Don't ask what your society can do for you........


When the editor of this publication recently based his editorial on the work ethic and commitment that was necessary to achieve success through societies on campus people had an opinion on the piece. Some agreed that the same people do all the work, while others merely laughed off the idea that societies did little more than drink until closing time on a weekly basis.

Upon deciding to write this feature this writer took the time to email over 20 societies. I received feedback from two. With over 80 societies on campus it could be questioned that I contacted the wrong societies, however the majority of the contact details that can be found on the UCC homepage are in fact obsolete.

As stated above there are over 80 societies on campus and with the exception of UCD that is the most active and well established society community in the country. With such impressive numbers under the belt of the expanding waistline of the guild there is notable success stories that we have all read about through the year, and societies that have fallen to the way side, with no sign of a rescue in sight.

JP Frennet, PRO of the Societies Guild, and a committee member of the nominated for Society of the Year Philosoph has spoken out on the positivity on campus when it comes to small and large society’s promoting events and meetings. “Nearly every society has promotion on campus. Be it from the smaller societies such as FECC & Pagan and Capriccio, to the larger societies like Dramat and Commerce. Nearly all societies have had a presence on campus this year either through regular meetings, a big event, or through regular postering” says Frennet.


Therefore it is fair to say that all facilities are present on campus to promote societies in order to encourage new members to join. This was not to be the case for the almost non existent Film Society. The society, while quietly active through the medium of all student emails last year has not had a committee to encourage members this year, never mind hosting actual screenings. It would seem the age old problem of all the work falling on the two hands could not withstand the pressure of running a creative arts society.


Brendan Hayes, perspective candidate for the coveted position (this year anyway) of Student Union President has explained the notion of the Societies Guild to the Express; “What makes societies work and what is the drive behind them is the people involved themselves; it is their own passion, worth ethic and dedication to the society that makes a society great. The Societies Guild is but a support for the societies in general and should never be seen as otherwise. Which makes perfect sense, people can only work on something if they want to.”


Mary O’ Leary, auditor of the newly established Fashion Society spoke glowingly of the guild, discussing the support she received when she approached them about setting up the society and the ongoing encouragement she has received since. This positive feedback will without doubt bring about more people formulating and executing their ideas on other societies on campus.


Starting up a society is not the problem it would seem. Maintaining the enthusiasm and fresh thinking within a group of people seems to be the issue. The fear that the job to bring a society to its feet and help it to walk will be left to a small few is an obvious concern for any perspective auditor. People need backup, people need help and some societies on UCC campus have anticipated this.


“I think that every society is different, and most societies have found the number of committee members and positions that suits their individual activities. Dramat have a separate sub-committee for each production, whereas the Philosoph have a standing committee of 16” Explains JP Frennet.


The idea that there are so many societies on campus is shocking to most, particularly those who were present at the Stars evening in Aula Max on Monday last. Philosoph, Law, Dramat and Choral were prominent on the night. With the exception of the academic society awards the nominations read like it is listed here.


There are many issues facing societies on a weekly basis on UCC campus says auditor of Philosoph Ross Frennet. When the philosophical society committee was formed last year for 2007-08 there were brand new members who had never worked with the society before. They were obviously enthused by the possibilities of working on a campus with an active group of people. However, once met with the obstacles of finances and the logistics of running any kind of established group on campus the excitement fizzled out to an obvious level.


It is obviously very difficult to keep the momentum going, without risking a mediocre academic career. Having worked on a committee this year I say that with a degree of certainty. Finding the balance of college work and society work is the key says Finance Exec Michelle Cremin.


“I would advise all society and club-heads to make sure that they have the balance between curricular and extra-curricular right from the start,” says Cremin, “I wholeheartedly recommend utilising the society’s guild and developing inter-society relations. When I was auditor of the Choral Society, I sought and received loads of help, advice and support from the Guild Exec and from other societies. While there is a huge variety of society activity in UCC, all societies compile budgets; run events; promote events etc.


One of common factors towards striving for a successful society is to have a passionate group of people working towards the same goal. The majority of the people interviewed for this piece agreed with this, Without the passion to achieve something innovative and different there was no point in a committee being formed to encourage more people to sing, dance, produce a play, write a debate or play a football match.