Other than offering the ever coveted Nite Life cup of coke, Cokes and Clubs offers Calvin students the opportunity to connect with other people on campus who share similar interests. While student orgs like Dance Guild and Student Senate are widely popular, clubs focused on social justice and environmental stewardship are not as highly populated.
The Renewable Energy Organization [REO] is one of the many environmentally focused groups on Calvin's campus. Not only do they work to improve technology to support a more sustainable world, they also help others to understand how they can help our world. As Andrew Blunt, an active member of REO, put it, "REO enables students to work on environmentally focused, engineering projects while also setting up similarly focused tours. We believe using the skill sets God has given us to care for his creation is an important endeavor." Not only does this club work to make the world a better place, but they also have a lot of fun, and even visited the house of their current president for a movie night. Email Joe Kelly at jak58@students.calvin.edu for more information.
Another organization that promotes a healthier world is Students for Compassionate Living. This club offers students resources to eat and do well. People looking for new ways to cook vegan and vegetarian meals can find recipes and ideas at the club's semi-regular potlucks. The organization also puts on several movie nights that discuss food and hosts guest speakers that discuss the importance of eating morally. "Students for Compassionate Living seeks to educate the Calvin community about the practical implications of its daily choices for non-human animals, and provide support for those who strive to redeem fallen structures as they explore issues of animal welfare," states the club's page on Calvin's website. The club offers weekly meetings, usually involving food or film, paired with community and fellowship.
Gender Equality Now [GEN] is Calvin's feminist organization. They meet biweekly to discuss current issues concerning gender norms and societal standards, as well as current events related to feminism. "We exist to facilitate conversation between campus and gender issues, be them on campus or in the world at large," stated Claudia Peterson, a member and student leader of GEN. The club puts on an annual display of T-shirts hanging on clothes lines with hand written questions, statements, and ideas revolving around gender and feminism. Bystanders are invited to join in on the conversation and create their own T-shirt and hang it up. Email Claudia Peterson at ctp5@students.calvin.edu for more information.
Sexuality And Gender Awareness [SAGA] is an organization devoted to promoting acceptance of LGBT+ individuals and educating the Calvin community on issues revolving around sexuality and gender. As stated on the group's page on Calvin's website, "SAGA is a peer education group of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBT), and straight students who support each other and educate the campus." The group meets weekly and has many opportunities for involvement in the community and is a major contributor to Calvin's Sexuality Series.
These are only a few of the great organizations that allow students to join forces to help make our world a better one to live in. Below are links to other clubs and student orgs that focus on creation care, social justice, and renewal of our world. Now get out there and get involved!
Environmental Stewardship Coalition: http://clubs.calvin.edu/esc/
Food Recovery Network: http://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/#about
Sexual Assault Prevention Team: http://calvin.edu/offices-services/student-organiz...
Social Justice Coalition: http://calvin.edu/offices-services/student-organiz...
The Free Project: http://calvin.edu/offices-services/student-organiz...
