Each fall, tables advertising the many clubs and student organizations at Marlborough line the East Atrium as students scribble their names on sign-up sheets. However, oftentimes, students never hear from some of the clubs they join. To combat this issue, Dean of Student Life Kendall Beeman has instituted a new set of requirements for clubs for the 2023-24 school year and beyond.
One of the major changes is the creation of two different club categories: established clubs and common interest clubs. Established clubs are expected to hold 10 meetings each semester and have at least 10 members. On the other hand, common interest clubs do not have meeting or member requirements. All clubs must show that they are fulfilling a need that is not yet met at Marlborough; thus, some clubs have been asked to merge in order to limit the number of overlapping niches. Beeman hopes the explicit guidelines will ensure that clubs convene more frequently and that all the clubs are getting the support they need.
Additionally, all club leaders were required to attend an orientation prior to club fair. Among other topics, Beeman announced the new grant available to clubs. Funding is not automatically given to any club and in order to receive a grant, leaders must apply and demonstrate their monetary needs.
Similarly, clubs have to apply to open a social media account. If they are approved, the leaders will attend a training session with Director of Communications and Marketing Stephanie David and commit to posting twice a week. Marlborough also requires club leaders to have an advisor monitoring their posts and that they provide the School with the passwords to all of their social media accounts. Both established and common interest clubs are eligible for the grant and social media accounts; however, priority will be given to established clubs.
“I want established clubs to be ones that are very solid and continue year to year, and then we can have common interest clubs … as the random ones that are just more casual,” Beeman said.
While the new guidelines seek to support club leaders and better the club program, not all students are in favor of the more robust requirements.
“Having 10 club meetings is asking a lot of student-athletes … and people with other activities because we need our Flexes and lunches,” an anonymous student said.
However, there are also students who appreciate the priority that will be given to established clubs in regards to funding and social media accounts.
“As a member of FemEd leadership who has spent hundreds of hours developing club content and material, I think that it is important to recognize the diligence of Marlborough student club leaders,” Mattie ‘25 said. “The established club status gives students like me this platform.”
Going forward, established clubs can renew their status for next year by proving that they held 10 meetings and had at least 10 members during the 2023-24 school year. Potentially, common interest clubs will also need to show that they have held meetings over the past year in order to continue into the following school year. Overall, Beeman hopes that these new requirements will strengthen the club program at Marlborough and its leadership.
“In the club program, it’s a little bit sink or swim … but I want to have more [clubs] that are very successful and thriving and be able to bring attention to those,” Beeman said.
