Online training for Club Leads

Aims of this online self study training

To understand what is needed to remain an affiliated Club with the Students Association.
To know how to set up a club email address.
To know how to write digital articles and promote effectively for my club.
To understand how to promote my club to attract and retain members.
To know how to obtain further skills in hosting online events.
To know who to contact at the Association for support with running my club.

Expected training outcomes

I understand two club leads must be active for the Club to remain affiliated.
I can set up a club email address and publish it on the OU Student Association website for OU students to get in touch.
I can write digital content to publicise my club in accordance with volunteer policy.
I know where to go for further optional training.
I know who to contact at the Association for support with running a club.
I understand I must get in touch with the Association should there be a change in leadership.

Volunteer role training topics

Each topic below corresponds with information you will need to learn more about your role as a First or Second Club Lead. Please read through and make yourself familiar with the below content.

Club Affiliation

To become an affiliated club, two members of the Association (OU students are automatically members) must complete training to become the Club Leads. Should a change in leadership occur, such as: a Club Lead is no longer able to take on the role or training is not completed, leaving just one Club Lead managing the club, the remaining lead must let the Student Community team know so that our records can be updated

The Community team can supply promotional materials to help advertise for a second club lead. Clubs with only one club lead have a grace period of three months until de-listed (disaffiliated).

Steps to setting up an email address for the club

How to Set-Up a Club Email Address

Begin by creating a new Gmail address. Details on how to do this can be found here.

Alternatively, if you already have a Gmail account that you don't really use anymore and want to repurpose it for your club, then you can change the name of the email address. Find details here.

Once you have created your new account, you can start adding people. You can find all the steps on how to do that here. The instructions are under the 'add delegate' section.

You're done! Make sure you share this with the Community team at the Association so that they can upload this for you onto your club page on the Association website.

Visual link How-to-set-up-a-club-email

Advice on writing digital articles

How To Write Digital Articles

Key Points

Don't aim to make the piece as broad as possible, because then it'll suit no one. So, think of your target reader profiles. Always stick to plain English. Using bold, hyperlinks, subheadings and having spaced out texts are ideal key aspects to include.

Where to put Key Details

80% of eyes on a document are at the top and 70% of eyes on a document are to the left, creating an F shape. Therefore, summaries and key words/info go at the top and towards the left.

Make sure any 'calls to action' e.g. attending an event, registering for the club, are really clear and are at the start and end of the piece. As people who skim read or want to find the point of the article right away, may be more likely to engage.

How to keep your reader engaged

It's good to have a rhetorical question at the very start. And when that answer is a yes, you immediately have their attention.

Think about exchanging something- if something is offered to the reader first e.g. a free trial or useful information, there's a feeling of indebtedness to return a favour. So it greatly helps to increase engagement. "FOMO" (which stands for ‘Fear of Missing Out) is always a good tactic to get people to engage too!

Useful Websites

The Hoot: The Students Association online magazine is a space for OU students to share their tools and experiences with the wider community.

HubSpot: a random generator if you're struggling for a blog title.

Coschedule: gives you suggestions for a headline and a subject of your article.

Visual link How-to-write-digital-articles-and-promote-Effectively-1

Top Tips for Clubs

• Keep an eye on the future – create a welcoming space for members and share opportunities for them to get involved with running the club.

• Get involved in Freshers sessions twice a year.

• Share your stories – share on your platforms but also share with the Students Association, we love to share the things you’ve been up to on our social media.

• Encourage members to share what they’ve been working on, it’s a great way to show potential members that you are an active, lively club.

• Many students use Discord so it’s important you consider making an account on this platform as some students do not use Facebook.

• Try out Linktree. It creates one link where you can list all the social media sites you are active on. Perfect for putting in your club bio description!

• Hold online meetings for an opportunity to chat with your club members and discuss ideas.

• Social media posts matter. Perhaps try themed posts as conversation starters, Fit Club have created ‘Good Food Friday’ which sparks discussions every week.

• Keep in touch with fellow clubs and club leads to discuss questions, issues and ideas with each other.

• Stay in contact with the Community team so they’re aware of any changes to your club.

Visual link Top tips for clubs

Complete your online training here

Please complete this form to finish your online self-study training.