This article is about clubs referring to a particular organization of people. For other article subjects named club see club (disambiguation).
A club is generally an association of people united by a common interest or goal, as opposed to any natural ties of kinship. Such clubs occur in all ancient states of which we have detailed knowledge. Once people started living together in larger groups, there was need for men with a common interest to be able to associate despite having no ties of kinship.
The term club now has broader implications. The Service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to all sorts of hobbies, sports, and games, political and religious clubs, Social Activities Clubs that appeal to a variety of interests, and so forth. See for example BSAC (a big British scuba diving club). The term Club can also refer to a nightclub or discothèque.
Contents
1 18th century English origins
2 Coffee houses
3 Service clubs
4 Social clubs
5 Social Activities Clubs
6 See also
18th century English origins
The word “club,” in the sense of an association to promote good-fellowship and social intercourse, only became common in England at the time of Tatler and The Spectator (1709–1712). It is doubtful whether its use originated in its meaning of a knot of people, or from the fact that the members “clubbed” together to pay the expenses of their meetings. The oldest English clubs were merely informal periodic gatherings of friends for the purpose of dining or drinking together. Thomas Occleve (in the time of Henry IV) mentions such a club called La Court de Bone Compaignie, of which he was a member. John Aubrey (writing in 1659) says: “We now use the word clubbe for a sodality in a tavern.” For a long time, most organizations called “clubs” were gentlemen’s clubs (in particular London clubs), but with the modern age the word usage has spread and many workman’s organizations have imitated the club type of organization.
Of early clubs the most famous was the Bread Street or Friday Street Club, originated by Sir Walter Raleigh, and meeting at the Mermaid Tavern. William Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, John Selden and John Donne were among the members. Another such club was that which met at the Devil Tavern near Temple Bar; and of this Ben Jonson is supposed to have been the founder.
Coffee houses
With the introduction of coffee-drinking in the middle of the 17th century, clubs entered on a more permanent phase. The coffee houses of the later Stuart period are the real originals of the modern clubhouse. The clubs of the late 17th and early 18th century type resembled their Tudor forerunners in being oftenest associations solely for conviviality or literary coteries. But many were confessedly political, e.g. The Rota, or Coffee Club (1659), a debating society for the spread of republican ideas, broken up at the Restoration, the Calves Head Club (c.1693) and the Green Ribbon Club (1675). The characteristics of all these clubs were:
1. No permanent financial bond between the members, each man’s liability ending for the time being when he had paid his “score” after the meal.
2. No permanent clubhouse, though each clique tended to make some special coffee house or tavern their headquarters.
These coffee-house clubs soon became hotbeds of political scandal-mongering and intriguing, and in 1675 King Charles II issued a proclamation which ran: “His Majesty hath thought fit and necessary that coffee houses be (for the future) put down and suppressed,” because “in such houses divers false, malitious and scandalous reports are devised and spread abroad to the Defamation of his Majesty’s Government and to the Disturbance of Peace and Quiet of the Realm.” So unpopular was this proclamation that it was almost instantly found necessary to withdraw it, and by Anne’s reign the coffee-house club was a feature of England’s social life.
Service clubs
Main article: Service Clubs
A Service club is a type of voluntary organization where members meet regularly for social outings and to perform charitable works either by direct hands-on efforts or by raising money for other organizations.
Social clubs
Main article: Social clubs
From the 18th-century clubs, two types evolved: social and political. Social clubs were made up of the social elite, and became known as “Gentlemen’s clubs”. There are these types of clubs:
Social and dining clubs which are permanent institutions with a fixed clubhouse. The London coffee-house clubs in increasing their members absorbed the whole accommodation of the coffeehouse or tavern where they held their meetings, and this became the clubhouse, often keeping the name of the original keeper, e.g. White's, Brooks's, Arthur's, Boodle's. The modern club, sometimes proprietary, i.e. owned by an individual or private syndicate, but more frequently owned by the members who delegate to a committee the management of its affairs, first reached its highest development in London, where the district of St. James’s has long been known as “Clubland”; but the institution has spread all over the English-speaking world. Many of those who energised the Scottish Enlightenment were members of the Poker in Edinburgh.
Clubs which meet occasionally or periodically and often have no clubhouse, but exist primarily for some specific object. Such are the many purely athletic, sports and pastimes clubs, the Jockey Club, the Alpine, chess, yacht and motor clubs. Also there are literary clubs, musical and art clubs, publishing clubs; and the name of “club” has been annexed by a large group of associations which fall between the club proper and mere friendly societies, of a purely periodic and temporary nature, such as slate, goose and Christmas clubs, which do not need to be registered under the Friendly Societies Act.
Clubs in England and Wales were not controlled by the licensing system until the Licensing Act of 1902 was passed, or in Scotland until the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1903 was passed. They were passed mainly to check the abuse of “clubs” being formed solely to sell intoxicating liquors free from the restrictions of the Licensing Acts, but it applied to all clubs in England and Wales, of whatever kind, from the humblest to the most exalted Pall Mall club. The act required the registration of every club which occupied any premises habitually used for the purposes of a club and in which intoxicating liquor was supplied to members or their guests. The secretary of every club was required to furnish to the clerk to the justices of the petty sessional division a return giving:
1. the name and objects of the club
2. the address of the club
3. the name of the secretary
4. the number of members
5. the rules of the club relating to:
1. the election of members and the admission of temporary and honorary members and of guests
2. the terms of subscription and entrance fee, if any
3. the cessation of membership
4. the hours of opening and closing
5. the mode of altering the rules
The same particulars must be furnished by a secretary before the opening of a new club. The act imposed heavy penalties for supplying and keeping liquor in an unregistered club. The act gave power to a court of summary jurisdiction to strike a club off the register on complaint in writing by any person on any of various grounds, including:
If it had fewer than 25 members.
If there was frequent drunkenness on the premises.
If persons were habitually admitted as members without 48 hours’ interval between nomination and admission.
If the supply of alcoholic liquor was not under the control of the members or the committee.
The earliest clubs on the European continent were of a political nature. These in 1848 were repressed in Austria and Germany, and later clubs of Berlin and Vienna were mere replicas of their English prototypes. In France, where the term cercle is most usual, the first was Le Club Politique (1782), and during the French Revolution such associations proved important political forces (see Jacobins, Feuillants, Cordeliers). Of the purely social clubs in Paris the most notable were The Jockey Club (1833) and the Cercle de la Rue Royale.
In the United States clubs were first established after the War of Independence. One of the first in date was the Hoboken Turtle Club (1797), which still survived as of 1911.
Social Activities Clubs
Social Activities Clubs are a modern combination of several other types of clubs and reflect today’s more eclectic and varied society. These clubs are centered around the activities available to the Club members in the City or area in which the club is located.
Events can include a broad range of activities from sporting events and social parties to the Ballet, the arts or book clubs. Unlike traditional clubs they are not limited to one kind of event or special interest, but include a broad range of events in their monthly calendars. The members choose which events the club is going to take part in based upon the changing interests of the members. The members themselves determine which events, of those offered, they will attend.
Because the purpose of these clubs is split between general social interaction and taking part in the events themselves, both single and married people can take part, though clubs tend to have more single members than married, and many clubs exist for only single people, or are limited just to married couples. There are even Activities clubs for gays and lesbians.
Membership can be limited or open to the general public, as can the events. Most clubs have a limited membership based upon specific criteria, and limit the events to members to increase the security of the members. That also creates an increased sense of commeradery and belonging among the members themselves.
Social Activities Clubs can be for profit, non-profit, and some are a mix of the two (A for profit club with a non-profit charitable arm, for instance).
For a more thorough discussion of club organizations in ancient Greece, see Ancient Greek clubs.
For a more thorough discussion of club organizations in the Roman Empire, see Roman clubs.
See also
Users' group
Writing circles
Working men's club
Probus Clubs
Childhood secret club
Service club
Nightclub
Aiya - [Bellingham, Washington, USA at Western Washington University] Includes meetings, news, history, and links.
Altered Reality Club - [Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada at Simon Fraser University] News, contests, FAQ, links, showing list, and weekly gaming.
Animated Perspectives - [Stony Brook, New York, USA at State University of New York] History, constitution, showings, and tape library.
Animation Exclamation - [Eastman, Georgia, USA] Site contains club information, forum, calendar, group, and links.
Anime 101 - [Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne] Meeting dates, members, convention information, list of titles, and MP3s.
Anime @ Carleton - [Ottawa, Ontario, Canada at Carleton University] Includes information about the club, events, constitution, and anime facts.
Anime Addicts - [Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA at Western Michigan University] Contains viewing schedule, news, library, office info, message board, and links.
Anime Alberta - [Alberta, Canada] Message board, features, information, events and several groups.
Anime and Manga Research Circle - [Web] Yahoo Group for scholars engaged in the academic study of anime and manga, associated subcultures, and Japanese popular culture.
Anime Angels - [Web] Community for Christian fans. Contests, adoptions, Winamp skins, articles, and artwork.
Anime Brunonia - [Providence, Rhode Island, USA at Brown University's Club] Information, news, events, synopses, library, and links.
Anime Fans Worldwide - [Web] Yahoo Group created to chat about anime, manga, cosplay, and j-rock. Includes links, polls, a spam free group chat room, and photo sharing,
Anime Nashville - [Nashville, Tennessee, USA] A club that holds meetings several times a month. Club information, current projects, reviews, images, and links.
Anime Organizations - [Web] Searchable listing of anime clubs and events worldwide.
Anime O-tekku - [Atlanta, Georgia, USA at Georgia Tech University] News, meetings, library, and contact details.
Anime Stack - [St. Louis, Missouri, USA at University of Missouri] Contains club schedule, contacts, and links.
AnimeFX - [San Francisco, California, USA at San Francisco State University] About the club, news, past shows, reviews, and forum.
10,000 Animeniacs - [Lubbock, Texas, USA at Texas Tech] Officer listing, FAQ, rules, schedule, and constitution.
AnimeXtreme - [Toronto, Canada] Showings, mailing list, members, how to join, multimedia, and links.
ANU Magical Girl Club - [Canberra, Australia at Australian National University] List of titles, screening schedule, staff profiles, and FAQ.
Anything-Goes Anime Club - [Martinsville, Virginia, USA] Members, meeting, play list, how to join, contacts, and RPG.
Atlanime - [Atlanta, Georgia, USA] Meeting schedule, rules, membership, library, sponsors list, mailing list and mascot information.
Baylor Anime Club - [Waco, Texas, USA at Baylor University] Includes anime list, members, points information, mailing list, contact, and guestbook.
Bloomsburg University Manga and Anime Club - [Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, USA at Bloomsburg University] Contains group information, news, meetings, member list, contact details, and links.
Cal-Animage Alpha - [Berkeley, California, USA at University of California] Meets weekly during the school year to show videos. Archives, schedule, and library.
Cal-Animage Epsilon Chapter - [Irvine, California, USA at University of California] Includes location, schedule, events, history, video library and links.
Carolina Otaku Uprising - [Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA at University of North Carolina] General information, showing schedule, kendo club, and links.
Central Florida Anime Club - [Deltona, Florida, USA] Meeting information, event information, officer lists, forums, sponsor information.
Christchurch Anime Tribe - [Christchurch, New Zealand] Fan works and information on the anim? society.
DC Anime - [Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, USA] Events calendar, forums, and gallery.
Delaware Anime Fans - [Delaware, USA] Club information, galleries, mailing list, forums and more.
Delaware Anime Society - [Wilmington and Dover, Delaware, USA and Pennsylvania, USA] Mailing list, club information, forum, member spotlight, streaming radio shows, newsletter, store, oekaki, media, affiliates and linking, cultural exchange and japanese penpals.
Indiana Animation Club - [Indianapolis, Indiana, USA at Warren Branch Public Library] Club information, soapbox forum, art gallery, links and contact information.
Japanese Animation Club of Orlando - [Orlando, Florida, USA at University of Central Florida] Schedule, news, staff profiles, and photos.
Japanese Connection: JCon - [Athens, Ohio, USA at Ohio University] About, activities, constitution, member information, contacts and links.
Kitsap County Anime Club - [Kitsap County, Washington, USA] Information, contact list, and how to join.
LCCC Anime Society - [Elyria, Ohio, USA at Lorain County Community College] Officers, constitution, events, meeting minutes, and convention reports.
Lincoln Anime and Manga Club - [Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA at Lincoln High School] News and information on the club.
Miso Anime Club - [Mobile, Alabama, USA at University of South Alabama] Provides information for anime fans in the area. Includes membership, club happenings and anime showing schedules.
MIT Anime Club - [Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA at Massachusetts Institute of Technology] Viewing schedule, club information, art, library, and links.
Namakemono Anime Club - [Ellensburg, Washington, USA at Central Washington University] Officers, list of titles, meeting times, minutes, and group information.
NCC Anime Club - [Naperville, Illinois, USA at North Central College] Club information, officers and members, FAQ, and links.
Neo Anime Club - [Pomona, California, USA at California State Polytechnic University] News, message boards, contact details, and mailing list.
New Castle Anime Club - [New Castle, Delaware, USA] Member list, application form, and FAQ.
No-Name Anime Society - [Saratoga, California, USA at Saratoga Library] Information about monthly showings and copies of newsletters.
Otaku Anime - [Livonia, Michigan, USA at Schoolcraft College] Club information, forum, galleries, blogs, Japanese lessons, otaku resources and mailing list.
Oxford Anime Society - [Oxford, UK at Oxford University] List of screenings and events.
P-noy Anime Otaku - [California Bay Area, USA] Yahoo group for people located in Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, CA . Primarily for Filipinos to promote and enjoy anime.
Russian Anime and Manga Association - [Russia] Club history, details about anime in Russia, and list of programs. Site is in English and Russian.
Rutgers Japanese Cultural Association - [New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA at Rutgers University] Contains officer listing, meeting schedule, and member details.
Shoujo Arts Society - [New Jersey, USA] Organization dedicated to promoting the genre in the. Membership and volunteering information, events, and links.
South Hills Anime Club - [Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA in South Hills Community] Club information, rules, survey, chat, links, and guestbook.
The St John's Anime Society - [St. John's NL, Canada, at Memorial University of Newfoundland] Information about the club and up-to-date news regarding upcoming events.
Suburban Otaku Squad - [King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA] Schedule, list of titles, and timed scripts.
Tempura Anime - [Santa Clara, California, USA at Santa Clara University] Club news and information, events/screening schedule, and community forums.
University of Michigan's Animania - [Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA at University of Michigan] List of screenings, a few MP3s, and series information.
University of Richmond Japanese Anime Club - [Virginia, USA at University of Richmond] UR Anime is no longer an active organization. However, the history of the club and all anime convention photo galleries are still showcased as a service to the public.
UTARPA - [Toronto, Canada at University of Toronto] About, location details, links, FAQ.
VideoBurn - [Riverside, California, USA at University of California] Information, series, event details, archive, forum, and links.
V-SWAT Headquarters - [Vancouver, BC, Canada] Vancouver 'Sleep is for Wimps' Anime Team. Club information, events, how to join, and links.
Wasabi Anime - [Florida, USA] Provides support and anime resources to the Southeastern. Includes contact information, forum, links, news and photographs.
WCU Japanese Animation Society - [Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA at Western Carolina University] General information, officer list, schedule, scrapbook, history and links.
Winnipeg Anime Club - [Manitoba, Canada] Meeting information, how to join, library of titles, and forum.
Wyvern - [Ogden, Utah, USA at Weber State University] Club information, gallery, forum, links and announcements.
Yale Anime Society - [Connecticut, USA at Yale University] Society charter, image and MIDI archive, schedule, member list, and links.
