During recent years at Diamond Bar High School, there has been a notable increase in the number of inactive clubs on campus. This year, a total of 18 organizations have not carried out the duties listed on their constitution, drawing the attention of the United Student Body. As a result, in an effort to mitigate unfair benefits to those clubs who have not been active, USB met to discuss the issue and propose a process to deactivate these organizations.
Last March, USB Inter-Organizational Council Chairperson Justin Park went through a total of 86 clubs in order to designate which clubs have shown little or no activity. However, though his original plan was to withdraw the organizations completely tomorrow, Park felt that a warning would be more appropriate.
“The overwhelming number of inactive clubs on DBHS campus has been a problem for a long time. I issued a warning to the clubs to give them another chance, because circumstances do change with new officers,” shared Park, who is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Bull’s Eye. Since the September IOC meeting, USB has been advising clubs about deactivation, hinting that officers should take precautions. Regardless of the announcement, an astonishing number has still remained inactive.
Park assessed the clubs by the number of recorded meetings held or financial records made the previous year. Clubs that were not on the Activities Calendar or with little or no financial transitions were deemed inactive. In addition, some of the clubs have not renewed their Club Renewal Form, further proving that measures were necessary.
“It is the clubs’ responsibility to handle all financial transactions through the Finance Office. If clubs don’t have a record of activities, there is no proof,” Park said.
The list is composed of a wide range of different interest groups. Surprisingly, a number of the clubs have been established for quite a while now. Warned service clubs include Alzheimer’s Association, Pencils of Promise, Project Sunshine, and The Pencil Project. Other extra-curricular based and cultural clubs will be receiving warnings in the near future.
“I was sent as a USB rep to observe [Pencils of Promise] at their recent meeting. I was to give them an evaluation and based on my judgment, share if I thought they have met their club criteria,” stated USB Commissioner of Social Activities Eric Choi.
A warning detailing the deactivation plan was issued a few weeks ago to the inactive groups. To avoid being deactivated, clubs were requested to submit a schedule of the club’s activities for the semester. Also, an event must be held before Nov. 5. Clubs on the deactivation list will be closely observed. “I understand USB’s reasoning for the deactivations, but I think the timing is wrong. With newly appointed officers and club members, we should have more time to get the clubs going,” voiced Invisible Children President Rochelle Sun.
Though many student officers were upset, USB felt that the amount of inactivity proved action necessary in order to weed out clubs that existed for no purpose.
“I think that it is a great idea that we are cutting down the clubs because it gives more opportunity to fund and allow more room for [active clubs] to fundraise. When we Brahmas commit to something, we stick to it,” USB Commissioner of Advertising Kali DeCambra commented.