Societies

General Information

SOCIETIES

 All Clare societies are run by students, so if there is a society that you want to create, go for it! The UCS has a budget for societies every year that can be applied for during the first term. Contact the UCS Treasurer for more details.

There are also university-wide societies, and you should get involved with these too! If in doubt, sign up for anything and everything; it’s much easier to leave a mailing list than it is to try and join it later.

Remember – sports teams and societies aren’t just for people who are really good at that particular activity. If you get stuck in and try something new, you’ll enjoy it much more than you might think.

SPORTS

Clare has a wide range of sports teams and facilities. All of the college’s sports facilities are free to use for Clare students. Clare has a boat club that is home to the college’s large, competitive and friendly boat club. Clare also has a small gym at Castle Court.

To use the gym, you need to have an induction from the Sports and Societies Officer. Get in touch with them if you wish to be inducted. These are compulsory if you wish to use either the Castle Court Gym.

Setting up a society

Anyone can set up a society at Clare. All you need is an idea and a few other people to sign up. After a few weeks of enjoying whatever you set out to do; you will probably begin to realise that costs begin to mount up when you’re buying enough materials, balls, court hire etc. to allow 10-100 other people to join in. It is at this point that the UCS can help.

The UCS Treasurer is in place to assist with all society based questions. The most important thing to remember is that as soon as you need any help with setting up your society, you should email the UCS Treasurer and they will be happy to help.

Society Funding

WHO CAN APPLY FOR FUNDING?

The UCS accepts funding applications from any club or society which are chiefly or exclusively run for Clare students. New and existing societies alike can receive funding from the UCS.

WHEN DO I APPLY FOR FUNDING?

Applying for society funding is done in the second month of Michaelmas. Funding is given for a one year period running from the Lent term of one academic year to the Lent term of the next.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR FUNDING?

Look out for an email from the UCS Treasurer, which will be sent to all Clare students in Michaelmas term.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO APPLY?

You will need to provide estimated costs and justification for these, along with rough details on the size and activities of the society. Supporting evidence strengthens your application considerably.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

The UCS Treasurer will review the information you submit, as well as that of other societies, and put together a provisional budget in collaboration with College. 

HOW DOES THE UCS ALLOCATE FUNDING?

Allocations are made by the UCS Treasurer in discussion with the UCS President and Vice President. Funding is limited, so the UCS allocates funding based upon criteria. 

There are a few essential criteria that must be fulfilled before a society may apply for funding.

  • Societies must supply the information listed above upon request of the UCS Treasurer
  • Website information for the society should be up-to-date, and societies should contact the UCS President to arrange this
  • Societies must be open to all Clare students. Teams which are gender-specific are the exception to this rule. Sports teams and music groups should hold trials or auditions which are open to all, even if ultimately only the best candidates are chosen
  • The funding requested should be necessary for the running of the club

Additional criteria will make the UCS allocation group more inclined to provide more or less funding.

  • Societies which advertise for new members, such as on the Facebook group or at the Clare freshers’ fair, will be looked upon favourably
  • The UCS will fund essential costs (such as entry fees for leagues) before less essential costs (like refreshments)
  • Curriculum-based societies which do not offer anything to the wider student body may receive less funding. For example, a group working through questions from a particular tripos will receive less funding than a group hosting politics talks which, though beneficial to HSPS students, appeal to a general interest
  • Societies with higher costs per person might be advised to consider subscriptions to supplement UCS funding
  • Access and diversity projects undertaken by clubs will be rewarded with bonus funding
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY SOCIETY NEEDS EMERGENCY FUNDING?

If you suddenly need additional funds for your society, please contact the UCS Treasurer to discuss your case.

WHAT IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SOCIETY FUNDING PROCESS?

Please contact the UCS Treasurer to discuss.