So you're thinking of setting up a new society?
We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with you in establishing a new society at BCU. Our student groups serve as a vibrant hub of diverse ideas that enrich the student experience by facilitating new learning opportunities, fostering friendships, and nurturing students' passions while they are away from home. Before we kickstart the process, here are a few essential points for you to consider:
- Firstly, if you have a specific group in mind, please ensure it does not already exist by checking our list of active societies.
- Alternatively, if you seek inspiration or guidance on creating a society, explore our Adopt-a-Soc to take the helm of a previously popular group.
We have provided information below to guide you through the process of establishing a society and to outline the expectations for your involvement:
Here are just a few of the benefits of starting a new society:
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Dedicated, free website space to promote your society.
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Commission-free membership sales.
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Practical support with society events for example; risk assessment and room bookings.
- Free advertising for society events on the SU website.
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Commission-free ticket sales for your events.
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Website support to manage your members.
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Individual SU finance accounts to manage all society funds.
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Access to one-off grant funding, provided by the SU to help towards the costs of events, fees or equipment.
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Checking contracts on your behalf for large-scale events and sponsorships.
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Dedicated all year round SU staff support to answer your questions and help you with anything.
The process of setting up a new society
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Step one - To make sure your idea is not already covered, check through our existing societies.
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Step two - Form a committee by appointing four individuals to lead your society.
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Step three - Fill out the application form provided.
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Step four - The Activities and Representation Team will assess your application and schedule a meeting with you.
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Step five - Upon finalizing your application, it will be presented at the next Executive Committee meeting for approval.
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Step six - If your group is approved, your committee must undergo start-up procedures, including mandatory committee training which happen in October, January and April.
Congratulations! You are now ready to launch a dynamic society that celebrates your interests and passions with others!
What leaderhip roles are there?
The President of a society is the leader, who oversees all its activity and direction. Throughout the academic year this person will need to provide support, guidance, and direction to the other committee members and the wider membership of the society. You will also be the main person of contact for the members as well as the Students' Union.
For more information on the role, we recommend watching the Committee Roles video.
The Secretary’s primary function is to ensure the smooth running of the society. Rooms need booking, emails need writing, accurate records need keeping, and above all else you need to communicate appropriately both to the committee and the entire society membership.
For more information on the role, we recommend watching the Committee Roles video.
The Treasurer oversees and monitors the financial affairs of the society. However, it is more than just handling money. It is about understanding your society's finances and planning and budgetting accordingly to ensure the successful running of the society.
For more information on the role, we recommend watching the Committee Roles video.
The Participation and Inclusion Officer is responsible for ensuring the society is accessible to every student at BCU. They work with the Students' Union to identify any barriers to participation and try and overcome them. They also actively try to recruit members to their student group from across the student body.
For more information on the role, we recommend watching the Committee Roles video.
What next?
Once you're ready, click the relevant button below and follow the procedure. If you've got a question you can email us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.