Leadership.

Communication skills.

Community service.

Professional development.

These are all goals the Gold Bar Club centers their club around.

Although the club surfaced a few years ago, it is one of the newest clubs to be recognized by Student Government.

“Students may benefit from joining the club by doing meaningful work for the community as well as gain meaningful relationships with other members of the club,” Sean Coates, member of the Gold Bar Club said.

To a club whose mission statement has leadership and service the main focuses, many options to volunteer arise throughout the semester.

“As far as interesting events go our club does multiple community service events per semester,” Coates said.

The President of the Gold Bar Club, Sarah Buhler added “We hold quite a few community service events each semester.  For example, each semester we always make a trip to help out at Blue Chip Animal Farm because our members love working with animals.”

Buhler goes on to say that her favorite part of the club is the service they fulfill.

“I really enjoy community service and Blue Chip is my favorite place to help out.”

Learning through fun and interactive activities seems to be a theme for this club. While learning the basis of team building and leading, the Gold Bar Club takes a different view of how the lessons should be taught.

“We just had an event recently where we went to Skirmish to play paintball, except we used it as leadership training by putting members in charge of scenarios to see how well they can lead their peers,” Buhler said.

The Gold Bar Club pushes members to take a step out of their comfort zone and discover what they can achieve when they are under pressure.

“We are very big on leadership, especially leading while under pressure,” Buhler said. “Students would benefit from joining the club if they want to learn about leadership and service.  We do a lot to help teach our members the importance of those two things.”

Along with leadership and service, the club offers options of professional development.

Buhler explains the importance career exploration has in the club.

“One other thing we do is that each semester we try to get some alumni from Wilkes to come and talk to us about their careers.”

Hearing advice from someone who is in a job field of interest gives the members a grasp of what they work for in their college careers.

Relationships and networks are widened when goals such as leadership and service are stressed. Doing meaningful work connects the members on a stronger sense of friendship.

“My favorite part of the club is the close bond created between members.The work we do and the time we spend together forge close bonds between us that will definitely continue past graduation,” Coats said.

Contact Sarah Buhler at [email protected] if interested in joining the Gold Bar Club or for more information on the club.