What Are BUSU Clubs
BUSU Clubs are student run groups overseen by the BUSU Clubs team. As a student run organization, we empower club leaders to create and build programming for students based on your club’s interests, goals and, providing fun and engaging experiences.
BUSU provides training, resources, funding, and perks for club leaders to use to successfully run their club. With over 100+ student clubs ranging from academics to general interests, there is something for everyone to get involved in.
We have 9 club pillars that identify areas of interests for students.
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Academic
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Advocacy
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Arts
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Cultural
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Community Development
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General Interests
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Political
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Religious/Faith
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Well-being
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Clubs and organizations are formed based on leisure and recreational interest. Students may wish to pursue membership in these types of clubs for personal enjoyment, as well as an opportunity to meet people with the same interest.
Networking Opportunities
Networking allows a student to meet other students and professionals who share similar goals and interests. Students can also get knowledge and tools that will help them achieve their current and future interests and ambitions.
Share New Ideas
Participating in clubs and organizations can provide you with useful expertise in implementing procedures and regulations. These systems aid in the comprehension of organizational structure as well as the development of these crucial skills.
Resume Builder
Being in a club is a great piece experience to put on your resume. After your graduation, when you apply for jobs, you will stand out amongst your peers.
Teamwork
Being a member of a student organization teaches you how to work within a team by putting you in scenarios where you must both accept and give guidance. Joining a club can help you expand your network while also teaching you valuable skills.
Skill Building
Joining student clubs allows you to meet a diverse group of people, allowing you to broaden your horizons and interests. It promotes personal growth by encouraging conversation and the exploration of various interests.
Starting a new club is a fun and easy process! Follow the 6 easy steps below to start your own club. Follow @brockBUSU on Instagram to learn about important dates and events happening!
Next Ratification Period: October 16 – November 3, 2023
Step 1
Contact the Clubs Manager
The Clubs Manager should be your first contact for questions about creating a club, the steps involved and potential partners around Brock. They will provide you with important ratification details such as ratification periods.
Step 2
Attend an Information Session
Each semester BUSU will hold an information session for anyone interested in starting a club. At the session you will be given all the information required to start a club. The information session dates are September 28, 2023 and February 13, 2024 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be in the Club House located in TH252A beside the Scotiabank. Click here to find us.
Missed the Information Session? Click here to view the recording.
Still have questions? Email clubsmgr@brockbusu.ca for more information on how to start a club.
Step 3
Complete Clubs Summit Training
The Clubs Team will provide the club with clubs training. This includes event planning, risk management, marketing and much more.
Next Clubs Summit Training: February 27 – March 1, 2024
Clubs Summit Training is also available on demand in the Clubs Portal on ExperienceBU. Click here to start Clubs Summit Training.
Pro Tip: Break up training modules amongst your executive team to make it easier for your club to learn!
Step 4
Complete the Ratification Form
Club ratification means having an official agreement between BUSU and your club to become a recognized entity of BUSU and Brock University.
Next Ratification Period for New Clubs: is October 16 – November 3, 2023 and February 27 – March 1, 2024
When submitting a ratification package, you will need to complete a club guide, membership list and signing officers forms. BUSU also requires clubs contact information and description for our Clubs Directory.
Click here to fill out the Ratification Form. Only one submission per club.
Ratification
Review the Clubs Handbook and Clubs 500 Policy yearly to stay up to date on policies, rules and guidelines
Undergraduate Clubs
- Have a minimum of 3 executives (president, vice president and treasurer)
- A minimum of 10 members (including the 3 executives)
- 80% of club membership must be current Brock University students (20% can be community members or Brock alumni)
- Executive members must be undergraduate students
- Offer services that are different than the clubs that currently exist (no duplicate clubs)
- Adhere to the rules and regulations in the Clubs 500 Policy
- Reviewed the Clubs Summit Training Materials on the BUSU website before submitting a ratification package
- Participate in club elections (only applicable to re-ratifying clubs)
Graduate Clubs
- Have a minimum of 3 executives (president, vice president and treasurer)
- A minimum of 10 members (including the 3 executives)
- 80% of club membership must be current Brock University students (20% can be community members or Brock alumni)
- Executive members must be graduate students
- Offer services that are different than the clubs that currently exist (no duplicate clubs)
- Adhere to the rules and regulations in the Clubs 500 Policy
- Reviewed the Clubs Summit Training Materials on the BUSU website before submitting a ratification package
- Participate in club elections (only applicable to re-ratifying clubs)
- Must have the word “graduate” as part of the club name to identify as an entity associated with the GSA
Documents Needed for Ratification
- Membership list
- Club email and social media pages
- Club logo
- Executive names and Brock emails
- Club guide
If you're a grad student looking to join a club, please click here.
Step 5
Ratification Submission is Reviewed by BUSU
After your submission, the BUSU staff will review all of your ratification details.
Step 6
Notice of Approval
Congratulations, you are now a BUSU ratified club! BUSU’s clubs team will be in contact to talk about next steps. This includes helping you arrange your first meeting and setting you up with an ExperienceBU page.
Below are clubs that have existed in the past. Some clubs have funding for students to use for events and club activities. If you and 9 other friends are interested in bringing one of these clubs back, please email clubsmgr@brockbusu.ca.
Past Clubs
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Aftershock
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All Kings of Men
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Archaeological Society
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Canadian Obesity Network
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Commerce Economic
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Eco-Society
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Enactus
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Fashion HQ
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Free the Children
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International Students' Association
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To Write Love on Her Arms
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Vinyl Club
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War Child
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Women in House
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Niagara Rotaract
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Angels Without Boundaries
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Canadian Assocation for Global Health
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Golive
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Health Magazine
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Molecular Research Technolgies
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Sociology and Criminology Students' Association
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What is a club?
A club is a student organized space connecting for a shared interest. A club is made up by students for students, often building unique and impactful experiences.
I have an idea to start a club, what do I need before I go through the first initial steps?
Yay! You are starting an official BUSU ratified club. You will need at least 10 people (yourself and 9 others). Your club name and concept (e.g. Brock Sewing Club). Once you have established this, follow steps 1-6 on the website.
How do I run a club?
Clubs are social groups for students who share common interests. Based on that interest, your club may decide to host meetings, events or club activities. The sky is the limit! Under Perks of Running a Club on the BUSU Website, clubs can utilize these resources to build club activities.
When can I start a club?
Stay tuned on Instagram
@brockBUSU or our website to learn when the next ratification period is.
I am starting a club, how do I determine who the executives are?
When forming a club, you automatically pick who will be the President, Vice President and Treasurer/Secretary. The following year in February, your club will conduct a club election to determine who will be the next set of executives. Read more about this in the Elections section on the BUSU Website.
What do I have to do as a club?
All clubs must:
- Risk manage all club events and meetings using their club ExperienceBU page (see the Risk Management section on the BUSU website for details)
- Attend important club events (Presidents Meetings and Clubs Summit Training)
- Host an election every February to determine the executive team for the following year (see the Elections section on the BUSU Website for details)
I just ratified my club, now what?
Yay! Starting a club is a fun and exciting process. Now that you have your club, you can start hosting and risk managing events/activities. We recommend having a welcome meeting for everyone to get to know each other and see what you want to accomplish as a club.
Need help planning events, meetings and club activities? See the Event Planning section on the BUSU Website or use the Event Planning Template to guide you through the process.
Brock WUSC Local Committee Mentorship Program
World University Services Canada is a global network that provides support to displaced students in post-war Europe. Each year, Brock students sponsor 1-2 student refugee(s) and supports them throughout the entirety of their studies at Brock.
The Brock WUSC Local Committee is now recruiting mentors for the 2022-23 school year. We are looking for mentors who will aid incoming refugee students with the following:
Social Support
Providing assistance with learning how to make friends, navigate through Brock and St. Catharines, making the SRP student feel welcome, helping the student to join sports and clubs.
Academic Support
Providing guidance to academic success, connecting the student to academic resources and advisors.
Health and Wellbeing
Encouraging students to reach out for help, connecting the student to mental health resources and educating them on accessing health support on campus.
Financial Support
With the help of the local committee, providing guidance on budgeting and financial literacy.
Self-Reliance
The Local Committees work with the students, provide them with sufficient knowledge, connect them to different tools and resources, and overall accompany them in their journey to build self-reliance in their new community. Providing support to help SRP students to navigate their campus and community after the sponsorship year can include connecting students to career services, appropriate housing, ongoing academic and financial guidance, and more.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor and joining the local commitee, please email clubsmgr@brockbusu.ca.