Note: all definitions are my own personal definition only and may not reflect the terminology used in everyday language.
As Marilyn and I go through a lot of topics that we want to talk about, I forgot that we should be talking about something that is very important: why clubs as an extracurricular(s)?
Now, there are a lot of types of choices in the extracurricular world, and today I'm going to be writing about one that seems to take a significant chuck out of that pie: clubs.
Actually, the "why" part will come in a later article.
Hold up. What are Clubs?
Glad you asked, faithful reader! From my noggin right now, I can come up with many different activities that would count as extracurriculars: clubs, organizations, academic competition organizations, jobs (which would warrant its own special spot on a resume separated from its constituents), special projects not affiliated with any standing group, internships, Honor Societies...the list goes on and on. Time for definitions!
An extracurricular is anything that you do outside of coursework at school, including any extra extensions of coursework, such as significant long term projects. And, as you can imagine, that means a lot of variety. No wonder this section is the most varied part of a high school student's resume!
As for the difference between a club and an organization, the line gets blurred, and the names become interchangeability most of the time. A club is an official or non-official group, on school grounds or otherwise, that consist of members that share the same interests. So, take groups interested in singing (not affiliated with a school's choir), Anime, or an ethnicity pride and culture encouragement group: all would be considered clubs. In my eyes, an organization is a group that is affiliated with other groups at other places (not necessarily schools), usually under the direction of a higher hierarchy and share the same name. These may also qualify for the definition of a club (such as Key Club International), or may not be and instead be the extension of a school program (such as JROTC or a musical department-the key here is some participation outside of normal school hours), and by no means do these groups have to work together within the larger organization (which many don't...GO KEY CLUB FOR BEING UNIQUE!).
A job is work, with a great emphasis on making money (i.e. you'd be angered if you were paid very little), and internships are unpaid (usually) or paid, with the main goal of experience instead of making money (i.e. it's acceptable to be paid very little because it is understood that you don't have the skills yet and are still learning).
Academic competition organizations/clubs are groups solely focused towards competition, such as HOSA-there are truly many out there too numerous to count.
Honor Societies are worthy of special mention. They are selective to varying degrees (much argument and debate can be done about this, but this isn't the place for it).
With the majority of clubs and organizations, there is no true requirement to get in, and application, if any, to enter is relatively simple: paperwork and membership dues. However, honor societies such as Japanese Honor Society, NHS, and the Thespians (there are a great number of societies covering all sorts of subjects and interests) have screening processes: they don't just accept anyone that walks in. Usually, demonstration of skill or other excellence in the area (what would the area of excellence Chinese Honor Society be looking for, I wonder?) is required to meet certain criteria for joining. You HAVE to be accepted to join these, while clubs and organizations, when sanctioned by school authorities, usually cannot select membership without being accused of being discriminating. There is also usually a criteria to stay in the honor society as well, which, when not met, can mean being booted.
And last but not least, there are the special projects and anything else outside of school.
An example of a special project (which usually are limited in time span, be it short or long) would be a high school orientation counselor team, or a Homecoming planning committee-something that is usually set up by the school and recruits its members from all walks, regardless of club/organization memberships or none at all, if a person chose not to join any.
The "everything else" is basically everything else not previously listed. Music outside of school, team or individual sports, martial arts, community service outside of a service club or organization, all of these and probably more fall into this category.
I hope that this was helpful! Feel free to leave comments below if you have any questions!
~SQ
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