Service club is one of the most popular clubs here at Berlin, and this year many significant changes have been made to make the club more organized now that it has grown so much.
One of the biggest updates about Service Club is that there are new advisors this year. In the past, Mr. Gunn and Mr. Brazen were in charge of the club, but now that they have moved on, Mrs. Weaver and Mrs. Butler have taken it over.
“I’ve always believed in the power of student-led service to build empathy, leadership, and community. Taking over Service Club felt like a natural extension of my passion for helping students grow beyond the classroom,” Butler said, “Mrs. Weaver and I wanted to create a space where students could take initiative, connect with real-world needs, and feel empowered to make a difference.”
The new advisors want to reorganize the club to make it easier to manage. One new thing they will implement is the pre-approval form for hours. This is to be filled out three days before the service is completed in order to ensure that the hours count. In addition to this, hours are to be logged within three days of completion so that the advisors don’t get too backed up when they go to enter hours.
Service Club also plans to meet once a semester to make sure that all members stay caught up and to discuss future planned events. All information will also be communicated though the Service Club Schoology page.
“This year, we hope to introduce more specific areas like outreach and donations for specific causes. We will also create service opportunities and streamline communication through a shared digital course in Schoology so everyone stays informed and engaged. Hours will also be managed and logged within Schoology,” Butler said.
Weaver and Butler have also emphasized how important it is to log hours in Schoollinks. School counselors have access to this program and this is what they will look at when they determine who met the hour requirement to get the service chord at graduation. Students need to have at least 150 hours to receive this.
Another thing that is new to Service Club this year are officer positions. Many Berlin students applied and four were selected for leadership roles within the club: Hannah Davis ‘2, Amanda Heilman ‘2, Kaleigh Locard ‘26, and Kate Rizzo ‘2. They will help to plan events and organize hours and also brainstorm new ideas for the club.
“This year we are looking to provide support to communities both inside and outside of our district. Additionally, we’re looking for students who have causes or foundations that they want to help provide service for,” Lockard said, “We hope that we can offer aid to charities and organizations that students feel connected to and passionate about.”
Service Club is Berlin’s biggest club and therefore takes a lot of work to keep under control.
“[A] challenge has been balancing the logistics—coordinating events, managing communication, and ensuring student ideas align with school policies—while still keeping the energy and momentum going. There are a lot of moving parts, especially when students have big visions and limited time,” Butler said.
Many people join Service Club in order to get hours for the National Honors Society and their college applications, but to also support others and pursue their passion for something they care about.
Ever since Berlin’s opening, this popular club has provided many opportunities for students to help others and get involved in their community. It will continue to do the same for many years to come, even though it may look a little different than it has in the past.
“I envision Service Club becoming a cornerstone of our school culture—where service is not just an extracurricular, but a mindset. I’d love to see partnerships with local organizations, student-led initiatives that grow year after year, and a legacy of compassionate leadership through service that continues long after students graduate,” Butler said.
