####Service and Leadership
**Lions Club**
When current senior Aaron Welker went to one of MU’s activity fairs during his freshman year, he was looking for an organization that would help him achieve what he says he wants more than anything: to make a direct impact on his community.
He knew immediately that MU Campus Lions Club — the university’s chapter of Lions Clubs International, which has more than 46,000 clubs in 210 countries — was the right place for him.
The organization does a monthly service project, either on campus or in the community, and members decide where the group should spend its time.
“In addition to local opportunities such as volunteering at the Special Olympics, sorting glasses for Saving Sight, and fundraising for Adopt a Family, members also have the opportunity to attend various LCIF conferences throughout the US and participate in life-changing mission trips abroad,” he said in an email.
Now the president of the organization, Welker values not only the service opportunities, but the club’s focus on adapting to its members’ ideas.
“Our service projects are all proposed and planned by our members, meaning that anything is open for suggestion,” Welker said in an email. “… The club is able to bend and change based on the vision of its members, and freshmen will be able turn their visions into a reality.”
To learn more about this organization, visit its [Facebook page](www.facebook.com/MizzouLions) or the [MU Campus Lions Club page on OrgSync](https://orgsync.com/79275/forms/65930).
**Mizzou Student United Way**
Focusing its work on the issues of education, income and health in the community, Mizzou Student United Way holds monthly service events that involve anything from building flower beds and cleaning streams to working at animal sanctuaries.
The organization has no annual fees, and the level of involvement is up to the participant. The group’s meetings, held on the first Thursday of each month, are optional.
“I believe that our time is the most valuable thing we have to offer those in need, and we should choose to spend it wisely,” Mizzou Student United Way President Elizabeth Triplett, a junior, said in an email. “Personally, I feel as if some of my most rewarding experiences have been in service to others.”
To learn more about Mizzou Student United Way, follow its [Twitter](https://twitter.com/MUStudentUW) or [Facebook account](https://www.facebook.com/MizzouStudentUnitedWay/?fref=nf) or the [Mizzou Student United Way page on OrgSync](https://orgsync.com/79285/chapter).
**Sustain Mizzou**
From beekeeping to hiking to recycling electronics, Sustain Mizzou has something for everyone, according to its former president Clare Bassi.
The club is currently working on 11 projects centered on sustainability and social justice, and the student leadership welcomes suggestions for future efforts from its members.
“Our beekeeping project was started by a freshman in the past, and each year we always look for new ideas and new leaders to help facilitate the brilliant ideas we all have,” Bassi said in an email.
The group meets twice a month, and the meetings are not mandatory. However, Bassi encourages attendance, as these meetings delve into project progress, offer members opportunities to get involved and usually have snacks. The meetings are open to anyone interested in Sustain Mizzou’s efforts in the community.
“Every graduate, regardless of their degree will have an intersection with sustainability and their professional career,” Sustain Mizzou president senior Brendan Hellebusch said in an email. “Sustain Mizzou can provide the dialogue, leadership and knowledge that every graduate should have before they graduate, and we’re going to have fun doing it.”
Sustain Mizzou’s Kick-Off Rally will be held at the Columns on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. Pizza will be provided. Sustain Mizzou meets every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Room 2206A in the Student Center.
To learn more about this organization, visit its [website](http://www.sustainmizzou.org/) or the [Sustain Mizzou page on OrgSync](https://orgsync.com/46937/chapter).
####Fun
**Mizzou Running Club**
No experience or pace is required to join Mizzou Running Club, and there’s no mandatory time commitment.
“Freshman hear all the time that getting involved is important, but the beauty of the Running Club is that you have the option, but not the obligation, to be involved every day,” said senior Hannah McCausland, the returning Mizzou Running Club president, in an email.
Runners in the club range from casual to competitive, and while practice starts the first day of classes, anyone can join throughout the semester.
Beyond practice and races, the club holds social events, such as tailgating, pasta parties and a club formal.
“You will meet so many different people of all ages and majors, and it is easy to become friends when you run, race, and travel together,” McCausland said in an email. “… It is the perfect way to avoid the freshman 15 and make a lot of friends along the way!”
To learn more about this organization, visit its [website](http://mizzourunningclub.wix.com/home) or the [Mizzou Running Club page on OrgSync](https://orgsync.com/46819/chapter).
**MU Sketch**
Since her freshman year, MU Sketch president, junior Sydney Stephens, said she was captivated by the group’s camaraderie and creativity.
MU Sketch, affectionately referred to as “Battlewhale,” is a comedy troupe that writes and performs Saturday Night Live-esque skits.
While practices are twice a week and writing deadlines are frequent, Stephens said the organization provides an exciting and rewarding opportunity for aspiring comedy writers.
“It’s a tight-knit group of students who enjoy exploring writing together,” she said.
To learn more about this organization, visit the [MU Sketch page on OrgSync](https://orgsync.com/46939/chapter).
**Mizzou Quidditch**
While the sport is based off of a game in the “Harry Potter” series, collegiate Quidditch has its own national governing body, US Quidditch, and more than 300 teams play worldwide. The sport is full-contact and coed.
“ We’re serious nerds, but we’re also serious athletes,” Mizzou Quidditch president senior Jon Quattlebaum said in an email.
Between practices and games, Quattlebuam said the team becomes very close, acting like a “home away from home” for each other.
Anyone can join Mizzou’s Quidditch team simply by showing up regularly to practices, which are held three times a week. Specific practice information can be found on the “Mizzou Quidditch Interest 2016” Facebook page.
“… Most freshman came here because they wanted to have the college experience (as well as a great education), and what’s more “college” than playing quidditch?” Quattlebaum said in an email.
To learn more about this organization, visit its pages on the MizzouRec and OrgSync websites, or join its [“Mizzou Quidditch Interest 2016” Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/MizzouQuidditch/).
_Edited by Theo DeRosa | tderosa@themaneater.com_
