This section contains the answers to some of the questions frequently asked about the CSC. The questions are divided into two sections:
During Fresher's Week (the week before Michaelmas Term commences), most societies have stands in Front Square, and you can join by visiting these. During the rest of the year, you can normally join a society by attending one of its events or by contacting the society directly - search through the list of societies for contact details. Every society charges a small membership fee.
Society events are usually advertised on posters throughout college. You will find an up to date calendar on each individual Society Profile on this site or you can also check the societies own website, addresses which can also be found in the profiles. All societies have mailing lists and will send out regular emails to their members about upcoming events. You can also check the Featured Upcoming Events on the homepage of this site. www.trinitysocieties.ie
See the societies profiles for details of a society's rooms. If you need help locating an address in college, you can try TCD's maps page.
If you want to set up a new society in College, which will be recognised by the Central Societies Committee (CSC) and the College Board, there are certain steps that need to be followed.
1. Before you start, you should examine the list of existing societies to see if there is one that is already recognised, and which could accommodate your interest. This is important, as a new society whose aims overlap with an already existing one, is unlikely to be recognised. If, for instance, you want to start a Renaissance Music Society, you should probably approach the Music Society first, and see whether you can be accommodated as a sub-group of theirs.
2. Once you have established that your proposed society is unique, you should try and gather together a group of similarly minded students and staff to help out. You may already have a core group of people interested, but you can put up posters in College, either convening a meeting of the "Proposed" society, or asking people to get in touch with you. Every student has an e-mail account, and it is probably quite useful to put yours on any posters, so that interested parties can get in touch with you.
3. Once you have got a group together, you should start to draw up a constitution for your proposed society. You can get a copy of the CSC Draft Constitution in the CSC Office, House 6, and you should draw up your constitution along those lines. It contains certain sections which deal specifically with a society's relationship to the CSC - duties of the society officers re submission of annual accounts, secretary's reports, etc., which must be included in your society constitution.
4. Next you have to collect the signatures and I.D. numbers of 100 students and staff members who would like to see the society being recognised in College. You can set up a stand so long as you advertise as the "Proposed D.U. ………. Society". A list of names will not be sufficient, they must be signatures and I.D. numbers must be included.
5. Now you need to submit both your constitution and your list of signatures to the Secretary of the CSC. You will be given a time to come in and put your case to the CSC Executive. The Executive consists of 13 members, and meets at least once a week during term time, so your application is likely to be considered within a week or two. You (two or three proposed committee members may attend) will be invited to explain to the meeting, the aims of your society and how you intend to satisfy those aims. You may be asked questions by the Executive.
The criteria under which the society will be examined are as follows:
6. You will be informed of the result of your application. If you are not granted provisional recognition, the Executive must inform the group in question of the reasons for refusal. You may be advised to alter your constitution and/or aims in some way, and re-apply. In some circumstances, the Executive may refer an application for provisional recognition to the Committee (i.e. a General Meeting of the CSC which consists of the Treasurers or all fully recognised College societies as well as the Executive).
7. If you are granted provisional recognition, you will immediately have access to the facilities in the CSC office to carry out your society business: free phone calls, photocopying, faxing, computer facilities, and postage. You will qualify for a grant from the CSC under several headings (see the CSC Grants Policy Document - the only areas which will not be funded for provisionally recognised societies, are society travel and rooms expenses.) Provisional recognition shall expire after a period of eighteen months (or after a society has become fully recognised).
8. Having been in existence for a year, and provided you submit satisfactory accounts of the income and expenditure incurred for at least financial year, a secretary's report for the same period, an up-to-date constitution and evidence showing that the society has 50 or more fully paid-up members, you will be proposed for full recognition at a CSC AGM. You then become a full member of the CSC with voting rights, and eligibility for full grants.
If you're looking for a sports club, you should contact DUCAC - the Dublin University Central Athletic Committee. This body performs more or less the same function for sports clubs as the CSC does for societies. DUCAC's office is in House 27, and their phone number is (01) 896 1028.