Everyone who joins a club becomes part of its legacy, whether they’re an officer or a member at large who just attends functions. It’s up to the club historian to record the notable events during his tenure. The position, however, extends beyond just writing down what happens. The historian’s job duties can extend to being a photographer, filmmaker and researcher.

Scrapbook

Compiling a year-end scrapbook is typically one of the club historian’s main duties. All significant information involving the club should be included in the scrapbook, including club advertisements, newsletters, newspaper articles, event programs, ticket stubs and photos. The historian doesn’t have to be as intrusive as a member of the paparazzi, but he should show up to events with a camera, or he needs to delegate that responsibility. The scrapbook can be a simple collection of material or a professional-level bound book with high-quality scans. It all depends on the historian’s imagination, technological knowledge and budget. The historian can also use his camcorder to make a video scrapbook. The important thing is to collect keepsakes that club members can look back on.

Record Book

Many clubs keep detailed record books similar to those maintained by sports teams. Some clubs even go back decades. The historian needs to write all pertinent information in the book, such as the year's officers and award winners. All information should be double-checked for accuracy. If there is no record book, the historian should start one.

Collect Nominees

Some historians collect the nominations for the club's awards, such as Person of the Year. The historian needs to ensure that the nomination process is well-paced and fair, keeping the awards committee informed of any problems. At the cutoff date, the historian presents the nominees to the awards committee.

Keep Members Updated

A historian can serve to remind club members of upcoming milestones and other important dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries. He should refer to the club's historical documents, such as past scrapbooks and newsletters, to make sure all relevant dates are recognized.