Transition in the RSO

Maintaining a strong organization from officer to officer and year to year is incredibly important. Keeping a history of the RSO helps the organization continue it's growth, stay on-course with the organization's goals, and in keeping active membership. One of the biggest reasons that RSOs become inactive or struggle to remain active is due to a lack of proper passing of the reigns. The information on this page is to help guide RSOs in thinking about how to successfully transition their RSO.

When planning for transition in your RSO, consider the important aspects of your RSO and what it will need to continue to survive and be active. Below is a list of some things - certainly not all - that you should include in your transition.

• A report of the RSOs recent activity - include events, important changes, answers to common questions, etc.
• Information about the Center for Student Involvement and the resources/services we provide
• Information about RSO Resources and Policies (provide our website link!)
• Bank account information (if your RSO has a bank account)
  • You should even go with the new officer(s) to the bank to sign the account over
• An updated membership roster - keep your roster in DUBNET updated!
• Information about any storage/computer workstations that your RSO uses through our office
• Common all-RSO events information (i.e. Club Camp, Involvement Fairs, and Block Party)
• Success, failures and challenges that your RSO has faced
• Recommendations for future years
• Contact information for yourself and any outgoing officers (never know if the organization will need to contact you with a question!)
• Sharing resources that has been created for the RSO (i.e. the RSO's Microsoft Office 365 account, officer transition and/or event planning documents, advertising designs, etc.)
• Your advisor's contact information

This is very RSO-specific, but in general, it's a good idea to plan a transition process for each school year and/or transition of an officer(s). Most RSOs complete their elections in the Spring quarter, so with terms ending/beginning at the end of the school year. Often this means that the RSO uses the Spring and Summer as transition periods.

If your RSO is following this typical timeline, it's a good idea to ensure your RSO feels ready BEFORE the start of the school year. Otherwise, the organization will be playing catch-up.

RSO Reactivation occurs each school year to ensure that RSOs are remaining active and is completed through the Center for Student Involvement on DUBNET.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the annual re-registration period for RSOs began on Thursday, May 21st, 2025. RSO Reactivation will remain open until Wednesday, May 20th, 2026. Re-registering will allow your group to continue accessing RSO resources into the new school year; these include access to funding, space booking via 25Live, advertising privileges, and more. This year, re-registration will be used to make sure all RSOs comply with UW's rules regarding use of the UW name and the W logo. Most RSOs are fine, and if changes are needed, they'll be minor and if changes are needed, your club will be reached out to as needed.

Visit your RSO's page on DUBNET, and look for a message at the top of the screen urging you to re-register. Click the link to navigate to the form. You'll be asked for your new officers, and to re-confirm. 

Regardless of your re-registration status, you will continue to be able to access RSO funding and other resources through the previous academic year and you will also be able to attend Club Camp even if you have not completed re-registration. However, you will need to re-register your group to access RSO resources for the Summer quarter and the upcoming school year.