Karla Perez
Baha’i Faith Club, Christian Club and Helping Hands Club? What do the names mean to you?
To me they mean places where one can go and share their thoughts and beliefs with others. Or a place where you can lend a helping hand to those in need. These are a few of the clubs on campus that many students may not be familiar with.
Many students are not aware that Pierce College has more than 20 clubs on campus that meet every week for many different reasons, like helping the community, offering recreational time and spreading awareness.
I have walked past the booths of several clubs lining the Mall walkway like most students, and realized that there often is no one in them.
Why, are these booths here for and why are they always unattended?
I have picked up brochures from the very few that have them available for those who want them.
Some brochures explain what the club’s purpose or mission.
Others just give the basic information on what the club does and when they meet.
In my search for more information on these clubs, I logged onto the Associated Students Organization Web site which list all 21 clubs with basic information and contacts.
I also asked some Pierce students what they thought of the clubs on campus and of the day to day empty booths in the Mall.
Tony Ramirez, architecture major, said he has yet to see anyone inside these booths.
“If members of these clubs were present in the booths more often then more students would be aware of all the different clubs on campus,” he said.
He also asked why there is not an architectural club. Tamara Lahham, nutrition major, has been a member of the Christian Club for approximately two semesters.
Lahham said that during the first weeks of school, the club presidents will use their booth to pass out flyers about the club and to recruit new members.
Lahham also added that this is an effective way of recruiting members.
How has being a member of the Christian Club helped her? “Since being in the club I’ve made new and close friends,” she said, “It’s made me closer to God.”
Having clubs on campus is great and each club has something different to offer the students and staff.
What is not so great are the booths in the mall that are frequently unmanned.
The Baha’i Faith Club was one of the few that offered brochures in its booth, brochures which would be helpful and informative to anyone looking to become a member.
The clubs seem to be useful for students looking for a place to share some of their thoughts and beliefs with others, but most club advisors were unavailable for comment as to whether their clubs are successful in getting their message across.
If you are interested in learning more about the clubs on campus, don’t count on the booths in the mall being very helpful.
Instead, visit the ASO trailer for a list of all the clubs or log on to the ASO Web site.
In the end I think these clubs are made to help and inform the student body.
So whether it may be the Soccer Club, Christian Club or the Anthropology Society, everyone has different interests and the Pierce clubs are here to satisfy the hunger for knowledge and awareness no matter what they may be.