In light of criticism ASG has received regarding its management of clubs in the past, ASG is partnering with clubs to create a new inter-club council (ICC), a group of club representatives with the responsibility of approving and regulating clubs. Thus, in efforts to correct this “club issue” and increase student voice in the club process, ASG looked to other schools like Mission and Milpitas High.

“We were inspired by other schools. We knew we had a clubs problem, and we looked at schools that didn’t have this problem,” said ASG advisor Mr. Willer. “Consistently across the board, they all have clubs councils that meet once a month.”

The beginning club council consists of the ASG Clubs Commissioner who will serve as chairperson and 14 clubs including Model United Nations, VAMS, and MECha. Clubs were chosen for the council based on how well they followed current policy: filling out master calendars, submitting their meeting attendance, and if clubs did the service event that they pledged to do. The council will grow over time as new clubs are added to the committee.

“Our goal is to be able to be more proactive rather than reactive and to take initiative to offer our support and resources to clubs. We want to be more than just rulemakers, but rather people who truly work to serve the student body and help them reach their goals,” future Club Commissioner Jessie Cheng said. “We adopted a new structure within ASG that will allow for this increased flow of information and maximum transparency.”

The council will meet once a month to vote on new club approvals as well as rules.Each club will send an officer as a representative and have one vote. People from outside the clubs are also welcome to attend meetings to share opinions. In the case of a tie, the chairperson will cast the deciding vote. Starting next year, all new clubs will be approved by the club council. Because the ICC is new, any club turning in an application before the end of the school year can choose whether they want ASG or the new club counsel to review the application.

“You always have a fundamental problem when you have a limited number of people making decisions for everybody on the campus,” said Mr. Willer, “Getting more people involved in the governmental structure, more people having this conversation, means more people feeling the ability that they can create change on campus.”

While clubs in the ICC will vote on certain club regulation rules, there are certain policies in place that all clubs must sign and follow. For example, if a club council representative misses three meetings, then their club is removed from the council. If clubs break rules and disciplinary action needs to be taken, offenses will be read at the club council meeting and the committee of clubs vote whether or not it should count as a strike. If a club gets three strikes, the ICC will disband it.

Clubs not on the board must seek the approval of the ICC, which has raised concerns amongst some club members.

“I think it’s somewhat unfortunate that the club council consists of high school students because it facilitates an atmosphere where biases from social circles and school wide popularity can come into play,” Debate Vice President Reetam Ganguli (11) said. “We are cognizant that ASG is doing it’s best to give the student body a voice in the club roll over process, and [we are] definitely appreciative of that. I guess all that’s left is having faith in the process and hoping for the best.”

Debate is not currently on the inter-club council and will be seeking approval to roll over next year.

ASG acknowledges that bias and divide may occur within the council, but believe the system will have the best interest of students in mind.

“As we add more clubs, club council grows and I think if we’re just consistent and fair, reminding people these are the reasons why you should vote for our club, most people have it in their heart to do the right people,” said Mr. Willer. “If there are a small group of people going rogue, ASG can step in and ask clubs to send new representatives.”