One cannot stress enough the role played by clubs in shaping the student experience at Kellogg. Given their significance, it becomes all the more critical that we continue to improve the value that clubs bring to students. As Kellogg United’s candidate for VP of Finance & Clubs, I am eager to take on this challenge. Fortunately, I will not be facing this daunting task alone. I have with me 6 dedicated souls—all 6 of them current section leaders and 3 of them part of the KSA board—to guide me toward solutions that are effective and implementable.
I would like to get your thoughts on what I believe is an issue that deserves immediate attention: the need for improved coordination among clubs. While most clubs at Kellogg are in themselves excellent, we all will benefit from their working together better. Often the same firms are on campus through various clubs increasing the number of events students feel they have to attend. At other times, there are events organized by larger clubs that could have benefited smaller clubs had both worked together in organizing them.
If elected, my plan of action is two-fold: first, to sit down with the leadership committees of larger clubs to investigate ways they can help smaller clubs, say, by organizing at least one combined event every quarter, and second, to work side-by-side with Craig, candidate VP for Career Management, to keep track of and coordinate the presence on campus of the same firms through different clubs.
What do YOU think of this issue? What other club-related issues are on your mind? Do let me know by clicking on “Comments” below.
Warm regards,
Ramesh
4 comments:
Clubs are definitely one of Kellogg's greatest assets, and navigating them all can be difficult, I really like the idea of more collaboration. Tying the role of clubs into the KBUD program could be a great way to increase yield rates, as mentioned in another blog. Connecting people with common interests is helpful, and the ability to provide prospectives with a sampling of club activities within their interest areas could show them how active Kellogg students are.
I think your suggestions on clubs is sound, but one issue that will occur next year that you consider is the issue of new club applications. What happens (apparently most years) is that new clubs apply, but most people on KSA are against them for 2 reasons: 1) they don't like the particular topic (see Kickball this year) and more importantly 2) they see there are already too many clubs. Well, if you agree with the second one - DON'T ask for new club applications! For the first complaint, you will have to deal with KSA reps that think from there own personal taste rather then then what the rest of Kellogg might enjoy. They also talk a lot about the viability of a club or cannibilization of another club. Well, I, and many others, say, who cares? Everything at Kellogg is a market based system - therefore a club should be able to stand on its own merit. If no one comes, it should wither and die (and this is for existing or new clubs). The market will determine the viability. In terms of funding, make new clubs prove their viablility before distributing funds. Anyway, something neither party has addressed, but will have to once in "power". (and by the way, if any new club applies, and someone tries to reject by saying they are only a "drinking club" please remind the KSA that they supported the Cork and Screw club - personal experience)
Dear Anonymous,
I wholly agree with your comment on the benefits of using the KBUD program to initiate new students into the club culture at Kellogg. It will also help them navigate the multitude of clubs better when they start Kellogg.
Implementing this should not be very difficult either. Currently, all KBUDs receive a best-practices document. Adding a club section to the document and following up with KBUDs on the value of this approach should be a good start!
Thanks for your comment,
Ramesh
Dear Ed,
Many valid points in you comment, answers to some of which aren't black and white. But here's my take on the issue:
1. I agree that the KSA alone doesn't have to be the one ruling on the likely interest in a club. With our feedback-oriented approach, we hope to take into account the larger student community (as our surveys on this site have done).
2. I also feel the hurdle levels for a club should differ based on the level of support it will need. This means that cannibalization should be much less of a concern if a club does not need any real funding, say, kickball, and more if approving a club would require shelling twice the money for the same objectives.
3. Finally, for clubs which have a large presence and require greater support, like the consulting club, the answer is not so straigtforward. These clubs deal with recruiters and the CMC and having a lot of overlap will mean not only strain on funds but also confusion for people on the outside, namely, recruiters. In these cases a clear definition of scope of the two clubs or an expansion of scope of the existing club may be required.
Hope this answers some of your concerns. I appreciate your taking the time to comment.
Thanks,
Ramesh
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