Get amongst it

Start a club

Start a New RUSU Club in 2021

RUSU is proud to represent the needs of a unique, ever-changing, and diverse student body at RMIT. Our Clubs and Societies (C&S) Department is dedicated to helping students explore their social, professional, political, spiritual, and cultural identities by supporting a wide array of campus clubs.  Starting and running a club can be challenging - but it is worthwhile. And, it can also be a lot of fun and a great way to develop a range of skills and make a longterm contribution to the RMIT student experience - some of our clubs are over 50 years old!

Introduction

 

Club Regulations: The Basics


Clubs' Legal Framework
  • All RUSU Clubs are democratic, Constitutionally bound, not-for-profit organisations with formal Aims. 
  • RUSU Clubs must operate within their own Constitutions, policies & procedures,   RUSU Regulations & all applicable RUSU & RMIT policies & procedures, & the Law (including SSAF Legislation). 
  • Club Constitutions must be consistent with the RUSU Clubs Model Constitution - it must contain at least the same sections and the content of the sections must be consistent with the Model. 
  • A copy of the RUSU Clubs Model Constitution is here
  • RUSU Clubs are unincorporated. This means club members are individually liable for club debts, legal suits etc. This liability will usually fall (at least initially) to the elected leaders of the club. 
  • Students can face university disciplinary procedures because of inappropriate behaviour linked to club activity. Click here.
  • Every RUSU Club must "affiliate" and annually renew its' affiliation to RUSU (this is how RUSU clubs gain recognition from the University, access funding, insurance, training, support, equipment, room bookings, etc.)


Club Membership
  • Every RUSU Club must have and maintain at least 20 currently enrolled RMIT Student Members to start and maintain their club. 
  • Members must re-join their Club/s every year.
  • RUSU Clubs must be open to all RMIT students with all RMIT student members enjoying equal benefits from their membership (Full Membership). Exceptions are Academic Clubs or where membership restrictions apply to promote substantive equality, and which meet the requirements for a special measure under Section 12 of the Equal Opportunities Act 2010 (VIC). For further detail, please refer to Section 4.10.2. of the RUSU Regulations. 
  • Non-RMIT Students (including RMIT Alumni) may join a RUSU Club as Associate Members but may not total more than 25% of the total Club Membership and do not have the right to be Executive Members of their Club's Board of Management nor to vote on club matters. 
  • Memberships must be taken online using one of the three (3) approved platforms - the club page on the RUSU website OR a Microsoft form OR a Google form. Membership lists in other forms (including handwritten) will NOT be accepted. RMIT students must join Clubs using their student email. 
  • Membership forms must collect certain personal details and club leaders have a legal responsibility to store and use membership details appropriately and in accordance with Privacy Laws. 


Club Management
  • Every Club must have an annual Board of Management of at least four (4) but no more than seven (7) Executive Members elected by and from the Club's Full Members. (Note: USUALLY, the students who apply for and gain PROV for a new club are elected as the first Executive. However, this is neither guaranteed nor required). 
  • Clubs may have additional non-Executive members on their Board (including Associate Members) but these members do not have voting rights at Board Meetings*. These may be elected or appointed positions. 
  • Decisions made by a Club Board may be overturned by vote at a Club General Meeting. 
  • A RUSU Club's Board of Management* as a whole is responsible for the delivery of the Club's Annual Activity Plan, recruiting members & maintaining membership lists, club communications & promotions, succession planning, training & supporting incoming Board Members,  & ensuring their Club operates according to all relevant rules, policies, laws, etc. 
  • A RUSU Club's elected Executive component of its' Board of Management is responsible for the day-to-day governance of their Club including contracts, club finances, club meetings, elections, etc. 
  • Every Club Board of Management must meet at least six (6) times per year. 
  • Every Club Board must present an Annual General Report and Financial Report to its' Club's AGM. 
  • RMIT students may not be Executive Members on the Board of more than two (2) Clubs at any one time.

* Academic "umbrella" clubs such as the RMIT Business Student Association (which provides a range of services/supports to all academic clubs in the College of Business) are permitted to negotiate a different club Governance structure in consultation with the RUSU Clubs Department. Umbrella clubs may only be established with the approval of all linked clubs, and the support of RUSU and the College or School involved.


Club Activities
  • Every RUSU Club must have an Annual Activity Plan.
  • A Club's Annual Activity Plan is approved by a vote by the Full Members at a new Club's IGM with each following year's Plan approved at the Club's Annual General Meeting (AGM). Only these activities and events may be covered by RMIT Insurance. 
  • Every RUSU Clubs must deliver at least four (4) activities/events every year (can include online activities).  
  • Except for the minimum four (4) activities/events, a Club does not have to do everything on their Plan BUT anything the Club does do MUST be on its' Plan.
  • Significant changes to a Club's Activity Plan must be approved by its' Membership & the Clubs Department. 

PROV APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. If you haven't already, please read though all sections of this "Start a Club" page. 
  2. Make sure your new club idea isn't already a club or sits with the RMIT's Sports and Creative clubs - you can link to all three categories of clubs through https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/life-and-work-opportunities/clubs-and-societies  If you do this and are still unsure, please contact us at rusu.clubs@rmit.edu.au for advice.
  3. Familiarise yourselves with the RUSU Regulations about Clubs (Section 4.10 starting on Page 20) - the "Basics" are outlined on this webpage but the full Section has greater detail https://rusu.rmit.edu.au/regulations
  4. Make sure all members of the PROV applicant group have read the RUSU Clubs Code of Conduct and agree to follow it. You will find a copy here. 
  5. If you believe your idea sits with RUSU,  would meet RUSU's requirements and you and your team are willing do your best to establish this club in line with all requirements, please email the RUSU Clubs Department at rusu.clubs@rmit.edu.au to introduce yourselves (team of four) and give a basic outline of your new club idea - its' aims,  what it would do (its' events & activities), and how it would benefit RMIT students. 
  6. The Clubs Department will review your information and confirm if RUSU can support your new club idea (screening process). You may be asked to clarify and refine your idea - this can take several weeks. 
  7. If RUSU can support your new club idea, you will be invited to begin the formal process of starting a new RUSU Club. This involves: 
    • 1) Applying for PROV (an online form). A PROV application is based on the new club information initially provided and refined in collaboration with the Clubs Department where needed.  If it is approved, and in line with the minimum membership requirements and the timeline (below),  the PROV will proceed to: 
    • 2) Completing its' Inaugural (first) Full Affiliation process (calling & holding the IGM etc) . 

New Calendar Year Club Timeline 2021_Update December 2020

Want more out of your uni or TAFE experience at RMIT? RUSU is here to help! We provide all the latest on RMIT clubs, events, student rights and giveaways.

EMAIL rusu@rmit.edu.au
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RMIT University Student Union acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT University Student Union also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where it conducts its business.

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