The Builders Club at Western Sky Middle School in Goodyear, Arizona, U.S., has seen remarkable success since the introduction of club committees last year. For instance, it has helped ensure the involvement of every member.
“We wanted 100% engagement at every meeting, so we made sure every student had a role to play,” says Melinda Grizzell, the club’s faculty advisor in 2023-24.
The club’s growth helped prompt the split into smaller groups, so students could connect with peers and discover shared interests. The committees also empowered students to take ownership of their experiences.
“Instead of having the officers plan everything, the students took charge,” Grizzell says. “They organized club celebrations and service projects, handled tasks related to club business and made decisions that resonated with their passions.”
Members selected committees that aligned with their strengths, ensuring everyone could contribute meaningfully.
“If a student wasn’t artistically inclined, they found other ways to shine,” Grizzell says. “We made sure there was something for everyone.”
Officers thoughtfully placed students in committees, ensuring a balance between creating new connections and nurturing leadership potential.
“We assigned chairpersons to guide each committee, pairing those who needed a leadership boost with those already showing strong abilities,” Grizzell says. “It was all about building connections and helping students grow.”
Committees included Campus Clean-up, Make a Difference Day, Senior Citizen Prom, Teacher Appreciation and Hygiene/Diaper Drive. Once a committee finished its project for the semester, members were absorbed into other committees that needed help.
“It wasn’t just about participating,” Grizzell says. “It was about students finding out who they were. Being relied upon kept our membership strong.”
How does your Builders Club use committees to encourage engagement and leadership? What role do these committees play in your club’s success? Please share your success stories.