Do you have a great idea for a new student organization? This page will walk you through the necessary steps to get you up and running.
Step 1: New Organization Orientation
Before all else, sign up for a New Organization Orientation. This orientation will run through how to establish your new organization. Here are some tips and tricks to prepare for your orientation:
- Look to make sure your organization doesn't already exist on Maize Pages. Currently UofM has 1,600 organizations and there may already be just the club you're thinking of.
- Think of an Organization Name and description.
- Read through the Basic Requirements to be an active club.
Step 2: Register
Next, you'll register your club as a New Organization (scroll to the bottom of this page and hit the blue "Register a New Student Organization" button. Note: if you do this before attending a new organization orientation, your application for registering a new organization will be denied until you attend a new organization orientation.
As a new organization, you'll be required to submit a constitution. There are several requirements you need to meet that will be covered during New Organization Orientation. Here is a fillable constitution that meets all requirements.
Additionally, you do need a minimum of ten members to register your organization. Those ten members must all be current University of Michigan students.
Step 3: Nominate Authorized Signers
After your successful registration from Step 2, you'll need to nominate three Authorized Signers.
To do so, you will have to log into the SOAS Dashboard and click on "Registration" in the upper left corner. About halfway down you will see "Groups Eligible for Signer Registration," click on that link to nominate. To nominate someone, they must be on the organization's roster. You can add them on Maize Pages. Once they accept their invitation, you will see them on the list to nominate.
Keep in mind, once you nominate 3 or more you cannot nominate more until they are confirmed as signers. You should nominate everyone who needs to be a signer for the 23-24 year. Signer status does not transfer over from year to year and they must take OrgEssentials each year.
Note: SOAS will not process any of your Authorized Signers until each has completed the requirements (accept the nomination, complete the agreement, and take OrgEssentials). You will not be "fully registered" until this step is done. You also will not have access to a shortcode, project grant number, or SOAS dashboard until all three of your Authorized Signers are set.
Below is a button to join OrgEssentials. This Canvas training will cover the need-to-know information about student organizations.