Club Executive Boards (e-boards) are always faced with the challenge of keeping their communities united and engaged throughout the semester, but how are they supposed to keep up now that their members are scattered across the globe? Every club has adapted to the shift to remote learning differently, but here are a few ways clubs are keeping up with their members.
Some clubs have had an easier time than others with the shift online. Chess Club was able to move their weekly meetings to Lichess, an online chess platform where members can play against others in their ‘team,’ which the club does at least once a week.
Outing Club had to adjust their normal schedule of trips and hikes to Zoom calls and social media. Outing Club Co-President, Freddie Klaus ’20, explained in an email that they are encouraging club members to get outside, but to be mindful of social distancing and staying local. They are still adjusting to not having trips, but “we're trying to overcome this by asking members to share how they're getting outside during the pandemic and giving advice on responsible outdoor recreation,” said Klaus.
Outing Club wants to make sure their community stays strong: “though we can't meet and go outside together right now, our most important function is to show that we are still an active community,” said Klaus, adding that Outing Club wants to be a supportive space where their members can continue to bond over a love for the outdoors.
It is hard to have food-centric clubs over Zoom, but Hillel is making it work. They recently co-hosted a “virtual home challah bake” over Zoom with Challah for Hunger and are planning a virtual Shabbat dinner as well. Hillel has had to face the disappointment of having their events canceled.
“One thing that was hard to hear is that all the planning we have worked on for the major holiday coming up is simply canceled as we can't celebrate Passover together,” said Hillel Secretary Olivia Rosenblum ’22. However, the clubs has tried to keep up with most of their programming. They have plans for events like meditation, a movie night, Zoom University Hillel, and in general, being there to support their members.
Christian Fellowship and Newman Club have shifted their regular meetings and Bible Studies online and have adjusted from in-person games and bonding to online-friendly games like Pictionary and telestrations. Christian Fellowship, like many other clubs, has had to change the times of some meetings to allow members from across the globe to join in.
It is important during these isolating times to keep connected with friends and peers, and while the nature of some clubs may make them better suited for online participation than others, many clubs are trying to provide supportive communities for their members during difficult times.
Most clubs keep in touch with their members via email and social media, so if you’re interested in joining in online activities, try joining their email list through SkidSync or by emailing an EBoard member (listed on SkidSync), or find them on Instagram or Facebook. And if your club is not having online meetings, reach out to an Eboard member and make some suggestions for activities or ask how you can help!
Emily Theisen is on the E-Boards of Newman Club, Chess Club, KnitWits, and Christian Fellowship.