Tuesday night kicked off an exciting but stressful time for those interested in joining a social service club. At Club Night in Hardeman Auditorium, each club president stood before hundreds of eager unaffiliated students and promoted their brotherhood or sisterhood to the Fall 2015 rush class.
According to Oklahoma Christian University’s website, “OC’s social service clubs provide a great way to form close relationships and grow spiritually.”
The month of September, known as “Rushtember” to current club members, brings out a lot of emotions and a lot of thoughts. For me, the vice president of a social service club, the idea of the rush process starting up again brought a list to mind: reasons why you shouldn’t rush a club.
You should not rush a club because it’s what all of your friends are doing. Liz McElroy, Student Leadership Coordinator who oversees all social service clubs on campus, has said that rushing a club is not for everyone. And she’s right. Club life is not for every student on our campus.
You should not rush a specific club because all of your friends are rushing that club. Unlike a fraternity and sorority system, clubs don’t choose us, we choose club. If you don’t feel like you’re the right fit for a club, but your three best friends are set on that club, then don’t rush it. You do what makes you feel comfortable. You go where you feel like you’ll fit in.
You should not rush a club if you’re not willing to invest in a brotherhood or sisterhood. Club doesn’t have to control your life – it shouldn’t – but you are expected to invest time, energy and emotion. The best part about joining a club on campus is that you automatically gain a handful of new brothers and sisters, and even some new best friends. Invest in those relationships, because they’re going to invest in you.
You should not rush a club because you want cool a T-shirt. Being in a social service club has its perks, like the apparel, but the overall reason for club doesn’t have to do with T-shirts. It’s about the bonding experiences and the opportunities to serve. The club shirt that you wear around campus means nothing if you don’t have pride for your club or fellowship with those in it. If you contribute nothing to your club, you will receive nothing.
You should not rush a club to gain social status. There is no such thing as a “top club.” All clubs are equal. All students on this campus are equal. Because you are a member of one club, it does not make you better than another. Because you are a club member, it does not make you better or more important than a non-club member.
You should not rush a club to win trophies. Coming from someone who has won a couple of trophies in my time as a club member, I will admit it’s nice and rewarding, but it’s not what the club system is about. Intramurals, homecoming and Spring Sing were implemented into the club system to provide opportunities for friendly competition. That competition should not be the backbone of our club system.
The purpose of social service clubs on this campus is to serve: serve the community, serve Oklahoma Christian and serve each other. Winning isn’t everything. Reward comes from knowing you were a part of something greater than yourself, and being a part of that something made you and the community around you better.
Approximately 30 percent of Oklahoma Christian students are club members, and we all have our different reasons for rushing a club. But if your motivation for rushing a club is found somewhere in this article, maybe you should reconsider. The club system is not for everyone, and it may not be for you.
But maybe you are ready to rush a social service club at Oklahoma Christian, and we as club members welcome you to the club family. You are about to dive in to something that you’ll remember forever, where you’ll meet the coolest people and experience some of the most rewarding things. The club system may not be for everyone, but it might be for you. Enjoy Rushtember, and never forget the real reasons why you are rushing a club.
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