Starting an Organization

With more than 160 student organizations to choose from, it's hard to imagine wanting more! However, if you can't find a group that matches your interests, or if you have an idea for a new organization, we encourage you to take the initiative to form a new one.

1. Refine Your Idea

First, make sure you have a clear idea of what type of group you would like to start. Think carefully about your purpose and activities. This pre-planning will be very helpful later on.

2. Visit the Senate Office

Next, visit the Student Senate Office. We can help by explaining policies and procedures associated with starting and registering student organizations. We can also verify for you that no current group duplicates your organization, and can check the records to determine if such a group existed in the past. If so, these records can be useful by providing information on activities and structure.

At this time you may pick up the Organization Recognition Form, which is also available online.

3. Advertise

Let other students know about your organization. For example, you could post flyers (see the University's Posting Policy) or place a classified or a display ad in the Missourian or other campus media.

4. Meet

Hold an organizational meeting and take names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses from interested students. Encourage prospective members to contribute to the aims of your organization and begin discussing your organization's constitution, using the sample constitution provided as a guide.

Student organizations which have not yet been registered, but desire meeting space for the purpose of organizing can obtain permission to reserve space by contacting the Student Affairs Office or by reserving a room online.

5. Get an Advisor

All organizations must have an advisor who is a University faculty or staff member. Advisors are extremely valuable due to their experience and expertise and can provide continuity when student members have graduated.

6. Create a Constitution and By-Laws

This isn't as scary as it sometimes seems. Use the Constitution and By-law Guide as a resource for writing your constitution and by-laws. You will need to submit a copy of the constitution and by-laws to Student Senate along with your completed recognition form.

7. Elect Officers

Once you have determined what officers you will need and the method of electing them, hold elections and get your officers in place. This should be done before you complete the recongnition form for your organization.

8. Apply for Recognition

Submit your paperwork. If there are no questions or problems, your group will be approved. See "recognition policy" for specific guidelines

Northwest Missouri State University