Appalachian State University has many service organizations on campus, most of which are widely recognized and appreciated. Some examples of the better known organizations include fraternities and sororities. 

But, what about the smaller, less well known organizations? For example, have you ever heard of the Men’s Service Club?

The Appalachian Men’s Service Club was founded to help promote service of minorities on a predominantly all-white campus. It was the first organization of its kind to be founded at the university. 

Its purpose is to encourage African-American men to get involved with the school and surrounding community. The club comes up with ideas for projects that would benefit the community, then selects the best ideas to be their goals.

The club has 18 members, headed by president Anthony White. The club meets on Monday nights to present and vote on projects and discuss ideas. “The best part of being in the club is the family-type atmosphere,” said White. “We’re real close. It’s just like a second family.” 

The Men’s Service Club also works closely with its “Little Sisters,” a group of women whom White considers to be “the backbone of our organization.” They help the men plan and work on projects.

The club advisor, Rebecca Keeter, also plays an important role in deciding what projects the club is going to work on. “As an advisor, I facilitate and make sure everyone in the club gets a vote in which projects the club intends to do,” said Keeter. “The club is in the process of selecting projects for the Christmas holidays.

Some of the projects the club has done this year include volunteering at the Boone Hospitality House once a month. The men serve food to the homeless and help with other projects at the shelter. 

“We’re a minority, so this is a good way to demonstrate to the people of Boone that we care about the community and are willing to help out,” said White.

This weekend, club members spent Saturday at Ram’s (Resort Area Ministries) Rack, sorting second-hand clothing for distribution. They were also actively involved with homecoming weekend, working as security for a step dance that was held that evening.

The greatest contribution the club has made to Appalachian this year was its involvement in Prospective Student Weekend. Every member of the club hosted a high school student for a day, showing them around campus. 

The impact the club makes on these students is huge. “When I was a high school senior, I came to visit this campus. This club’s contributions to 
the student weekend influenced me to come here,” said White.

Randall Williams, this year’s club historian, records the club’s activities. He enjoys his job, and likes “being able to show the history, the work and the pride” that goes into the club.

In the future, the Men’s Service Club hopes to reach out and work together with other clubs on campus in hopes of creating stronger relationships with the university and its surrounding community. Currently, the club is in the process of selecting projects to work on during the Christmas holidays.