Club Registration & Recognition

Every student brings unique passions, talents, and perspectives. At MMDC, Clubs are where those come together. They exist because students choose to create them, and they thrive because students lead them. Each club becomes a reflection of its members—a space to connect, collaborate, and shape the MMDC experience in ways that matter.

Here, Clubs are not top-down organizations handed-down to students; they are communities built by students themselves. This makes them powerful spaces for self-expression, leadership, and innovation. By joining or founding a club, students take ownership of their college experience, transforming it into something that is not only memorable but also meaningful for their personal growth and future careers.

This help article provides the complete framework for how MMDC clubs are formed, recognized, and sustained. It defines the roles of founders and leaders or officers, outlines the proposal submission and club recognition process, and sets clear guidelines for governance, succession, and accountability. It is both a reference and a guide—for students who want to start something new, for officers who want to lead well, and for members who want to actively contribute to their community.

Club Registration Guidelines

In keeping with the spirit of student-initiated clubs, MMDC recognizes that the best organizations grow out of student passions. If you have an idea, an interest, or a cause you want to share, starting a club is your opportunity to turn that passion into a community.

Clubs begin with students who step forward as founders—those willing to take the lead in shaping a space where others can connect, grow, and create. The guidelines below outline the requirements and processes that founders and or the founding team must follow to transform an idea into a recognized MMDC club.

These standards are not meant to limit creativity, but to ensure that every club:

• Has a strong foundation and committed membership.
• Operates inclusively and responsibly.
• Reflects MMDC’s values of integrity, professionalism, and innovation.

By following these steps, founders can establish clubs that are not only recognized by the institution but also respected, sustainable, and impactful for the whole community.

1. Role of the Founder or Founding Team

The process of registering a student club begins with the Founder or its Founding Team. These are the students who:

• Define the purpose and direction of the club.
• Take responsibility for completing the registration requirements - from proposal to recognition, sealing the deal with the conduct of at least 1 meaningful activity during the initial term.
• Serve as the first set of officers during the founding term

To qualify as founders, students must:

• Be enrolled in MMDC during the current term.
• Be in good academic standing with no failing mark. This signifies that the student has the capacity to handle the academics alongside extra-curricular activities.
• Have no active disciplinary cases or disciplinary records.

• Be willing to act as role models who reflect MMDC’s values of professionalism, inclusivity, and innovation.

   

2. Minimum Membership Requirement

• A proposed club must have at least ten (10) committed members at the time of registration, inclusive of the founder or founding team. This ensures that every club begins with both leadership and a core group of students who are genuinely interested in its purpose.

3. Defining the Club: The Club Charter

The Founder or Founding Team play the key role in creating a Club Charter — a clear and concise document that defines the essence of the club and serves as its long-term guide. This document becomes the club’s foundational framework, ensuring continuity and consistency as leadership and membership change over time.

The Club Charter must include the following elements:

1. Club Identity
   • Name of the Club (unique, inclusive, and aligned with MMDC values).
   • Logo (or initial ideas for the logo).
2. Purpose & Mission
   • Why the club exists.
   • What it seeks to contribute to MMDC and its members.
3. Vision
   • What the club aspires to become or achieve in the long run.
   • The “big picture” of the community it wants to create.
4. Objectives
   • Clear, measurable goals the club will or must pursue each term or year.
   • Examples: host one workshop per term, publish a monthly newsletter, run an annual advocacy campaign, etc.
5. Core Values & Principles
   • The guiding behaviors and standards that members and leaders are expected to uphold.
   • This must ensure alignment with and uphold the guidelines set by MMDC’s Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.
6. Governance & Leadership Structure
   • Define officer roles and responsibilities
7. Membership Guidelines
   • Who can join. Criteria for joining, if any.
   • Expectations for active members (participation, respect, conduct).
8. Club Activities Framework
   • The types of activities the club will run (events, projects, campaigns, performances, etc.).
   • Minimum expectation: at least one meaningful activity per term.

Club Leadership Structure

Student clubs exist to build community and shared interests, but they are also training grounds for leadership, professional skills, and life after college. Serving as an officer allows students to practice collaboration, communication, accountability, and project management—skills that go beyond academics and prepare them for future careers.

It is the role of the Founder or Founding Team to design the club’s leadership structure as part of the Club Charter. Founders may define which roles the club needs, how responsibilities are distributed, and may even create additional positions if necessary.

Guidelines for Designing the Club Leadership Structure

• The leadership structure is outlined in the club charter, dependent on the need and purpose of the club. eEvery club must have a minimum of three leadership roles filled at the time of registration.
• Founders may choose from the six suggested officer roles below.
• Clubs may further define the focus of each role to fit their unique mission and activities.
• Clubs may also add new leadership roles not listed here, if aligned with their needs.

Suggested Leadership Roles (with Traditional Comparison)

Club Proposal & Recognition Process

To be officially recognized, a club must complete the following process:

Step 1: Proposal Submission via Google Form

The Founder or Founding Team prepares and submits the proposal through the official Club Registration Google Form provided by the Office of Student Affairs. The proposal must include:

• Club Charter: mission, vision, values, objectives, and core framework.
• Minimum Membership List: at least ten (10) committed members, inclusive of the founder or founding team.
• Leadership Structure: at least three (3) leadership roles defined (from the suggested officer roles), with room for expansion as the club grows.
• Gform: https://forms.gle/fGd1wbHx1YV2V7gq6

Step 2: Review & Endorsement

• The Office of Student Affairs screens the submission for completeness and compliance with policies.
• The proposal will be evaluated for viability and alignment with MMDC’s values.

Step 3: Formal Recognition

Once approved, the club receives a Certificate of Recognition and is officially registered as an MMDC student club. Recognized clubs are granted:

• Official listing in the MMDC Club Directory.
• Access to MMDC digital platforms and resources for activities.
• Permission to recruit members and organize events.
• Advisory support from the Office of Student Affairs.