Societies play an important role in the student experience. University is a chance to get involved in and try different activities, which in turn can help students make new and lifelong friends, expand their CV or just carry on their own interests.

Having a wide range of different societies available is important to the Students' Union. If there doesn't appear to be something that takes your fancy, then why not start one of your own?

This is a simple guide to help explain how to form a new society

1. Why become a Students' Union affiliated society?

   There are a number of advantages being affiliated to the Union:

   • Maximising the student experience
   • Creating and maximising opportunities for students
   • Ability to book Students' Union/University facilities
   • Administrative support (staff and sabbatical)
   • Storage (if necessary)
   • Photocopying (charges to social account)
   • Promotion on Students' Union website/notice boards/media
   • Telephone (only for club reasons)
   • Pigeon holes
   • Budget allocation
   • Accounts (Grant/Social)
   • Clothing and equipment through suppliers

2. First things first

   Before deciding to create a new society, find out what the Students' Union already has to offer, as it will not affiliate two societies that are similar and have the same objectives.

   The next action is to email the Students' Union Sabbatical Officer to let them know that you are expressing an interest in setting up a new society. For societies contact Leoni at vpdevelopment@udsu.co.uk

3. Form and Membership

   The next and most important part of the process is to collect a 'New Society Form' from the Students' Union's reception. This form includes contact details, aims and objectives, requirements section and benefits to the Students' Union. This form may take a while to complete but is essential to express your interest and support your reasons for affiliation to the Union

   Your proposed society must have interest from at least 15 students (10 for Buxton students) at the University. Obviously the more interest that is shown the greater chance there will be of setting up. The interested students must be presented on a form, including names and University ID numbers (Student Number).

4. The Committee

   At least three of the prospective members should be prepared to form the committee, who will (if affiliated) run the new society and be responsible for its members. A committee must have the three core positions of a President/Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

5. Getting Affiliated

   Before anything else can happen, the completed form, list of interested members and committee details must get approved by the Societies, Volunteering and Media Zone. At least one committee member should attend this committee meeting to answer any questions and support their case. If this is successful it may then need to go to the Executive Committee of the Students' Union for final acceptance.

6. Affiliated!

   Once all of the above have been completed the society can get active.You will require a Constitution (draft available), signed Terms and Conditions and have a brief introduction to the Students' Union policies along with certain committee roles and procedures.

7. Signing up members

   The minimum membership fee for a society is £3, but the final fee will be decided by the committee of the new society. Members should sign up using an official UDSU membership form at the Students' Union reception.

   Leoni Sullivan, VP Development and Jo Wild your Societies and Volunteering Co-ordinator are available to help with any of the above procedures.

   Useful Contact Details: Leoni Sullivan, VP Development - vpdevelopment@udsu.co.uk and Jo Wild, Societies and Volunteering Co-ordinator jo.wild@udsu.co.uk