PHILOSOPHY CLUB PRESIDENT'S HANDBOOK

1. What we’re here for

This club is not about memorizing philosophers. It’s about learning how to think, how to see, and how to live. Your job as president is simple (though not easy): create a safe and comfortable space for questions, conversations, and end every session with members feeling a slight “aha”.
Core Values:

Think profoundly—ask questions that don’t have easy answers.
Speak freely—create a space where every voice matters equally.
Connect widely—bridge philosophy with art, science, and life.
Feel honestly—think not only with the mind, but also with the body and emotions.

2. The course (4 modules)

Use the following like Legos, you can mix and match them by semester.
I. The Self and Everyday Life—the self, rules, phones, anxiety, happiness, tech & freedom. Outcome: students can identify and develop their natural questions.
II. Art and Existence—beauty, tragedy, time & memory, space & place, ink painting, AI & art, music.
Outcome: students will learn to feel and to see.
III. Methods and Theories—myth,logos, doubt, reason vs experience, Kant, dialectics, phenomenology, language, logic, thought experiments.
Outcome: Students learn to argue systematically and coherently
IV. Applications and the Future—debates, essays, micro-exhibits, open talks.
Outcome: Students’ ideas can become public.
Tip: Each session uses the structure: Hook → Core idea (2 thinkers max) → Activity → Reflection.

3. How to run a meeting

Before (10 min)
Open the room, circle the chairs, test audio.
Write today’s big question on the board.
Lay out sticky notes + markers. (Snacks help A LOT.)
Duration (45–60 min)
Hook (5 min): a clip, meme, or quick poll. Tight timing.
Core (10–15 min): tell one short story for each thinker. No lectures or jargon.
Activity (20–25 min): pairs or small groups. Make something: a map, a list, a sketch, a few lines. Share (5–10 min): one insight per group.
Exit (2 min): “One sentence I’m leaving with.”

If things get stuck: ask, “Can someone give a real example?”, or a few minutes of silent notes then share.

4. Template for a term

Pick a guiding question. (e.g: What is real?, How should I live?)

Choose 6–8 lessons that fit the question (from Modules I–III).
Order from light and easy to understand → deep and abstract
Plan a small showcase (Module IV): mini-debate or wall display
Pin down the dates and rooms. Put every session in a shared calendar.

5. Recruiting and keeping people

The logic: curious visitor → regular member → contributor → leader
Pre-term (2 weeks before): posters with real questions (“Can any sound be music?”) optional: 30s teaser trailer
Week 1: 45 minutes, three big questions, zero homework.
Week 2: collect interests (Microsoft Forms), or let students vote on sessions
Mid-term: invite two members to co-host a segment.
End-term: publish something, such as a video/article etc. Need to show to teachers and parents that you’re not just eating snacks.

6. Roles and training (keep it light but clear)

President: designs the session, sets the tone, initiates and controls conversations, logistics, room booking, gear, attendance, PPT, posters, notes, photos.
Members: be attentive, be respectful, contribute to conversations, older members can lead a session per term.

7. Public sharing

Pick one per term:
Philosophy display wall in the hallway (need consent)
Lightning debate during lunch time
Mini-journal (pdf): 6-8 short works and images, upload to school social media (don’t be too serious)

8. Ground rules (share first)

Be curious, but moral

Say “I think...” not “obviously..”
Disagree with ideas, not people.
Devices down during share-time
Try to share your source, state where you borrowed your ideas.

9. The archive (the real legacy)

Keep a single shared drive with: PPT
Scripts
Posters and reels

Photos (dated)
Handover—a short letter: wins, mistakes, and “if I had one more month...”

10. First 30 days checklist

Set the term’s guiding question.
Pick 6–8 lessons and dates.
Book rooms; test projector and speakers.
Recruit your core team and shadows.
Plan Week-1 Café and Week-6 showcase.
Open the shared drive; drop last term’s best 3 artifacts. Write a two-sentence club intro for teachers and the website.

11. Your voice as president

Remember that you are a host, not a judge. Ask short questions and leave good silences. Show openness, vulnerability sometimes. If a session feels chaotic but honest, you’re doing it right—Philosophy started as a messy chat.
Most of all, keep the questions alive—and never forget to bring food.