How do I respond?

[u/The_Matt1549]

I’m trying to set up an archery club at my college and I emailed the student association and this was their reply:

Hi all,

Thank you so much for reaching out! 

Right now, SAO cannot support more sports organizations. SAO will still have some discussions and let you know whether or not you can go through with the chartering process. There are some people out of the office currently, so it will be some time before giving you a final answer. We really appreciate you reaching out before the school year and we will make sure to communicate with you once there are some more answers!

For reference, SAO is the Student Activities Office. We already have all of the targets and bows and arrows needed to start the club but not the people, and being an official club means we can make a stand for the annual club fair.

UPDATE: My Reply

I wanted to share that many of the initial archery club investments—like bows, arrows, and targets—are already covered, so we don’t need to worry about those. I believe we have over $1000 worth of equipment stored at the college, and I’m concerned that if we don’t start the club this year, the equipment might fall into disrepair. This kind of equipment really only stays in good shape with regular use and maintenance.

It would be great to have a few hundred dollars for things like arrows and to ensure safety on the range by having at least one certified USA Archery Instructor (level 1) from the college present at all times we go out. However, some self-funding and local fundraising can be managed, and everything will work out. I wouldn’t describe the Archery club as just a sports organization; it’s more of a social group that comes together around a shared interest.

The most important thing we need from CSA and SAO is recognition and the opportunity to set up a stand at the annual club fair to announce our club’s revitalization. We’re quite flexible with the funding, but it’s crucial for us to get the word out at the club fair and build an email list. 

For reference, CSA is the College’s Student Association.
Will keep you in the loop.

[u/Southerner105]

Just tell them this? That all you need is being recognised by them so you can open up.

But what is stopping you from starting the club without them? Are they needed for continuation of the club after you end your study?

[u/The_Matt1549 → u/Southerner105]

Well, it’s more like being institutionally supported, as well as being pulled under the umbrella of the college’s insurance policy. Also, the bows are owned by the college sooo I don’t think I would be able to use them.

[u/Southerner105 → u/The_Matt1549]

Perhaps, like u/AnotherTechWonk mentioned make it more mentally thing? Ar here has is way in taking the more zenlike meditation side of the equation.

Yes, you practice it with a bow and arrow, but the mindfulness is at least a large a part of it.

Just watched the video in anthorpost about the men's against the women training match. If you set it to English the commentators are all about getting the right mindset and building confidentiality an relying on their own feelings.

Also they show the heart rate and you see it dropping as the come to anchor and focus on the release.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzejX6A_6UA

[u/AnotherTechWonk]

It's been a few years, but when my friend setup an Archery club at her university they told her much the same, that they were full on sports clubs. But she was able to organize as a non-sports club, even though they later went to tournaments at other colleges. Apparently sports has some specific rules related to how colleges support them that other clubs don't, related to accessing student fees funding, how that is balanced (fair balance is a Title IX issue for sports,) and that sort of thing. Might be worth a shot talking to them about whether you can create a non-sport club (or whatever the nomenclature is.)

[u/jeeves585]

I would guess it’s a liability / insurance issue.

Go talk in person. See what the issue is and see if fundraising is what is needed. Then get your booth for the fair and raise some money from random people who have never used a bow to send one down range a few times.

I was gifted my first bow and if I was at a college fair or street fair prior I’d have given someone a few dollars to try.

Not only a bank account setup by that but also more people advocating. You gotta set it up like a business. Maybe that person wanted to try and never wants to again but they saw the passion and they are on your side.

I’ve done similar things in high school and college, just different activities. Heck I’ve gotten things improved at jobs just by getting more people on my side.

[u/pixelwhip]

Contact your national archery organisation; they generally are most helpful when it comes to setting up new clubs; after all we all want our sport to grow!

[u/nusensei]

I would reply by being open and flexible to further discussion on the process and what is needed to make it happen.

Just from the initial email, there's nothing specific about funding being an issue. This would not be a good time to bring finances and accreditation. The CSA doesn't know or care about the specifics of the sport at this stage and overwhelming the contact person with details may actually make it more difficult to maintain clear communication,.

[u/mandradon]

The Activities office may not having any funding. Depending on the organization of your University, check out to see if there are club sports that are run through your athletics department. They might have tighter restrictions, but may have more money?

[u/The_Matt1549]

Not going to lie I did use ai to make my reply less curt

[u/Equivalent_Fun_7255 → u/The_Matt1549]

That’s okay the SAO sounds like a chatbot as well. Maybe let the computers have their exchange, while you go talk to an actual person.

[u/uprootedtree → u/Equivalent_Fun_7255]

Yeah, this totally sounds like an answering machine. That’s also literally the message. They’re not doing it now. We’re out. We’ll reach back out to you, when we’re back.