Tufts Blogs

During your first few weeks at Tufts, you’ll inevitably get roped into attending a few General Interest Meetings, or GIMs. GIMs mark the first meeting of the semester for most clubs, giving them a chance to showcase their organization to potential new members. 

At these GIMs, one term is often thrown around: e-board. Using context clues, you could probably figure out that this is the group of students in charge of running the club. However, despite the shared terminology, each club’s e-board contains different rules, compositions, and responsibilities. In my two and a half years at Tufts thus far, I have served on three e-boards: JumboCast, Baseball Analytics at Tufts, and The Tufts Daily. So, I thought I’d give you the inside scoop on what an e-board is, including its etymology, an explanation of its functions, and a recap of my experiences serving on them. 

Etymology:

Frankly, I’m not entirely sure if there is one meaning for the term e-board, but I included this section for alliterative purposes. Typically, “e-board” means either “executive board” or “elected board.” Neither term is correct nor incorrect, and it's best just to refer to the body as an e-board. Moreover, the boards are both executive and elected in nature and function, so either approach is valid. In any case, it is wise to get used to the parlance, as it is just one of many new terms you’ll encounter at Tufts. 

Explanation:

The functions of an e-board differ based on the club it serves. Typically, they consist of a president, a vice president, and a treasurer, who works with the Tufts Community Union Treasury to approve the club’s budget. Beyond those roles, clubs can add as many unique roles to their e-board as they see fit. Most e-boards have between five and ten members, though some larger organizations have far more officials. E-boards plan events for the club, guide its future prospects, run meetings, seek out new members, ensure compliance with Tufts regulations, and keep members informed. It is their job to create a welcoming, successful, and enjoyable environment for members. 

E-board elections are typically held at the conclusion of the fall or spring semester so that the next crop of leaders can begin their positions as soon as the next semester starts. Many clubs also have junior leadership roles, a rung down from the e-board, that prepare underclassmen to one day take over more senior positions. Further, clubs usually have a separate, weekly meeting for their e-board so that the board can touch base and discuss initiatives without interrupting a general, club-wide meeting. 

E-board members, while they still get to participate in their clubs’ activities, should not take their responsibilities lightly. They have to work with the Tufts Office for Campus Life to ensure all members feel comfortable and accepted. Moreover, clubs manage fairly sizable budgets, which require diligence to maintain. Importantly, e-boards often shape a student’s experience in a club. For better or worse, those who lead the meetings provide a first and lasting impression. Thus, it is crucial to be cordial and respectful to uphold the best possible experience for all members.

Experiences:

The first e-board I was elected to was that of JumboCast, Tufts’ student-run broadcasting group for its athletic events. I was elected about a month into the spring semester of my freshman year and served as the Batted Ball Chair for the club. In that role, I had to create commentary guides, featuring statistics, narratives, and routine updates, for club members to use during baseball and softball broadcasts. Also, I gave commentary lessons consisting of tips and techniques for broadcasting baseball and softball calls. Lastly, I stayed after each Monday night meeting for an e-board-only session.

Serving on an e-board as a freshman was an invaluable experience. I got to immerse myself in something I enjoyed, forge bonds with some incredible people, and gain experience in situations of genuine responsibility. Critically, the experience taught me how to balance serious involvement with a club with my academics, something I had not previously had to do in college. 

The next e-board I joined was that of Baseball Analytics at Tufts, at the conclusion of my freshman year. BAT is a much smaller club than JumboCats, with fewer routine responsibilities. My title was Head of Operations, a role in which I continue to serve today. My duties include planning weekly meetings with the other e-board members, presenting at the GIM, and seeking out and hosting guest speakers for the club. BAT does not conduct weekly e-board meetings and is a much less time-intense environment, but I’ve nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed staying engaged with baseball year-round through my role.

Lastly, I served as the Executive Sports Editor for The Tufts Daily during the spring 2025 semester. Tufts is the institution with the smallest undergraduate population in America that still has a daily campus newspaper, meaning leadership roles are quite involved. Instead of being elected, I applied for the position and was chosen by the managing board after having served as the Deputy Executive Editor. Serving on the e-board for a club like The Daily requires another level of commitment. It was basically a job, as execs have to handle crises that can occur 24 hours each day. In my role, I planned out sports section content, hosted meetings, edited up to five articles each day, found sources for articles, kept up with Tufts athletics, communicated with a section of 20 writers, attended weekly e-board meetings, and went to Daily-wide events. While the role was certainly a lot of responsibility, I do not regret taking it. I met incredible people, played a vital part in keeping the Tufts community informed, and thoroughly enjoyed doing the job each day. After one semester as an exec, I returned to writing for the Sports and Features sections. 

Overall, I’d highly recommend being on an e-board at Tufts. They provide an opportunity to immerse yourself in a passion, meet amazing people, and gain valuable leadership experience. Simply, they make your time and involvement at Tufts more meaningful. Additionally, e-board roles sometimes stand out just as much on a resume as an internship or part-time job. While they can be a lot to manage, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Just don’t ask what the term means. I’m still unsure. 

Photo Credit: Briana Chen, The Tufts Daily