A new Verbena athletic booster club decided on its bylaws and officers this week and hopes to attract new members and begin supporting the school.

The V-Club held its third and most recent meeting Tuesday, when Mike Cleckler, pastor of Zion Ridge Church of God, was elected president.

“The first thing we want to do is try to reconnect the community to the school,” said Cleckler, a 1986 VHS graduate who recently moved back to the area. “It used to be a stronger and more positive attitude toward the school and all it represents.”

The school had been without an active booster club for at least a couple of years, VHS principal Robin Cagle said.

Other officers elected Tuesday were Don Patterson as vice-president, Dianne Patterson as secretary, Leslie Mims as treasurer, and Christy Bryant and Keisha Washington as fundraiser chairwomen.

Dianne Patterson said the club will support Verbena athletics on all levels, including youth league. A board of directors will be formed soon and include representatives from the community at-large, youth league, junior high, varsity and faculty.

“We’re very excited that they’re going that route and pulling all the stakeholders in so everybody can work together for the good of the school,” Cagle said.

Dues to join the club are $20 for a year, and any concerned citizen is welcome, whether they be alumni, parents, students or just local residents. There are about 40 current members.

An open enrollment period will be held in January-February 2012.

Patterson said Chilton County Circuit Clerk Glenn McGriff has been instrumental in helping get the club on its feet. McGriff, a 1976 VHS graduate, is active in Jemison High School’s Quarterback Club.

“He loves Verbena, too,” Patterson said.

Patterson mentioned a gymnasium in need of new floor varnish and windows, and baseball dugouts damaged by storms, as projects on the horizon that the club hopes to help with.

“We were just seeing the sports program—a lot of things were not getting taken care of,” Patterson said. “I have a 16-month-old, and I hope one day she goes to school there, and I hope by the time she does, things will be better.”

For more information about the V-Club, call the school at 280-2820.