{"id":7355,"date":"2011-02-15T10:34:56","date_gmt":"2011-02-15T15:34:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/UpbeaT\/?p=7355"},"modified":"2011-02-15T10:34:56","modified_gmt":"2011-02-15T15:34:56","slug":"take-some-initiative-towards-a-new-student-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2011\/02\/15\/take-some-initiative-towards-a-new-student-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Take some initiative towards a new student initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"Looking to get involved outside of the classroom at U of T? You\u2019re at the right place. The <\/span><\/span>Student Life website<\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Ulife website<\/span><\/a><\/span> (and of course <\/span><\/span>lifeatuoft blog<\/span><\/a><\/span>) are\u00a0the right places to start looking. Have you already browsed the list of <\/span><\/span>school organizations<\/span><\/a><\/span>, but felt that something was missing and should be brought to campus?<\/span>\n\nSparked by the inspiration of UpbeaT blogger <\/span><\/span>Dara's post<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span>earlier last month about getting involved with student clubs and organizations and <\/span><\/span>Lori's post<\/span><\/a><\/span> about the possibility of starting U of T's very own tobogganing club, I looked further into how one would go about starting a club, student organization or event on campus. While there are the basic steps of getting campus recognition at the desired level, there are also several opportunities offered that could get your ideas kick started.<\/span>\n\nEverything starts with a good idea and can easily become a reality with dedicated planning and execution. Sometimes the question of where to start plus details of the \u201cwho, what when, why, and how\u201d can become easily overwhelming. Hopefully with these steps, your dreams of kick starting a movement on campus can become a reality. <\/span>\n\nSo first, ask yourself the five W\u2019s and I\u2019ll attempt to fill you in on the \u201chow\u201d.<\/span>\n\nWho?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nYour student organization should be for students, by students and that means you, of course! Alongside a strong team of core executive leaders your organization would be nothing without your team and the student body.<\/span>\n\nWhat?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nThinking of what the club is and what it does can be the hardest decision. Does your club focus on leisure, sports, or music? Is it an interest group? A charitable service group? What is it that drives the spirit of your student organization?<\/span>\n\nWhere?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nRight here on campus of course! Getting recognition can also get you bookings for campus space and will help planning for meetings, events, and other things that will require a location.<\/span>\n\nWhen?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nIf you want this to happen \u2013 start planning now!<\/strong> If you keep leaving it on the back burner it may just be tossed in a pile of \u201cwhat ifs\u201d and \u201cmaybes\u201d. Who knows what impact you will be able to make by putting your plans into action today.<\/strong> Besides, with reading week coming up you are sure to find the spare time to start making an action plan.<\/span>\n\nWhy?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nIf you think our campus is missing out on something that could be great for student life, this is your chance to shine and be the founder of something great. Plus, it\u2019s great experience and even if it seems like you know nothing about starting a club now, you will certainly learn lots along the way. <\/span>\n\nNow that you\u2019ve asked yourself these basic questions and put a little thought into it, it\u2019s time to get these ideas recognized. The Ulife website<\/a> spells out the recognition process pretty easily in their website. After obtaining Ulife recognition you may apply for UTSU recognition<\/a> when your organization becomes eligible.<\/span> Don\u2019t forget that you <\/span>must<\/span><\/strong> reapply yearly!<\/span>\n\nStarting a club at U of T requires time, dedication, commitment, and vision. The school recognizes the talent of its students and sponsors programs that seek to enable success in these endeavours.<\/span>\n\nThat\u2019s where Hart House\u2019s Good Ideas Fund<\/a> comes in!<\/span>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n\nIf your club, project or event is a good idea that fits the criteria, you could be eligible for funding. Not only is Hart House great for it\u2019s Good Idea Fund, but the website<\/a><\/span> also provides great resources for planning your own student event.<\/span>\n\nAnother great opportunity for funding is the Dean\u2019s Student Initiatives Fund<\/a>.<\/span>\n\nThis fund provides financial support for Faculty of Arts & Science students or student groups that propose an engaging and educational opportunity for students. The maximum value of support is $1000, and is offered twice a year each semester. <\/span>\n\nThese are only two funding options to make your dreams to start a student club come to life. It just takes some initiative to bring life to your very own student\u00a0initiative. So if you've been thinking how great it would be to start that new U of T Justin Bieber fan club, then go for it! All it takes is the right amount of passion and planning. Okay, well maybe a Justin Bieber fan club wasn't the best example... but then again you should never say never<\/em>! Right?<\/span>\n\nHave a good reading week everyone! I know it's midterm season but hang on tight and just keep swimming!\n\n- <\/span><\/span><\/span>Danielle<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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\nLooking to get involved outside of the classroom at U of T? You\u2019re at the right place. The Student Life website, Ulife website (and of course lifeatuoft blog) are\u00a0the right places to start looking. Have you already browsed the list…\n<\/div>
Continue reading “Take some initiative towards a new student initiative”<\/span>…<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>
Continue reading “Take some initiative towards a new student initiative”<\/span>…<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,70,69,58,67],"tags":[2088,2219,2216,2218,216,2217,695,2214,2220,2215],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7355"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7355\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}