Starting a Society - Central Societies Committee

Starting a Society

The CSC already recognises over 120 student societies. However, if you have an original idea for a new society, then you can apply to start your own!

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Examine the list of existing societies to see if there is one that is already recognised which could accommodate your interest. If an already existing society overlaps with your idea, we suggest reaching out to them to potentially start a subcommittee or collaborate on events. A society proposal whose aims overlap substantially with an already existing one will not be recognised.
Contact the Secretary of the CSC at secretary@csc.tcd.ie to discuss your idea further. The Secretary will advise you about whether or not they think the idea should be developed.

Download a copy of the sample constitution and use this to draft your constitution. It contains certain sections which deal specifically with a society’s relationship to the CSC – duties of the society officers regarding submission of annual accounts and reports – which must be included in your society constitution.
Collect the signatures and ID numbers of 300 students and staff members who would like to see the society being recognised in College. Make sure that these signatures are properly dated/time stamped. Signatures collected over the course of multiple years will not be accepted.
You can set up a physical stand and social media accounts for your proposed society as long as you advertise as the “Proposed DU/TCD ____ Society.” The purpose of these should be to collect signatures. You are not allowed to book rooms or hold events, even under an appropriately advertised name. Only societies that are officially recognised by the CSC may book rooms and hold events on or off campus.
Submit a final draft of your constitution and a full list of signatures to the CSC Secretary by November 30th, or before the end of Week 14 of Michaelmas term. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted for review.

Once the Secretary of the CSC deems your signatures and constitution valid, they will contact you over the winter break to set up a meeting in Weeks 1-4 of Hilary Term.
At this meeting, two or three proposed committee members will be invited to present the aims of your society and how you intend to satisfy those aims to the Executive. You will be asked questions by the Executive, and must adequately address the Criteria for Recognition (see below).
The CSC Executive will consider and vote on your application.
You will be informed of the result of your application by Week 7 of Hilary Term. If you are not granted provisional recognition, the Secretary must inform the group in question of the reasons for refusal. You may be advised to alter your constitution and/or aims and re-apply, or acceptance of your application may be made contingent on altering your constitution.

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The principal aims of the society must not already be covered in the aims of any recognised society, capitated body or group thereof, or College body operating within Trinity. Any proposed society must be considered completely unique to gain provisional recognition.
It must satisfy the Executive that the society is likely to make a long term contribution to student life in College and to continue on an on-going basis.
The society may not be a charitable organisation or political group. The exception to this is youth wings of political parties.
The proposed society may not be a sports club or sports supporter club. Sports clubs are covered by the Trinity Sports Union (formerly DUCAC).

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If you are granted provisional recognition, you will immediately have access to the facilities in the CSC office to carry out your society business.
You will qualify for a grant from the CSC under several headings (see Society Grants). The only areas which will not be funded for provisionally recognised societies are society travel and room expenses.
Provisional recognition shall expire after a period of eighteen months.
Having submitted satisfactory accounts of the income and expenditure incurred for at least a financial year, a secretary’s report for the same period, an up-to-date constitution and evidence showing that the society has 75 or more fully paid-up members, you will be proposed for full recognition at a CSC AGM. You will then become a full member of the CSC with voting rights, and eligibility for full grants.

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For more information, please consult the Recognition Policy Document (RPD).