Chapter Book Club

Whether in-person or virtual, book club discussions are a great way to bring chapter members together.

Tips for Organizing a Book Club

Define the purpose of your book club. Do you want to learn something new? Do you want to discuss difficult or sensitive topics? Do you want to bond with your chapter members?
Select a theme (relevant to your chapter members) that guides your book choice and discussion(s).
Spread the responsibility. Divide planning and hosting duties each time you meet.
Develop a consistent meeting schedule. Once a month is a good goal.
Commit to a deep reading while taking notes. Consider possible discussion questions as you read and/or search for discussion questions in the back of the book (or from other sources).
Spread outside your circle. Consider inviting members of other organizations on campus to join in.
Set up some ground rules for participants. Aside from "read the book," you may want to establish ways of encouraging lively, enjoyable discussions.

Create a process for book selection. A few factors to consider are topic, length, price, and availability. Don't forget to include how you'll select a book if there are disagreements.
Build on existing knowledge, rather than repeating the basics. Consider meeting before selecting your book to help guide you.
Consider accessibility. Select books that are available in cost-effective formats, like digital, paperback, second-hand, or through the library.

Create and maintain an environment of mutual respect. Acknowledge that everyone is in a different place in their educational journey.
Establish some structure to your discussion.
Give everyone a chance to share their ideas on the book/topic, even if there's disagreement. Encourage participants to use "I" statements and to speak up primarily from their own experiences.
Encourage questions—odds are someone else is wondering the same thing.
Be productive (not combative) and be responsive to feedback.