It’s vital to participate in clubs pertaining to your major, but even if you’re undecided and just have some extra free time, club participation is fun and a great way to meet new people.

Everyone knows about Student Association Senate and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Greek life, but there are still dozens of organizations out there that are less widely known but well worth checking out. Keep these in mind next semester, or start getting involved over break.

Habitat for Humanity-UWM Chapter

Most people have heard of Habitat for Humanity, but many of them don’t know that one chapter is grounded at UWM.

The organization’s president, Melissa Dineen, says, “We work with local Habitat for Humanity Chapters with helping to build homes they are working on, as well as volunteering in non-building activities throughout the community, such as serving meals at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission twice a month and ‘Hire-A-Habitater.’”

This spring, Habitat for Humanity will be breaking ground on their second UWM-sponsored home.

“This year we are offering three ‘Collegiate Challenge’ trips. Three groups of 12 are going to Wilmington, N.C.; Foley, Ala. and Loveland, Colo. during spring break to spend a week building homes and exploring the area,” Dineen says.

As much as Dineen loves helping out around the county, she wishes their club could help out more locally. There are more openings for Habitat for Humanity, as well as the “Collegiate Challenge” trips. If interested, contact Melissa Dineen at (413) 364-3607 or at habitat@uwm.edu.

Third World Action

This organization promotes helping the less fortunate in Third World countries. Third World Action’s founder, Brian Averill, says, “I started Third World Action for people to work on humanitarian issues around the world.”

They do this by distributing condoms, computers and means of sanitation to poverty- stricken areas. Currently, they are in the midst of planning a trip to Haiti to help its people.

“We run a book drive on campus with the help of the UWM Bookstore and Panther Books,” Averill says.

In addition to “[showing] films, we bring speakers, and members have volunteered at AIDS Walk, Dave Matthews Band and Coldplay concerts, among other things.”

If you’re interested is this club, contact Brian Averill at baverill@uwm.edu or at (414) 861-7444.

Table Tennis Club

Not every UWM organization is devoted to volunteer work or humanitarian efforts. This club was founded in 2001 by professors Mike Bartl and T.J. Wang to provide a positive atmosphere for table tennis players within the Milwaukee community.

UWM’s Table Tennis Club holds regular competitions and lessons for players in order to promote this Olympic sport.

In 2002, Stiga, one of the world’s largest table tennis companies, sponsored this club so they were able to obtain better equipment. The club hopes to add more members and organize league play for better competition.

For more information, email the Table Tennis Club president Mike Bernhard at Bernhard@uwm.edu.

Alliance for Animals

Since 2001, this organization has been promoting a better life for animals through vegetarianism and veganism. In addition to learning the right way to start these diets, the club discusses health complications of veganism, where to shop and what to buy.

“Students can learn to defend their beliefs and hopefully learn to work with local governments to change laws instead of just being angry and feeling like there is nothing they can do,” says AFA’s president, Peter Regan.

Stopping all forms of animal exploitation is also a main goal of AFA. The organization holds monthly meetings, occasional protests, monthly vegan potlucks, speakers, conferences and outreach to the UWM community.

For more information, contact Peter Regan at (937) 470-3683 or alliance4animals@yahoo.com.

Video Game Club

The video game industry has exploded in the past five years. UWM jumped on the bandwagon and decided to create a club to encourage more activity in this field.

This recreational club holds tournaments and collaborates with the Strategic Gaming Club and the Bemani Club to create annual events.

The Bemani Club holds “Dance Dance Revolution” tournaments, arcade play and fundraisers.

Daniel Heron, the club’s contact, can be reached at djheron@uwm.edu or by calling 630-5099.

For more information on the Video Game Club, contact Josh Johnston at (920) 475-3582.

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