For example, you may want to study the concept of revolution, which would include events like the French Revolution, American Revolution, Haitian Revolution, Egyptian Revolution, etc. Alternatively, you could choose to study a specific event and focus on just the French Revolution. If you decide to have a general history club you can invite members to share what interests them. You can focus on a certain time period in history, like the Middle Ages or the 19th century. You can focus your history club on a certain place in the world, like North America or Asia. If you go this route, you can decide to focus on a certain time period in that continent or country as well.
This helps the school to keep track of the different clubs that students can participate in. [1] X Research source Becoming a registered student organization with your school may also mean that the school will give you money for your club. Your school may have certain regulations or rules that registered clubs must follow. Ask about any potential rules that you may need to follow while you’re registering with the school. A faculty advisor can help you to navigate these rules as well. [2] X Research source
A history club advisor can help you organize your club and help with logistics. Ask a history teacher or history professor to sponsor your club. You can also ask any other faculty member that you know is interested in history and is willing to help you.
Sometimes simple is best, you can name your club “Your School Name History Club” Keep your club name short or use an acronym if you want to have a longer name. Brainstorm different names. You can let new members vote on the official club name at your first meeting if you aren’t ready to pick a name.
National organizations like the National History Club and the National History Bee & Bowl accept new chapters. [3] X Research source If your school does not have these, your history club could become a new chapter. [4] X Research source If you decide to join a national organization as a new chapter, you will need to follow that organization’s rules and regulations.
Clubs that meet weekly or bi-weekly will keep your members engaged in club activities. You should try to meet more than once a month if possible.
If you’re having a meeting during a meal-time, be sure to plan how your members will eat. Will you provide food, or will they bring a meal? You could even decide to have a themed potluck around your topic! If you host your meetings before school, you might want to offer coffee or donuts to encourage members to come so early. Directly after school ends is a good time if you are in high school. If you are in college, the late afternoon or early evening when most classes are done may be the best time. When holding your meetings in the afternoon, it’s a good idea to plan an activity that boosts your member’s energy to kick off the meeting. Try to find a time that is convenient for the most people. Not everyone will be able to make every club meeting but you should try to accommodate the majority of participants. You may need to adjust your club meeting times if you find that it is not convenient for your members.
Ask your school if you are able to reserve classrooms or common rooms after school. Reserve your room a few weeks in advance to make sure that you have a space to meet. Try to meet in a central location that is accessible for your members.
The more formal your club is, the more formal your list of rules will be. The list of rules will structure how your club will run. A constitution can establish the types of officers your club will have, who can be elected to an officer position, when and where you meet, and general meeting requirements. If you decide to have an informal club, you may not need a constitution.
The space you choose may require you to get special supplies, such as extra chairs or pillows for members to sit on. Similarly, your members may need clipboards if there are not tables or desks. Your club will be more successful if people are comfortable.
Ask history professors or teachers if you can come into their class and invite their students to your club meeting. If your school has a radio station or television station, ask the manager if you can come on their program and invite members. Invite your friends to join and ask them to each invite a few people you may not know to come with them. Use social media to spread the word about the new club that you’ve formed and to invite friends to join.
Ask people at the meeting why they are interested in history. See if there are any similarities in what people are interested in. For example, if a lot of people are interested in World War II, you can plan a World War II themed activity. Decide on a club name if you have not already done so. If you have made a constitution or list of club rules, let the people at the first meeting read and vote to approve the list.
In the next few meetings, ask club members to nominate potential officers for the club. Officer positions could be President, Vice President, Historian, Secretary, Representative, or any others you think are relevant. Holding club elections for officer positions can encourage people to become more active in the club.
You can create a free website through Internet website hosting platforms. Ask members from a computer coding or graphic design club to collaborate with you on your website! Create social media profiles that you can share club information, pictures of your activities, and club updates on.
Ask your members to invite their friends to the club. Talk to other club leaders at your school to set up an activity that you can both participate in, like a field trip. By establishing relationships with other clubs, you can encourage new members to join. Advertise your club using your website and your social media profiles.
Ask your school to sponsor your club if they don’t already. They may have a budget for clubs at the school that you can receive funds from. Collect dues. You can raise money for your club through dues, where your members pay a certain amount of money each year or semester to participate in the club. Try to keep club dues low though because high dues discourage people from joining. Hold a fundraiser by selling t-shirts, having a bake sale, or bringing in a speaker that audiences pay to see. [6] X Research source
Ask members to give short presentations about a topic in history that they’re interested in and have a discussion about that topic. [7] X Research source Watch a documentary or movie from the time period you’re interested in. Travel to a local historical site nearby. This site could be a battlefield, a historical landmark, or a place that has historical significance for your town. Go to a history museum. Go see a speaker who is having a talk about the topic in history you are all interested in. Invite a professor or history expert to come to your club meeting to give a presentation.
Don’t take feedback personally. If a member is not enjoying something about your meetings, it’s not about you. Different people enjoy different activities.
