High school club

High School clubs, student-based school organizations, consist of administration-approved organizations functioning with myriads of tasks, varying on the specific purpose of each respective club. Clubs compose of students, with adults as advising figures to maintain the functionality of clubs. Clubs primarily focus on four aspects: fundraising, community service, career interest, and interpersonal dynamics (also known as group dynamics). In general, clubs are broken down into two main categories: State and/or Nation Wide organizations, and local clubs. Within major, nation-wide club organizations, each individual charter within each school is referred to as a "chapter". Clubs are started by either corporations, counterpart adult organizations, or campus students looking to satisfy a need or demand. High School clubs are predominantly located in the United States and Canada though many clubs exist in Europe as well.

History of clubs

The first high school student-based organization chartered in Sacramento High School in California, on May 7, 1925. The concept of instilling an organized, separate entity separate from the school itself came from Albert C. Olney, and Frank c. Vincent. This organization later became known as Key Club. Key Club now stands today as the largest student-based organization in the world, though not the largest high school organization in the world.

Tracking down precise history of high school organizations is difficult as several thousand types of clubs exist. Prominent clubs include high school subdivisions of Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, National Beta Club, Junior State of America, Interact, FBLA-PBL, among many other organizations. Each club has their own timeline, with hallmark internal achievements only known by members of each respective club.

Reasons why people join clubs

Students join clubs for various reasons, leading to a diverse pool to choose from in most schools. Most active club members generally consist of freshman and sophomores, looking to find their respective niche in school dynamics. Student-based high school organizations offer teenagers a special element in that every person within the club share a common desire, ability, and/or personality. This type of connection leads to the existence of clubs in the vast majority of high schools.

There are no extraordinary physical and mental requirements to join a club. This special aspect distinguishes club organizations apart from Sports (requiring intense athletic prowess) and Drama (requiring physiological control and memorization). Most clubs only require a minimal membership fee (varying anywhere from $3-$30) depending on the organization. This openness allows greater opportunity for creating a tight knit community within the club. This idealist vision appeals to many of the underclassmen who have not developed the stability and identity of upper classmen.

Many students also join High School clubs for uninspiring reasons as well. Many seniors register for a respected organization only to list it as a credential on their college transcripts. Many students are peer pressured into joining clubs from the demand of their friends, and often become inactive members.

Types of clubs

There are four main club categories: fundraising, community service, career interest, and interpersonal dynamics. Many clubs offer a combination of each element.

Fundraising

Many people polarize toward fundraising for a major organization or movement. Fundraising appeals to people as high school students make a direct impact on international affairs, such as funding cancer research or environmental preservation.

Community service

Many schools require that students perform a certain community service quota. To obtain such a threshold, many people turn to community service organizations such as Key club, Interact, Lion's Club, Red Cross, and local clubs. In doing so, many teenagers experience more camaraderie while performing community service. Other individuals just enjoy helping the local community around them and join clubs to find convenient ways to participate.

Career interest

Many teenagers join clubs that revolve around their career interest. Many clubs, such as Junior Statesmen of America and Future Scientist and Engineers of America focus on specific career fields and help students understand them better. Many competitions, awards, and conventions are held to give club members advantages in these fields by exposing them to new opportunities. In addition, members of career interest clubs network with other students who will enter similar fields, allowing for stronger work relationships.

Interpersonal dynamics

Many teenagers join clubs that offer no academic, organizational, or community benefit. These clubs tend to focus around culture, social dynamics, and self-interest. These clubs look to satisfy the needs and demands of teenagers in each school, based on environment, tradition, and culture.