Write a Constitution for a Club
Do you have a club? Would you like to create a successful constitution for it? If yes, then this article is for you.
Contents
Steps
- Begin writing your Constitution with "We the (your club's name)".
- Write your goal for the club. List the objectives or goals, such as will rescue stray animals, will recycle, will be the best of the best.
- Write how you are going to do this by listing off some of the activities you and your club intend to do. Examples might include make regular visits to the pound or ASPCA, will pick up litter from the highways and determine which could be recycled, etc.
- Write down the things you do not intend to do. You can list things such as will fear all living creatures, will turn on my club, will take advantage of the community or government and make the club an excuse to do so, etc.
- Make sure the rules are fair. Gather with all the members and discuss the rules and punishments. Make sure everyone agrees with them. Nobody will follow rules they believe to be unfair.
- Make a final copy of the constitution. Type it up or even just hand write it. Post it up on the wall of your meeting spot. Make sure it is large and noticeable, so there is no confusion over rules when the time comes that one is broken.
- Sign it. Each member should sign the constitution to show their agreement to follow the rules. When a rule is broken and the member refuses to take the punishment, you can point to their signature to show that they promised to follow rules.
- Enforce the rules. The point of a constitution is to actually follow the rules. The president of the club should make sure all rules are followed and all punishments are given. You can also have a certain member of the club make sure the rules are followed. This person should be fair and should not let people get away with breaking rules.
Sample Preamble
Doc:Preamble for Constitution
Tips
- Make sure that EVERYONE is involved in making the rules. If any member is left out, they may protest the rules as unfair or unreasonable for not giving them the same benefits or rights as others.
- Don't be afraid to give exceptions when necessary. If you have a strict "no eating" rule in your club and a diabetic member is eating something to keep their blood sugar at the proper amount, it would be unreasonable to administer punishment. If a member is having a bad day and they break a rule, having them run around the neighborhood in an embarrassing outfit is not going to teach them a lesson. If a punishment or rule goes against a member's physical, mental, emotional, or medical needs, it is unreasonable. The member will most likely quit. Use your best judgment when deciding for or against an exception.
- Make sure that there are no loopholes in the rules. Check that every rule is clear and fair.
- Organize your constitution. Be specific about the rules and punishments. Be positive and try to influence your audience to join your club.
Warnings
- Favoritism should NOT come before fairness.
- While rules shouldn't be overly strict, make sure that you don't let any rules be broken without punishment. Do not make any unreasonable exceptions. Unreasonable exceptions include: you like the member better than others, you're too lazy to carry out punishment, the member didn't mean to do it (though they were fully aware of the rules), etc. Use proper reasoning when carrying out punishment. Giving such exceptions will make members think that they can just do what they want and ignore the rules.
- Do NOT make incredibly strict rules or brutal or unreasonable punishments. The point of a club is to have fun, not dictate the members' every breath. Nobody wants to be in a club that is no fun because they can't do anything without breaking a rule.
Things You'll Need
- A computer
- paper
- A club
- The ability to think outside the box
Related Articles
Sources and Citations
- "The Original Boy's Handy Book"
