“The secret or key to a successful organization is a plan and a willingness to be committed to [that] plan,” Walden said. On-campus clubs and organizations shouldn’t feel daunted by the challenge of succeeding. The offices of Student Life offer several opportunities for club leaders to learn how to attract members as well as set and follow their goals in order to encourage club longevity. Walden put together the Recognized Organizational Council for this purpose. The ROC provides funding that any official student organization can request twice a month. Walden encourages club members to take advantage of this service. “A lot of organizations don’t come and ask us for anything—it’s there for them,” Walden said. The ROC also offers the ROC-star Training Tour, which provides training and workshops to increase club retention and motivation. Students may also request workshops, which cover a variety of topics. Walden said clubs that engage in the ROC-star Training Tour can benefit greatly. “If organizations are developed and trained and constantly learning and evolving, then fundraising, recruitment and retention of members can fall into place,” Walden said. Walden said even nationally affiliated organizations, such as the AOS, need successful club management to survive. “It goes back to continuity,” Walden said. “There could be a local organization with an awesome and engaged advisor that could be just as successful as an organization with a national office. I wouldn’t say that being a national organization is a guarantee of success.” Walden said clubs that don’t offer career-related activities and themes can be just as successful as those that do. “The Hispanic Student Association has been incredibly successful and has had long longevity, and it’s not academically affiliated,” Walden said. Regardless of the type of club involved, all members seem to desire the same thing: fun and friendship. According to an involvement inventory taken by St. Edward’s students during freshman orientation, students indicated making friends as the primary reason to become involved in any on-campus organization. “It’s the family within the family of St. Edward’s they’re looking for,” Walden said. Walden said club members and prospective club founders at St. Edward’s shouldn’t fear failure; the offices at Student Life provide all the tools to succeed and are very receptive to students’ ideas. “I really want students to do what they want to do,” Walden said. [email protected]