Written by: Leyla
Edited by: Sofia

Every school year at ISM ends with clubs opening council positions and starts with Club Expo, where students can sign up for a variety of clubs. Last school year, a new policy was implemented which limits the number of council positions a student can hold. Some are confused about the reason for such a policy, raising the question of the significance of clubs and even how the limitation itself is  . 

Taking part in clubs shows a student’s personality and interests outside of the traditional curriculum, but at times students get too caught up in the number of clubs they are in. This is caused by the notion of being a more appealing candidate on a university application if there is an outstanding number of club positions or memberships. Unfortunately, this makes students sign up for an excessive number of clubs that they do not relate to and do not get involved in. This shifts the focus of clubs from bringing like-minded people together to being just another title on a university application. One of the ways the school is trying to combat this issue is through the new limitation policy.

When applying for club council positions, applicants are told that such positions are extremely time-consuming and involve multiple responsibilities, which students need to balance with their schoolwork. To combat this issue, the school has limited the number of club council positions a student can occupy. On the CAS website, which is accessible to all, it is stated under the ‘Policy of Limitations 2023-2024’ that “no student should hold more than two leadership positions.” This was implemented at the end of the last academic year when recruitment for new club council members was taking place. The CAS website also states the clear and logical rationale for such a policy, as it will ensure increased efficiency of clubs, accessibility to apply to council positions, and aid students in their balance of schoolwork and other school-related responsibilities.

To learn more about a club council member’s responsibilities and the importance of clubs in a student’s opinion, Lily (12) was asked questions regarding these topics. Lily holds council positions such as president and vice-president in the Service Learning Council, STEM Club, and Student Ambassadors Club. She notes how although her responsibilities vary on the club itself, the majority of them are leading council meetings, sending out reminders, and organizational tasks involving other members of the club and council. Lily also highlighted how the compilation of these tasks does not feel like work for her, as she genuinely enjoys it and personally relates to the cause of these clubs. At the same time, she notes how when she was in leadership positions in a larger number of clubs, the responsibilities felt overwhelming for her and were barely enjoyable. This is an overwhelming feeling which student leaders potentially struggled with in previous years and is part of the rationale of the policy. When asked about her opinion regarding the significance of clubs in college and university applications, Lily noted how “participating in clubs is really important in your applications because it shows your interests outside of academics”, but also how “joining all the clubs under the sun simply to put it down in your application isn’t going to work”. Most teachers give similar advice, as spreading yourself thin by joining too many councils may be ineffective and could cause more bad than good, which is also one of the reasons for the new limit. 

In conclusion, clubs are an amazing way for a student to find and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Having leadership positions in clubs allows students to bring such people together and further showcase the cause of the club. Although the limitation policy was made to further aid students in finding balance in school and focusing on the clubs they relate to the most, some are still irritated by it, as it restricts them and forces them to give up some positions. Additionally, students themselves should ensure that their involvement in multiple clubs and councils does not affect their academics and that they continue to maintain a healthy balance between them.