a bit confusing. Here is the student’s guide to working with Student Fed.
Elections: How to run for Student Fed
How do I campaign effectively?
Make posters and put them out a couple of weeks in advance so students see them.
Talk to friends about why you’re running.
Have three reasons to give for why they should vote for you
Make a Faceboook page
Am I eligible to run? Who will be voting for me?
Greek: your fraternity or sorority chooses one representative independently of the voting process for the rest of campus. Talk to the officials for your house and the current representative about running.
Independent: Run as a class or a general representative. Late fall, Student Fed hosts a ballot, in which independent students vote.
When will I be able to run?
Because Student Fed representatives hold their positions for the calendar year, you should begin your campaigning process in the late fall, before voting.
What makes
a good representative?
Good representatives are talking to people on campus and finding out what’s important to them. Be on comittees, have a good work ethic, and show up on time. According to Student Fed President Christian Wiese, good representatives are almost always on committees, which are important to helping Student Fed make educated decisions.
Is there one thing I should know about Student Fed before running?
“The main ignorance is that people think they’re going to cut costs,” Wiese said. “The student fees are already there, it’s about being wise in spending them.”
How to start a new club:
The wide variety of campus clubs and the high-achieving tenor of students encourage membership in one or many clubs. Every student represents a set of interests, and starting a new club connects students with similar interests, sparks conversation, creates friendships, and, admittedly, builds resumes. An official club is recognized by both Student Federation and Dean of Women Diane Philipp.
• Fill out the forms in Dean’s or Student Activities Office
• Appoint your officers and faculty advisor, sign the forms
• Write bylaws
• Meet with Dean Philipp and follow her feedback. Give her your completed by-law
• Dean Philipp signs forms and contacts Student Fed
• President of Student Fed will schedule your club’s presentation into the next meeting.
• Meet with members of the Club Oversight Committee of Student Fed.
• Be able to answer questions about your club’s function, whether it will throw events, and how it will benefit campus.
• Go to the meeting prepared with a small speech about your club.
• Be able to answer representatives’ questions:
“Why does your club fit into the mission statement of the college?” “Will you ask for funds in the future?”
Key point: Dress in business attire.
• Student Fed will decide to approve your club or not.
How to request funding:
Clubs for lectures, socials, and concerts enrich daily campus life. Certain clubs are responsible for campus improvement projects. Many of these clubs turn to Student Fed to receive funding for these exciting but costly events and projects. If your club needs money to run an event or campus improvement project, here are some helpful tips and tricks.
• Email the Treasurer, Christopher Pudenz at cpudenz@hillsdale.edu for the forms.
• Next, think about these questions as you fill out the forms:
Can we use other fundraising options to fund a portion of this event or project?
If yes, find the option that works best for you and budget your projected returns into your proposal.
If no, be able to explain why. Student Fed will recommend this course of action in the future.
• Does your club have enough money in its account to fund a portion? If not, Include this fact in your presentation and discuss ways to cheapen costs. If yes, ask: Is this money tied up in other events or items the club needs? Include this information in your presentation or include your club’s current account standings in the proposal. Finance committee may recommend partial funding to encourage good fundraising habits for spending your club’s funds wisely.
Think outside the box in planning your event or executing your project. Can you partner with another club? Can you ask alumni, parents, or other affiliated groups to contribute?
• While filling out the forms, answer these questions:
• Give as much detail in your proposal as possible. It makes things more effective, and Student Fed will ask fewer questions.
• Once you’ve finished the forms, attend Monday’s finance committee meeting. These are held bimonthly, the same week Student Fed meets.
• Self-check prior to Monday: Can I answer their questions?
• Explain the history of the club and whether it has dues. Is the event annual? Have you sought alternative funding sources? Can you demonstrate you’ve cut costs as much as possible? How many students will this grant benefit?
• Listen to the committee’s advice: “Finance committee usually makes a few suggestions to the presenters to help them hone their presentation for Thursday’s full meeting,” treasurer Christopher Pudenz said. “We want presentations to be successful even if at the end of the day the proposals aren’t approved.”
• Present your proposal at the Thursday meeting, again, be prepared to answer similar questions.
• During this meeting, the committee will present its recommendation on which they decided Monday. It may be full or partial funding, depending on the thoroughness of your presentation, the need the money fills, and the number of students projected to benefit.