The members of the Diablo Valley College Honor Society are working hard to improve the community through events and fundraisers chosen and hosted by them.

Club president Ravil Kaliyeshev joined the club during his first semester at DVC in 2014 after a teacher’s recommendation. This is his first semester as club president, and he describes the club as something that will help form a better community.

“What I like about the club is that we also offer information on transferring, and we regularly get speakers from UC schools to come and inform our members,” said Kaliyeshev.

Scholarships are given to members with good grades, which is one of the top benefits for joining.

The purpose of the Honor Society, also known as Alpha Gamma Sigma, is to “foster, promote, maintain and recognize scholarships,” according to their official website.

The main goal for Kaliyeshev is expanding the club, and he was impressed after seeing more than 20 people join in one semester.

The club continues to recruit more members by putting up flyers and being more aggressive when looking for potential new people, according to marketing chair member Tiffany Alice.

Officers form committees, which allow for input and fresh, new ideas.

It’s something new adviser Chris Capozzo believes will work well for the club, as it drew him into their program.

He had been advising for another volunteer style club, which disbanded this semester.

“Honors Society is definitely an opportunity to work with students who care about their grades and volunteering. These are amazing students and this club has been strong for 30 years, because of the events all put together by them,” said Capozzo.

He also appreciates how volunteering at events can turn the club into a family, because of their connections through planning these events.

One of their upcoming fall events is volunteering at the “Light the Night Walk” in Walnut Creek’s Civic Park taking place on November 5.

New member Christina Coello, 18, joined after one of the Honors Society booths grabbed her attention outside of the cafeteria.

“It’s a good reason to work for a good GPA,” she said.

In order to become a member, a fee of $25 and a GPA of 3.0 or higher is required, and applicants need 12 or more units; there is an option of temporary membership. If possible, they must also show membership of the California Scholarship Federation.

Capozzo summed up the club perfectly: “There are just so many leadership opportunities, and it’s great to be around so many passionate people.”