By Nicole Lu

It’s no secret that the presence of some groups is stronger than others, especially given the vast number of student groups and associations we have here at SAS. Rumors and complaints about the perceived lack of impact of clubs and committees run amok among staff and students. Yet, underneath these murmurs seems to lie a genuine curiosity about what people actually do. At the root of the curiosity lies student councils which have always seemed a figment of a sort. They seem to exist in some invisible dimension, using big names and having big expectations and fulfilling big responsibilities and…eating big amounts of free pizza in their meetings…or do they? Let us take a step into an exploration of the history, mission, and events of CAC.

Citizen Action Council, or CAC, exists for the purpose of helping service clubs “Do Good Well.” Members of this council are paired with or assigned to specific service clubs to assist them with forms and documents that must be completed and submitted to administrative staff or the council itself, as well as to plan and execute relevant events and activities. Lots of logistics. On a more interesting note, did you know that the handful of applicants who made it through this highly selective application pool are already bearing fruit? New ideas, proposals, and actions are being presented at each and every CAC meeting, and, with a little bit of proactivity, much can be returned to clubs across a wide variety of fields. This year, they are also working on adopting various programs, including expanding upon initiatives that were originally implemented in Puxi.

Students in CAC either collaborate or work individually to manage one or two service clubs, but some students go above and beyond, taking charge of initiatives or programs that align with their strengths and interests. This could include collaborations with middle school, planning and running workshops, contributing to the creation of new programs, etc. However, these opportunities aren’t handouts. As in any club or classroom, students in CAC get more from their experience by being proactive. Often, at least in my experience, opportunities aren’t assigned—they are sought out. Exploration and discussion of various fields and activities expose students to more opportunities and help them gain knowledge about a diverse array of events around the school. Simply attending meetings doesn’t convey the full experience. The same goes for clubs: being proactive and pursuing what you are passionate about allows you to grow, explore new possibilities, and make the most of your interests.