I am sure that there are tons of school clubs at every school such as a volunteering committee, yearbook, student council, book club, other clubs that many schools have in common, however when I heard about Crescent Height’s Gardening Club, I knew that I needed to tell all of you about this club as well!
Interested in how this club started, I decided to interview Wayne Lin on his club. During the interview, he also offered some helpful tips which allowed him to start this club.
Me: Please tell me a little bit about your club and its goal. Where did the inspiration to start this club come from?
Wayne: The name of my club is Gardening Cub. The goals of my club is to build a centennial garden for my school’s centennial year. Additionally, the club aims to let youth who grow up in the urban city to understand how plants grow and the important of the environment. I got inspired when I was volunteering at the Calgary Zoo in 2014. There is a program call Little Green Thumb that help elementary and junior high students to build their own little garden. Also I will be in my last year of high school when I am back to school so rather join a club. I started one.
Me: What was the first thing you did to try and form this club? Did you talk to admin or a teacher? What steps did you have to go through in order to officially establish this club within your school.
Wayne: First, I wrote down the idea and the goals of the club. I found my guidance counselor and told her my idea. After the discussion with her, she told me to talk to the principal. The principal asked me for a club proposal. (What is the club? What is the club about?) Third, I found a sponsor teacher who was willing to help to start the club.
Me:Â In your opinion, what was the hardest obstacle to pass in this journey and how did you overcome it?
Wayne: There were many obstacles when starting club, here are two obstacles that I often faced.
1. Time. Everyone is busy including myself. I often needed to find a balance between the school work and the club. I usually plan a schedule and talk to the leaders of the club to set the time for meeting or others to help me lead the meeting. Always communicate with others if you don’t have time so let the other know what they should and expect in those time.
2. Managing. It is my first time to start club. It is hard to manage the club especially you are the founder and it is just the beginning. At first, I took over all the role of the leadership, planning, call a meeting, schedule and researching. I overcame this by forming a leadership team.
Call for a meeting, spread the news (put an announcement or poster). Let people know your club then find the student who is interesting in the club and willing to become the part of the leadership. I gave out forms for VP (vice president), secretary, treasure and project leader. I distributed my power among my team and I got help from all of them to manage the club activities and project.
Me: What impact do you think your club has made so far and what do you think you or your school can do to make a greater impact. (Are there any obstruction to taking action such as certain rules the school board enforced?)
Wayne: Well, so far people knew my club but didn’t know what does the club was about. The reason was that the gardening club forces on garden planning and during winter, we can only work on the green house that my school have abundance which I later pick up and use it. My club has impacted the students who were interested in planting but didn’t have the resources needed. My club gave them the opportunity to shine. My goal of the garden that my club built is turn it into a community garden in the summer when the students are gone for vacation. So the residents will have fun with my school’s garden and help us during the summer.
Me:Â Was it difficult capturing people’s interest? What percentage of the student population at your school are involved in clubs (excluding sports) and what is the reason for this percentage whether high or low.
Wayne: There so many clubs and sport teams out there in my school. Personally, I am on track team and a new film club of my school. The most popular are the sport teams. Also different club such as choir, band, GSA, student counsel and etc. I believe over 45% of my school population of nearly 2000+ are involved in one more of these activities. My school has a long history of the sport team and is famous for its sport program. Also the students at my school, I believe, feel comfortable and they are willing to participate in our Crescent Height Community. I believe it is the spirit of my school and the passion of each generation of student pass down to the other which allows for so much involvement from the students.
Me: Why do you think it’s important to be part of a club? What do clubs have to offer? (Do they offer experience in work as a team etc.)
Wayne: I believe it is important to be part of club for many reasons. First you meet new friends who have similar interest as you. Second, you will learn lots and have a new experience. Such as how to run a meeting, and how to start different projects and activities. You will learn a lot and most important is to have fun.
Me: What would you say are 3 of the most important tips in starting a school club or expanding your club to make a greater impact?
Wayne:
1. Know your goals and know what you want to do
2. You and your club member are equal don’t pressure other and be democratic
3. Get support from your teachers and peers, there is always people to help you, don’t pressure yourself to the limited
As you see, clubs don’t just have to be about academics or sports, sometimes you can use your creativity and introduce something new into the school community to make a difference!
