Nas C Student Council Handbook

Student
Council
Handbook
2014 Edition
A student council resource by the National Association of Student Councils
n Elections n Constitutions n Projects n Parliamentary Procedure
n Officers & Committees n Forms and Models
1904 Association Drive

Reston, VA 20191-1537
703-860-0200
[email protected]
NASC is a program of NASSP www.nasc.us
NASSP
(partial staff listing)
JoAnn Bartoletti
Executive Director
Beverly Hutton
Deputy Executive Director
of Programs
Dennis Sadler
Deputy Executive Director
of Operations
NASC NATIONAL OFFICE

(partial staff listing)
Ann Postlewaite
Director of Student Programs
Jeff Sherrill
Associate Director of
National Association of
Student Councils
Anne Knudsen
Manager, Student Programs
© 2001 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Revised 2007, 2014
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
NASC is a program of NASSP

Reston, VA 20191-1537
703-860-0200
[email protected]
www.nasc.us
ISBN 978-0-88210-376-1
Introduction
Since 1931 the goal of the National Association of Student Councils (NASC) has been to
help all student councils become more effective leadership organizations. NASC repre-
sents middle level and high school councils nationwide and supports its members’ efforts
to build valuable leadership partnerships between students and their schools by creating
opportunities for students to become effective leaders.
NASC’s premise is that a student council is the one organization in a middle level or high
school that exists to be representative of the student body and serve as the collective voice
of the students. Student councils support the educational mission of schools through pro-
gramming and sponsoring activities and events that contribute to positive climates and
foster academic and social growth. Student councils open doors for students to experience
and practice democratic principles and learn the value of participatory citizenship. They
are strongest when all students are encouraged to participate.
Broad student participation in school and community activities is an essential part of

building a positive school climate, and student councils have the capacity to engage large
and diverse student populations in their projects, activities, and events. NASC delivers
resources, training, and recognition that support the efforts of faculty advisers who have
the responsibility to manage their student councils and foster the development of student
council leaders.
Knowing that empowered students are catalysts for positive change in their school and
community and that student leaders have the responsibility to be positive role models,
NASC supports the belief that every secondary school (grades 6–12) should have a student
council. NASC understands that student councils play a vital role in preserving knowledge
of and practice in the democratic process and promotes that as a fundamental purpose of
all student councils.
Leadership training is essential to allow developing leaders to achieve their full potential,
and that student and adviser involvement in state and national programs enhance a local
school’s development of its student leaders. To espouse its beliefs and to promote excel-
lence in student council programs, NASC identifies four tenets that provide focus to its
efforts: leadership, service, student voice, and engagement. Together those tenets form the
basis for the NASC standards. NASC has adopted clarifying points for each of the tenets to
ensure a common dialogue for principals, advisers, and student council leaders to reflect
on the roles and purposes of their own student councils.
Leadership
• Student councils set a positive course for others to follow
• Student councils develop and expand leadership knowledge and skills in their mem-
bers and other students
• Student councils explore and practice democratic principles, active citizenship, and
provide opportunities for others to do so
Introduction n iii
Service
• Student councils strive to build an environment of caring through volunteerism
• Student councils create opportunities for members to serve within the school and
community
• Student councils incorporate elements of service learning into their service activities
to support improving students’ academic strengths
Voice
• Student councils are the voice of their student bodies, serving as the link between the
students and the school
• Student councils create opportunities for every member of the student body a chance
to express his/her ideas, concerns, or opinions
• Student councils share ideas, concerns, and solutions through positive communica-
tions
Engagement
• Student councils sponsor activities, projects, and events that are fully accessible and
inclusive to all students
• Student councils work to make every student feel welcome and a part of school life
• Student councils foster a safe and inviting culture for all students
NASC established and maintains two sets of standards, one for middle level student
councils and another high school councils, and encourages its members to frame their
programs and efforts with the goal of meeting the standards. The standards are promoted
to councils through the NASC National Councils of Excellence Awards. NASC member
councils are encouraged to strive to meet the standards and demonstrate consistency of
excellence by applying annually to earn a National Councils of Excellence Award.
The NASC standards are also woven into the NASC Distinguished Student Leader pro-
gram, which features a rigorous demonstration-based curriculum for high school student
leaders. Whether done independently or integrated into a leadership class, the Distin-
guished Student Leader program challenges individual student leaders to explore lead-
ership as it pertains to their own styles, levels of skill and knowledge, and philosophies.
Those who successfully complete the program criteria earn national recognition from
NASC and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Whether your student council is newly formed, has undergone a recent makeover, or
has a long-standing tradition at your school, this NASC Student Council Handbook is an
important resource to keep and refer to as your student council conducts its business
and project activities. In the handbook, you will find numerous topics that are common to
most every student council in both middle level and high schools as well as sample forms
designed for use with a variety of student council activities, including calendars, meeting
minutes, and committee reports.
The NASC Student Council Handbook should not stand alone as your only student council
reference. Councils will get the most benefit by using the handbook in conjunction with
other tools and resources that are available at www.nasc.us.
iv n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................... iii Reducing the Negative Effects of Elections.....................41

Installation of Officers and Representatives.....................41
Chapter 1: NASC History and Philosophy .....................1
Historical Timeline................................................................1 Chapter 7: Member and Officer Responsibilities ......43
Four Tenets of NASC............................................................4 Conduct Guidelines for Student Leaders..........................43
Student Council Philosophy.................................................4 President..............................................................................44
Vice President......................................................................45
Chapter 2: Student Council in the 21st Century .........5 Recording Secretary............................................................45
Student Voice........................................................................5 Corresponding Secretary....................................................45
Civic Engagement.................................................................6 Treasurer..............................................................................46
Possible Issues.......................................................................7 Historian...............................................................................46
Case Study............................................................................ 7 Parliamentarian...................................................................46
Service and Service Learning............................................. 9 Representatives and Committee Members......................47
Activities for All.................................................................. 10 Committee Chairs...............................................................47
Putting it All Together....................................................... 11 Other Elected or Appointed Offices..................................48
Recognizing Excellence in Leadership............................ 11 Adviser.................................................................................48
Chapter 3: Student Council 101: Getting Started ......13 Chapter 8: Meeting Management
How To Start a Student Council in Your School...............13 and Procedures ....................................................................51
Types of Student Council Organization Models...............16 Planning a Meeting.............................................................51
Practical Questions and Answers......................................18 Business Meetings..............................................................52
Chapter 4: Student Council Operation in Principles of Parliamentary Logic......................................52
Secondary Schools ..............................................................23 Main Considerations of Parliamentary Logic...................52
Working with the Student Body.........................................23 Motions................................................................................52
Maintaining an Open Membership Policy........................24 Common Parliamentary Procedure Terms........................53
Scheduling Activities.........................................................24 Responsibilities of the Chair..............................................54
Developing Effective Communication with Students.....25 Parliamentary Procedures in Order of Precedence..........55
Earning Students’ Respect.................................................25 Parliamentary Procedures in No Order of Precedence....55
Participating in Educational and Community Why Teach Parliamentary Procedures?.............................56
Meetings.........................................................................26 Do Student Councils Need Parliamentary Procedure?....57
Working with the Adviser..................................................26 Alternatives to Parliamentary Procedure..........................57
Working with the Principal.................................................27 Resources.............................................................................59
Working with the Faculty...................................................27 Chapter 9: Financial Procedures ....................................61
Working with the School Board.........................................27 Establishing a Budget.........................................................61
Working with Parent Groups..............................................28 Keeping Good Records.......................................................62
Chapter 5: Constitution and Bylaws .............................29 Accounting Principles........................................................62
Elements of a Constitution.................................................29 Bookkeeping........................................................................63
Writing the Constitution.....................................................30 Chapter 10: Student Council Committees ...................65
Changing the Constitution.................................................30 Types of Committees..........................................................65
Constitution Survey............................................................31 Committee Functions.........................................................66
Chapter 6: Election Process .............................................33 What Committees Are Needed?........................................66
The Nomination...................................................................34 Committee Structure..........................................................66
Campaigning and Campaign Rules...................................35 Typical Standing Committees............................................67
Meet the Candidates..........................................................35 Appointing Special (Ad Hoc) Committees.......................68
Speeches..............................................................................36 Meeting Time for Committees...........................................68
Suggested Rules for Campaigning and Speeches...........36 Committee Reports.............................................................69
Tips for Writing a Successful Campaign Speech.............37 Implementing Committee Assignments...........................69
The Election Procedure......................................................38 Group Dynamics in Committee Meetings........................70
Voting Procedures...............................................................39 Leadership in Small Groups...............................................70
National Student Project Database....................................72
NASC History and Philosophy n v

Table of Contents continued
Chapter 11: Projects—Plan, Implement, Record Sheet for Taking Minutes......................................96

and Evaluate .........................................................................73 Sample of Completed Basic Minutes................................98
Project Guidelines...............................................................73 Other Forms That Student Councils Use........................100
How To Get Started.............................................................73
Preparing an Effective Questionnaire...............................74 Appendix 4: Sample Constitutions and
Planning Projects at the Committee Level........................75 Installation Ceremony.....................................................101
Getting Projects Off the Ground........................................75 Build Your Own Constitution...........................................101
Evaluating Projects and Activities....................................76 Sample Middle School Constitution................................105
Sample Student Council Ceremony.................................109
APPENDICES Appendix 5: Project Examples.......................................111

Homecoming.....................................................................111
Appendix 1: NASC Standards and Service Project...................................................................111
Recognition for Excellence in Student Turning Service into Service Learning............................112
Councils, Student Leaders, and Advisers ...................77 Project Ideas.......................................................................112
Student Voice Projects—Activities and Projects that
Appendix 2: Statement of the National provide opportunities for students to give
Association of Secondary School Principals on their input or express their opinion............................112
Student Activities ...............................................................83 Civic Engagement—Activities and Projects that
Appendix 3: Sample Forms ..............................................85 provide civic-based experiences................................113
Meeting Agenda Outline....................................................85 Service—Activities and Project that provide
Sample Meeting Agenda....................................................87 volunteer opportunities................................................114
General Council Operation Forms.....................................88 Activities for All—Projects and Activities divided
Motions Form.......................................................................89 by category...................................................................115
Sample Budget Format.......................................................89 Appendix 6: State Student Council
Committee Assignment and Worksheet Associations.........................................................................121
for Initial Planning..........................................................90
Committee Timeline Form..................................................93
vi n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Chapter 1
NASC History and Philosophy
M illions have played a part, large and small, in the more than 75-year history of the
National Association of Student Councils (NASC). Millions have helped make NASC
the vital organization it is today. For members of an organization, understanding its histo-
ry—just as family members should know their roots—helps define their place within it and
gives them a sense of belonging to a program that is larger than their local activities.
NASC is a program of the National Association of Secondary School Principals
(NASSP). Because 75 years is a great deal of history to cover and keep manageable, the
history has been put into a timeline. All the people involved in the history of NASC have
been dedicated to helping students make a difference in their schools; even those not
mentioned in this brief history carried the belief that you are now entrusted to maintain.
Historical Timeline
1930–32: The Beginning
At Sapulpa High School, near Tulsa, OK, Principal E. H. McCune
gave the student council many responsibilities. To foster idea ex-
change and problem solving, McCune and Sapulpa hosted the first
central Oklahoma meeting for student council presidents. The stu-
dent council president at Sapulpa, Warren E. Shull, was a teenager
similar to those today. He had the idea, or vision, that this type of
meeting would be helpful at the state level.
His idea kept building, until he met Willis Sutton, National
Warren E. Shull
Education Association (NEA) president, at the Oklahoma State
NASC Founder
meeting. Sutton invited Shull to attend the NEA annual conven-
tion and to begin plans for a department within NEA for student
government presidents. Shull traveled by train, with very little money, to the 1931 NEA
convention in Los Angeles. There he held the first national meeting of student officers—
with nine people present.
In 1932, Shull hitchhiked to the NEA convention in New Jersey. At this convention, the
National Association of Student Government Officers (NASGO) was formally created, and
Shull was elected as president. Shull continued to foster the student organization while at-
tending college. In 1936 the name was changed to National Association of Student Officers
(NASO), and the group joined NASSP as part of the NEA at its headquarters in Chicago.
By 1936, Shull’s perseverance and dedication to the student council idea and the early
enthusiasm of other students, educators, and individual advisers had made great contribu-
tions to the survival and growth of the NASO. The NASO meeting in 1936 had grown to
200 attendees. Meetings continued to be held at the NEA convention until 1942 and the
onset of World War II.
NASC History and Philosophy n 1

1935 The first magazine for student officers, ■■ Arizona Association of Student Body Govern-
Student Leader, was published. It was an eight-page ments
magazine and was published monthly during the ■■ Arizona Association of Student Officers
school year. In 1937, the publication changed its title ■■ Arkansas Association of Student Governments
to Student Life. ■■ Associated Bodies of the Student Councils of
Massachusetts
1940 NASO changed names again to National
■■ Associated Student Councils of Massachusetts
Association of Student Councils (NASC), and Grace
■■ Colorado Association of High School Student
Anderson of Grover Cleveland High School in Queens,
Councils
NY, served as executive secretary of the organization.
■■ Connecticut Federation of Student Councils
Anderson also was president of an advisers group, the
■■ Federation of Oklahoma High School Student
National Association of Sponsors of Student Participa-
Councils
tion in School Administration, which was allied with
■■ Florida Association of Student Leaders
NEA.
■■ Georgia Association of Student Governments
1942 Paul E. Elicker, National Association of Sec- ■■ Indiana State Association of Student Councils
ondary School Principals executive secretary, became ■■ Maine Association of Student Councils in Sec-
executive secretary of NASC. Walter Hess of NASSP ondary Schools

was given the day-to-day operation of NASC on a ■■ New Jersey Association of High School Councils
part-time basis. ■■ North Carolina Student Council Congress

■■ Pennsylvania Association of Student Participa-
1943 NASSP became the sponsoring and sup- tion in School Government
porting organization for NASC. For the first time in ■■ Student Cooperative Association of Virginia
its 12-year history, NASC received full support from a ■■ West Virginia Student Co-Government Associa-
parent organization. NASC, through its alliance with tion
NASSP, found an even louder, more credible voice and ■■ Wisconsin High School Student Council Asso-
grew to 200 member schools ciation.
To help unify NASC, Van Pool asked that all asso-
1947 NASC had grown to 1,900 member schools
ciations use the name (State) Association of Student
with 20 state associations and required a full-time
Councils. NASC offered its support and services to
director. Elicker hired Gerald M. Van Pool to serve
as the first NASC director, a position he held for 23 the state secretaries in an effort to encourage them to
years, until his retirement in 1970. Van Pool came from serve a minimum three-year term, thereby providing
Wisconsin where he was executive secretary of the a stronger base for the state associations. NASC sent
High School Student Council Association. As this was model state constitutions and a step-by-step proce-
a new position, Van Pool had no guidelines or prec- dure for holding a state constitutional convention to
edents to follow. To justify the position, NASC would the states that did not have associations.
have to provide talented leadership, help to determine 1948 After the war, NASC returned to holding
the aims and objectives of the student council move- an annual conference, this time on its own, instead of
ment, and outline worthy projects and activities. As at the NEA convention. It was held at Coolidge High
a practical matter, it would also have to build NASC School in Washington, DC, and was limited to 400
membership to obtain operating funds for new services. delegates. The responsibility for selecting conference
An advisory committee was selected by the NASC delegates was given to the state associations.
office, the state associations, and the NASSP Board of
Directors to help establish goals, develop programs, 1951 NASC continued to increase its services to
and advise the NASC director. states and make student councils stronger. NASC col-
Only 20 states had loosely organized state student lected valuable information on student council practic-
council associations with widely varying names such es and procedures and reported them through articles
as: and publications. Prior to these publications, little had
2 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

been written about student councils. The articles gave New goals were set for the National Association of
the student council movement a sense of direction, Student Councils:
explained the reasons for student council, and helped ■■ Promote the activities of its members and its
principals and council advisers fit student council into own office
student activity programs. ■■ Serve as a communications link among member
schools
1952 A small summer workshop was held at
■■ Represent the NASC and its members nationally
Camp La Foret in Colorado under the leadership of
■■ Work to develop other student organizations to
George Mathes. It provided valuable training in direct-
meet more of the needs of local students.
ing a student activity program. This workshop was to
become the model for the annual National Leadership
1972 Robert Gaut from Louisiana was chosen
Camps.
as the new NASSP student activities director. NASC
1956 The International European Tours for Inter- had a new direction: to stress leadership training and
national Understanding Program was initiated with provide resources for member schools.
a six-week tour of Europe. The tour was promoted Two more leadership camp sites were added.
by Van Pool for international understanding among
students in various countries. The program, held every 1974 Terry Giroux took over the reins as direc-
three years, continued until 1970. tor of student activities. Giroux established a new
direction for NASC, reflected in the title change of the
1958 NASC wrote a new constitution, which activities magazine to Student Advocate. A more vital,
became the first NASC constitution since the founding more relevant NASC was the goal—to tackle topics
documents were created with NASGO in the 1930s. discussed in the cafeteria, the halls, in student govern-
(NOTE: The latest revision was adopted in 2000.) ment meetings, and in the classroom.
The Williamsburg Student Burgesses Program was The International Student Leadership Program took
held in cooperation with Colonial Williamsburg. The 100 U.S. students to five European cities to participate
program was designed to bring together outstanding in intensive leadership training sessions in their ship-
student leaders from each state, along with students board classrooms.
from other countries, to share ideas and discuss nation-
al and world problems. The program thrived until 1971. 1981 A new logo was developed for NASC in
recognition of its 50th anniversary. Founder Warren E.
1959 NASC assumed control of the National
Shull was on hand for the celebration.
Leadership Training Camp operating at Camp Cheley
National Leadership Camps now numbered seven,
in Colorado.
with five senior high and two middle level camps offer-
1963 All 50 states had state student council ing leadership training.
associations providing such services as leadership
workshops and an organization of statewide student 1982 The NASC Advisory Committee was re-
council projects for member schools. named the NASC Executive Board with a major revi-
sion of the constitution. Additional amendments were
1970 Robert Fitzsimmons, principal of John F. made in 1984, 1990, 1995, and most recently in 2000.
Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, IA, was ap-
pointed director of the Office of Student Activities at 1983 The Division of Student Activities was
NASSP, and he assumed the responsibility of manag- formed within NASSP to provide comprehensive
ing NASC. student activities services and manage the many as-
The NASC advisory committee structure was com- sociations and programs for members.
pletely changed. One student and one adult (teacher
or administrator), were selected by each region to sit 1986 Dale Hawley, a principal from New York
on the committee. The committee would lead NASC state, became the director of the Division of Student
and a national president would no longer be elected. Activities at NASSP.
NASC History and Philosophy n 3

1988 The publication for student activities was
FOUR TENETS OF STUDENT COUNCIL
re-named Leadership for Student Activities.
1989 After founder Warren Shull’s death, the Leadership

Warren E. Shull Adviser of the Year awards were ■■ Set a positive course for others to follow
established to honor outstanding student council ■■ Develop and expand leadership
advisers at the state, regional, and national levels. The knowledge and skills in yourselves and
first recipient was Kay Baker of L. D. Bell HS in Texas. others
■■ Explore and practice democratic
1993 The first NASC area conference was held principles and citizenry
in Fairmont, W.Va. Area conferences were developed Service
to enhance state programs, expand the outreach of ■■ Build an environment of caring through
NASC, and offer multi-state experiences for those who volunteerism
could not attend the NASC national conference. ■■ Serve others in the school and
community
1994 Leadership of the newly named NASSP ■■ Expand academic strengths through
Department of Student Activities (DSA) and NASC service learning
was assumed by Rocco Marano, who had worked in
DSA for 18 years.
Voice
■■ Be the voice of your student body
1997 The first National Leadership Academy was ■■ Give every student the chance to be
held to bring state officers together for specialized heard
training. ■■ Share ideas, concerns, and solutions
through positive communications
2005 NASC spearheaded a national effort for Engagement
student councils to assist with relief efforts after ■■ Promote fully accessible and inclusive
Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast area of activities and events
the United States. ■■ Make every student feel welcome and a
part of school life
2006 NASC commemorated its 75th anniversary ■■ Foster a safe and inviting culture for all
with special activities and magazine features through- students
out the year. The anniversary was highlighted during
the NASC National Conference held at North Penn
High School in Pennsylvania.
Student Council Philosophy
2007 NASC refocused its vision, mission, and
The foreword of this publication provides the most
programming to better address the needs of student
current information regarding the student council phi-
councils, student leaders, and student council advis-
losophy from NASC. It consists of the following points
ers. The renaissance included a new logo, the NASC
that can be recalled by using the letters of NASC:
Distinguished Student Leader program, the National
■■ Networking for leadership
Councils of Excellence program, and the Raising
■■ Activities for all students
Student Voice and Participation (RSVP) program. The
■■ Service and service learning
new NASC programs and resources emphasized the
■■ Civic engagement through student voice.
roles and responsibilities of student councils for build-
ing student voice, service, leadership, civic engage-
ment, and activities for all students in their schools.
2012 Ann Postlewaite became the director of

Student Programs at NASSP.

Chapter 2
Student Council in the 21st Century
Student Voice
I n examining the role of student council, it is important to look at how it evolved.

Student councils grew out of a desire for students to participate in their education—
desired by teachers and by the students themselves.
As early as 469 BC, Socrates involved students in the selection of some of the curricu-
lum. Early attempts at student governance in the United States came from the colony of
Virginia in the 1700s when the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg and the Univer-
sity of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson, elected student representatives to a central
body and indulged in aspects of self government.
In the early 1900s, many schools had some sort of student participation—a 1939 NASSP
study found that of 1,992 schools responding, 1,608 had some sort of student participa-
tion—and the term “student council” was adopted for student representative bodies. (See
Chapter 1 for an outline of the origins of NASC since 1930.)
Shortly after NASC became a program of NASSP, the October 1944 edition of the
NASSP Bulletin was devoted to student councils in the secondary school and included the
following statement:
The development of any Student Council should be based upon a definite phi-
losophy of democracy. It should truly be one of participation and sharing, a means
through which students develop a belief in and an intelligent understanding and
appreciation of our theory of democratic government and its processes. Here,
certainly is an excellent opportunity for the school to be a laboratory of practice in
democracy in which the school is the community of operation. It must be an essen-
tial part of the overall school program. (p. 21)
Although student council was developed on the premise that students should be
involved in school governance and in matters that affect the student body, its focus has
changed over the years. NASSP’s school reform guides, Breaking Ranks II: Strategies for
Leading High School Reform and Breaking Ranks in the Middle, recommend that schools
accord meaningful roles in decision making to students, parents, and staff members to
promote student learning and an atmosphere of participation, responsibility, and owner-
ship.
The first director of student activities for NASSP, Gerald M. Van Pool, served for more
than 20 years. In Improving Your Student Council, which Van Pool wrote after his retire-
ment, he wrote, “It is a foregone conclusion that if a student council is to command the
respect of the student body and have the prestige to which it is entitled, then it will have
to do something important!”
Student Council for the 21st Century n 5

In order to do something important, the student Always remember: PEOPLE RESIST CHANGE.
council needs to know what the students in their Any kind of change. Even if something is good.
school want to do. The only way to do this is to ask If it’s new, people will want time to get used to
them and then follow through. There are many ways it. It makes sense: people know how things are
to do this, but NASC has developed a process to as- now. The future, on the other hand, is unpre-
sist. Raising Student Voice and Participation (RSVP) dictable. Why should people trade a sure thing
consists of a series of summits that the student for something which is unproven (as all really
council holds with the student body. Not just some new things are)? People resist change because
of the student body but all students. For this to work, the status quo is usually “safe.” They are ac-
the principal must fully support the process. There are customed to it. Why change? Things might get
many reasons for a principal to support RSVP: worse, for all they know. (35)
■■ RSVP helps produce a positive school climate
■■ RSVP supports school reform efforts, especially
This is not a reason not to try to change. RSVP will
those touted in Breaking Ranks II: Strategies help your council be the voice of the student body and
for Leading High School Reform and Breaking help students to become more civically engaged.
Ranks in the Middle, including collaborative
decision making, personalization, and student Civic Engagement
engagement In a 2006 study by the Case Foundation, Citizens at
■■ Successes help gain respect for student coun- the Center: A New Approach to Civic Engagement,
cil and the role it plays in representing student “civic engagement” was defined as “creating oppor-
viewpoints to the school administration tunities for ordinary citizens to come together, delib-
■■ RSVP promotes an orderly process to achieve erate, and take action collectively to address public
change. problems or issues that the citizens themselves define
as important and in ways that citizens themselves
To implement RSVP, students hold four summits, each decide are appropriate and needed” (emphasis in
with a different purpose: original). The citizens of a school are the students as
Summit 1: Voice well as faculty members, staff members, and adminis-
Students answer the question, “What’s on your trators.
mind?” and generate a list of issues and concerns Some of the issues students are concerned about
that are important to them. may entail a simple solution—and that is a good way
to show that the student council makes a difference.
Summit 2: Recommendations
In one school, the “voice” summit found that students
Students answer the question, “What should we
wanted a microwave in the school cafeteria so they
do?” and make recommendations for action.
could heat lunches from home. The principal saw no
Summit 3: Response problem with that and the next day there were micro-
Students answer the question, “What is your waves in the cafeteria.
response to this plan?” and provide feedback to In time, the students may also want to look beyond
improve the plan. the school itself and examine community issues or
Summit 4: Implementation even national and international issues and find out
Students answer the question, “How can we make what they can to help. These may be more difficult
our plan a reality?” and volunteer to be involved in and can take more time to resolve. One school’s stu-
carrying it out. dents felt that there needed to be a traffic light at an
(Source: NASC/NASSP, RSVP School Implementation intersection near the school where there had been a
Guide, 2007) number of accidents. This required more work, includ-
ing working with district administrators, the school
In The Silent Revolution (NASC, 1968), Kent Keith board, and the town council.
said: This can be much more instructive for students
than a lecture on how a bill becomes a law, and stu-

dents will have a lasting memory of making a differ- I have come to trust student voice as a powerful
ence in their community. tool for school improvement, a liberating force
The key is for the issues to come from the student for student engagement, and a critical element
body, who are the citizens themselves of the school, in educating for participatory democracy. I take
not the faculty or administration—although their sug- educating for citizenship seriously. In order for
gestions should always be welcomed. our country’s experiment in democracy to en-
dure, educators must allow students to practice
Possible Issues the necessary skills.
The following are issues that have been identified by —NELSON BEAUDOIN, PRINCIPAL, KENNEBUNK HS, ME
schools that have already participated in RSVP:
■■ Cafeteria issues
■■ Lavatory issues
■■ Bullying The lack of direction in the parking lot creates a
■■ School spirit large number of accidents each year, including 10
■■ Dance policies reported accidents this year. Accidents are a grow-
■■ Destructive behaviors, drinking, drug abuse ing issue that must be resolved; the parking lot has
■■ Teen pregnancy become one big hazard for students and faculty mem-
■■ Youth issues bers. Creating a general flow in the parking lot would
■■ Community issues definitely help control the madness that has consumed
■■ Educational issues the main parking lot.
■■ Student representation on school boards
Plan A:
■■ Student/faculty relations
In previous years, sophomores were assigned to park
■■ Achievement gap.
in the church parking lot, but recently they were al-
lowed back into the main lot. With parking plan A,
Case Study there will be approximately 85 fewer parking spots in
Here is an example of what one school has accom- the main lot. This is a big issue; however, it can be
plished using the RSVP program. resolved by reserving 60–70 spots in the church park-
The Civic Action Plan of Heritage High School ing lot for sophomores and overflow. There are about
in Colorado 92 spots in the church parking lot, so we will not take
Parking Lot all the spots. To put it in perspective, this year, while
Issues: the construction workers were still here, we had about
■■ No direction of traffic in the morning 571 available parking spots in the main lot and the
■■ Amount of accidents in the parking lot lower lot. By including the church, main and lower lot,
■■ Sophomores in the main lot our plan will provide about 575 spots. Also, we issued
■■ Snow-removal problems. about 640 permits this year and yet during advisory
Background: In the morning, most students drive on March 5, the busiest period of the day, there were
into the parking lot with no regard to the parking 79 spots open out of a total 590 spots, leaving a total
lanes. Students and parents go across lanes, rows, and of only 511 spots. Although losing 85 spots seems
sometimes the whole parking lot, creating numerous like a lot, it is doable and it is worth the safety of the
dangerous situations. The flow of traffic has recently students. Removing the sophomores from the main lot
increased in the main lot due to the number of par- also would make the main lot safer. According to All-
ents using the main lot as a drop off. Buses are also state Insurance Company, “Risk is highest at age 16,
delayed by the parent traffic, inhibiting students and when the crash rate per miles driven is twice as high
after-school sports and activities. Students also have as it is among 18- to 19- year olds.” Also the Rocky
a harder time backing out because they are trying to Mountain Insurance Information Association says
look both ways for speeding cars while backing out that, “16 year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers
inch by inch. of any other age.”

It is a proven fact that new, 16-year-old drivers
are involved in more accidents than any other age In many cases, students go through twelve
group. When sophomores get their license, they are years of schooling without making one
usually 16 and brand new to driving. Putting them in democracy-inspired decision. Shame on us!
the church parking lot would allow them to develop —DENNIS LITTKY, AUTHOR THE BIG PICTURE:
experience before going into the main lot and would EDUCATION IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS
make the main lot slightly safer. With our plan, the lot
would not be controlled by chaos and there would be a
general flow of traffic.
Plan B: How to Fix Cons:
Our second plan would be to color code the parking To make up for the 84 spots, sophomores and overflow
lot so half of the parking lot is red while the other half would be moved to the church parking lot, and with
is white. The lower half closest to the school would be full use of the lower lot, we would have more spots
painted red, for the seniors only, while the upper half then we had during construction.
would be painted white, for senior and junior overflow. The parking lot is due for a restriping, so the new
Additionally, students would receive red, white, or plan can be used instead, and the other expenses
blue parking permits according to their class: seniors, could be taken care of through a senior gift or other
red; juniors, white; sophomores blue. Seniors would be funding.
allowed to park in the red or white area, juniors would Recommendations for Plan A:
be allowed to park in the white area or the church ■■ Resurface and stripe the parking lot using our
parking lot, and sophomores would be allowed to park parking lot plan to make the parking lot safer by
in the church parking lot. For additional parking, only creating a general flow of traffic.
seniors and juniors would be allowed to park in the ■■ Move sophomores to the church lot to make up
lower lot by the tennis courts on a first-come, first- for the lost spots.
served basis. ■■ Send out a notice in the newsletter multiple
times informing all of the parents that they are
no longer allowed to drop off their children in the
Pros Cons
main lot or they will be ticketed. Also put a sign
■■ The plan would ■■ The plan would take at the top of the lot indicating no drop-offs from
reduce the number of away about 84 spots 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
accidents by creating including coach/
Recommendation for Plan B:
a general flow in the teacher parking by
■■ Color code the parking lot with the bottom half
parking lot athletic fields
for seniors and the upper half for juniors and
■■ It would save drivers Expenses would in-
give colored parking permits according to class.
money by reducing clude: moving the light
the number of ac- posts, resurfacing and Action Plan for Plan A:
cidents restriping, removing the ■■ Resurface and stripe the parking lot with new
■■ Parent drop-off would cement block near the plan

be eliminated in the entrance by the baseball ■■ Move the two light posts to a safe spot in be-
main lot which would field, and putting up tween two parking rows
severely reduce the one-way signs and no ■■ Remove cement area up at the top of the lot near
amount of traffic drop-off signs. the baseball field

■■ It would provide ■■ Draw one-way signs on one-way driving lanes
space for snow after with one-way signs at the top of the lot
plowing without ■■ Put up signs at the top of the lot prohibiting par-
eliminating any park- ent drop-offs, and ticket them with a standard
ing spaces. $25 ticket from either campus patrol or a student
patrol, if they don’t adhere to the rules.

Action Plan for Plan B: ■■ Among students who participate in school-
■■ Put signs on each side of the parking lot indicat- based service, whether currently or some time in
ing a change in colored spots, or dismiss color the past, it was found that 10%, or an estimated
coding when the lines are covered with snow 1.1 million, participate in service learning with
■■ Print new, colored parking permits and disperse all three of the quality elements, 26% with two of
them to the students at the beginning of each the elements and 41% with one of the elements.
year: seniors, red; juniors, white or silver; sopho- ■■ Students who report current or previous partici-
mores, blue. pation in service learning with all three quality
elements are more than twice as likely to report
Service and Service Learning that their experience had a very positive impact
Student councils have been leading service projects on them than those youth who only partici-
for many years. Examples of service projects can be pate in school-based service, 78% versus 36%,
found on page 111 of this handbook. What is NASC respectively
proposing that is different? ■■ High school students, private school students,
and students with higher academic achieve-
Turning Service into Service Learning
ment are all more likely to report current or past
Most students and even many educators do not really
participation in school-based service and high-
understand what service learning is. They think it is
quality service learning
just community service. But that is not the case. While
■■ Youth who report current or past participation
the heart of a student council is expressed through its
in high-quality service-learning activities are
service projects, there can also be a curricular aspect
nearly three times more likely than those who
to service. This value-added part of a service project
engaged in school-based service with none of
is known as service learning. It makes service a true
these elements to say that they believe that they
cocurricular activity and thus provides another link to
can personally make a great deal of difference in
the curriculum for student council.
their community—22% versus 8%, respectively
For an activity to be a true service-learning ac-
■■ Current or past participation in school-based
tivity, there is a process by which its impact can be
service has the strongest relationship with vol-
maximized.
unteering attitudes and behaviors among youth,
A typical clothing drive, for example, can be trans-
followed by likelihood of voting regularly, inter-
formed from simply a collection of used clothes into
est in politics, belief in personal efficacy, and
an experience by which students determine and meet
interest in current events
genuine human needs through planning and thinking.
■■ While youth from low income families are less
This type of experience will increase the intensity of
likely to report current or past participation in
the experience for students and extend their academic
school-based service, there is a positive correla-
bases through knowledge.
tion between their participation and volunteer-
Benefits of Service Learning ing attitudes and behaviors, interest in political
Is it worth taking the extra time to make a service and current events, personal efficacy, trust, and
project qualify as service-learning experience? To help optimism.
make your decision, consider data from the Corpora- (Source: Corporation for National and Community
tion for National and Community Service (CNCS). Service, Educating for Active Citizenship: Service-
CNCS developed a “Service Quality Index,” which Learning, School-based Service, and Civic Engage-
rates “school-based service” on the level of service- ment, March 2006)
learning elements: whether students helped plan the
Four Parts of Service Learning
activity, wrote or reflected on the experience, and par-
Service learning is a process that features four
ticipated for at least one semester. CNSC found that:
basic stages through which students progress:
■■ 38% of youth or approximately 10.6 million na-
1. In the preparation stage, students take an active
tionwide, report current or past participation in
part in identifying needs, assessing their own
school-based service

group’s skills and talents, and developing plans A Guide for Student Activity Advisers, available in the
that will be carried out in the next phase of the NASC Store, goes into more detail about each stage.)
process. See Appendix 5 for a list of service project ideas.
2. During the action stage, students respond to the
call of service. They use their combined academic Student Engagement
skills and knowledge as they become active com- What’s different for student councils in the 21st cen-
munity members. Most activities fall into one of tury than 50 years ago?
the three action categories: ■■ Life was simpler; we didn’t multitask as much
a. Indirect service activities provide goods or ■■ The goal was a shorter work week, not a longer
products to a needy cause, without students one
having direct contact with the beneficiaries ■■ There was relative peace in the world
b. Direct service activities place students in ■■ There was a rising middle class
direct contact with people in need, creating ■■ Communication was not as instant as today—
rich interactions and immediate feedback from there were no personal computers or the Inter-
diverse populations net, long-distance phone calls were expensive,
c. Civic action or advocacy activities involve people still wrote letters and used manual
students in addressing the cause of a social typewriters.
issue, such as a voter-registration or drug-pre-
■■ There was racial segregation in many parts of
vention campaign.
the nation, including schools
3. In the reflection stage of service learning, stu-
■■ Low immigration
dents explore their feelings about the service
■■ Everything was written in English and school
experience, and integrate that into empathy for
was taught only in English
others and a deeper sense of personal and com-
■■ A big issue in schools was gum chewing, not
munity values. The method for reflection varies
guns
according to the actions students have taken and
■■ Most families had only one wage earner and
the creativity of the adviser. Methods that encour-
families ate dinner together
age students to reflect on their service experience
■■ Parents supported—not sued—the schools
include individual or group writing, small- and
■■ Girls generally wore skirts to school, and boys
large-group discussions, role-playing, photo es-
could not wear jeans or shorts
says, poetry, art, journals, and music. Whichever
■■ Patriotism was strong, and civic education for
methods are used, feedback to student council
democracy was in vogue.
members in the reflection process acknowledges
You can certainly add to this list. And of course
adviser support for their growth and development,
there are always exceptions to these perceptions but
helps students recognize their progress, and af-
as you read the examples, you can see how different
firms the act of reflection.
things are today. Schools have had to deal with these
4. In the demonstration stage, students take
differences. Laws have changed to address them, in
charge of their own learning—they process what
many cases. However, there are some student coun-
they have accomplished, identify what they still
cils that haven’t changed that much from the “good
need to know, and determine the next steps to
old” 1950s. They plan dances, proms, homecoming,
take. Demonstration can take the form of a presen-
and the same social activities—and not much else.
tation, a newspaper article, or letters to commu-
What’s wrong with that picture?
nity leaders.
Planning activities has been a part of what student
While all student council service projects might
councils do for a good number of years. These can be
not fit fully into service learning, the student council
social, fundraising, service and others such as spirit
adviser will find that the model presents a format that
building.
can help student leaders select and more successfully
What is NASC proposing that is different, if this
develop even the simplest of service projects. (Service
role is already a part of student council? Basically,
Learning: Raising Service Projects to the Next Level;
planning activities—especially social activities—

presents a bit of a quagmire. While planning so- organizing a student council are reviewed in subse-
cial activities provides some good experiences in quent chapters.
leadership—planning, organization, delegation, and The rest of this handbook consists of basic infor-
communication—it also opens student councils mation that has been and still is important in organiz-
whose only role is to plan activities to criticism that ing student councils and for the successful conduct of
it does not represent the student body by providing student council activities.
the students with a voice in school issues. As part of a
well-balanced student council program, planning ac- Recognizing Excellence in Leadership
tivities can be a positive role as long as the activities NASC sponsors awards and programs that spotlight
are designed to appeal to the largest possible audi- outstanding student councils, advisers, and individual
ence. If your school is in an area of the country where student leaders. As NASC members, you are encour-
country music is popular, is that all you play at dances aged to seek national recognition for the leadership
or do you include other types of music that appeals to and dedication given to the school and the community
other segments of the student body? Many schools are by the student council and for the exemplary skills and
very diverse. Are you recognizing that diversity? Are abilities demonstrated by its students and adviser.
you asking what students of different races and new
immigrants might like to see as activities that stu-
National Councils of Excellence UNC I L OF EX
dent council could sponsor? Are you still sponsoring CO
Awards
CE
L
activities that first came into being many years ago.
NAT I ONA
LLE
The NASC National Councils of
Some of these are no longer defensible because they
NCE
Excellence Awards provide national
are hurtful to specific groups of people. These might
recognition for student councils that 2014
include “slave days” which could be seen as racist ww s
maintain strong year-round programs w. n a s c . u
and sensitive to Black students. Also, beauty pageant
that improve the school climate by
spoofs, where guys dress like girls to exaggeration,
encouraging and involving students to have a voice
can be seen as sexist. When you schedule events, do
in school and community affairs, encourage civic
you take into consideration holidays—including those
engagement, promote service and service learn-
within minority religions in your community? Are
ing, and provide activities in which all students can
there activities that joke about, tease, or ridicule cer-
participate. This award provides broader recognition
tain types of students? This is tantamount to bullying
for the most worthy efforts of NASC member schools.
or harassment and is something student councils need
The evaluation process also engages the principal and
to discourage.
serves as a tool to help schools assess their student
Although planning activities is still going to be a
council programs. All councils meeting the standards
function of many student councils, it is one that may
in their application will be named a National Council
need some overhaul as we look toward the future.
of Excellence.
The Standards for the National Councils of Excel-
Putting it All Together lence Awards reflect the core purposes and mission of
So how do we organize a student council based on the student councils. Councils applying to be named Na-
model given by NASC that includes the following key tional Councils of Excellence will be evaluated in such
roles? categories as governance, service, general activities,
■■ Student voice/civic engagement meetings, council operations, communications, and
■■ Service and service learning student involvement.
■■ Activities for all. Applicants prepare evidence of meeting the award
One possible way is to organize your council based criteria and perform an in-house evaluation, after
on a committee structure and let members work in the which the results are forwarded to NASC. This helps
areas they enjoy most and are best at. You can have a student councils become more proficient in self-
chair for each of the three areas mentioned above and assessment practices and better able to report their
members and volunteers in each area. Other models of achievements and activities.

The award will be given to those student coun- This helps students become more proficient in self-
cils that can show evidence of a strong leadership assessment practices and better able to organize and
program that meets their council goals; functions in build a record of evidence focused on their student
ethical and responsible ways; and engages others in council and related leadership activities.
leadership, spirit, civic and service activities. Student Students are evaluated on their skills and knowl-
councils that demonstrate the highest levels of excel- edge in such areas as general leadership, meeting
lence will earn the distinction of being named NASC management, project planning, service, team building,
National Gold Councils of Excellence. civic engagement, time management, and personal
Application packets and additional support materi- organization. They must not only build upon their
als can be found at www.nasc.us/ncoe. knowledge in a variety of areas of leadership but also
apply and demonstrate their use of that knowledge.
NASC Distinguished Student Leader Award Applications and all resource materials are
The NASC Distinguished Student available at www.nasc.us/distinguishedleader.
STUDE
HED N
Leader program was created to IS
GU
T
LE A
motivate and challenge student Warren E. Shull Adviser of
D I ST I N
leaders to extend their leader- DER the Year Awards

ship skills and activities and give 2014 The NASC High School Adviser of
ww s
national recognition to students w. n a s c . u the Year Award and the NASC
who demonstrate superior stu- Middle Level Adviser of the Year
dent council leadership skills and knowledge. NASC Award are awarded in honor of
worked with college admissions officials to develop Warren E. Shull, who founded
this program to ensure that the designation would NASC in 1931. Given annually, the
reflect highly on students’ college applications. Shull Awards recognize high school and middle level
Those applying for the award must be a student student council advisers of exemplary character,
leader in an NASC member school and be in grades leadership, and commitment to young people and
9–12. The criteria for this program reflect the core their development as student leaders.
purposes and mission of student councils. Addition- Visit www.nasc.us/shull for more information.
ally, the evaluation procedure has been designed so the
bulk of the process takes place at the school level, with For more information on these award programs,
the results forwarded to NASC for the final assessment. see Appendix 1.

Chapter 3
Student Council 101: Getting Started
How To Start a Student Council in Your School
T
he student council is a school organization consisting of students elected by their peers
to represent them, speak for them, and act for them. Throughout the past 75 years,
student councils have proved an effective means for developing student participation in
school activities and governance. They have been so effective, in fact, that today almost
every middle level and high school has some kind of student organization, generally called
a student council.
An effective student council is based on a democratic philosophy of education. A
student council cannot succeed in an autocratic school environment in which the faculty
and administration maintain all management and control of the school. Nor can it succeed
under a laissez-faire policy that allows students complete freedom of choice without adult
help or supervision. A successful student council understands and respects the value of
faculty and student participation in school management. For the staff, the student council
represents a teaching device that is educationally sound; for the student, it represents a
learning experience that is interesting, meaningful, practical, and teaches life skills.
THEE STEPS
TH TOTO
S TE P S FORMING
FO RMIANG
STUDENT COUNCIL:
A S TUD E NT CO UNCI L
1. Lay the foundation: the student council concept.

2. Do background research.
3. Attend student council conferences and workshops.
4. Visit schools that have student councils.
5. Write to other schools for information.
6. Contact NASC and your state association of student councils.
7. Secure faculty and parental cooperation.
8. Appoint a committee.
9. Involve all students in planning.
10. Write and adopt a constitution and bylaws.
11. Obtain approval.
12. Get underway.
13. Evaluate.
Student Council 101: Getting Started n 13

STEP ONE: The Student Council Concept STEP FOUR: Visit Schools That Have
One of the first steps in organizing a council is publi- Student Councils
cizing its potential advantages and showing there is Students and advisers interested in setting up a
a need for it. Obviously, a student council has a much student council in their school should arrange to
better chance of success when students and faculty visit other schools that operate successful councils.
members express an interest in and desire for it. Stu- Advance planning by students and the principal is
dents need to be shown the value of a student council fruitful for those who are to make the visit. After the
and helped to understand the advantages of actual visit, they should immediately discuss what they have
participation in school management. seen and learned. Teachers, administrators, and fellow
The faculty members, in turn, should recognize the students should join in these discussions. NASC can
educational value to be gained through student partici- help identify schools in your area to visit.
pation in school management. It is essential that the
faculty members clearly understand and agree to the de STEP FIVE: Contact Other Schools for
sirability of student participation and not merely go along Information
with the idea because of pressure from a well-intentioned If it is not possible for student groups to visit a variety
principal or the wishes of an eager student body. of schools to see how various councils operate, they
should identify other schools that are about the same
STEP TWO: Do Background Research size as their own, in the same kind of community, and
If there appears to be some interest in organizing a likely to have about the same kind of student body.
student council, those who are to be involved should Then contact the student council adviser in each
read a variety of relevant literature. Numerous maga- school to request a copy of the council’s constitution,
zine articles have been written on the subject of stu- an outline of the council set-up, a short description
dent participation in school management. In addition, of the school community itself, and a copy of the past
many books have been written about all phases of the year’s annual report, if they have one. Many schools
activity programs, and there are many Web sites rela- have a Web site that can be used to gather such
tive to student council and student government that information. A school should accumulate and study
are worth visiting. as much of this material as possible in preparation for
writing its own constitution.
STEP THREE: Attend Student Council
Conferences and Workshops STEP SIX: Contact NASC and Your State
Every state association of student councils may hold Association of Student Councils
local, district, or state meetings. In large general ses- NASC is an organization of more than 12,000 middle
sions, small active-learning groups, and exchanges level and high school student councils. NASC is a
with experts, students and advisers can receive help program of NASSP and is administered by the NASSP
and advice on almost any phase of student council Office of Student Activities in Reston, VA. NASC hosts
operation. a valuable Web site and information on how to contact
During the summer, national and state workshops your own state student council organization.
draw students to a college campus or a summer camp Every state has an active, functioning student
for intensive study of student council concerns and council organization that is ready to help any school
leadership training. In regular classes, taught by ex- that requests assistance. A current listing of the name
perienced student council advisers and school admin- and e-mail address of each state’s student council di
istrators, delegates learn what must be done to have rector is available on the NASC Web site, www.nasc.us.
a successful student council. For information about
state workshops and conferences, contact your state
director of student council. (See Appendix 6.) NASC
publishes a list of national workshops, camps, and
conferences annually.

STEP SEVEN: Secure Faculty and Parental A student council constitution is a written docu-
Cooperation ment that sets forth the fundamental laws and prin-
The time to develop an understanding of the proposed ciples under which the council operates and is orga-
project and to secure cooperation is when organiza- nized. The constitution deals with general purposes
tional plans are being made. The plans must be publi- and outlines the council’s organization and adminis-
cized to faculty members and parent groups to provide tration.
information and to gain input. Involvement in the Most parliamentary experts now combine the
planning process fosters understanding and coopera- constitution and bylaws into one governing document.
tion throughout the development of a student council Here, they are presented separately and can be used
organization. together or individually.
A constitution should be tailored to the particular
STEP EIGHT: Appoint a Committee group for which it is intended. The basic principles of
The principal should appoint a committee to make a constitution, however, are the same for all groups.
plans and draw up procedures for the establishment Here is an outline of the fundamental provisions
of a student council. Students and faculty members needed for a constitution. A constitution:
should be on the committee. Planning that involves ■■ States the name of the organization
students, faculty members, administrators, and com- ■■ Outlines the general purposes of the organiza-
munity members can develop a solid basis for cooper- tion

ation when it is time to prepare specific recommenda- ■■ Lists the membership qualifications and election
tions for the actual establishment of the council. procedures

■■ Discusses meetings in general
■■ States the source of parliamentary authority and
STEP NINE: Involve All Students In Planning details who may veto proposals or actions of the
When making preliminary organizational plans, keep
organization
in mind that the student council will belong to the
■■ Outlines adoption and amendment procedures.
entire student body and not just to the members
The constitution should be written in general terms
or promoters of the new organization. Suggestions
that can be clearly understood. Sentences and articles
from all students should be encouraged, and when a
should be brief, simple, and clear. Only those items
tentative outline or plan of action is ready, it should be
that will help the council to accomplish its purposes
submitted to the student body for suggestions. Stu-
should be included.
dent council is more than a specialized club; it should
Bylaws were designed to supplement the consti-
involve the entire student body.
tution and contain more specific information. Some
For the student council to be successful, everyone
student councils handle all details of their operations
in the school must know what is being done. Plans
through their bylaws. Each council must determine
should be publicized through assemblies, homeroom
how detailed and formal their bylaws should be. The
discussions, the school paper, and any other means
bylaws, because they are specific, will need to be
available.
changed over time. Generally the following items
The goal of steps two through nine is to devise a
should be included in the bylaws:
model for the school’s student council and a plan for
■■ Description and responsibilities of officers
implementing it into the school’s structure. These
■■ Installation procedures
ideas take shape in the constitution and bylaws of the
■■ Amount and procedures for dues
student council.
■■ Names and general purpose of committees
■■ Adoption and amendment procedure for bylaws
STEP TEN: Write and Adopt a Constitution ■■ Procedures for filling vacancies and removing
and Bylaws members from office.

Finally, the time comes to try to put the ideas that have
been gathered into some kind of operating patterns.
This means writing a constitution for the council.

STEP ELEVEN: Obtain Approval student can be elected to serve on the student council.
The first draft of the proposed constitution is pre- Councils formed on this basis have many advantages.
pared and submitted to the student body and faculty Advantages
for comments and suggestions. A second draft will ■■ Every student is represented on the council
probably be necessary, incorporating as many ideas because every student is in a homeroom.
as are practical and acceptable. The final draft should ■■ There are direct lines of communication be-
be simple, clearly stating the rules and regulations tween the student and the student council as
by which the student council is to be organized and the homeroom usually meets every day or at
containing specific directions for the orderly conduct least every week.
of business. The final draft should be presented to the ■■ The homeroom then becomes the clearinghouse
school for a vote of acceptance. for council business and every student can as-
sume some amount of responsibility in the work
STEP TWELVE: Get Underway of the council.
The committee appointed to establish the council Disadvantages
should start preparing for elections according to the ■■ In a very large school with many homerooms,
new constitution. Upon election, the new officers homeroom representation can become too large
should set up the first official student council meet- and unwieldy. If the school has more than 40–50
ing. The agenda of the first meeting should include an units, some modification of this plan should be
official welcome to the officers and members, review considered.
of duties, review of committees, and discussion of ■■ Many schools today do not have a homeroom
council projects and activities. You are now off and period. Here again, the system must be adapted
running. to circumstances. Popular substitutes for home-
room would be to select some other type of unit
STEP THIRTEEN: Evaluate within the school that all students must attend
Evaluation is an ongoing process but especially im- some time during the week or minimally the
portant during the council’s first year. To be effective, month, e.g., first-period classes.
a student council must constantly seek to evaluate to 2. Class and Student Body School Officers
improve, grow, and serve the student body to the best Essentially, such a council consists of the student
of its ability. At the end of the first year, the original body officers and the officers from each grade level. In
establishment committee should evaluate and should many cases, it also includes such ex-officio members
seek input from the entire student body, faculty mem- as the editors of the school newspaper and the year-
bers, and administrators. book.
Advantages
Types of Student Council ■■ The council will be relatively small, making it
Organization Models more manageable.
There are several main types of student council orga- ■■ This type works well for small schools and
nizations. Brief descriptions of six models are given multigraded schools that have only one or two
below. There are advantages and disadvantages of sections in each grade level.
each. Rarely do they appear in pure forms, but in vari- ■■ Other club officers may be included as ex-officio
ous combinations. members.
1. Homeroom Representatives Disadvantages
This assumes that the school has a homeroom-type ■■ Lines of communication between the individual
unit from which students are selected for student students and council will be difficult to maintain
council. It generally consists of one or more represen- in larger schools.
tatives from each of these units. Often, the represen- ■■ In many schools, there are generally few meet-
tative is the homeroom president, although another ings of any class, other than the senior class,

and thus there are infrequent opportunities for Advantages
the give and take necessary for a successful ■■ Officers are elected from the council member-
student council operation. ship, which keeps group numbers consistent
■■ Some students serve on the council by virtue year to year
of their positions in other organizations, rather ■■ Clubs are represented equally on the council
than by a selection process. But as has been ■■ Conflicts of group activities are reduced due to
pointed out, student council members and of- better communication between clubs.
ficers should be elected to their positions. Disadvantages
3. The Modified Government ■■ It does not represent the students fairly unless
This model is patterned after the federal, state, or local every student belongs to one club or organiza-
government. Many times the three branches of gov- tion, which is rarely the case.
ernment are represented: executive, legislative, and ■■ Some students belong to two or more clubs and
judicial. The executive branch is represented by the so, in effect, have more representation on the
school officers who are elected by the entire student council.
body. The legislative branch is usually divided into ■■ The council tends to be concerned primarily
two houses, upper and lower. Requirements for mem- with those problems that affect clubs or organi-
bership are generally greater for the upper house than zations and fails to address concerns or prob-
for the lower house. The judicial branch is frequently lems of the entire school.
represented by some form of student court. 5. The Multi-Council
Advantages As the name implies, this model consists of more than
■■ Students gain a greater working knowledge of one council operating with the school. For example,
governmental procedures. some high school councils are divided into upper
■■ It most accurately represents our adult govern- (junior/senior) and lower (freshman/sophomore) divi-
ment. sions. Each of these divisions has its own council
■■ Students may focus on one of the three specific made up of representatives from the smaller units
branches of government. within the division. There is also an executive or
Disadvantages coordinating committee composed of the officers of
■■ The projects are not necessarily like those of
the two divisional councils, who relate and coordinate
government and thus there is little reason for a the practices and policies of the two houses. In other
student council to be a replica of a government. schools, each grade has its own council, again with
■■ The machinery for getting work done is cumber-
some form of executive council coordinating the work.
some and complicated; it usually takes many Advantages
weeks before action can be secured on even the ■■ This model has been used with some success in
simplest project. very large schools or in schools that operate on
■■ Few schools have student courts and those that more than one campus to involve the greatest
do exist tend to be outside the area of student number of students.
activities and student council. ■■ Having divisions allows for flexibility in develop-
4. The Club Council ing meeting schedules.

■■ Each grade level has equitable representation on
The club council model generally consists of the presi-
dents or representatives from each club and organiza- the coordinating boards.
tion within the school. Such a council elects its officers Disadvantages
from its own members. This was a popular form of ■■ A divided student council tends to divide a
student council many years ago when club programs school as well, and council business becomes
were at their height but there is little to recommend class business instead of school business.
this format now. ■■ Projects and activities are usually for a particular
class rather than the whole school.

■■ The model is used primarily in schools that find ■■ The council must be based on a democratic phi-
it administratively impractical to organize any losophy that respects the value of each individu-
other way. al. The democratic process should be open to all,
based on a “one person, one vote” philosophy,
6. The Team Council
and operate based on the rule of the majority.
The team council model is used in schools where the
■■ The council should be developed to fit local
faculty is arranged into teaching teams and, along
conditions and needs. The council should meet,
with students, essentially form smaller learning com-
represent, and recognize the diverse elements of
munities within the larger school environment. Each
the student body.
team selects representatives to serve on an executive
■■ The council should represent the combined
board of officers that also includes students selected in
thinking of students and faculty members over
a general election.
a long period of time. Faculty members should
Advantages help students develop the leadership.
■■ Each team is guaranteed representation on the
council.
■■ Student numbers on the council can be kept
Practical Questions and Answers
manageable. How large should the council be?
The size depends on the size and administrative struc-
Disadvantages
ture of the school and the nature of the community
■■ Some teams will have extra representation due
served by the school. As a general rule, the council
to the membership of the student body officers
should be large enough to represent every student and
on particular teams.
yet small enough to be manageable. Size should also
■■ Depending on student enrollment, one grade
reflect the parameters dictated by available meeting
level may have more or less representation than
space and scheduling and depends on the council
another.
design set forth in the constitution. Numerous council
7. Open Membership models (see page 16) exist with membership numbers
Some student councils are opening up membership ranging from 15 to 80. In many schools, the best size is
to anyone who is interested and wants to be involved. roughly that of the average class.
Kennebunk (ME) High School allows students to be-
What qualifications should exist for membership
come members of student council if they attend three
and officers?
consecutive meetings.
The membership policy should be open. Student
Advantages councils should seek to include all students at some
■■ More buy in to council activities level of membership. The successful council depends
■■ Allows for diversity to a large extent on the leadership of its members and
■■ Provides for plenty of students to assist at officers, who should be well-qualified to carry out the
activities. work of the council. However, there is a distinct differ-
Disadvantages ence between qualifications for membership and eligi-
■■ Too many people at council meetings. bility restrictions placed on officer candidates. Student
councils should have minimal restrictions for students
8. The Combination
to qualify as officer candidates. Candidate eligibility
It is not always possible or desirable to have a coun-
should be an attainable goal and clearly stated in the
cil that strictly represents a specific model. In most
bylaws. It may be better to risk letting a person run than
schools, it is best to develop a council plan that repre-
to exclude him or her from the election.
sents a combination of several models—a compromise
that includes the best features of each. How will council members and officers be selected?
No matter what kind of organization is finally All members and officers should be elected or appoint-
decided upon, these three general rules apply to all ed by fellow students—not appointed by the principal
cases: or faculty members.

Student council members generally do not rep- How should communication with the student body
resent the entire school but smaller segments of it, and faculty be established?
such as a club, organization, classroom, homeroom, A weakness of many student councils is a lack of
or grade. Various methods of election or selection can communication among the council, the student body,
and have been used, all with advantages and disad- and the faculty. Two-way communication must exist
vantages. Some of these methods include: between the student council and the student body as
■■ Nomination by petition well as between the student council and the faculty
■■ Nomination from the floor and administration. Each student should have the
■■ Nomination by committee opportunity to express ideas and make suggestions to
■■ Nomination by virtue of position (this is the the council. This can be accomplished in many ways
least-recommended option—just because some- and all available avenues should be used. The RSVP
one is president of a club, for example, does not process (see p. 6) is an excellent way to do this.
mean he or she is the best qualified for student How often and when should the council meet?
council). Meeting frequency varies from school to school. Some
Student nominees should be permitted to cam- councils find it best to meet once a week. In a large
paign within definite, well-established limits. The pur- school or with a very active council, meetings are held
pose of the election is to put the best-qualified person every day as part of a special class. When it is deter-
into office. mined how often to meet, meetings must be regular
There may be some positions on the student and not on an “as needed” basis.
council—such as committee chairs—that do not The council should meet during the school day, on
require election but a simpler selection process to in- school time, whenever possible. Scheduling is a com-
volve more students. Each school must decide which plex issue with which the school administration must
method will work best for its situation. No matter what deal. Meetings planned as part of the educational pro-
process your school decides to use, be sure that cam- gram of the school will ensure full attendance, produce
paign and election policies and procedures are clearly better results, lend prestige to the council, and cause
and thoroughly covered in the student council bylaws. fewer class interruptions.
How should the faculty be represented? Several methods have been used to accommodate
The student council is a student organization made up council meetings during the school day:
of students elected by their peers. The student council ■■ Using a rotating schedule, e.g., meeting first
adviser or advisers should be the only faculty members period one week, second period the next, and so
overseeing the council, but the council should de- forth
velop a strong working relationship with other faculty ■■ Shortening class periods one day per week to
members. The election or appointment of other faculty gain time for an activity period
members to the student council is to be discouraged. ■■ Using the homeroom time
If faculty involvement is deemed necessary, consider ■■ Meeting during lunch periods
instead a faculty advisory group that meets regularly ■■ Replacing the homeroom period with an activity
with council officers. period
■■ Providing student council as an elective class
What should be the relationship between the
■■ Modifying of an adviser’s schedule and duties
council and the faculty?
■■ Holding before- and after-school sessions.
The student council and faculty should work together
to improve the school. Encouraging faculty members The non-school-time meetings present problems,
to participate in council work or projects and inviting especially for students who have jobs after school, who
them to attend meetings will help promote mutual are responsible for younger siblings, or who rely on
respect and understanding. Student council members school transportation.
should continually seek help and suggestions from
faculty members.

Advantages of scheduling periods during the regular school administration, policies that will affect
school day are: students, faculty hiring, and program evaluation.
■■ All students may participate, including those Students could be invited to provide input and
with jobs, those who use school transportation, suggestions through the student council regard-
or those who have other out-of-school restric- ing such areas.
tions What relationship should the student council have
■■ Faculty advisers are able to manage their activ-
with other school organizations or clubs?
ity within the regular school day The student council should coordinate its activities
■■ Coordination and evaluation of the activity with all other school organizations or clubs. The prin-
period is easier and the school can control the cipal determines which organizations and clubs may
number of activities in which a student partici- be established within a school and may use the stu-
pates. dent council to gather information and reactions from
Meeting length should also be considered when the student body on the creation of a new organization
scheduling student council meetings. A minimum or club before making a decision. There should also be
of 40–45 minutes is recommended to conduct most representation by other clubs on the student council
meetings. Special committee meetings and work by way of direct membership or an inter-club commit-
sessions held outside the school day normally require tee. This will facilitate communication and calendar
varied amounts of time. planning for better support of each group’s projects or
Where should the council meet? events.
Ideally, the council should have an assigned area or How will the council finance its activities?
room that can serve as an office or small meeting The student council, like every other student organiza-
room. Large council meetings with the student body tion, needs funds to carry on its programs. Funding
should be held in large rooms such as the auditorium, can come from several sources:
gym, or cafeteria. 1. School funds: Many schools budget money to
What authority should the council have? supplement the student council activities. This
The student council involves the entire student body helps the student council focus its efforts on its
and therefore is the most important student orga- primary goals rather than on repeated fundraising.
nization in the school. This does not mean that it is 2. Fundraising: Student councils can carry out
independent of faculty and administrative control or fundraising activities (see p. 117 for ideas). All
supervision. All council powers and authority are derived fundraising projects must conform to existing
from the principal or his or her acting designee. The school policies.
principal can, when she or he deems it necessary, 3. Contests, socials, or spirit events: The stu-
veto any act of the council. However, if the council dent council can charge fees for dances, shows,
responsibilities and activities are clearly outlined and carnivals, etc. These fees can be to recoup costs or
defined, the principal should have little need to do so. also to raise funds.
There are three areas of authority in school Care must be taken to keep accurate and up-to-
management: date financial records. The student council adviser,
■■ The area in which the council may be granted
treasurer, and school accountant or bookkeeper should
almost unlimited authority to act, such as stu- meet monthly to review the account. The treasurer
dent forums, assembly programs, social func- should prepare monthly reports to share with the
tions, and projects membership during council meetings. A computer
■■ The area that has shared authority between
software package to keep the records is recommended.
council, faculty, and administration, such as What projects or activities should the council
those above, plus fundraising, or community sponsor?
service A busy student council is usually successful, but it
■■ There are also areas where the council has should be busy doing something constructive and
no authority but it could be involved, such as significant. The student council should be the source

of leadership in school activities, enjoying prestige project increases a council’s stature and members’
among students, faculty members, and the commu- confidence in their abilities.
nity. In NASSP and NASC publications the word
There are hundreds of different projects and activi- cocurricular refers to student activities in schools.
ties that student councils can and do sponsor. (See What’s the difference between cocurricular and
Appendix 5.) Council projects and activities are most extracurricular?
effective when planned to target a specific area or Simply put, student activities should never be con-
group of people, or to achieve specific goals. Many sidered “extras” on your school’s campus. “Extras”
times they are directed to one or more of the following: get cut from the school program and budget because
■■ Students: activities to benefit, involve, and they are not viewed as necessary to the educational
celebrate students system.
■■ Faculty/staff members: activities that assist, Student activities should be considered as an
recognize, and support their efforts and achieve- important part of your school program and therefore
ments are cocurricular. This concept was formally expressed
■■ Community: projects that benefit the commu- in Breaking Ranks: Changing an American Institu-
nity and strengthen the school-community ties tion, published in 1996 by the National Association of
■■ School: projects that foster caring attitudes and Secondary School Principals in partnership with the
help create a more favorable learning environ- Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teach-
ment for students and faculty members ing. The report stated:
■■ Self: activities to advance leadership skills and
celebrate accomplishments and efforts to serve The high school will promote cocurricular
others. activities as integral to an education, provid-
The council should meet to discuss its projects for ing opportunities for all students that support
the year. It must give careful thought to the appropri- and extend academic learning. The concept of
ate time and money to be spent on an activity, and “extracurricular” serves no useful purpose. Any-
then create a calendar of events. Tentative dates must thing extra occupies a position peripheral to the
be checked against the school’s master calendar to school’s main mission. We propose to scrap this
avoid conflicts. outmoded term and instead call these activi-
ties “cocurricular,” emphasizing that they are
In undertaking activities, the council should keep in
integral to the educational program. (18)
mind the following considerations:
1. Significance: Activities and projects should have The terminology must change to emphasize this
purpose and should help students, the school, or newly recognized function of student activities. The
the community. They should be relevant to the report continues:
school and council goals. A high school properly provides for social and
2. Scope: Most projects should be completed within personal needs [of its students], as well as for
the school year, as interest decreases if the project those [needs] that are strictly academic. Given
takes too long. the benefits that students can obtain, high
3. Motivation: Projects should be interesting so schools should promote cocurricular activities
students will remain motivated to complete the for all students. Cocurricular pursuits, after all,
task successfully. can undergird the goal of teaching students
4. Involvement: Projects should be planned to to be responsible and fulfilled human beings,
involve as many students as possible, including providing them with opportunities that develop
non-council members. character, critical thinking, sociability, and
5. Success: Projects should have a good chance of specific skills. (18)
success. This should not mean, however, that the
Your student councils, clubs, teams, honor societ-
council should never take on a difficult project.
ies, and performing and visual arts groups all have the
Frequently, the successful completion of a difficult
potential of meeting these goals. Because participa-

tion in these cocurricular activities can be so influen- be established and regularly maintained through-
tial in a young person’s school career, the report also out the year.
adds: 7. Student council should meet regularly and, when-
ever possible, during the school day for a period
A high school should seek to engage as many
of time sufficient to address business and issues
students as possible in cocurricular activities,
brought forth from a written agenda.
following a philosophy that students will miss
8. Student council should be assigned an area suit-
a valuable part of their education if they do not
able for use as an office and/or secure storage of
participate. The cocurricular program, there-
materials and records. A regular meeting area
fore, should offer sufficient variety to appeal to a
should also be designated.
wide range of student interests. (18)
9. The powers and duties of the student council are
Although Breaking Ranks was written specifically founded in the constitution and are derived from
about the U.S. high school, these concepts are equally the principal or acting designee. Such authority is
valid at the middle level. Participation in student placed into three categories:
activities has been shown to improve attendance, in- a. The council might be granted almost unlimited
crease students’ academic achievement, and promote authority to act
higher aspirations. Student activities also offer sound b. The council shares authority with the faculty
alternatives to illegal drug and alcohol use. and administration
NASC encourages you to bring this new terminol- c. The council has no authority but provides
ogy to your campus. Encourage your student activity input.
advisers and directors to use “cocurricular” to describe 10. Student council may be involved with the process
their activities. Change your student handbooks to re- of chartering other student organizations and
flect that change. And certainly, begin demonstrating maintaining a comprehensive student activities
the value of participation in cocurricular activities by calendar.
being the best adviser or student you can be! (NASSP 11. Funding for student councils can come from a
has issued a statement on student activities. See Ap- combination of sources, including, but not lim-
pendix 2.) ited to school activity funds, sales, contests, and
events.
Summary of recommendations for 12. All projects and activities sponsored by the
student council: student council should be well-planned, provide
1. The council size should be large enough and con- models of effective leadership, and be relevant to
tain sufficient diversity to represent every student, the educational mission of the school.
yet small enough to be manageable. 13. Student council elections should be designed to
2. Qualifications for membership should be devel- promote democratic principles and demonstrate
oped to ensure effective leadership within the fair and consistent operations. The selection of
council; however, exclusive eligibility restrictions students to the council should support local and
should be avoided. educational philosophies and promote the mission
3. The student council is a student organization of the school.
whose members are selected by their peers. 14. The organization and purposes of the student
4. A faculty adviser should be appointed by the prin- council should be developed to best meet the
cipal to supervise the student council. needs of the school and should be described in a
5. The student council and the faculty should re- way that is easily understood by both the school
spect and understand each other and should work and the community.
together for the improvement of the school. 15. Student councils should evaluate each project or
6. Effective two-way communication between the activity. In addition, council members should reg-
student council and the student body and be- ularly evaluate the council’s overall performance
tween the student council and the faculty should and solicit input from the school community.

Chapter 4
Student Council Operation in

Secondary Schools
A student council is a group of students elected by their peers according to an adopted

constitution. Every student in the school has an opportunity to have a voice in
student affairs through a representative member of the student council. In schools today,
student council is generally the only group of democratically elected representatives from
the student body as a whole.
A student council will provide an effective voice for students only when it:
■■ Makes a commitment to represent all students in the school.
■■ Has a clear perception of its role within the total school program.
■■ Defines its objectives in such a way that they can be understood and accepted by
students, faculty members, and administrators. If the understanding and acceptance
are mutual, there is no limit to the contributions that students can make to their
education through the student council.
To represent the students of the school, councils must be involved in various types
of projects. Projects may be social or service-oriented in nature, but there must also be
projects that emphasize the development of communication between the council and vari-
ous professionals throughout the school system. This is crucial to the council’s efforts to
represent students because it allows information to flow among all members of the school
community. It also develops students’ leadership skills and enhances the school’s educa-
tional purpose.
The council should work to understand the attitudes, beliefs, and goals of the students
and develop an ability to present student perspectives in appropriate ways. Developing
this understanding and ability can be difficult because many officers and representatives
are new to their positions each year. However, the difficulties are lessened considerably by
the student council adviser. As a faculty member, the adviser gives the council an impor-
tant perspective on student problems and attitudes. Furthermore, because most advisers
serve for several years, they can also give valuable advice gained from the experiences of
previous years.
Working With the Student Body

Even though the council is composed of students elected from the student body, members
should not assume that they automatically represent the student population. Accurate
representation is not a simple matter. For instance, the members of a council tend to be
outgoing and active in student organizations while maintaining good grades. Obviously,
there are many students whose attitudes toward and involvement with school are very dif-
ferent from those of the typical council members. This does not mean that councils cannot
represent these students; certainly, they can. But they must continually work at it.
Student Council Operation in Secondary Schools n 23

At the beginning of each year, the council should MI
set specific goals for the upcoming year. A mission
MI D
DDD LE
LE LE
LE VE
VE L
L—
statement would be appropriate to consider. If the S CH ED ULI NG ACTI VI TI ES
members of the student council know what they want
to achieve, planning will be more productive and prob- Whenever possible, middle level student councils
lems can be more easily addressed. should try to schedule activities during the school
day or immediately before or after school. This will
Good representation comes through a year-long
make the activities accessible to students who
effort in five basic areas:
are restricted by school transportation or paren-
■■ Maintaining an open membership policy
tal schedules and would otherwise be unable to
■■ Scheduling a wide variety of activities and
participate. To avoid disruption of class time or
projects
schedules, student councils might consider hold-
■■ Developing effective communication with students
ing lunchtime activities.
■■ Maintaining a respectable council image
■■ Participating in educational and community
meetings.
■■ Not allowing discrimination in the election
processes
Maintaining an Open Membership Policy ■■ Holding business and committee meetings dur-
Keeping membership open is essential if students are ing school hours, if possible, so students who
to feel ownership in the council as “their” organiza- cannot stay after school can participate
tion. The council’s encouragement, combined with ■■ Minimizing or eliminating grade requirements
nonrestrictive rules for participation, can increase stu- for membership in the council
dent interest and participation and thereby improve ■■ Actively recruiting members from all student
representation. groups to achieve diversity of views.
Councils can encourage broad student participation
by: Scheduling Activities
■■ Keeping all committee memberships open to Social activities, educational programs, and service
anyone in the school and actively recruiting projects should be included in a representative coun-
members from the student body cil’s plans.
Social activities provide opportunities for stu-
dents to get together with friends, meet others, and
M ID
ID D
THE
M LE
LE LE
DSTEPS V
VE
LETO L
EFORMING
L— A STUDENT develop social skills. Many of a school’s social activi-
COUNCIL:
M E M BE RS H I P P O L I C Y ties are shaped by tradition. Dances, homecomings,
and holiday programs are typical social events.
Although student council is an organization of and Educational programs are designed to contrib-
for the students, there are still those who perceive ute supplemental information to regular courses or
the council as “elitist” or “restrictive” in nature, es- to offer ideas or skills that are not ordinarily covered
pecially when a council fails to include others in all in the curriculum. These programs can take many
phases of the council’s duties. In such cases, the forms, including speakers, forums, leadership lock-ins
council has failed to meet the basic philosophies or workshops, clubs, field trips, once-a-week special
of the middle school concept and the purposes of interest classes, and one-day or weekend retreats. It
student council itself. Middle level student coun- is important to remember that academic and personal
cils should be constitutionally open to participa- interests vary and that some programs will appeal to
tion by all students. Council members can involve only a small number of people.
others by inviting them to help plan projects, serve Service projects can be designed to benefit the
on committees, or participate in council events. school (e.g., cleaning, buying new trophy cases, paint-
ing the hallways and bathrooms) or the larger com-
munity (e.g., collecting food and clothing for people

in need, working with senior citizens or at daycare ■■ Publish a student council newsletter or have in-
centers, volunteering for other causes). traschool e-mail or a student council Web page
so students can check activities and meeting
Developing Effective minutes
Communication with Students ■■ Be sure that representatives follow through on
Planning and carrying out effective two-way commu- suggestions from their constituents
nication is the most important of all the activities the ■■ In addition to regular meetings, hold open,
student council undertakes. Not only must a council informal discussions and forums (without using
know what interests students have, it must inform parliamentary procedure)
students how the council selects and plans projects ■■ Have officers periodically visit homerooms to
that meet their interests. Councils must examine how talk with the students
they convey information to the student body and how ■■ Encourage participation from the diverse school
they obtain their information about student interests. population
■■ Design and use an effective evaluation instru-
To encourage two-way communication between
ment for representatives
councils and students, councils may:
■■ Use public opinion polls
■■ Have a scheduled time and place where repre-
■■ Have frequent meetings of all school club of-
sentatives report to their constituency
ficers or representatives
■■ Work with the school faculty to arrange class
■■ Make sure the council is aware of the needs of
study on topics of student interest or concern
academic and vocational students.
■■ Use unique publicity forms: “snappy” announce-
ments, eye-catching posters, pins, Web sites,
e-mail, etc. Earning Students’ Respect
■■ Hold assemblies to publicize special events To be effective, the student council must earn the
■■ Have frequent, open student council meetings
respect and the confidence of the student body.
■■ Regularly have representatives ask their constit-
Students need to feel that the council is responsive
uents for ideas and opinions (see RSVP, p. 6) to their wishes and that representatives are able to
■■ Establish standing committees to handle long-
handle their many responsibilities.
term student concerns The degree of respect and confidence students
have in the council is closely related to the council’s
image. Each year, council members earn that im-
M
M ID
ID DD LE
LE LELE V
VEEL
L— age. To an extent, a council inherits the image of past
E F F E C T IVE CO M M UN I C ATI O N councils, but it can be changed if the council feels it
necessary and works toward change.
Middle level student councils, like their high The council’s image comes from many factors,
school counterparts, must develop strong lines of including the kind of motions it passes and the kinds
communication with the student body, faculty, of dances it holds. No single activity and no one per-
staff, administration, and parents to get the most son determine the council’s image; yet, each activity
participation for their efforts. To best accomplish and each council member certainly contributes to its
this, student leaders need to investigate what me- development.
dia are available at the school, including video and To develop a good image, a student council may:
computers. But remember that communication is ■■ Avoid an elitist or cliquish image, including hav-
most powerful when it includes two-way personal ing secret jokes or special greetings for council
dialogue. Besides developing creative ways to members only or always sitting together in the
keep others informed, student councils must also cafeteria
use forums for students and staff members to ■■ Actively and sincerely solicit student opinion
share their ideas and concerns with student lead- ■■ Increase the personal contact students have
ers. with student council officers

■■ Recognize, respect, and encourage the work of Working With the Adviser
other student organizations in the school The adviser is a faculty member appointed by the
■■ Make sure that open council meetings are well- administration to work with the student council.
planned and publicized The job is a demanding one, requiring both a personal
■■ Publicize the positive actions and activities of time commitment and knowledge of the workings
the council of the school and educational system. Although
■■ Have a committee to deal with student sugges- advising students has rewards and frustrations, the
tions, questions, complaints, etc. role of an adviser overall is gratifying, and dedicated
■■ Work closely with the school newspaper or Web advisers are certainly essential to successful student
site to get important council business and ac- organizations.
tivities covered The adviser, perhaps more than any other person
■■ Respect council privileges by using hall passes in the student council, is aware of the various perspec-
and class excuses for their proper purposes, tives of students, faculty members, and administra-
maintaining an orderly council room, and being tors. The relationship between advisers and student
attentive during council meetings councils is complex because it includes formal, organi-
■■ Welcome new students to the school zational elements as well as personal interactions.
■■ Through various activities, continue to improve Some formal responsibilities of advisers are to:
the school and community. ■■ Guide and offer suggestions to students
■■ Encourage students to be thorough and accu-
Participating in Educational rate in fulfilling their responsibilities
and Community Meetings ■■ Accompany student council members to various
In its efforts to represent the students, the council will meetings held outside school
sometimes send representatives to civic meetings ■■ Report to the faculty on the activities of the
and educational policy board meetings. Many of these council
groups have student advisory members. The students ■■ Check that committees are meeting their re-
who attend these meetings must be of outstanding sponsibilities and deadlines
caliber because the adult members of the community ■■ Help students work through any major disagree-
may see these representatives as speaking for “all ments that might undermine the council’s abil-
students.” Attending these meetings is very important ity to function
because many civic and educational groups take ac- ■■ Teach skills and concepts that will enable stu-
tions that affect students’ lives. dent leaders to better fulfill their obligations to
The student representatives should: the student body
■■ Maintain accurate records to help smooth coun-
■■ Serve as spokespersons for the council and the
students cil operations and as reference for any future
■■ Attend important civic and educational meet-
advisers
ings, especially if asked to do so by adult mem- ■■ Assist students with budget planning
bers of those groups ■■ Attend student council functions

■■ Oversee all correspondence to community or-
■■ Fulfill all responsibilities they agree to take on for
these adult groups ganizations, ensuring that the council is acting
■■ Be ready to admit that they don’t know all the
within its scope of authority
answers ■■ Help maintain and improve the general manage-
■■ Inform the students and other council members

ment of the council
about what happens at these meetings and take ■■ Supervise students who are using school equip-
suggestions from students to succeeding meet- ment

ings. ■■ Find a medium between having fun and fulfilling
the many responsibilities of the council
■■ Strive to improve the school and community
■■ Teach leadership skills.

Along with these formal responsibilities, advisers ■■ Ensure that students don’t consistently miss the
must be aware of their personal roles in guiding stu- same classes
dents. Students are affected not only by the adviser’s ■■ Welcome new faculty members to the school
words and actions, but also by more subtle things like ■■ Provide student aides to help teachers a few
voice intonation, facial expression, and enthusiasm— days before school begins
or the lack of it. Advisers affect not only the student ■■ Rotate responsibility for chaperoning activities
council organization but also the attitudes and feel- among as many teachers as possible
ings of the student council members. ■■ Sponsor teacher recognition and appreciation
projects, have an occasional morning brunch for
Working With the Principal the teachers, and remember teachers on holi-
The principal is the most important person in the days
management of the school. The student council must ■■ Prepare brief biographies of teachers and
keep the principal informed about its actions at all publish them, once approved, in the school
times. It must realize that, as a result of the education- newspaper.
al and legal obligations the school has to its students,
a principal must maintain the final approval authority Working With the School Board
for all projects. As students become interested in and involved with
The principal’s broad perspective on education and various aspects of the educational process, many
knowledge of the school can be valuable resources to councils come into contact with local and state school
student councils. A healthy principal-council working boards. Professional educators realize the value of
relationship helps make the responsibilities of both student input and many council members express
easier to fulfill. student viewpoints by serving as advisers to school
A council must make sure that the principal: boards or school policy-making committees.
■■ Is invited to all business meetings Presentations to the School Boards
■■ Is informed of all motions the council passes and Research is an important key to the success of any
all activities the council wishes to sponsor work that students do for a school board. Students
■■ Is a resource must be completely prepared for presentations be-
■■ Is aware of student opinions, perhaps through a cause they may encounter opposition on issues from
student advisory committee or by membership teacher, administrator, or parent groups or from mem-
on a school decision-making group bers of the board itself. If students present well, they
■■ Is respected as a professional educator in all may be invited to serve on committees that develop
council communications and therefore is not put policies.
in an unfavorable light by any correspondence or Students may also have contact with the numer-
action of the council. ous long-term planning groups in school systems that
design ways to implement educational policies and
Working With the Faculty directives. These groups determine the content of
Faculty members provide extensive resources for stu- courses, grading systems, course offerings, etc. Obvi-
dents. Through their professional skills and personal in- ously, students can provide valuable insight.
terests, teachers can enhance the learning environment If students are asked to speak before such com-
of students in many different ways, both in and out of mittees simply to inform the members about student
the classroom. A council is indeed wise to develop a attitudes, there many not be as great a need for ex-
strong working relationship with the school’s faculty. tensive preparation. However, students who are asked
to be full members of committees that are developing
The council can:
proposals for educational change must do a consider-
■■ Invite faculty members to council meetings
able amount of research.
■■ Establish regular discussions with faculty members
■■ Place copies of meeting minutes in all teachers’
mailboxes

Working With Parent Groups of assistance and information. Many of the items set
A student council officer should attend all parent- forth in “Working with the School Board” also apply to
teacher association, parent-teacher-student asso- parent groups.
ciation, or other school-based parent support group The student council does not stand apart. To func-
meetings. The assistance of parents is extremely tion effectively, it must work cooperatively with all the
important and sometimes vital to student council groups in the school community.
projects. Parents can act as chaperones and sources
S PE AK IN G A N D P R E S E N TATI O N G UI D ELI NE S
1. Research the topic fully, including the aspects that may be counter to student viewpoints.
2. Determine how the group runs its meetings by visiting a meeting prior to the speech or presentation. Do
students need to notify any officials in advance of their wish to offer opinions or present testimony?
3. Find out if others are scheduled to speak at the same meeting. What kinds of questions might the board
members ask the student representatives in light of the other speakers?
4. Explore the composition of the committee or group that makes final decisions and recommendations on
the issue. What questions will they have for the students? Can their present attitudes be determined in
hopes that the student representatives can offer proposals that will be acceptable to the members and also
beneficial for
the students?
5. Know the points about which students feel strongly. If students want a complete change in a policy, what
kind of compromises would be satisfactory, if any? Could a small concession now lead to more concessions
in the future?
6. Be aware of the importance of personal appearance. Will what a student representative wears hinder or
enhance the audience’s willingness to listen?
7. Distribute copies of the statement or proposal to the group being addressed. Will members need a copy of
the student position to recall what was said, or will a summary suffice?
8. Maintain good eye contact when speaking.
9. If possible, use visual aids to dramatize points.
10. Be courteous, no matter the situation.
11. Allow time to answer questions that may be raised by the presentation.
12. Document as much information as possible, both in the presentation and in the written material to be
given to the group.
13. Listen carefully to questions; avoid answering questions that are framed to place the student position in an
unfavorable light, no matter how the reply is stated. Example: “If this board passes an open lunch policy,
will students continue to disrupt the school?” When preparing for the meeting, anticipate difficult or nega-
tive questions and rehearse responses.
14. Consider media coverage and its appropriateness for the situation.

Chapter 5
Constitution and Bylaws
A student council constitution is a written document that sets forth the fundamental
governing laws or principles under which the council is organized and operates. To
many people, the word “constitution” implies formality and intimidating rules and regula-
tions. A constitution is simply a written set of rules for a group. The constitution defines
the limits of authority of the organization and gives a sense of order and purpose for con-
ducting business.
A student council’s constitution should be stated in simple, easily understood language
and should include only essential items. Bylaws are rules adopted by a group for its own
meetings or affairs. Bylaws cover such areas as the number of members needed to consti-
tute a quorum (minimum number of members to vote on an issue or proposal), procedures
for filling an office that has been vacated during the year, and procedures for impeaching
delinquent members and officers.
The constitution and bylaws should be designed to help the council accomplish its
goals. They must not be so difficult to follow that they hinder the effective functioning of
the council. Most parliamentary experts now combine the constitution and bylaws into
one governing document.1
Elements of a Constitution
Most student council constitutions do not have a preamble. The document contains the
basic principles under which the council is organized and operated. Most constitutions
and bylaws follow a generally accepted form. First, most have articles. These articles follow
a logical sequence and each discusses one broad area. Generally, the following topics
are articles:
■■ The name of the organization
■■ The general purpose of the group
■■ Powers vested in the organization; the right of veto by the principal
■■ Definition of membership for the group, qualifications of membership, duties of
membership
■■ Establishment of the time, methods, and procedures for nomination and election of
members, officers, and advisers
■■ The duties and responsibilities of the organization, the officers, the members, and
the adviser
1 This document reflects the use of the general term bylaws for a document that combines both a constitu-
tion and bylaws. For a discussion of the use of the term bylaws, see Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised,
2000 Edition.
Constitution and Bylaws n 29

Description of standing committees and provi-
■■ 6. Seek feedback. To make sure the constitution
sions for the formation of special committees as is clear and easy to understand, get the feedback
the need arises of the entire organization. You might also seek
■■ Frequency of meetings and provisions for spe- feedback from the adviser, principal, English or
cial sessions journalism teacher (for clarity of writing), or other
■■ Method and procedure for ratification of the con students who are not involved in the organization
stitution, provisions for amending the constitution to get a fresh perspective.
■■ Parliamentary authority. 7. Ratify (vote to adopt) your constitution.
When it becomes necessary to discuss more than Vote on each part of the constitution separately
one topic in any one article, it is proper to number so members will know which parts they agree on
these and refer to them as sections. Each section also so they can be adopted as is. The group will also
has a title for quick reference. know which parts need to be discussed further. If
necessary, continue to edit the constitution until
Writing the Constitution ratification is completed.
Creating a constitution can be a difficult, time-con- 8. Distribute copies of your constitution to all
suming process. The following steps can take some members, your adviser, faculty members,
of the hassle out of the process and ensure that your administrators, and any other interested
group develops a constitution that is an accurate re- students.
flection of its mission. See Appendix 4 for a sample constitution.
1. Gather ideas and information from group
members, faculty members, administra- Changing the Constitution
tors, and constitutions from other organiza- Once the constitution and bylaws have been accepted
tions. At this stage, use a constitution survey (see by a student body vote and approved by the adminis-
example on page 31) to gather ideas from your tration, they become the basic law of the organization.
organization’s members. If this principle is adhered to, it is only changed when
2. Review the gathered information. It can be necessary.
tedious for a group of 25 members to pore over Every constitution should include a description of
the information, so a smaller committee is rec- the procedures for amending the articles and bylaws.
ommended. You might want to have a constitu- It is good practice to have the entire school—faculty
tion committee or a group of officers compile the members as well as students—review proposed
information. changes before they are put to a vote or adopted.
3. Decide the basics of your constitution. De- Occasionally, the constitution and bylaws may
cide what your constitution will consist of. Think have to be revised or completely rewritten. The revi-
of broad, general topics at this point rather than sion is usually drafted by a specially appointed consti-
specific rules and regulations. For example, you tution/bylaws revision committee.
may decide that your constitution will outline the After a change has been proposed and a draft has
duties of officers, attendance policies, etc. been prepared, the student body should be given cop-
4. Decide the basics for each part of the con- ies so they can review and discuss the issues before
stitution. You don’t necessarily have to use they come to a final vote. Proposed amendments or re-
complete sentences and ornate language. Rather, visions usually require a two-thirds vote of the student
concentrate on putting down in writing what each body for adoption.
topic will consist of. For example, list the duties of Some councils are criticized for spending too much
each officer. time amending their constitutions and bylaws instead
5. Edit the constitution. Smooth out the rough of dealing with student concerns. However, there are
edges and write everything out in complete times when an outdated constitution or set of bylaws
sentences. Use a dictionary and thesaurus to help is a real hindrance to the council. Some good reasons
select the right wording. for amending a constitution or bylaws are:

■■ Statements no longer suit the school situation
CO NSTI TUTI O N S URVE Y
■■ Articles and bylaws are arranged so poorly that
essential information is hard to find (this situa-
To complete this survey, divide your group mem-
tion sometimes occurs when an old document
bers into groups of three or four. Each group
has been added to and amended over a period of
should discuss the questions and complete the
years)
survey together.
■■ They contain elements that have caused long-
standing disagreements Indicate the names of members in group:
■■ They violate individual rights 1. The name of our organization is:
■■ They prevent the council from adapting to
2. The purpose of our organization is:
change.
3. The titles of membership for our organization
For a sample constitution and a guide to creating one are: (Examples: president, adviser, member,
for your school, see Appendix 4. representative, etc.)
4. The duties and responsibilities of these mem-
bers are: (Take each title from question 3 and
list that member’s responsibilities)
5. The methods of becoming a member in our or-
ganization are: (Example: methods of election,
other ways to join, etc.)
6. What percent of our organization’s members
should be at a meeting in order for us to have
a quorum to conduct official business? (50%,
70%, 85%?)
7. Should we have an attendance policy for our
meetings, activities, and events? If so, what
should it be?
8. What standing committees should our organi-
zation have?
9. Should our constitution have provisions for
impeaching or removing unethical or delin-
quent members from our organization? On
what grounds can members be removed and
what process should be taken to remove the
members?
10. What other ideas do you have for the constitu-
tion?
Source: Nebraska Association of Student Councils summer

leadership workbook.
Constitution and Bylaws n 31

Chapter 6
Election Process
O ne of the cocurricular aspects of student council is that students learn about the
democratic process by practicing it. Just as the U.S. Constitution and each state’s con-
stitution specify the procedures and qualifications for elected officials, so too should the
student council constitution and bylaws. Councils that don’t carefully control the election
process to ensure fairness for all candidates and promotion of the democratic process open
themselves and their school to possible criticism from students, faculty members, and
parents.
During officer and representative elections, all eyes of the school are focused on the
student council—its achievements and shortcomings, its issues, its personalities, and its
image. At election time, the council stands or falls on its record. Elections are a good time
to think about the future of student council at your school. What can be built upon and
what should be discarded? While there is no need to reinvent the wheel, it’s not a bad idea
to look at the procedures you use with an objective eye. Is there room for improvement?
Ask yourself the following:
■■ Does the election process give ev-
eryone a fair chance to be elected?
■■ Are several qualified candidates
MI
MI DDD D LE
LE LE LE VE
VE LL—
likely to run for every office? ELE CTI O NS
■■ Are election rules fair and impartial?
Middle level schools are often nontra-
■■ Is anything done to encourage mi-
ditional in their educational practices
nority students or underrepresented
portions of the student body to run when compared with high schools.
They follow a unique set of education-
for election?
al philosophies resulting in a variety of
■■ What is done to ensure the integrity
methods for selecting student council
of the ballot?
members and officers. While most
■■ What is done to ensure that quali-
schools use some form of elections,
fied students who lose the election
others include student council as an
are encouraged to stay active in the
elective in exploratory programs. A
group?
number of middle level schools that
Carefully considering all aspects of the
have teaching teams or smaller learn-
election process may reveal areas that
ing communities have adopted a town
need improvement. Plans for rectifying
council or caucus structure whereby
deficiencies should be established well
team representatives run local meet-
before you begin the election season. An
ings and serve as liaisons to an execu-
election committee made up of students
tive board.
who are active in your organization, a few
faculty members, and a representative
Election Process n 33
M The nomination procedure has two main purposes:
M ID
ID D
D LE
LE LE
LE V
VEEL
L—
■■ It requires each candidate to have some initial
C AMPAIG N I N G show of support
■■ It adds dignity to the election process by mak-
In middle level schools, campaigns are wonder-
ful opportunities for students to challenge their ing prospective candidates work for the privi-
creative talents and persuasive abilities. Working lege of being elected.
from thoughtfully planned, age-appropriate guide-
Nomination Methods
lines, the pressures and competition of campaign-
The nomination method the council decides to use
ing can result in positive, lasting experiences for
must be clearly stated in the constitution and bylaws.
young leaders.
The process should be publicized thoroughly, including
To ensure that campaigns result in positive
the exact deadline for nominations to be submitted. A
learning experiences, middle level schools can
candidate information meeting is a good way to ensure
take several actions. The first and most impor-
that all candidates receive the same information. Hold
tant step is to create an equitable set of cam-
the meeting during the school day so no students with
paign guidelines that will allow any student to be
after-school obligations are left out. Explain the quali-
competitive in the election process. This involves
fications for candidates, distribute the election time-
removing any cost considerations or other sig-
line and rules for campaigning, and provide any other
nificant burdens that would be placed on the
necessary information.
students running for offices. The distribution of
fliers or other “treats,” although effective methods Possible methods of nomination include:
for winning votes, are considered inappropriate ■■ Self-nomination: This method is the simplest; a
campaign activities for middle level students in person declares him- or herself to be a candidate
some schools. Another strategy to consider is and registers at some designated location and time.
limiting the number and size of campaign posters ■■ Self-nomination with support petitions: In
for each candidate, encouraging students to use this process, a person officially becomes a can-
their creativity. didate when he or she submits a petition with a
certain number of supporter signatures. A sup-
porter can only sign for one candidate per office.
from a parent organization can be helpful in planning If a supporter signs for more than one person
new procedures. It’s also a good idea to publish gen- who is seeking the same office, the supporter’s
eral election procedures in the student handbook. signature is eliminated from all petitions for that
If your council doesn’t currently have an election office. The candidacy of the office-seeker is not
file with copies of previous years’ campaign rules, fil- affected unless the elimination of the signature
ing dates, candidate information, and other materials, lowers the number of supporters below the
consider starting one. It will be an invaluable help in minimum number required for candidacy. This
future years. requires careful checking of all petitions. If your
school is very large this may not be feasible.
■■ Petition method: A certain number of signa-
Nominations
tures automatically elects a person to the posi-
Many methods exist for candidates to register to run
tion of representative.
for office. The nomination process should be simple
■■ Faculty endorsement: This method works
enough to enable candidates representing any ele-
with any of the above methods with the addi-
ment of the student body to run for office. Most im-
tional requirement that each candidate receive
portant, it should be the students’ process, with only
a certain number of signatures from faculty
minimal guidance and involvement from the faculty or
members.
administration, and it should be clearly explained to all
■■ General membership: Nomination is made
interested students.
from within the general membership of the stu-
dent council membership.

■■ Write-in: A strong parliamentary argument can dates, set a dollar limit on campaign expenditures. Or
be made for allowing write-in candidates as ac- make organization supplies available to all candidates
ceptable nominees. If elected, such candidates for creating posters, fliers, buttons, and other cam-
meet the qualifications to hold the office. Many paign materials.
people believe that if members of the student Campaigns should be informative. In conjunction
body write in a candidate on enough ballots to with the voter education program, or just as a service
win the nomination (or election), their mandate to students, the student council should provide a
should be followed. voter’s guide. This could be a display in the cafeteria
or other frequently visited spot, it could be printed
and distributed, or it could be posted on the school’s
Campaigning and Campaign Rules website. Information might include photos of all the
During a specified campaign period, each candidate candidates with their names, qualifications, and what
tries to demonstrate to fellow students the wisdom of they hope to accomplish if elected. (See “Meet the
voting for him or her. A candidate gathers friends and Candidates” for other ideas in this area.)
supporters to help make posters, distribute campaign Personal contact as well as posters and fliers are
materials, and talk to fellow students, encouraging necessary to win an election. This exposure is not lim-
them to vote for their candidate. The campaign period ited to the candidates but to student government as a
should be long enough to give candidates an opportu- whole. The council has an obligation to the candidates
nity to effectively publicize their objectives but not so and the school to ensure that fairness and good taste
long that the election loses focus. One or two weeks is prevail during the campaigns. Setting campaign rules
usually sufficient. To help ensure fairness to all candi- and guidelines will help meet these obligations.
M E E T T H E C A N D I DAT E S
For various reasons—including not wanting to take time out of class and inappropriate audience behavior—
many schools no longer conduct election assemblies with formal speeches by the candidates as part of their
election procedure. If your school has moved away from having election assemblies, consider one of the follow-
ing alternate methods of allowing voters to become familiar with the candidates:
■■ Make a video of the candidates giving a short speech and answering questions. Encourage homeroom
teachers or social studies teachers to show the video to their classes.
■■ Devise a plan where one candidate per day gives a quick speech in the morning announcements or on
the video announcements. Draw numbers to determine the order, and don’t have any speeches on the
day of the election.
■■ Create an informative video of the candidates and the issues and play it in the cafeteria during lunch
periods.
■■ Televise a debate between candidates for council president. Simulate the national presidential debates
with a panel of journalists—your school’s newspaper and yearbook editors—asking questions. This could
be broadcast live with an audience made up of student council members or taped and shown before and
after school, at lunch, or another convenient time.
■■ Take a photo of each candidate and have him or her fill out an information sheet with qualifications,
plans if elected, and answers to a few general questions. Create a display in a prominent place or on a
Web site with the photos and the biography information on each candidate.
■■ If schedules allow, have candidates visit classrooms to give their speeches and answer questions. Teach-
ers could sign up if they are interested in having the candidates visit.
■■ During lunch the day before the election, have an open candidates’ forum or debate. Voters can come to
hear the candidates talk and answer questions.
*You may also use your school or candidate websites to incorporate many of these ideas.
Speeches A serious violation of rules might be the use of slander,
An important part of an all-school election procedure falsehood, or profanity. In some schools, speeches are
is an opportunity for candidates to present themselves previewed by a faculty member or the student council
in person and deliver a speech to voters. This element adviser. This gives the teacher an opportunity to help
is sometimes left out due to time constraints or inap- the student develop an effective speech and can head
propriate audience behavior, but it is a worthwhile off possible content problems.
part of the process and should be included if pos- The speeches should provide a fair opportunity
sible. Some schools have adopted a lunchtime speech to all candidates to express their opinions honestly.
format, which presents special challenges for the Because of the possible legal implications of any
speakers who must compete for attention with voters’ kind of interference, the adviser and principal should
meals and friends. A candidates’ forum held before or establish a workable policy for each school regarding
after school is another alternative, but candidates will the content of a particular speech in advance of the
not reach all voters in this format. If your school has assembly.
a closed-circuit television system, speeches could be If there are a large number of representatives’ posi-
prerecorded and televised to classrooms. tions, it might be impractical for all candidates to give
The method most frequently used is grade-level speeches. Alternative methods of informing the school
assemblies where candidates for that grade’s offices about their qualifications and ideas should be de-
speak to their peers. Candidates for all-school offices signed. One alternative method might be to publish a
travel from assembly to assembly to present their “qualifications and ideas” information sheet, in which
speeches. Candidates for each office can be intro- candidates have an opportunity to express them-
duced by the previous officer or by a faculty or student selves. This information sheet could be distributed to
council moderator. the voting students or posted on the school’s Web site.
The candidates should be given a clear set of
rules to follow for their speeches, including a time Suggested Rules for Campaigning
limit, with the understanding that a serious violation and Speeches
of these rules could result in the termination of the It is important to establish clear rules for election cam-
speech by a proctor from the administration or faculty. paigning and speeches. The rules established at your
school will depend on current situations and long-
standing traditions. For example, perhaps the school
has been newly painted and posters cannot be hung
M
M ID
ID D
D LE
LE LE
LE VVE
ELL— on the walls. Whatever rules are finally established, a
S PE E C H E S meeting of all the candidates should be held to explain
the rules and answer questions. All candidates should
The pressures of giving a campaign speech in be required to attend. (If nomination petitions are
front of the entire student body can be overpower- used, this meeting might be the appropriate time for
ing for middle level candidates. Scheduling a time candidates to turn them in.) In setting the rules, make
for the assembly may also be difficult. Many mid- sure adherence to them can be verified by the cam-
dle level schools now record candidate speeches paign rules committee.
and play them via their closed-circuit systems.
Campaigning rules should cover the following
Besides reducing the candidates’ stress, it also
topics:
gives the principal and faculty members flexibility
in determining when the speeches will be viewed. Expenditures
Another method that puts candidates face-to- ■■ The cost of campaign materials should not
face with the students is the use of team or class exceed $ ___
forums. These forums provide the candidates with ■■ A financial statement of expenses should be
a smaller, less intimidating audience. required.

T IPS FO R W R I TI N G A S UC CES SFUL CA MPA I G N SPEECH
1. Make notes about the points you want to make.

2. Avoid promises that are impossible to keep.
3. Make commitments that are achievable. Devise a plan that you can and will complete if elected. Point out
problems for which you have solutions.
4. Design and incorporate a campaign slogan that is short, catchy, and memorable.
5. Communicate or demonstrate that you know the duties of the office you are seeking.
6. Make sure the information you include in your speech is accurate.
7. Be sincere, honest, and interesting.
8. Avoid rambling. Listeners enjoy clear speeches with a purpose.
9. Include your name and the purpose of your speech, but don’t use them in your opening sentence.
10. Get the attention of your audience by posing a startling question. Use an appropriate quotation or story.
11. Include in the body of your speech your qualifications, why you seek this position, and your plans and
goals if you are elected.
12. Don’t put down or be negative about other candidates. Stand on your own merits. Market yourself.
13. Make every word count. Use powerful words. Avoid repetition. Be concise.
14. Be yourself, be original, and be creative.
15. Be enthusiastic, positive, and conversational.
16. End your presentation with a memorable statement.
17. Write out your speech and give it to someone to critique. Rewrite your speech.
18. When the final draft is written, highlight key ideas on index cards. Include stage directions. If you have a
tendency to speak too fast, write a reminder to “slow down.” Write or type in large print.
19. Practice your speech. Practice some more. Practice again in front of a mirror.
20. Take your speech seriously. If you don’t, why should anyone else?
Posters ■■ Buttons, fliers, or other printed materials must

■■ Poster size may not exceed ___ square feet (e.g.,
be in good taste. Those having slogans, say-
example: 3´ x 5´) ings, phrases, pictures, or inferences related to
■■ Candidates may display up to ___ posters (e.g.,
alcohol, drugs, sex, or other inappropriate matter
three, five, etc.) will not be approved.
■■ Posters must be approved and signed by the
Internet
student council adviser or campaign rules com-
In recent years, more students have taken their
mittee and hung only in designated areas of the
student council campaigns to the Internet, where
school
they can reach out to greater student audiences and
■■ Candidates are responsible for the removal of
showcase their creativity. For schools, the use of the
their own posters the day following the election.
Web during student council elections has resulted in
Handouts the need to revise campaign guidelines to include this
■■ Buttons, fliers, or other printed materials must
area. It is important for student councils to determine
be approved by the student council adviser or if they are going to allow the Internet to be a part of
campaign rules committee and distributed only student campaigns and, if so, what the rules and pa-
in designated areas and/or at specified times. rameters will be.
Distribution of campaign materials must not Examples of campaign rules pertaining to the
disrupt classes. Internet include:
■■ The student council allows each candidate to The time of the elections for officers may differ from
post a campaign message and brief bio on the the time of elections for the representatives. Many of-
council Web site. Candidates must use the in- ficers are elected in the spring prior to the school year
formation form provided and submit completed in which they are to serve. Representatives may also
forms to the adviser by the deadline. be elected in the fall or midyear. There are advantages
■■ Students may only post approved campaign and disadvantages to all three schedules.
messages on the student council and school
Web sites. This includes students working as Representative Elections in the Spring
campaign officers or in other capacities on a
Pros
student campaign.
■■ The council can plan during the summer.
Consequences of Campaign Violations ■■ Council members can participate in state and
The student council should establish clear conse- national summer leadership training programs.
quences for violations of the campaign rules. No ■■ The council can start immediately in the fall.
matter what consequences are selected, they must ■■ Incoming students can hold representative
be approved by the student council adviser and the elections while still in their feeder schools; each
principal to ensure that they are fair and appropriate. feeder school elects a number in proportion to
The consequences of campaign violations should be the percentage it contributes to the total class
included with the written campaign guidelines and composition in the fall.
explained during the candidates’ meeting. Cons
Sample rules to govern speeches: ■■ Administrators may have difficulty predicting
■■ Speeches shall be given in an elections assem- the scheduling arrangements for the following
bly (or other designated time and place) only fall, which has implications if representatives
■■ All candidates will have an opportunity for are selected from subject classes or
themselves and/or their campaign manager to homerooms.
speak ■■ A representative may be assigned to represent a
■■ Time limit for speeches is to be ______ (e.g., group whose attitudes are significantly different
three minutes) from his or hers.
■■ Speeches must be positive and in good taste, ■■ Homerooms, social studies classes, etc., are
with no reference to alcohol, drugs, or sexual re- prevented from directly choosing their represen-
lated material. No profanity or obscenities will be tatives.
allowed. Speaking at the assembly is a privilege. ■■ New students or students from private schools
■■ Literature may be distributed in the auditorium transferring in won’t have an opportunity to be
as students leave the assembly. involved in the election process.
The Election Procedure Representative Elections in the Fall

Some schools use both a primary and a general elec- Pros
tion to select council officers. A primary election is ■■ Each homeroom or class can select its own rep-
held to reduce the number of candidates to two; the resentative.
general election selects one of those two candidates to ■■ Fall elections eliminate the possibility that
serve. In the general election, the winning candidate elected representatives will have moved.
must have more than 50% of the votes cast, while in Cons
the primary election each of the two winning candi- ■■ Several good candidates may exist in one home-
dates must receive a plurality—each must receive room or class, but only one can be chosen. (One
more votes than any other candidate. way to avoid missing several good candidates is
In the primary and general elections, write-in votes to have each class elect its representatives at-
may be accepted as long as the person written in large. Elected representatives are then assigned
meets the qualifications to serve if elected. to represent a particular homeroom or class.)

M Cons
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RE PRE S E N TAT I V E S I N make following through on projects somewhat
T H E M ID DL E difficult.
■■ A midyear election campaign may be disruptive to
Where middle level schools are served by feeder
academic studies and to other council activities.
elementary schools, students in the entry grades
■■ Some projects may be overlooked or forgotten
probably will not have established who their
during summer vacation.
leaders are in the early fall. For this reason, stu-
dent councils that have fall elections may want
to schedule some orientation sessions with that Open Election by Petition
group to help them understand about student Under this method of selecting representatives, a cer-
leadership and the characteristics of a leader prior tain number of people sign a petition stating that the
to the elections. Another strategy might be to visit candidate is their representative.
the feeder elementary schools to introduce stu- Pros
dent council to the students before they enter the ■■ Students can join the council any time during
middle level school. the year (unless a rule exists to the contrary).
One possible combination of spring and fall ■■ Supporters can remove their names from the
elections is to hold the elections for the upper representative’s petition if they are dissatisfied
grades in the spring and the incoming grades in with his or her performance on their behalf. If
the fall. The best solution, of course, would ensure the number of representative’s supporters falls
representation for all student groups according to below an established number, the representative
their numbers. loses the council seat. Representatives may be
reinstated if they can bring the number of signa-
tures back to the required level.
■■ The council can’t do any organizing over the ■■ People can select representatives from different
summer, a limitation on early fall projects. classes or homerooms who hold ideas similar to
■■ Good candidates might be in classes with stu- theirs.
dents from different feeder schools whom they
Cons
don’t know.
■■ Communication to students is difficult, as con
stituents are scattered throughout the school.
Representative Elections at Midyear ■■ Old members might not know new ones.
Pros ■■ Representatives who enter halfway through the
■■ The council can evaluate its progress during the year have a lot of catching up to do.
summer and make plans for the coming semes-
ter. Voting Procedures
■■ January and February are less busy than fall or Voting is a privilege and now is the time to show
late spring months in most schools; the new students how important it is to cast a ballot and to
officers and representatives can use this slow take part in our nation’s democratic process. Simulate
period for planning the second semester. local, state, and national elections by holding voter
■■ Representatives and officers who will graduate registration one week before the elections. Use a class
in the spring can help their successors during roster to register students by having them sign next to
the first semester of their term. their typed names. Ask them to sign again when they
■■ For seniors, ending a term of office at midyear receive their ballots.
means less pressure as graduation and career Care should be given to ensure the integrity of the
decisions approach. balloting. No student council wants to call into ques-
tion the result of an election by opening itself up to
charges that the vote was tampered with.
Conducting the vote itself is another area in which To allow for write-in candidates, a ballot box might
a variety of practices are used, depending on the be placed at the registration desk if the voting ma-
needs of the school. It is important for a council to pro- chines do not have this capability. To prevent one per-
vide reasonable voting opportunities for everyone who son voting twice, voting by both machine and ballot
is eligible and wishes to do so. would not be allowed.
Using Voting Machines Ballot Voting

Many councils use voting machines as part of a Ballot voting must be handled very carefully, since it is
citizenship training effort, since the machines are the easier to vote illegally by ballot than by machine. One
same ones used in public elections. The companies basic rule for ballot voting is to minimize the number
or municipal agencies that control these machines of people who handle the ballots before, during, and
must be contacted months in advance of the election, after the voting.
and the deadlines they establish to receive the names Some schools conduct all-school votes in home-
of the candidates (to place them on the machines) room or another designated period of the day. In this
will influence the time schedule the council sets for case, survey the teachers before election day to deter-
the primary and general elections. A phone call and mine the number of ballots they need for each grade
follow-up communications to the local board of elec- level in their class that period. On election day, deliver
tions is essential. packets to each teacher with the appropriate number
The voting machines are simple to operate, but of ballots. Color coding the ballots so that each grade
their operation is new to many people. Therefore, time level is a different color will help avoid confusion.
should be allowed for explanations of how they work. Designate trustworthy students to collect com-
Each machine requires an attendant to periodically pleted ballots. No one person should be left alone with
check inside the machine to make sure that it is func- them, especially before they have been counted. One
tioning properly and that the names have not been school developed a very tight system of distributing
tampered with. Several other people will be needed to ballots to the homerooms, but a representative was
check students’ names off the school list as they vote. caught altering the completed ballots while bringing
Voters should be required to show positive identi- them to the student council room to be counted.
fication, such as a school ID card, at the registration If you are counting the ballots by hand, institute
table, at which council members will have alpha- safeguards to ensure accuracy. The ballots for each
betized lists of the students. As a person’s name is class should be counted independently by two sepa-
checked off the list, the voter should receive a card rate people. Totals should match. While ballots are
that cannot be duplicated. The voter then gives the being counted, representatives of the candidates ob-
card to the booth attendant immediately before enter- serve the tabulation process. Be sure to have a faculty
ing to vote. These “voter cards” must be carefully member on hand to supervise the counting process.
watched to prevent people from voting more than once. Once ballots have been counted, they can be locked in
A council must be very conscious of how long the the school safe for a period of time, in the event some-
polls are to be open and allow ample time for all who one wishes to contest the election.
wish to vote to be able to do so. You do not want peo- Another aspect of balloting includes using tech-
ple to avoid voting because they are rushed for time. nology to make counting easier. If a computerized
At the end of the day, the total number of people test-grading machine (such as a Scantron) is available,
who voted (according to a count taken from the lists) students can vote using computerized ballots, thus
should match the total count of voters taken from the greatly reducing the opportunity for and likelihood of
recorder on the voting machine. The process of check- ballot tampering. Software programs are also available
ing the number of votes cast, as well as the tabulation for conducting an election. With this method, comput-
of the votes, can be watched by representatives of the ers in a computer lab or other location can be des-
candidates, in case there is a discrepancy that might ignated for polling. Students visit the polls any time
require a revote. during the day, sign in with their student identifica-

tion number, and vote. Results are easily tabulated by
RE D U C IN G T H E N E G ATI V E
computer at the end of the day.
E F F E C T S O F E L E C TI O N S
Elections have a positive effect on the winners but Installation of Officers
can be devastating for those who were not elect- and Representatives
ed, often causing them to stop participating in the The installation assembly is significant as the ceremo-
organization. It does not have to be this way. With ny that celebrates the time when the newly elected
a bit of consideration on the part of the adviser members of the council officially assume their duties
and the newly elected officers, those not elected from the current council. The principal or the adviser
can remain vital members of the student council. administers an oath of office to the newly elected of-
ficeholders. Speeches by the adviser, principal, and
1. Tell candidates the results of the elections
student council president are in order. Other school
before announcing the results to the entire
clubs and organizations may wish to have their offi-
student body.
cers (and possibly members and representatives) take
2. Refer to the new officers as “those who were
oaths during the same assembly. Or the event can
elected” and to the defeated opponents as
be marked with an awards banquet. In any case, it is
“those who were not elected,” rather than win-
important that the event be a memorable one. There
ners and losers.
are many ways to pass the torch of leadership from the
3. Conduct officer elections separately from outgoing to the incoming officers. Find a meaningful
representative elections. This gives those not ceremony that fulfills your school traditions.
elected another opportunity to become partici-
pating members.
4. Do not publish the final vote tallies. It doesn’t
Sample Installation Ceremony
help anyone to know that he or she lost by
1. Students and faculty members enter and are for-
only three votes, and it can be devastating to
mally welcomed to the ceremony.
lose by a landslide.
2. Members of the current student council are intro-
5. Congratulate each candidate in writing and duced and are seated on stage or in front of the
thank him or her for participating. It is espe- bleachers.
cially meaningful if this letter comes from the
principal; however, it is also nice to have a let-
ter from the student council adviser. Remind
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those not elected that they don’t have to have
a title to be a leader in the school. O FFI CE R I NS TA LLATI O N
6. Encourage elected officers to appoint those
Middle level student council installations can be
who were not elected to committees and com-
made more memorable when:
missions. They have shown interest in council
■■ The student body and faculty are informed
activities by campaigning and should be kept
of the purpose of the installation and expec-
involved.
tations for the audience
7. The adviser might want to suggest to those
■■ The ceremony is carefully scripted, prac-
not elected that they take a leadership class, if
ticed, and is student-led
one is available.
■■ The ceremony includes symbolism of leader-
8. Perhaps extend the privilege of membership ship that is explained to the student body
automatically the following school year to the ■■ Attention is given to the general aesthetics
candidates not elected. of the room in the way of lighting, sound,
and appropriate decorations.
3. The vice president leads the Pledge of Allegiance. 8. To symbolize his or her commitment to leading the
4. The historian gives a brief review of student coun- student council and the school, the new president
cil activities over the past year. can have the student council stand, then light the
5. The secretary calls roll to recognize all student candles of the other new officers who then spread
council members. They come forward and receive the “light of leadership” to the other student coun-
a certificate from the president and principal. The cil members.
secretary receives the last certificate after being 9. End with closing remarks by the student council
announced by the president. adviser or the principal.
6. The newly elected officers are introduced. Oaths of 10. After dismissing the student body, follow the
office are given, beginning with the lowest office ceremony with a photo session and reception of
and ending with president. During this part of the student council members, parents, and available
ceremony, a flame of leadership (represented by a faculty.
candle) can be passed for each office from current See Appendix 4 for a sample installation ceremony.
to newly elected officers.
7. After taking the oath, the new president gives a
short address.

Chapter 7
Member and Officer Responsibilities
C ouncil members and officers have important duties and responsibilities both to the
council and to the rest of the student body. Most councils outline these responsibilities
in their constitution and bylaws. Depending upon the size of the council, these duties may
vary. Specific responsibilities change as the council grows and changes. The offices and
officers listed in this chapter are examples of what schools might consider. Each student
council and school should determine what kind of and how many officers will address its
needs and goals.
While the number of officers may vary depending on the size of the council and the
duties to be performed, there should be no more officers than are needed for the available
workload. The president and vice president should be elected by and from the entire stu-
dent body because they are called upon to represent all the students on many occasions.
The other officers may be elected either by the student body or by the student council
from among its own members.
A successful council must have competent leadership. The students elected to serve
must possess the qualities of character that enable them to command the confidence and
respect of those they will lead. They must be able to work effectively with others, respect
and place value on the contributions others make, and be open minded and willing to lis-
ten and see many points of view. These leaders must possess integrity and the courage to
uphold what is right in spite of circumstances.
Conduct Guidelines for Student Leaders

Student council leaders are public officials. If they are to lead effectively and hold the confi-
dence of those they serve, their conduct must conform to an ethical code. The code should
be idealistic but at the same time practical, making it possible for any responsible student
leader to follow. An ethics code acts as a guide post for the student leader and a measur-
ing stick for the student body. It may carry no penalties for violation other than account-
ability to the student body and to the student leader’s own conscience. Each school should
develop its own code of conduct. Respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring,
and citizenship are the basics of all the principles below.
Some principles that may be used in developing a code of conduct are:
■■ Upholds fundamentals of morality and ethics
■■ Complies with school regulations concerning property, programs, etc.
■■ Demonstrates honesty and reliability
■■ Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
■■ Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
■■ Exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior such as positive attitude, poise, stability,
etc.
Member and Officer Responsibilities n 43

Some specific elements of a conduct code may be: issue challenged, a student leader who feels that
■■ Providing they are not given with the intent of a school rule or issue is unfair or unnecessary
influencing the leader’s performance of official should challenge that rule or issue on behalf of
duties, a student leader may, within reason, the student body.
receive personal gifts or favors from others and ■■ A student leader must balance personal and
need not disclose their existence or value to the official time commitments in a fair and respon-
student body. It is proper for a student leader sible manner and be prepared to make personal
to accept a leadership-connected reward (such sacrifices when necessary.
as a free trip to a conference) when it is offered,
if to do so reasonably forms a part of the role of President
informing and representing the student body. A student council president is like the captain of a
The student leader may accept free samples of ship. He or she needs to know how to handle many
a product of insubstantial value when they are types of situations, must be mature and organized,
offered as a form of advertising but not when must have sound judgment, and must possess the
offered as an inducement to the leader to recom- ability to work with many different kinds of people.
mend the product to the student body. A captain who does not have these traits may face
■■ Whenever a student leader disagrees with the a rebellion, or even a coup. A student council presi-
student body on a particular issue, it is up to dent who lacks the leadership ability to direct council
the leader to choose to put personal preferences affairs may face an unmanageable student body or
aside and follow the students’ wishes. But it is council.
also the leader’s responsibility to make sure the Keeping the delicate balance between leading the
student body is as informed as possible to make student council and encouraging other officers, mem-
sound judgments. bers, and interested students to take on leadership
■■ A student council may privately vote on minor responsibilities is a challenge. In addition, the practi-
decisions affecting the student body. However, cal side of being president requires energy, careful
meetings involving major issues should include management of time, and a good relationship with the
the student body whenever time and circum- student body.
stances permit. The student body should have
Outline of president’s responsibilities:
advance notice of those meetings, along with an
■■ Preside over all student council meetings
agenda.
■■ Coordinate the work of the council through the
■■ A student council has the right to disqualify any
other officers and committees
of its members, but only for offending written
■■ Give assistance, guidance, and praise when ap-
standards developed by the council and ap-
propriate
proved by the student body. No student council
■■ Act as a facilitator of group discussion by sum-
member may be disqualified without the due
marizing, clarifying, etc.
process of first being accorded a fair, public
■■ Write all necessary correspondence, reports, etc.
defense against all charges.
■■ Know basics of meeting procedures to ensure
■■ A student leader’s first allegiance is to the stu-
smooth meetings
dent body, but the leader is elected to serve the
■■ Maintain frequent contact with faculty and
entire school community as well. This includes
administrators
students, teachers, administrators, parents,
■■ Work closely with the student council adviser on
alumni, and future students of the school.
all planning
■■ Qualifications for seeking student office—such
■■ Keep the principal informed of student council
as prior leadership experience, grade point aver-
activities
age, and grade level—should be set solely by the
■■ Attend community group meetings, such as
student council and abolished if the designated
PTA, to serve as spokesperson for the student
majority of the students do not approve.
council
■■ If the student body wishes to have a particular

Speak at local civic organization meetings, MI
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when required or invited
■■ Call executive committee meetings, as needed, S E CRE TA RY
in accordance with the constitution and bylaws
■■ Participate in student council-sponsored activi-
In most middle level student councils, one secre-
ties. tary is responsible for the records and the corre-
In addition to formal responsibilities, the president spondence of the council. Separating the duties of
has a wide range of responsibilities to the officers as the secretary into two positions is preferred when
individuals and should constantly try to be aware of the number of council activities and meetings
their needs and deal positively with them. This some- necessitates the need for another secretary or the
times delicate task is crucial in maintaining a good second secretary position is filled by appointment,
working relationship among the officers. allowing the council to involve potential student
The president’s responsibilities extend beyond the leaders who might not have been elected or who
students within the student council. An important had shied away from the campaign process.
responsibility of a president is to serve as a spokesper-
son for the student body at large because representing
the students is the primary goal of the entire student
council organization. duties of the recording secretary and corresponding
secretary are combined into one position, requiring
Vice President that the officeholder be especially talented. Here, how-
The job of the vice president can be very rewarding, ever, the secretarial duties will be considered as two
but it also can be quite tedious. The role of the vice separate but closely related positions.
president must be defined with the president. A good Outline of recording secretary’s responsibilities:
president is eager to help develop the vice-presiden- ■■ Prepare and distribute the agenda for business
tial position into a creative and productive one, but meetings in the style that the assembly selects.
sometimes the president must be reminded to do that. ■■ Take roll of attendees at meetings, either verbal
The vice president can become the right hand assist- or written.
ing the president. ■■ Take minutes of the proceedings of all student
Outline of vice president’s responsibilities: council meetings.

■■ Work closely with the president ■■ Receive all main motions and amendments
■■ Assume the president’s duties if necessary proposed during a meeting to be included in the
■■ Coordinate the work of the committees and minutes.
chair an important committee ■■ Prepare and distribute the written minutes, with
■■ Work with the president and treasurer in prepar- the president’s assistance, in a timely manner.
ing budget and calendar Make certain that the administration and faculty
■■ Assist the president in preparing meeting agen- receive copies of the minutes.
das. ■■ Maintain file of original agendas and minutes.
In some schools, the vice president is the presi- The recording secretary may use a tape recorder or
dent-elect and will serve one year as vice president shorthand. Recording minutes by hand does not have
before assuming the office of president the next year. to be complicated.
Vice presidents may also be charged with identifying
and reading a motivational leadership quote or mes- Corresponding Secretary
sage at the beginning of each meeting. The corresponding and recording secretaries work
closely together, one helping the other if work gets
Recording Secretary backed up. If the work becomes too heavy, a secretary
The duties of the recording secretary are much more may consider asking the school’s business department
comprehensive than simply taking minutes. Often, the for assistance.

Outline of corresponding secretary’s ■■ Oversee council expenses and revenues.
responsibilities: ■■ Maintain an accurate and detailed financial
■■ Type all required letters of the president, vice record.
president, and adviser. ■■ Give monetary advice to the student council.
■■ Maintain the files of the student council. Es- Prepare cost-benefit analyses of various endeav-
tablish a policy, with the recording secretary, ors (i.e., will the expense of time, money, or effort
concerning the lending of files. be worthwhile in terms of its benefits of money,
■■ Maintain contact names, addresses, phone improved image, etc.?).
numbers, and e-mail addresses of people with ■■ Understand the policies the school has in regard
whom the student council regularly works. to the use of student finances and explain them
■■ Send thank you notes and birthday cards to when necessary.
teachers, administrators, and support staff mem- ■■ Authorize payment vouchers, review purchase
bers. orders, and give final approval before invoices
■■ Produce a student council directory. are paid.
■■ Alert the organization’s members to important ■■ Deposit money quickly to prevent its accidental
correspondence. loss (if school policies allow).
■■ Make and interpret monthly financial reports to
Treasurer membership at the business meeting.
The treasurer keeps accurate records of all financial ■■ Check that the appropriate school officials have
transactions and periodically reports a summary of signed all contracts.
the monetary transactions to the executive commit- ■■ Work with the school bookkeeper.
tee and at business meetings. The treasurer predicts
how money will be used in the future and makes Historian
concrete suggestions for saving money and increas- The historian is charged with developing a pictorial
ing efficiency. To do the job correctly, a treasurer must and written record of the highlights of the year. This
keep track of all expenditures and add the appropriate job can’t be done in a few nights; it must be a year-
transactions to the books. The treasurer should be the long effort. This position can be incorporated into an
person concerned with regulating the flow of money, officer’s duties, or it can be held by a person whose
especially when many people want to spend it. sole responsibility is this assignment.
Outline of treasurer’s responsibilities: Outline of historian’s responsibilities:
■■ Work closely with the president and vice presi- ■■ Record the activities of the year through videos,
dent in preparing a workable yearlong calendar photos, written reports, and other materials
and budget. ■■ Prepare a historical document such as a scrap-
book, Web site, slide show, video, DVD, or CD-
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T RE AS U RE R
Parliamentarian
At the middle level, the duties of the treasurer The parliamentarian’s role varies somewhat, depend-
should be such that no student is placed in a ing on whether he or she is already a voting member
compromising position related to the handling of of the council or is appointed from outside the council
financial transactions. While assisting the adviser membership. If already a voting member of the coun-
with preparing moneys for delivery to the school cil, the parliamentarian has full rights to debate and
finance officer is appropriate, giving the treasurer is a consultant to the president about parliamentary
the responsibility of making deposits or payments procedure. Voting parliamentarians can even chal-
constitutes a liability issue for both the student lenge the president’s ruling by appealing, as can any
and the adviser. other member.

Outline of parliamentarian’s responsibilities: MI
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■■ Offer procedural opinions only when asked to do
so by chairperson; is subject to the limitations of REPRES E NTATI VE S
debate and voting that are applied to all non- The representative body of middle level student
member speakers councils may be selected and modeled in a num-
■■ Usually chairs the constitution/bylaws revision
ber of ways. While some may use a more tradi-
committee, if the need arises. tional election process to select homeroom repre-
sentatives, other middle level schools hold open
Representatives and Committee meetings that any interested student may attend
Members and represent his or her classmates. Another
The representatives embody the council’s efforts to be representative form that has gained popularity
the student voice—the roots of the council. Indeed, in middle level schools is a town council or town
it is from their obligation to represent the students meeting structure, where several representatives
that the representatives get their name. These are the selected from each team serve on an executive
people who must develop that crucial dialogue be- council. No matter which form of representative
tween students and the student council. And they are body is adopted, the basic responsibilities of the
who ultimately determine much of the direction the membership remain intact.
council takes during the year.
Outline of representatives’ responsibilities:
■■ Regularly report council actions to the con-
stituent group in an accurate, informative, and Outline of committee chair responsibilities:
■■ Help members express their ideas in committee
interesting way
meetings
■■ Present to the council, as fairly as possible, stu-
■■ Keep the group focused on one idea at a time
dents’ ideas and motions, if the students don’t
■■ Help resolve disagreements among committee
do so directly themselves
members
■■ When voting on issues, maintain a conscious-
■■ Research information for the committee
ness of what is best for the students rather than
■■ Work with committee members in assigning
“what is best for me”
individual responsibility for certain aspects of a
■■ Make special efforts to inform the student body
project
of upcoming events that might interest them
■■ Constantly monitor progress toward meeting
■■ Take informal polls on how students feel about
certain topics deadlines and ensure that committee members
know the deadlines
■■ Welcome new students to the classroom
■■ Work with the vice president to prepare monthly
■■ Encourage nonmembers of student council to
committee reports
work on committees.
■■ Give input to the executive committee, especial-
As with many other offices, the responsibilities of
ly about the attitudes and ideas of their commit-
representatives cannot be described completely in a list.
tee members
To do the job well, representatives must add creativity,
■■ Work with the treasurer to design ways the com-
enthusiasm, and devotion to any list of their duties.
mittee can cut costs
■■ Check with the constitution/bylaws committee
Committee Chairs and the executive committee concerning com-
These members must be excellent at organizing mittee’s authority.
people to implement projects. They also must make
sure that the feelings of the committee members are
respected and dealt with in positive, beneficial ways.
These students represent the committee members on
the executive committee.

Other Elected or Appointed Offices Scrapbook Assistant
Student councils will often appoint one or two addi-
tional students to assist the historian or take the lead
Public Relations Specialist on creating and maintaining an annual scrapbook in
Some councils are involved in so many activities that
either print or electronic form.
they need one person to maintain a continual flow
of information to local papers, television and radio
stations, and other schools in addition to the student Commissioner of Rallies and Assemblies
body. The public relations specialist and the corre- This officer’s role is to organize and involve students in
sponding secretary should determine who is respon- pep rallies and assemblies; brainstorm and incorporate
sible for typing and mailing the information. other students’ ideas for rallies and assemblies; and
act as the master of ceremonies for rallies and assem-
Outline of public relations specialist’s
blies or choose another student, teacher, or adminis-
responsibilities:
trator to do so.
■■ Release information periodically to the news
media about council activities
■■ Check releases for proper spelling and grammar Commissioner of Clubs and
■■ Work with the adviser on all materials being sent Organizations
to organizations outside the school This officer organizes all interclub activities; provides
■■ Compile lists of addresses of the news media
an up-to-date list of all clubs and organizations on
and their requirements for announcing school campus along with their constitutions and member
events rosters; and organizes a club/organization sign-up day
■■ Obtain principal’s approval before releasing
at the beginning of the school year.
information to the news media
■■ Keep the student body informed of events Commissioner of Elections
through bulletins, posters, announcements, Web This officer works with the adviser and the adminis-
sites, fliers, etc. tration during the election of student body and class
officers.
M
M ID
ID D
D LE
LE LE
LE V
VEEL
L— Adviser
APPOIN T ED M E M B E R S The adviser provides a wealth of sound advice and
practical knowledge and may well be the single most
Although some appointments to committees and important factor in the success of a student council.
other positions might be made from within a stu- The adviser should use every opportunity available to
dent council, filling ex-officio and other positions become better trained in the field of student activities
from the student body at-large can also yield a and student leadership development.
number of benefits, the foremost being the image
Outline of adviser’s responsibilities:
of the student council as an open and respon-
■■ Provide guidance and direction for effective
sive leadership organization. A second benefit of
student council operation
at-large appointments is the increased number
■■ Know the school system and how students work
of students who become directly involved with
within the system
the council and its activities. This is especially
■■ Promote participation in cocurricular activities
important at the middle level, where student coun-
as vital to student success
cils historically maintain smaller numbers in their
■■ Keep faculty members and administrators
memberships.
informed on the significant developments of the
student council
■■ Work with local business and community orga-
nizations

■■ Oversee council operations but, unless neces- ■■ Keep records of the previous year’s student
sary, do not direct operations council for use by the following year’s officers.
■■ Maintain an appropriate space for council files
and materials For more information on officers’ responsibilities,
■■ Understand activities operation, including legal you can download officer profiles from the Adviser
responsibilities Resources at www.nasc.us.

Chapter 8
Meeting Management
A student council must have well-planned meetings to be effective and to accomplish its
goals and objectives. It is in meetings that attitudes are created and developed as the
members formulate policies, make decisions, and discuss ideas.
Planning a Meeting
Every meeting, whether it is of the whole council or a committee, should have a well-
thought-out plan that will help ensure that goals are reached. Although meetings take
many forms and serve many purposes, they all share some common elements. Take the
following steps to ensure that members leave your meetings feeling their time was well
spent.
■■ Define the purpose of the meeting. Sometimes the purpose is clearly stated;
sometimes it’s taken for granted. Do you want people to experience something?
Learn something? Make decisions? Plan an activity? Consider various activities that
will help accomplish your purpose, and structure your meeting to accomplish that
purpose. If there is no real purpose, don’t hold a meeting!
■■ Plan an agenda. Once you have an objective, outline the items to be handled dur-
ing the meeting. List them in the order in which they are to be addressed, and indi-
cate how much time will be spent on each item. Also consider what method will be
used for each item, such as brainstorming, buzz groups, cause and effect diagram,
etc. This is your agenda.
■■ Consider your time limit. Meeting lengths vary greatly. How much can be dealt
with in the time available? Plan your agenda so everything can be handled within
the time allotted.
■■ Plan for the people who will be involved. Consider who will be present at the
meeting. Are they familiar with the business at hand? If not, how can you bring
them up to speed? How motivated will they be to participate? Who will be leading
the activities? Answering these questions will help determine the activities of the
meeting.
■■ Schedule the meeting in an appropriate setting. Plan an atmosphere that will
be conducive to participation and productivity. Consider such things as size of room,
arrangement of seating, lighting, acoustics, temperature, and equipment needed.
For example, if your objective is to get small groups of people together to discuss an
issue and come up with potential solutions, don’t hold the meeting in the auditori-
um, where small-group discussions are awkward, at best. Instead, hold the meeting
in the library or cafeteria, where small groups can gather around a table.
■■ Follow your plan. During the meeting, work through the agenda items one at
a time, being careful to stick to time limits and avoid getting off track. Be flexible
Meeting Management and Procedures n 51

enough to adjust your plan if truly needed, but principles on which all parliamentary procedures are
don’t allow one item to take over the meeting based. Although it is simple, parliamentary logic is
unless it’s warranted. perhaps the most important key to the “mysteries” of
■■ Review decisions made. All agreements parliamentary meeting procedures.
made during the meeting should be reviewed The wording and phrases used in parliamentary
and verified at the end of the meeting, such as procedure are more difficult than the parliamentary
tasks assigned, chairs appointed, committees logic. Some people react negatively to formal parlia-
formed, etc. Plan steps that need to be taken mentary language, saying that it is unnecessary and
before the next meeting in order to advance cumbersome. No doubt, it does seem to get in the way
projects undertaken. at times. However, present-day parliamentary proce-
■■ Evaluate the meeting. Take a few minutes at dure is designed to be used in thousands of different
the end of the meeting to evaluate how success- kinds of business meetings. By insisting on a precise
ful the meeting was. What went well? What could and definite wording, parliamentary procedure enables
be improved upon for the next meeting? Focus- any person who knows its rules to function effectively
ing on the process will help all members have a in a variety of meetings. The emphasis on the precise
better understanding of what a good meeting wording, therefore, is simply an effort to develop stan-
should be like and will help ensure that each dardization in business meeting procedures.
meeting becomes more effective than the last.
Main Considerations of
Business Meetings Parliamentary Logic
Those people who are not familiar with student coun- When using parliamentary procedure to con-
cil may believe that most student council work is done duct meetings, a student council should:
in business meetings because there seems to be so ■■ Consider only one idea at a time
many of them. But the truth is, the largest share of the ■■ Encourage individuals to introduce ideas, but
work is done by committees and by the officers. Busi- decide on those ideas only as a group
ness meetings are not the place to develop creative ■■ Decide how to spend its own time in meetings
ideas or to work out compromises. These jobs should ■■ Be ruled by the majority but also protect the
be handled in committees. Nonetheless, business minority
meetings are important and productive. ■■ Realize that the group cannot violate some indi-
Business meetings are held for several reasons: vidual rights for any reason
to communicate with, motivate, and educate council ■■ Refuse to take a stand if it might be harmful later
members; to decide on an official stand by using a for- ■■ Have the option to change its mind.
mal voting procedure; and/or to have a limited amount For council members who do not have training in
of discussion on an issue or proposed course of action. parliamentary usage, the wording can be confusing.
The procedures for running a successful business Precise wording provides the most complete citizen-
meeting are usually referred to as “parliamentary ship training, but it is not a requirement of a good stu-
procedure” because their historical origins are in dent council. What is required of a good council is that
rules developed for the British Parliament. To see the it strictly follow the logic behind parliamentary proce-
procedures used in U.S. terms, watch a congressional dure, even if it does not precisely follow the language.
session on C-SPAN. A thorough understanding of the
rules can be a great help to councils, but applying Motions
them haphazardly or only occasionally can result in The heart of parliamentary procedure is the motion.
unsuccessful meetings. A motion is a proposal by a member of the group that
the group take certain action. There are five types of
Principles of Parliamentary Logic motions:
Parliamentary logic is simple: Be courteous and use ■■ Main motions are major proposals or sugges-
common sense. This logic is the foundation of the tions for action to be taken by the group. Main

motions are the only way to bring business be- ■■ Subsidiary motions in some way alter or
fore the group. Any member may make a main change the disposition of the main motion. Sub-
motion after securing the floor and being recog- sidiary motions are always acted upon before
nized by the chair. A second is needed. The mo- the main motion. Such motions include motions
tion is debatable, can be amended, and needs a to postpone a matter, amend a motion, refer to
majority to carry. A motion is out of order if other committee, limit or extend debate, or lay a mo-
business is on the floor. Example: tion on the table.
❍❍ Member: The member rises, remains stand- ■■ Privileged motions have no connection to
ing, waits for recognition, and addresses the the main motion but are of such importance or
chair: “Mr. President” or “Madam Chair.” urgency that they are entitled to immediate con-
❍❍ Chair: Recognize member: “The chair rec- sideration. Privileged motions outrank all other
ognizes (member’s name, if known.)” After motions. Such motions include questions of
receiving recognition, the member is said to privilege, orders of the day, or motions to recess
“have the floor.” or adjourn.
❍❍ Member: State a motion: “I move that...” or ■■ Incidental motions concern matters of proce-
“I move the adoption of the following resolu- dure arising out of business and must be settled
tion....” at once. A group member will make an inciden-
❍❍ Another Member: “I second the motion.” Sec- tal motion when he or she feels a mistake has
onding member need not address the chair, been made or a point must be clarified in the
be recognized, or rise. If there is no second, observance of either parliamentary procedure
the motion dies. There can be no discussion or the organization’s rules. Examples include
and no vote. points of order, to appeal the decision of the
❍❍ Chair: State the motion and ask for discus- chair, to suspend the rules, to call for a division
sion: “It is moved and seconded that.... Is of the house, to make a point of inquiry or infor-
there any discussion?” Members wishing to mation, and to ask for permission to withdraw
speak for or against the motion must rise, the motion.
address the chair, and be recognized. Mem- ■■ Unclassified motions are those that are not
bers generally speak only once and limit their classified in the above categories. They cannot
remarks to pertinent comments. No other be made if any other motion is under consider-
motion may be made until the motion on the ation and must be appropriate for that part of
floor has been disposed of—either passed, the meeting (unfinished business, new business,
rejected, or tabled (removed indefinitely from etc.). Examples include motions to take from the
consideration). When there seems to be a lull table or to reconsider a motion.
in the discussion, the chair may ask, “Are you
ready for the question?” or “Is there any fur- Common Parliamentary Procedure Terms
ther discussion?” If no one objects, the chair Below are the main terms used in parliamentary
puts the motion to vote. procedure. By learning these basics, along with their
❍❍ Chair: The chair again repeats the motion: meanings and usage, student leaders can run more
“It has been moved and seconded that.... All successful meetings.
in favor of the motion say ‘Aye.’ All those Adjourn: To close the meeting (this may not inter-
opposed say ‘No.’” The chair then announces rupt a vote).
the results: “The motion is carried,” or “The Amend: A proposal for a change or modification in
motion is lost.” If the chair is not sure of the a main motion currently under consideration.
vote, he or she may ask for a show of hands or Appeal decision of chair: To appeal to the assembly
a standing vote. On some important matters to override a ruling made by the chair.
there may be a need for a roll call vote. This Committee of the whole: To consider a motion
is also the time to call for a “division of the informally (using group discussion methods) instead of
house.” sending it to a committee.

Division of the house: To call for an announcement Withdraw a motion: To prevent action on a motion
of the number of people voting for and against a mo- when the maker of the motion has changed his or her
tion (usually called for after a voice vote if the vote was mind (to be made only by maker of the motion).
close).
Fix time of next meeting: To fix time for reassembling. Responsibilities of the Chair
Lay on table: To postpone consideration of a ques- In a business meeting, the chair (usually the president)
tion (motion) temporarily (may be brought up in the is responsible for keeping the meeting orderly, under-
same session or some later session). standable, and democratic. This requires not only a
Limit debate: To restrict the time available for de- good knowledge of parliamentary meeting procedures
bate on a motion. but also practical skill in conducting meetings.
Main motion for general business: A proposal for
The following suggestions will help the chair be a
action concerning the general business of the group.
more effective meeting leader:
Make a special order of business: To set a specific
■■ Realize that each chairperson has his or her
time for the exclusive consideration of a particular
own style. Some are very formal and go “by the
question.
book”; others conduct meetings in a relaxed
Object to consideration: To object to the consider-
manner. Both styles can work; it depends upon
ation of a motion considered irrelevant or objection-
the nature of the chairperson, the particular
able (must be made before debate begins).
issues, and the mood of the meeting. Each
Orders of the day: A request to conform to the
chairperson should realize the strength of his or
order of business.
her style and work to develop it.
Parliamentary inquiry: To seek advice from the
■■ Protect individual rights.
chair concerning parliamentary procedure.
■■ Call motions or actions that are out of order,
Postpone indefinitely: To dispose of a motion with-
not a person. For example, “The motion is out
out voting upon it.
of order because...” not “You are out of order
Postpone to a certain time: To delay any action
because....”
until a specified time because of a pending question.
■■ When ruling a motion or action out of order, try
Previous question: To terminate discussion on a
to offer a suggestion to help the person accom-
debatable motion by bringing it to immediate vote.
plish the proposal.
Question of order: To correct an error in parliamen-
■■ Rule a motion “out of order” if it clearly attempts
tary procedure.
to hinder the assembly’s ability to discuss busi-
Question of privilege: A request for the chair to
ness.
deal with an emergency situation (disorders, offensive
■■ Require that all main motions and complicated
remarks, discomfort, etc.).
amendments immediately be given in writing
Recess: To temporarily disband for a specific pur-
to the recording secretary. This will save much
pose (vote, lunch, etc.).
confusion later.
Reconsider: To give the group an opportunity to
■■ Always state clearly what is before the assembly
consider again an action already taken (special rules
for consideration.
apply here).
■■ If the meeting is noisy, never try to shout over it.
Refer to committee: To delay an opportunity to
The confusion will just increase.
consider again an action already taken (special rules
■■ Use a gavel—it is great for quieting a crowd.
apply here).
■■ Explain what is happening to those who are
Request for information: To request information
“lost” in the discussion.
concerning the pending business.
■■ Refrain from debate with individuals.
Rescind: To cancel an action taken at a previous
■■ Take all 2/3 votes by counting raised hands, not
meeting.
by voice.
Take from table or resume consideration: To revive
■■ Follow a precise format when voting:
a motion previously laid on the table or temporarily put
1. Announce that debate has ended.
aside.

Parliamentary Procedures in Order of Precedence
Second Needed Amendable Debatable Vote Required Interrupt Speaker
Fix time of next meeting yes yes no 1/2 no

Adjourn yes no no 1/2 no
Recess yes yes no 1/2 no
Question of privilege no no no chair yes
Lay on the table yes no no 1/2 no
Previous question yes no no 2/3 no
Limit debate yes yes no 2/3 no
Postpone to a certain time yes yes yes 1/2 no
Refer to a committee yes yes yes 1/2 no
Committee of the whole yes yes yes 1/2 no
Amend yes yes * 1/2 no
Postpone yes to yes 1/2 no
*Debatable when motion of which it applies is debatable.

chair—The chairperson can make the decision, but it is a majority vote if appealed.
Parliamentary Procedures in No Order of Precedence

Second Needed Amendable Debatable Vote Required Interrupt Speaker
Main motion yes yes yes 1/2 no

Take from table yes no no 1/2 no
Reconsider yes no * 1/2 yes
Rescind yes yes yes 2/3 no
Make special order of yes yes yes 2/3 no
business
Appeal from decision of yes no * 1/2 yes
chair
Suspend the rules yes no no 2/3 no
Object to consider no no no chair yes
Parliamentary inquiry no no no chair yes
Withdraw a motion no no no 1/2 no
Division no no no 1/2 yes
Point of order no no no chair yes
Request for information no no no 1/2 no
*Debatable when motion of which it applies is debatable.

chair—The chairperson can make the decision, but it is a majority vote if appealed.

W H Y T E AC H PA R L I A M E N TA RY PRO CE D URE ?
If parliamentary procedure can be confusing and cumbersome, why should it be taught?

■■ Parliamentary procedure teaches respect for the democratic decision making process. Groups too often wait
until a crisis arises to address the problems inherent in their decision making processes. The appropriate
time to teach parliamentary procedure is before a crisis occurs. Parliamentary procedure provides a sound
basis for democratic decision making that precludes the necessity of floundering from one crisis to the next.
■■ Parliamentary procedure expedites business. Meetings conducted according to parliamentary procedure
move more quickly and get the required business done in less time. Because of this, many businesses
(where “time is money”) have begun to utilize the principles of parliamentary procedure in their meetings.
■■ Meetings that utilize parliamentary procedure are more focused and orderly. Parliamentary procedure allows
only one item of business to be considered at any given time. All lines of communication are directed to and
from the chair. There is less confusion and a greater sense of order and accomplishment because members
are able to follow the progress of the meeting.
■■ Parliamentary procedure protects the rights of both the majority and the minority. The majority has the right
to prevail on any given issue and the right to reasonable expediency in arriving at a decision. The minority
has the right to be heard and the right to attempt to persuade others to accept its viewpoint (thus convert-
ing a temporary minority into a majority). Parliamentary procedure provides the tools for protecting both
majority and minority rights so that no faction is allowed to arbitrarily impose its will on any other group.
■■ Parliamentary procedure provides a common language for democratic decision making. To be effective in
meetings, members must learn to speak the language of parliamentary procedure. Like any other language,
this requires constant practice. Once mastered, the language of parliamentary procedure enables partici-
pants to meet on common ground and to deliberate in terms that are universally accepted as a basis for
sound decision making.
■■ The net result of using parliamentary procedure is a better informed citizenry capable of participating in the
daily decision making that forms the basis of our democracy.
Excerpted from October 1997 Leadership for Student Activities magazine.
2. Reread the exact motion so that every one ■■ Call on people of differing opinions throughout
understands. debate. Members wishing to talk should raise
3. Say, “All those in favor of the motion, please their hand and wait to be recognized by the
say aye (or yes) or abstain.” Pause. Then, chairperson.
“Those opposed, please say nay (or no) or ■■ Call on a person a second time for debate only
abstain.” after everyone who wants to has spoken a first
4. State which side of the vote was successful, time.
and by what margin. (Example: “The nays ■■ Use a microphone, if necessary, for a large meeting.
have it by at least a majority vote.”) ■■ Arrange a signal with a council member in the
5. State whether the motion was passed or meeting who can be “cued” to move to end de-
defeated. bate if discussion starts going in circles.
6. Inform the assembly what motion (if any) ■■ Follow an agenda.
comes next. (Example: “Is there any more ■■ Keep a readable chart on parliamentary proce-
new business?”) dure handy for quick reference.

■■ Before the first official council meeting, hold used by groups that are trying to achieve a specific
a workshop on how parliamentary procedure goal or solve a problem. Members meet, with or with-
works and ask a local parliamentarian to present out a chairperson, and start talking. Their discussion
it. Officers and members should have a copy of may be structured, with an introduction and a conclu-
the common parliamentary terms. sion, or hit-or-miss. There are no auditors or observers.
Do Student Councils Need Interaction Method

Parliamentary Procedure? This system uses a facilitator and recorder to post
Parliamentary procedure is an effective decision- the group agenda, give ground rules, and help with
making method for people who understand it, but is interaction and participation. The facilitator keeps the
complicated and bothersome for those who don’t. group focused and on track. The recorder writes down
Some councils are small and friendly enough that ideas on butcher paper or chart paper so people can
they do not need the formal wording and rules of clearly see their recorded words. This method is effec-
parliamentary procedure. However, all councils need tive because it fosters participation of all members of
respect for those commonsense and common-courtesy the group and builds consensus by shared ownership
principles upon which parliamentary procedure is of plans.
based. Although it is possible to follow those general
principles without using a complicated system of rules Panel Discussion
and motions, councils neglect a very valuable area of A panel of three to eight participants is selected to
formal citizenship training by neglecting parliamen- discuss a topic in front of, and partially for the benefit
tary procedure. In a heated controversy, it may be an of, an audience. This method is a type of structured
effective tool for cooling tempers. conversation. Usually, though not necessarily, there is
a designated moderator. The audience may be allowed
Alternatives to Parliamentary Procedure to ask questions or enter into the discussion while it is
Parliamentary procedure is not the only way to con- under way or after the panel has finished.
duct a meeting, nor is it always the best way. Councils
and other groups that choose not to follow the strict Symposium
form of parliamentary procedure use some form of A number of people, often experts in some aspect of
interactive discussion. Interactive discussion in small the subject under consideration, are each invited to
groups involves direct, easy interchange; members make short speeches. When all have spoken, partici-
speak up without waiting for recognition by the lead- pants may ask questions or make statements in regard
er; and each communicator must be aware of every to what another has said, and the audience may be
other person and their reactions. invited to join in.
The situation is more difficult when 40 people are
interacting, rather than 5. Being aware of every other
member in a large group is difficult; each communi-
Discussion Groups
After a general presentation (or even prior to a pro-
cator tends to consider his or her listener a mass of
gram), a large group is divided into small units. Each
“others”—an audience. The speaker is less likely to
of these “buzz” groups is asked to consider a specific
feel that he or she is talking directly to a few individu-
question. All the small groups may be answering the
als. Yet this kind of direct interaction is desirable in
same question or each may have a different ques-
many group situations.
tion. Each group selects a leader and/or recorder. At
Interaction discussion has many variations. Con-
the end of the allotted period, each leader or recorder
sider some of the following options.
presents his or her group’s report to the whole assem-
bly. In this way, every individual takes an active role
Round-Table Discussion in deliberation, even though contributions are filtered
A “round-table discussion” is a closed, informal through the reporter. Member satisfaction is increased
discussion typically held around a table or circle. It is by this process, and there is usually a noticeable in-

crease in interaction within the large meeting follow- imaginations will be stirred to move outside well-worn
ing a discussion session. The success of the method pathways and look for previously unimagined possi-
depends largely on the quality of questions assigned bilities.
to each small unit. The time allowed for the discussion The following ground rules should be strictly
questions should be as short as possible to create a enforced in brainstorming:
sense of urgency and importance. ■■ Think positively. Realize that a solution to the
problem does exist and that the task is to find it.
Cooperative Investigations ■■ Write down every idea. Quantity is essential
The procedure for this type of group is more formal, as to the success of the system and every person
its purpose is more sharply focused. It is designed for should be encouraged to offer as many ideas as
situations in which group members have little infor- come to mind.
mation on the topic and no expert is available to pro- ■■ Encourage ideas that are inspired by and ex-
vide information about what they need to know. There panded from those already offered by someone
are usually eight steps to this “do it yourself” exercise. else.
1. The group meets in advance to elect a leader and ■■ Do not permit criticism or evaluation of ideas.
to divide the subject into a number of subtopics. The wilder the ideas, the better the results.
2. So members can know what each has accom- After the brainstorming process is finished, the
plished, the leader calls one or more advance evaluation begins and continues until the merits of
meetings to review assignments and make final each alternative are discussed and a solution to the
plans. problem is achieved.
3. At the beginning of the meeting, the leader ana-
lyzes and defines the problem. House Rules
4. Each member then presents his or her information Using house rules is an informal way to structure a
in a brief report. The report contains only informa- meeting. House rules are usually 5–20 rules of courtesy
tion, no argument. and procedure that are determined by the group for
5. When the reports are finished, the leader calls for its own use. This method provides a simple, flexible
any additional information. framework for groups whose members want an alter-
6. The leader concludes the first portion of the meet- native to strict parliamentary procedure.
ing by summarizing the fresh pool of information
House rules usually cover the following areas:
and opens the second half by inviting discussion
■■ How will the group reach decisions? Who makes
in light of the facts presented.
them?
7. Finally, if the nature of the problem permits, ways
■■ How will ideas be presented? When? How many?
and means for putting an agreed-upon solution
■■ How will ideas be changed?
into operation are discussed.
■■ How will information be obtained?
8. At the conclusion of the discussion, the leader
summarizes the points of agreement, identifies
any problems that still need attention, and evalu- Lecture/Presentation
ates the process by which the group reached its The main purpose of lectures and presentations is to
understanding. share information. Information is provided by qualified
speakers well-versed in the lecture topic. The speakers
give their prepared remarks to the audience with little
Brainstorming
interaction from the rest of the group. After the lec-
The unique purpose of brainstorming is to encourage
ture, an open forum on the topic is usually provided.
the creation and expression of original ideas to solve a
difficult problem. Because the emphasis is on creative
quantity and not quality, the ideas are not evaluated or Open Forum
discussed during the brainstorming session. By taking An open forum provides the chance for each group
the pressure of judgment off the group, it is hoped that member to express an opinion on a topic. The right

to speak is available to all members of the group; 5. After 10 minutes of discussion, spokespeople
prepared or impromptu comments may be freely return to their small groups. Representatives tell
expressed. This information-sharing method lends them about any important points they missed,
itself to discussion of material from a movie, speech, or how they felt about the other groups’ ideas, and
presentation. Order must be maintained and members anything else that may contribute to a decision.
are recognized by the leader to ensure that the forum 6. Spokespeople then return to the circle to work out
process continues. a final decision, keeping in mind the opinions of
their groups.
Problem-Solving Model
Sometimes it is important to get wide popular sup- Informational Conferences
port for an idea or project. For instance, a community A true informational conference is a specifically
service project probably won’t be successful unless it scheduled meeting, without an audience, at which all
has the backing of the entire membership. To ensure participants share their personal knowledge or experi-
that members’ ideas are heard and that commitments ence with the others present. The goal is the sharing
are made by the members who want to participate, of knowledge that may make the group and the indi-
councils can start by having members discuss the viduals more efficient in their work.
possibilities for projects or solutions in small groups The informational conference differs from the prob-
where people can speak freely and frequently. One lem-solving conference in that its goal is to produce
method for dividing a large group into small groups for information only, not to isolate, examine, and solve a
discussion is as follows: problem. It may, however, enlarge group knowledge
1. Present the problem to the entire group. Make about a problem as a result of sharing information.
sure everyone understands the problem and that
the wording is clear. Resources
2. Divide into several small groups. Instruct each A number of books and pamphlets on meeting pro-
group to come up with three possible solutions, cedures are available to student councils. Two that
ideas, or projects. specifically address the topic in this chapter include
3. Have each small group select a spokesperson to Parliamentary Procedure Without Stress and Meetings
present and explain the group’s ideas. Seat all the That Matter. Visit store.nasc.us for these resources
spokespeople in a circle, with the other represen- and more or order from the NASC Catalog.
tatives surrounding them in a large circle.
4. Each spokesperson selects one or two ideas,
solutions, or projects that were brought up in the
small groups for discussion. The outer circle of
representatives should remain silent. No one in
the inner circle should ask questions of those on
the outside.

Chapter 9
Financial Procedures
O pportunities for students to handle activity funds are outstanding educational

experiences. Even though some people believe that students cannot assume this
responsibility, an increasing number of schools are using student-operated financial
systems, with the school principal or adviser overseeing the process. Students can gain
valuable experience by learning banking policies and procedures, preparing budgets,
bookkeeping, earning and disbursing money, and auditing accounts. It seems impossible
for the student council to become a significant influence in the life of the school if it does
not have financial responsibility. Certainly if the student council is to serve as the center of
the student activity program, it should have some control over student activity funds.
Establishing a Budget
Organizations that handle money should never try to operate without a budget. A budget
is a financial plan of action that can be prepared monthly or yearly. It is used as a work-
ing document to keep finances in check. Think of it as the business plan for your student
council. The process of determining the council’s budget should rest with a budget or
finance committee guided by the treasurer and the adviser. (See Appendix 3 for a sample
budget form.) The committee may include other officers or it may be a special committee
of appointed members. This group should look at the expenses of the previous year and
project what the expenses might be in each area for the upcoming year. Look for areas that
can be cut, list priorities, and determine the amount of money needed for each activity.
Be sure to allow for increased costs, include extra money for unexpected items or projects,
and estimate projected revenue. In many schools, the finance/budget committee is also
responsible for determining how the organization will acquire the funds necessary to oper-
ate. Before determining fundraising projects, review school policies and guidelines and
review the school master calendar.
In establishing the budget, keep in mind your organization’s stated purpose. (Check
the constitution for “Statement of Purpose.”) Your budget for activities and projects should
reflect that statement. Likewise, your expenditures should help you achieve your stated
goals. For example, if social activities are not one of your stated purposes or goals, then an
expenditure for a pizza party would not be appropriate.
Neither large surpluses nor deficits should be allowed when budgeting. Proper budget-
ing requires adherence to definite, well-understood business procedures. A well-thought-
out budget prevents popular activities from draining the available financial resources of a
school at the expense of other activities.
The finance committee should prepare the proposed budget and present its recommen-
dations to the executive committee for approval. In some organizations, the general mem-
bership must approve each specific appropriation or expenditure; in others, the treasurer
Financial Procedures n 61
must make sure the group adheres to the budget. The store—or a software program that will allow you to
student council adviser and school principal should track finances. You can set up your own system using
approve the final annual operating budget. a spreadsheet program or purchase a program that is
Once the overall budget for the year is established, specifically designed for financial matters. The ledger
individual committee chairs should work with the should contain accurate records of all transactions,
treasurer to develop anticipated revenue and expenses money received, and money spent.
for each project. Blank reports can be given to each A numbered receipt book is essential for recording
committee chairperson to complete and return to the all money the council receives. These receipts should
treasurer. The individual project anticipated budget be in triplicate with the original going to the person
and activity expense should contain: paying the money, a copy to the school bookkeeper,
■■ Name and date of activity and a copy remaining in the council files. This receipt
■■ Revenues (with a separate line for each item) book should be accurately maintained as proof of mon-
■■ Total projected revenue (add all sources of pro- ey collected in case of an audit or other unforeseen
jected revenue) reasons. The school bookkeeper must maintain an
■■ Expenses (with a separate line for each item) inventory of receipt books. The adviser should deposit
■■ Total projected expenses (add all projected all money in the school office on the day it is received.
expenses) Never allow cash to accumulate in students’ lockers or
■■ Activity projected profit or loss. classrooms. Disbursement of funds should be handled
After the event or project, an activity expense by completing a purchase order and approving a final
report should be filed with the same information as invoice in accordance with school policy.
above, using actual figures for expenses and revenue
rather than projected amounts. Accounting Principles
As the year proceeds, it is also helpful for the In most cases, the actual paperwork and bookkeeping
treasurer to prepare a projected monthly budget. This involved in managing student council funds are the
projected budget for the upcoming month can give duties of the treasurer in conjunction with the adviser.
an overview of the entire student council budget. It Where large amounts of money are involved or in
should contain: large schools, many times a financial committee is
■■ Date one of the standing committees, with the treasurer
■■ Revenues with each activity item listed serving as the chairperson. The treasurer and/or
■■ Total revenues financial committee must have a sound accounting
■■ Expenses with each activity item listed system.
■■ Total expenses Certain principles are involved in planning for
■■ Total projected profit/loss. efficient control of funds that must be considered by
every school and every student council. The follow-
Keeping Good Records ing principles should be used as standards to evaluate
Local policies, state laws and regulations, and expec- current accounting systems as well as a checklist for
tations of the state auditor’s office control record keep- planning a new one.
ing for student activity funds. If you are in a public ■■ Each person responsible for receiving the money
school, student money is considered public money. and for issuing general receipts and checks
Check with your district’s financial office to determine should be bonded to the largest anticipated
what specific policies are applicable in your school. In amount of money on hand at any time during
general, it’s a good idea to maintain an accurate and the year. This may be the school bookkeeper,
detailed financial record of all transactions, money principal, or adviser.
received, and money spent. ■■ All receipts should be issued from duplicate or
Maintaining an accurate and detailed financial re- triplicate receipts books with originals and cop-
cord requires some sort of bookkeeping ledger, either ies serially numbered and accounted for.
a traditional ledger—available at any office supply

■■ All disbursements should be by bank check with must reconcile their accounts with those of the central
a supporting voucher. At least two signatures— treasurer.
those of the principal and the adviser—should
be required. Bookkeeping
■■ A computer accounting system that shows the The treasurer is usually responsible for keeping the ac-
general summary of the funds, the distribution of count of the student council. If a financial committee
assets in the bank and other places, and individ- is used, one of the members may be the actual book-
ual activity accounts may present page-by-page keeper while the treasurer oversees or coordinates the
balances. If a computer system is not available, bookkeeping. The selection of a competent treasurer
a single columnar book, bound or loose-leaf, is is very important to an effective student council. The
recommended for keeping accounts. books should be kept neat, accurate, simple, complete,
■■ Summary statements of all accounts should be and up-to-date.
prepared as of the close of each calendar month Money should never be taken home but should
(or other similar period) including bank recon- be deposited in the bank immediately. Many student
ciliation. Copies of such statements should be councils keep a petty cash fund on hand. Expendi-
placed on file in the principal’s office. tures of over a few dollars should be made by check
■■ A licensed accountant, under the direction of and not out of petty cash. No bills should be paid from
the school board, should audit all activity ac- cash on hand. Bills should be paid promptly and ac-
counts at regular periods—every one to two counts cleared in full as soon as possible. The books
years. A copy of the audit should be placed on should be posted as frequently as business is transact-
file in the principal’s office. ed. Many mistakes and discrepancies in bookkeeping
■■ The best accounting procedure implies opera- appear when transactions are allowed to accumulate.
tion of each separate account under a planned It is the adviser’s obligation to examine and super-
budget as much as possible. Procedures for han- vise the treasurer’s accounts at frequent and regular
dling student council finances should conform to intervals. The adviser is responsible for protecting the
the above. Many schools now use a rather com- student, the school, the organization, and him- or her-
plicated procedure to authorize disbursements. self. At the end of the school year, the books should be
Frequently, the student council first authorizes audited by a CPA. If a qualified parent is not available,
disbursements with the adviser’s approval, with this may cost the council a little money. However,
final approval given by the principal. the money is well spent because everything possible
Disbursements from student council funds are usu- should be done to ensure protection of both the money
ally made by the student council treasurer through a and the people who handle it.
written order that has been approved by the adviser In all cases, advisers and student councils must
and/or principal and then given to the school’s cen- adhere to school and district policies regarding the
tral treasurer, who issues a check. The accounts of all raising, maintenance, and disbursement of all funds.
student organizations are maintained by the school
treasurer, and student treasurers of each organization
Financial Procedures n 63
Chapter 10
Student Council Committees
M uch of an effectively organized student council’s work is delegated to committees and

small groups. Most councils have several committees functioning at the same time,
each concentrating its energies on specific duties.
While committees allow a council to deal with many problems at once, they can also
contribute to a substantial communication problem if they don’t inform one another about
their progress. To prevent a communication breakdown, most councils appoint one per-
son, often the vice president, to coordinate committee activities. Coordination can be very
involved because a council committee can be engaged in more than one project at a time.
Types of Committees
Committees are formed for specific purposes and may be used to:
■■ Plan specific activities
■■ Brainstorm about a project
■■ Present the best ideas to the large group
■■ Investigate issues and report the findings to the large group
■■ Perform specific work (sell tickets, clean up after a dance, etc.)
■■ Get more done in less time by delegating responsibilities
■■ Represent the council at official functions.
Because there are many different purposes for committees, there are different kinds of
committees:
Standing committees are defined in the bylaws as those committees appointed or
elected for an entire year. Their work is not necessarily limited to one project. One example
is a committee appointed or elected for the school year to plan all student assemblies. A
standing committee might use several special committees throughout the year to do the
actual work on each assembly. Other typical standing committees include membership,
service projects, spirit, and elections.
Special committees (often called ad hoc committees) are appointed for a specific
purpose and disband once they have accomplished their goal. A Harvest Dance committee
would be a special committee that would plan and do the work for one event—the dance.
Special committees are assigned their specific responsibilities by the general assembly.
Those responsibilities should be practical, reasonable, and clearly stated by the general
assembly. If, however, the committee members are unclear about their assignments, the
chair should immediately seek clarification from the vice president or officer assigned to
coordinate committees.
Executive committees have a different purpose and structure from standing and
special committees and are made up of officers, committee chairs, or an elected board.
They plan large group meetings, and initiate and organize activities. Often this group
Committees n 65
recommends the formation of standing or special com- responsibilities.
mittees to carry out the plans it makes. The executive This planning can be done by the newly elected of-
committee reviews major items and makes recom- ficers, but committees should be periodically reviewed
mendations before reporting to the full council. by the executive committee during the year. The con-
stitution and bylaws provide for flexibility in commit-
Committee Functions tees’ undertakings, but they also should be checked to
Every committee must have a clearly defined rea- ensure that a committee is acting within its limits.
son for existing, and every committee member must
understand that reason. A committee’s job might be Committee Structure
to advise, to coordinate, or to get specific work done. Several elements should be considered when estab-
Regardless of what type of committee is formed, com- lishing the structure of a committee.
mittee members must understand exactly what the Committee Size
committee is supposed to accomplish. The size of the committee depends on its assignment.
Advisory committees are formed to study a Obviously, a committee decorating a hall for a dance
problem, report back to the large group with facts and will probably have more members than a committee
figures, and make recommendations. that is investigating the cost of bands. In some situa-
Coordinating committees are convened to lay tions, it is better to have too many people on a com-
out a general plan or direction and act as a liaison with mittee than too few, as is the case with a committee
other committees or perhaps as an “umbrella” committee assigned the job of cleaning up after a school rally.
that coordinates the operation of special committees. Some general rules about committee size:
Work committees have a specific job to complete ■■ The ideal size for groups attempting to discuss
or goal to accomplish. and develop ideas is between five and seven
Some committees perform many of these functions people. With fewer than five people, there is not
at different points. the variety of perspectives needed; with more
than seven people, members may become frus-
What Committees Are Needed? trated because of the number of others who also
One place to start is to organize your council to meet want to speak.
its main functions. You could divide your committees ■■ Members of a working committee should have
into areas such as student voice and civic engage- enough to keep busy. People who show up to
ment, service/service learning, and social activities. work on an assignment but find nothing to do
Under these main areas, agree upon what needs to be may be reluctant to become involved again.
done, and then establish committees to do it. Unfor- ■■ Members should not be overworked—the qual-
tunately, many councils appoint committees first and ity of their project will diminish, and they may
then decide their purpose. not want to help in the future.
The needs of the school can be determined in a ■■ Members of a decision-making committee must
number of ways, including opinion polls, feedback be given all relevant information prior to the
from representatives, letters to the school newspaper, committee meeting.
school tradition, past activities, attendance records, Chair
financial records, examination of the curriculum, sur- Every committee needs a leader. The chair has the fi-
veys taken by the guidance office, general lunchroom nal responsibility for the success of the committee and
conversation, and suggestion boxes. NASC’s Raising must work with the members to decide what has to be
Student Voice & ParticipationTM process is also a way done, who will do it, where it will be done, and when
to get opinions from all the students in the school and it must be completed. The chairperson also needs to
helps to engage them in your projects. As Dr. Earl Reum know and communicate how much authority the com-
said, “People tend to support what they help to create.” mittee has.
After determining student needs, the executive
committee should determine committee titles and

T YPIC AL S TA N DI N G C O M M I TTE E S
Following are examples of typical standing committees often established by student councils.
■■ Alumni—coordinates all alumni activities.
■■ Assemblies—organizes and plans all assemblies.
■■ Budget/Finance—prepares budget for school year and proposes and carries out money raising proj-
ects.
■■ Building and Grounds—responsible for keeping courtyard and school grounds neat.
■■ Bulletin Boards/Showcases—makes bulletin boards and exhibits for showcases advertising projects
and displaying different aspects of the school and activities program.
■■ Constitution—revises constitution annually and distributes copies to the members.
■■ Dances—holds dances throughout the year for the student body.
■■ Exchange—organizes exchanges with local high schools.
■■ Elections—coordinates schoolwide elections.
■■ Evaluation—evaluates all projects done by organization to determine their level of success and to make
recommendations for future use.
■■ Homecoming—plans annual homecoming activities.
■■ Marquee—places all information on school marquee.
■■ Orientation/Hospitality—greets new students throughout the year, holds receptions and conducts
orientation of new students.
■■ Publications—in charge of newsletters or reports to be distributed
■■ Publicity—responsible for any publicity needed for school related activities.
■■ Scholarships—coordinates the awarding of scholarships to graduating seniors; recommends scholar-
ship amount and criteria for selection of recipient.
■■ Scrapbook—makes scrapbook of the year for the organization with pictures, news clippings, etc.
■■ Spirit/Sportsmanship—conducts pep rallies, spirit weeks, and other school spirit projects. Also plans
activities that aid in fostering good sportsmanship.
■■ Student Recognition—responsible for recognizing student achievement of all kinds.
■■ Student-Teacher Relations—plans projects and activities to help promote better student/faculty/ad-
ministration relations.
From the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Student Activity Advisers’ Conference, 1993, page 205.
To achieve this, the chairperson should: ■■ Delegate the work to committee members—ap-
■■ Have a clear understanding of the goal and au- point or elect a secretary or recorder, a treasurer
thority of the committee (if needed), etc., and establish small groups for
■■ Communicate that goal to the members of the specific tasks (subcommittees)
committee ■■ Set deadlines for completion of tasks
■■ Schedule meeting time and place, notify mem- ■■ Follow up on progress of specific tasks
bers, and insist on attendance (a reminder ■■ Participate in committee discussions and en-
phone call the night before can be valuable) courage others to do so, realizing the chair’s role
■■ Establish an agenda and procedures for the is to facilitate the group, not dominate it
meetings to ensure effective communication ■■ Complete a monthly committee report, as re-
■■ Appoint a committee secretary and ensure that quired by the executive committee
a written record of each meeting is kept and ■■ Present reports to the general assembly or ex-
final reports are done as needed ecutive committee.
Committees n 67
Many schools elect officers early in the spring so without the requirement of attendance. The president
new officers can “shadow” the previous year’s officers should not be counted in determining a committee’s
and learn from their experience. Having new officers quorum.
make committee chair appointments in the spring
also allows the new chairs the advantage of conferring Appointing Special (Ad Hoc) Committees
with the outgoing committee chairs. Special committees are formed when a motion made
Chairs for standing committees are usually ap- in a business meeting refers a specific matter to a
pointed by the president, working in conjunction with committee. The general assembly frequently appoints
the other officers and the adviser, and serve on the special committees to work on particular projects.
executive committee. Chairs for special committees Some councils call them ad hoc committees. Once
are appointed by either the general assembly or the these special committees achieve their purposes, they
president. are disbanded.
Members The motion to create a special committee states
The committee members have equally important re- exactly what the committee is to do and includes:
sponsibilities. Without their dedication, the committee ■■ A statement of who will serve on the committee
will fail. Committee members must: or the number of people needed and how they
■■ Know the purpose of the committee are to be appointed
■■ Understand the specific task they have been ■■ A brief, precise description of the committee’s
assigned assignment
■■ Attend all the meetings ■■ The date or time by which the committee is to
■■ Participate in planning, share ideas, and ask report back to the assembly.
questions If the motion names the committee members,
■■ Commit to completing their work on time the first person named is the chairperson. If only a
■■ Keep track of supplies used, money spent, etc. chairperson is named, that person usually selects the
■■ Be respectful of the chairperson and other mem- members.
bers
Example 1: Naming the members
■■ Keep the full committee up-to-date on the tasks
“Madam Chairperson, I move to appoint a commit-
they have been assigned.
tee of Linda, Sandy, John, and Jeremy to investigate
When any student in school is eligible to join a
the cost and quality of new computers, and report its
council committee, the council increases its commu-
findings and recommendations back to the general as-
nication with the student body. However, with special
sembly in two weeks.”
committees established by the general assembly, it is
often practical to include only council members. Example 2: Members to be appointed
If councils want student body members to serve “Mr. Chairperson, I move to refer this main motion
on various committees, they must undertake active to a committee of five people, to be appointed by the
publicity and recruitment campaigns. The old excuse president, to investigate the possible legal problems in
that “We announced a sign-up over the public ad- students leaving school property for lunch, and have
dress system, but no one signed up,” is more likely an it report to the general assembly not later than three
indication of inadequate publicity rather than lack of meetings from now.”
interest.
When considering the makeup of a committee, Meeting Time for Committees
select younger members to gain experience for the Because of their assignments, many committees must
following year’s group in addition to upperclassmen, meet during non-school hours. Consequently, students
who often make up the majority of a committee’s who cannot arrive early or remain after school are
membership. excluded from participation. Recognizing this prob-
The president is an ex officio member of all com- lem, some schools schedule activity periods during
mittees, entitled to all the privileges of membership the school day for school clubs, organizations, and

committees. If committee meetings are scheduled The assembly handles a factual report differently
during school time, it is important that they in no way from a report with recommendations. With a report
interfere with academic pursuits. For example, “brown containing only facts, such as one offered by the social
bag” committee meetings can be held at lunch where committee on the results of a dance, the general as-
members discuss business while eating lunch. Some- sembly need not vote on adopting it, since accurate
times student schedules can be revised so those with facts cannot be disputed.
study period the same hours can serve on a committee. However, if a report contains recommendations,
Committee meetings should be announced well these recommendations should be introduced, dis-
in advance, allowing members to make the necessary cussed, and voted upon by the assembly during the
arrangements to attend. A majority of the committee standing or special committee reports period of the
members can schedule a meeting, as can the chair, meeting.
president, or adviser. The following reporting list of a detailed
committee report taken from Robert’s Rules of
Committee Reports Order, Newly Revised, can be modified to meet
Keeping good records and informing the larger group the needs of each situation:
of their plans and accomplishments is another impor- ■■ A description of the manner in which the com-
tant function of committees. A secretary or recorder mittee undertook the assignment
appointed by the chair should keep detailed notes ■■ The facts discovered or the information gath-
(called minutes) of each meeting. Minutes include the ered
names of those attending, summaries of group discus- ■■ The conclusions, as derived from the facts and
sions, members’ progress reports, and action taken information
(recommendations or decisions). ■■ Motions, resolutions, and recommendations
When a committee’s work is done or a specific developed.
project is finished, a final report is written. The final The committee chair usually distributes copies and
report should include: reads the committee report to the assembly, stating
■■ Name of committee, names of chairperson and the recommendations last. The committee chair then
members moves to adopt the committee’s recommendations, if
■■ Date work was conducted and number of meet- any.
ings held The recommendations are discussed and disposed
■■ Summary of activities and costs of while still under the appropriate section of “commit-
■■ Evaluation—what worked and didn’t work tee reports” in the order of business on the agenda. If
■■ Committee suggestions the committee offers several recommendations, there
■■ Signature of chair or secretary. need be only one motion for adoption. However, each
One kind of committee report is a monthly projects recommendation can be individually considered and
report, submitted in writing to the vice president, voted on if the assembly, by a majority vote, decides to
covering the actions of a committee over the previous “divide the question.”
30 days. These reports not only keep the vice presi-
dent and, in turn, the executive committee, informed Implementing Committee Assignments
about the committee’s actions, but they are also valu- Some assignments that committees receive are in the
able records for the years to come. It is recommended form of direct instructions from the general assembly.
that these reports also be filed or saved on computer Other assignments are general in their instructions,
disk to provide a guide for similar projects in the as is the case with standing committees whose only
future. directions may be a few sketchy sentences in the by-
A second kind of committee report is made directly laws. Nonetheless, once a committee decides upon a
to the general assembly and contains either recom- project, it must know how to implement it. This stage
mendations for the assembly to act upon or a list of of implementation is crucial because the world’s best
facts that the assembly should have on record. idea is useless unless it can be effectively acted upon.
Committees n 69
Group Dynamics in Committee Meetings Maintenance Behaviors
Some groups and committees spend all their energy While task behaviors are going on, the group is also
arguing or doing everything except the group’s as- trying to maintain a friendly feeling among the mem-
signed responsibilities. To prevent this from happen- bers. These maintenance behaviors are important be-
ing, it is necessary to understand some of the prob- cause people prefer to work in a comfortable emotional
lems groups face and how to solve them. atmosphere.
The actions and comments of group members The following maintenance behaviors can
affect how the group handles its jobs or performs its contribute to a positive emotional climate:
tasks—this is called task behavior. The way the group ■■ Releasing tension by joking, laughing, etc.
members try to maintain a friendly working atmo- ■■ Patching up differences between people; at-
sphere is called maintenance behavior. Frequently, a tempting to reconcile differences
member’s actions affect task and maintenance issues ■■ Encouraging people to contribute to the discus-
of the group at the same time. sion—frequently referred to as “gatekeeping”
because the gate is kept open for more people to
Task Behaviors enter into the conversation
Task behaviors are important to the group because ■■ Compromising or admitting a mistake
they are intended to solve the assigned problems, ■■ Being warm, friendly, and responsive to others;
finish the job, meet the task, etc. Anyone who has praising others and their ideas
worked in groups or committees realizes that not all ■■ Testing to see if the group is satisfied with the
actions help the group finish its job. Obviously people procedure and guidelines for the discussion.
can perform helpful, positive task actions or harmful, Just as some task behaviors are harmful to getting
negative ones. the job done, some maintenance behaviors are harm-
Some useful, positive task behaviors are: ful to the group’s efforts to maintain a friendly working
■■ Brainstorming with ideas from everyone
atmosphere.
■■ Summarizing ideas, expanding on or paraphras-
Some negative maintenance behaviors are:
ing what has been said ■■ Being aggressive; giving “snappy” answers, etc.
■■ Interrupting someone who is speaking
■■ Suggesting goals, giving direction, moving the
group along a new path ■■ Ignoring someone’s question
■■ Goofing off
■■ Getting the group to present more information
or ideas ■■ Acting indifferent or unconcerned; being pas-
■■ Giving information or ideas

sive or not involved in the group tasks
■■ Believing there is only one solution or approach
■■ Seeking opinions, feelings, feedback, and clari-
fication to the task or problem.
■■ Polling and questioning to see if everyone
agrees or offering a decision or conclusion for Leadership in Small Groups
the group to accept or reject. Even if a group or committee’s work is clearly defined,
Some task behaviors that have negative effects on there’s a variable that members will have to deal with:
attaining group goals are: leadership style.
■■ Trying to discuss a topic without having agreed
A leader who makes and directs all group deci-
on goals for the discussion sions is called autocratic. This style might be effective
■■ Getting sidetracked from the subject; talking
in getting a task done, but in the long run, the group
about personal experiences unrelated to the topic members will probably develop negative task and
■■ Starting critical discussion before a large num-
maintenance behaviors, especially toward the leader,
ber of ideas have been collected which will damage the ability of the group to function.
■■ Stressing the negative (“We can’t do it,” “The
For instance, the members may feel that their ideas
idea isn’t any good,” “It’s pointless to try that,” are not respected or dealt with fairly. In addition, they
etc.). may not feel enough commitment to the decisions of

the autocratic leader to devote themselves to trying to The person or persons who see and respond to
make those decisions work. those needs are leaders in that particular situation.
A second kind of leader, one who gives the group A person appointed or elected to fill the position of
little or no direction, provides laissez-faire leadership. “group chair” or “committee leader” should expect
Sometimes this leader really doesn’t care how the job leadership help to come from other members in situa-
gets done, or may feel that group members will know tions they deal with best.
how to proceed without direction. However, the com- In fact, with a democratic group that meets several
mittee or group may have difficulty understanding ex- times, one person usually handles many of the task
actly what its job or task as a group is, and might not needs (task leader) while another person handles a
know what position and authority the leader should large portion of the maintenance issues (maintenance
have within the group. leader). It seems that if a person is trying to keep the
A third, and recommended, approach to small- group focused on getting the job done (task), it is too
group leadership is the democratic style, which much to expect him or her to also be fully aware of
involves a widespread sharing of ideas with consider- people’s feelings (maintenance). Obviously, each kind
able discussion among group members. The leader of leader needs the help of the other. Identify these
may suggest ideas but basically follows the decisions types of leaders and try to appoint at least one of each
of the group. per committee. This will make a balanced, well-orga-
Because there is so much emphasis on member nized group.
participation, no one person can hope to notice and In short, a democratic group can expect to have
meet all the task and maintenance needs that arise in one person who specializes in getting the task done,
a rapidly moving discussion. Usually, different people another person who tries to maintain a friendly work-
will see and respond to different needs as the discus- ing atmosphere, and several other members who at
sion continues. various times help both kinds of leaders.
Committees n 71
N AT IONAL S T UDE N T P R O J E C T DATA BA S E
Submitting Your Projects Projects will be submitted directly to the SPDB any
It takes only a few minutes to add a project to the time before the annual award deadline.
National Student Project Database (SPDB) and there’s
no limit to how many projects you can submit. Any- Contact Information (Figure Figure 3
one can submit a project, so encourage other student 3). This section is private and avail-
groups on campus to add their projects too. The data- able only to NASSP staff members. It
base has an advanced search system that allows visi- includes your name, e-mail, and phone
tors to find projects in several different ways, including number in case we need to contact
by type, school size, state, and key words. Information you. Occasionally we find a project that we want to
is divided into five short sections, and required fields know more about or feature in one of our NASC
are marked with a red asterisk. The project submis- publications.
sion sections include:
Figure 4
Photos (Figure 4). Photos of
Figure 1
School Information (Figure your projects are an important
1). The school information fields way to enhance summaries and
require you to enter the basic illustrate what a project looks
demographic information on your like as it is happening, as well
school including: school name; as showing the front and back end efforts. You can
city, state, and zip code; and the upload several digital photos in high resolution files up
school level, size, and type. This to 8MB. Please verify that all students in photos have
information helps others to iden- given permission to the school to share their images.
tify your project in searches.
Related Documents
Project Information (Figure Figure 2 (Figure 5). Do you have a Figure 5
2). In this section, you will sample form, ad, or letter

enter the project name and that was an essential part of
classify it into 1 of 16 catego- your project? You might help
ries. You will also be asked another council by uploading
when the project started and your documents to the SPDB
ended, which student orga- document center, which allows
nization implemented the you to include a longer, more thorough description or
project, and what the project’s step-by-step directions for planning and running the
scope was (local, state, and so project.
on). There is also a field where
you can enter links to photo albums, videos, or web- After You Enter Your Information
sites related to your project. The largest field is the Before you submit your project, click the review button
project description so that you can provide plenty of to confirm that all of the information is accurate. Once a
details about your project and how you organized and project is submitted, only NASC staff can edit the entry.
implemented it. Under the project description field An automatic confirmation will be sent to the e-mail
there are also boxes to indicate if the entry is a project address in the contact information and will include an
of excellence and which award year it was submitted. identification number that can be used to search for
the project at a later time. As a safeguard and to ensure
Note: The database already includes many of the quality, every project will be reviewed by an NASSP
National Councils of Excellence Projects that were student programs staff member and must be approved
submitted before 2013. All 2013 National Councils of for publication. Upon approval, another e-mail will be
Excellence are invited to submit the projects that were sent to confirm that the project is available for viewing
included on their award applications. Beginning with and will include a certificate from NASSP acknowledg-
the 2014 awards, National Councils of Excellence ing the council’s project contribution.
72 n NASC Student Councils Handbook 2014

Chapter 11
Projects: Plan, Implement,

and Evaluate
S tudent councils can positively impact a school when their projects reach out to include
everyone and appeal to even the most indifferent student. To have this positive effect,
projects and activities should be energetic, exciting, and meaningful.
In their efforts to represent all students, councils provide a variety of opportunities for
students to express themselves. One of the most important services is to sponsor student
projects. (See Appendix 5.) The majority of student councils manage their own projects,
but they can also coordinate or assist with projects of other school clubs or organizations.
By planning projects, students develop leadership skills in decision making and work-
ing toward a common goal, expand social relationships with others, explore areas of per-
sonal and educational interest, and become part of the school or community.
Ideally, projects offer these benefits to organizers and participants. In essence, each
project is an indication of how well the council measures the interests or needs of the
entire student body.
Project Guidelines
An organization’s success or failure often depends on the outcome of its projects. Much
planning, work, and effort must go into each project. Projects should:
■■ Be an extension of the goals and purposes of the council. Projects should not be
undertaken simply to prove that the council is busy or because “that’s the way it’s
always been.”
■■ Have educational or social value and be within the ability and comprehension of
council members.
■■ Have an organizational plan with a budget.
■■ Carefully follow local and state laws that regulate sales when the project involves
selling.
■■ Be planned according to interests of a large number of the members and involve a
large number of participants.
■■ Encourage initiative, creativity, responsibility, and cooperation.
■■ Be evaluated upon completion. Evaluations should include remarks by those who
planned the project and by those who participated in or received the benefits of the
project. An unsuccessful project should serve as a valuable learning experience.
How To Get Started

To engage student interest and avoid scheduling problems, councils should plan their
projects systematically. Prior to the start of the school year, the executive committee—and
possibly the entire council—should develop an overall plan for the year. One process that
Projects: Plan, Implement, and Evaluate n 73

T H E 12 W ’s O F P R O J E C T Preparing an Effective Questionnaire
The council may want to develop and administer a
PLAN N ING
questionnaire to get students’ opinions on its project
ideas. It may also use questionnaires to help evaluate
Planning any activity requires careful thought and
projects. Here are some guidelines for preparing effec-
preparation. Before stepping into action, be sure
tive questionnaires:
that you can answer the following questions:
1. Determine the length of the questionnaire. Shorter
1. WHAT are you planning to do? questionnaires usually have a better chance of be-
ing completed and returned than longer ones.
2. WHY do you want to do this project?
2. Determine the types of questions to ask. There are
3. WHEN and WHERE will the activity take four possibilities:
place? ❍❍ Essay: What is your opinion of the student
4. WHO will benefit from the project? council dance held last Saturday, January 10?
Please comment on the music, ticket cost, dec-
5. WHAT staff members(s) will need to approve orations, and anything else you wish to include.
the project? ❍❍ Short answer: Please nominate three juniors
6. WHAT funds are needed? who you believe meet the criteria for the annual
Student Leadership Award.
7. WHEN will the basic planning be done?
❍❍ Multiple choice. Please indicate which type of
8. WHAT committees are necessary? student assembly you like best. Check only one.
■■ Guest speaker
9. WHAT kind of publicity is needed?
■■ Film
10. WHO deserves a special thank you? ■■ Musical performance
■■ Panel discussion or debate

11. WAS the project worthwhile?
■■ No preference.
12. WHAT’S next? WHERE do we go from here? ❍❍ Scaled preference: If the school cafeteria were
open for breakfast from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. every
day and served doughnuts, juice, and milk
the executive committee can follow is to: (check only one):
1. List the general areas upon which the council ■■ I would buy breakfast every day.
wishes to focus. These might include community ■■ I would buy breakfast at least three times a
service, school service, career development, fund- week.
raising, social functions, and school spirit. ■■ I would buy breakfast once a week.
2. Conduct brainstorming sessions on each area and ■■ I would buy breakfast occasionally.
propose several activities. ■■ I would seldom or never buy breakfast.
3. Review the evaluations of the previous year’s 3. Determine the purpose of the questions. Do the
projects. questions really measure what they’re intended to
4. Compare this year’s proposed list with last year’s measure? For example, if the council wants to find
list and make adjustments. out how many students would attend a pep rally
5. Weigh any suggestions for program expansion or at 7:00 p.m. next Friday, the following question
cutbacks in specific areas, making sure that the would not give them an accurate answer. “Do you
treasurer is actively involved. like the idea of having a pep rally?” Ask instead: “If
6. Prepare a draft calendar of the activities for the the student council sponsored a pep rally at 7:00
year to make sure the council does not take on too p.m. next Friday at the football field, would you
many projects at a time. come?”
7. Submit recommendations about program expan- 4. Based on the purpose of the questionnaire, deter-
sion or cuts to the appropriate committees via the mine who will receive the questionnaire.
committee chairperson.

5. Determine when the questionnaire should be dis- MI
tributed. Questionnaires distributed to students
MI D
DDD LE
LE LE
LE VE
VE L
L—
on Friday afternoon, to be returned the following PRO JECT PLA NNI NG
Tuesday, might get lost during the weekend. Advisers should evaluate the age-appropriateness
6. Determine a logical order for questions. Short, of an activity before a middle level student council
easy questions often make a good beginning and schedules and holds it. Applied in this setting,
a good end. age-appropriateness refers to the value of an activ-
7. Determine whether the questionnaire can be ity regarding its impact on the emotional, intel-
easily tabulated. Do you have time to read a large lectual, physical, ethical, and psychological needs
number of essay responses? Are the multiple of the early adolescent. As many of the student
choice questions easy to tabulate? leaders on a middle level council will have friends
8. Publicize the results of your questionnaires to the and siblings at the local high school, a number of
council and the student body. their ideas will involve the replication of projects
and activities they have heard taking place in the
Planning Projects at the upper grades. In most cases, these activities can
Committee Level be easily adapted for use at the middle level.
Before a committee jumps into a project, it should
prepare a strategy and budget. Planning should be
a logical process that increases the chances for the selling packages of chewing gum for 10 cents
committee’s success. (See sample planning forms in each is probably not a wise choice. If the council
Appendix 3.) wants a foreign exchange student to enroll in
■■ Establish goals: Ask the committee, “Exactly September, starting the proceedings in May will
what do we want to accomplish?” When writing doom the project to failure.
out project goals, do not use vague words such ■■ Outline the anticipated costs and income for the
as “many,” “some,” “a lot,” etc. Be specific. Not, project.
“We hope a lot of students attend the dance,”
but, “Our goal is to have 50% of the student Getting Projects Off the Ground
body attend the dance.” Making an idea into an exciting and stimulating event
■■ Examine current position: By comparing where is a challenging task that requires planning, caution,
the committee or council is now to where it and foresight. At many points along the way, some-
wants to be in the future, one gets an accurate thing can go wrong that may hinder the success of the
picture of what the project should accomplish. effort. However, if a committee proceeds carefully, it
■■ Solicit ideas for projects: At this creative stage can usually work out any problems it encounters.
of planning, ideas are “brainstormed” (see
These suggestions will help get the project off to a
Chapter 7). Quantity, rather than quality, is
good start.
emphasized. Encourage committee members to
1. Make sure that the project has received the proper
suggest their craziest ideas!
approval and full support of the council.
■■ Establish guidelines for selecting a project: In
2. Establish written project goals.
this stage, the committee lists all the factors it
3. Clear the project with the adviser and principal
must evaluate before a project can be selected,
before any planning or organizing begins.
including financial limitations, available facili-
4. Determine exactly what the council wants the
ties, planning time, number of people willing to
committee to do. The committee should work from
be involved, season of the year, etc.
written instructions whenever possible.
■■ Select the project: Keeping in mind the goals as
5. Work with the treasurer to design a project budget
well as the guidelines, choose the project that
and ways to minimize costs.
seems most likely to meet your objectives. Be
realistic—if the council needs to raise $1,000,
Projects: Plan, Implement, and Evaluate n 75

6. Prepare a time line and responsibility chart for The following suggestions may be helpful:
members. Make sure everyone understands the ■■ When evaluating during the planning stages, fo-
assignment. cus on group cooperation, time pressure, clarity
7. Publicize the project through all appropriate chan- of purpose, specific problems encountered, etc.
nels. ■■ Determine whether you want objective or sub-
8. Secure necessary facilities (classroom, gym, etc). jective data for the evaluation. Objective data
9. Obtain adult chaperones if necessary (faculty include attendance figures, number of hours
members, parents). expended, costs, comparisons to past years’
10. Submit periodic reports to the student council of- figures, etc. Subjective data are opinions and
ficer in charge of projects. feelings about the project. Both kinds of data
11. Develop a list of phone numbers and addresses to can be valuable.
help future committees and give it to the appropri- ■■ Decide how to gather the data: questionnaires,
ate officer for filing. interviews, “grapevine,” etc.
12. Implement the project. If more help is needed, ask ■■ File written evaluations with the council
for it. secretary.
13. Clean up after the project. ■■ Determine the interval of evaluation. Would an
14. Pay bills promptly and submit all records of finan- evaluation concerning the effectiveness of a
cial activities to the council treasurer. leadership training day be more effective after
15. Complete an official evaluation report. State how three months than immediately following the
well the objective was met. day’s program? Will evaluating the program
16. File a complete project report in the student immediately and then again in three months
council records. As you think of ways to improve provide useful information? (Keep in mind that
the project in the future, write them down imme- an immediate evaluation will provide different
diately for future reference. Make a checklist that information than one completed at a later date.)
tells the following year’s chair exactly what steps ■■ Evaluate the project, not the personalities. Also,
are involved in running the project. be careful of subjective value statements (e.g.,
“The decorations were shabby”), unless the
Evaluating Projects and Activities evaluation serves a definite purpose.
■■ Remember that a random sample can reduce
Written evaluations should be prepared for all major
projects. In addition to a final written report, evalua- evaluation time when compared to asking for
tion remarks should be noted throughout the planning everyone’s opinions.
and progress of the project. The opinions of planners ■■ State whether or not the project could be suc-
and participants should be included. cessfully repeated.

■■ Keep all reports on file.

APPENDIX 1
NASC Standards and Recognition

for Excellence in Student Councils,
Student Leaders, and Advisers
National Recognition
I n addition to the recognition that your student leaders and council may receive at the
local and state levels, NASC offers opportunities for national recognition to those
councils, students, and advisers that excel in their leadership roles and responsibili-
ties. NASC sponsors awards and programs that spotlight outstanding student councils,
advisers, and individual student leaders. As NASC members, you are encouraged to seek
national recognition for the leadership and dedication given to the school and the commu-
nity by the student council and for the exemplary skills and abilities demonstrated by its
students and adviser.
National Councils of Excellence Awards

The NASC National Councils of Excellence Awards provide national recognition for stu-
dent councils that maintain strong year-round programs that improve the school climate
by encouraging and involving students to have a voice in school and community affairs,
encourage civic engagement, promote service and service learning, and provide activi-
ties in which all students can participate. This award provides broader recognition for the
most worthy efforts of NASC member schools. The evaluation process also engages the
principal and serves as a tool to help schools assess their student council programs. All
councils meeting the standards in their application will be named a National Council of
Excellence.
Why does NASC sponsor the National Councils of Excellence Awards?
Student councils look different in every school. They have different purposes and are
structured in ways that best serve their students and fit into the curriculum and sched-
ule of each school. Despite their differences, the core responsibility of student councils in
schools is to serve the student body as a conduit for the expression of students’ ideas and
as a catalyst for engaging students in student-led projects and activities.
Why should your student council apply?
Student councils that are designated National Councils of Excellence have demonstrated
a proficiency and quality in their programs that were measured against standards crite-
ria developed by NASC. Fewer than 200 student councils out of more than 11,000 NASC
member schools earned the designation in 2007, putting them into an elite group of exem-
plary middle and high school student councils.
Appendix 1: NASC Executive Board and Constitution n 77

Student councils earning the National Councils of (For example, 2008 activities will be included in the
Excellence award receive national recognition, includ- February 2009 submissions).
ing an official letter and certificate from NASC and Application packets and additional support materi-
NASSP. NASSP also provides a press release template als can be found at www.nasc.us/ncoe.
that schools can use to announce and explain the NASC Standards for National Councils of Excellence
recognition to local media. In addition, these student The Standards for the National Councils of Excellence
councils can announce and celebrate this achievement Awards reflect the core purposes and mission of stu-
with the student body, faculty members, administra- dent councils. Councils applying to be named Na-
tors, the school board, and the community. NASC even tional Councils of Excellence will be evaluated in such
provides tips for public relations at www.nasc.us. categories as governance, service, general activities,
NASC has created specially designed recognition meetings, council operations, communications, and
items to publicly honor National Councils of Excellence student involvement.
as well as their members and adviser. Among the items NASC has established the following standards as
are pins and school banners. Just as schools honor a guide for student councils and to establish a level of
sports teams and others, NASC encourages schools excellence for student councils to aspire to achieve.
to give their student councils the recognition they de- (Standards indicated by “middle level” or “high school”
serve for providing outstanding student leadership. are unique for those levels. Other standards apply to
Who can apply and how much does it cost? both levels.)
All middle and high school student councils that are A. Governance
current members of NASC and that were members the 1. Constitution and Bylaws: Student councils
previous year may apply for the award. There is no fee function according to their written constitutions
to apply. and bylaws.
How does my student council become a National ■■ Student councils must have a written constitu-
Council of Excellence? tion and/or bylaws and operate according to the

The quest to become a National Council of Excellence purposes and guidelines they set forth.
begins with a decision by the council to strive for the ■■ A copy of the constitution is provided to every
award. From there, it is a matter of reviewing the ap- student council member and is available to all
plication to understand how to proceed. Student coun- students.
cil members and advisers then work to organize and ■■ Student councils have a structure of leadership
prepare evidence showing how the council meets the that is student-focused.
National Council of Excellence standards (see below). 2. Elections: Student councils sponsor general and/
Once the council collects evidence of achieving or special elections that reflect the democratic
the standards, the council officers (or an appointed process and provide opportunities for students to
committee) and adviser prepare materials and meet practice civic responsibility.
with the principal. During the meeting, the officers ■■ Student councils sponsor annual elections that
and adviser will present their evidence. If the principal reflect the democratic process and may include
finds that the council qualifies as a National Council of such features as voter registration, campaign-
Excellence, he or she will confirm it with a signature ing, and balloting.
and provide a letter of recommendation to be included ■■ Election/campaign rules are reviewed with all
as part of the application. candidates and each is given a written copy.
To show that a school’s student council is consis- ■■ Election ballots are handled in an ethical man-
tent in its practices and activities, the annual “council ner and results are appropriately and profes-
activity” period for the award is based on the calendar sionally announced.
year that runs from January 1 to December 31, which 3. Meetings: Student councils meet regularly
allows student councils to provide evidence of spring, throughout the school year to attend to council
summer, fall, and winter activities. The postmark business.
deadline is February 15 of the following calendar year. ■■ Student councils hold a minimum of one meet-
ing each month during the school year, and
provide a meeting calendar to members and 2. Council Operations: Student councils operate in
appropriate administrators. responsible ways that demonstrate sound financial
■■ (High school) Meetings are run in accordance and membership recordkeeping, evaluation prac-
with standard practices (e.g., Robert’s Rules of tices, and school involvement.
Order). ■■ Student council officers and advisers work to
■■ (Middle level) Student councils provide oppor- prepare an annual written budget and maintain
tunities for students to apply standard practices accurate financial records.
during meetings and introduce students to ■■ Student councils keep records of membership
basic parliamentary procedure or similar skills. and maintain historical records of their activi-
B. Service ties.
■■ One or more student council officers and mem-
1. Participation in Service: Student councils plan
and sponsor service activities to benefit the school bers meet regularly with the school principal or
and its community and promote service to the designee to discuss student and school-related
student body. issues.
■■ At least one student council officer or other
■■ (High school) Student councils host a minimum
of one service project each semester that is de- council representative serves on a site-level
signed to engage large numbers of the student committee that has input on decisions affecting
body. the school.
■■ (Middle level) Student councils sponsor a
3. Fundraising: Student councils plan and imple-
minimum of one service project each year ment projects to raise funds for school-related
that specifically addresses the school’s needs activities and charitable giving.
■■ Student councils sponsor a minimum of one
or otherwise provides aid to students or staff,
and they encourage broad participation by the fundraising project each year.
student body. 4. Leadership Training: Student councils provide
2. Serving the Community: Student councils leadership training opportunities for members and
work to improve their communities by planning encourage advisers to participate in professional
and implementing various service projects; coun- development.
■■ Student council members participate in a
cils promote the importance of serving the com-
munity to the student body. minimum of two leadership training sessions
■■ Student councils sponsor a minimum of one
or programs per year (in-house, online, or at
service project each year that specifically ad- conferences or workshops).
■■ Student council advisers annually participate
dresses a need or provides assistance in the
community. in a minimum of one professional development
program or training session directly related to
C. General Activities and Operations
student council or student leadership.
1. Spirit and Social Activities: Student councils
5. Communications: Student councils communi-
work to improve school climate and increase stu-
cate regularly with the student body in a variety
dent enthusiasm and participation in school life
of ways and provide opportunities for members to
by planning and implementing spirit and social
practice and demonstrate their communication
activities.
skills.
■■ Student councils plan and implement a minimum
■■ Student councils provide regular updates to the
of two activities per year to strengthen student
student body and faculty.
spirit and promote enthusiasm for school life.
■■ Each year the student councils sponsor activi-
D. Civic Engagement and Student Voice
ties that reach out to diverse populations within 1. Civic-based Activities: Student councils em-
the student body with the goal of providing ploy various methods that encourage students to
activities for all students. be involved in the community and increase aware-
ness of citizenry and activism.

■■Student councils provide information to the Excellence standards and is the conduit for NASC to
student body that explains the civic connection shine the spotlight on outstanding young leaders serv-
to select council activities (e.g., elections, coming their schools and communities.
munity service, student forums, etc.). What are the goals of the NASC Distinguished
2. Student Voice: Student councils regularly seek Student Leader program?
out student opinion and create opportunities to The NASC Distinguished Student Leader program has
include students in significant ways on commit- five core goals:
tees and in activities. ■■ Give schools a tool that will enhance and im-
■■ Student councils provide forums or other activi-
prove their efforts to develop student leaders
ties that provide all members of the student ■■ Challenge students to work for recognition that
body opportunities to express their views and is based on their leadership abilities and knowl-
concerns and to suggest ideas for activities and edge
improved school climate. ■■ Provide authentic assessment and national
■■ Student councils encourage students to be
recognition
involved in leadership and provide opportuni- ■■ Support the standards and goals of the National
ties for interested members of the student body Councils of Excellence Awards
to participate on decision-making or planning ■■ Add value to students’ college and scholarship
committees. applications.
What does it mean for a student to be an NASC
NASC Distinguished Student Leader Distinguished Student Leader?
Program Students who are recognized as Distinguished Stu-
The NASC Distinguished Student Leader program is dent Leaders will experience the personal satisfaction
a rigorous and challenging national skill-demonstra- of having achieved national recognition by demon-
tion-based recognition program created by NASC to strating to others their ability to perform as leaders.
identify outstanding individual student council leaders For a school and student council, having one or more
in high schools. Students named NASC Distinguished students recognized by NASC is a testament to the
Student Leaders will have proven their personal lead- strength and success of the student council program
ership abilities and knowledge as judged against the in developing and training student leaders. As stu-
criteria established by NASC. The program is founded dents prepare for postsecondary schooling, they can
on the principles of NASC and provides broad recogni- include their NASC Distinguished Student Leader
tion for the most worthy student leaders. Unlike schol- award among their honors and accomplishments on
arships or recognitions that have limited numbers of college and scholarship applications.
winners, all student council leaders attending NASC
How do students become NASC Distinguished
member schools who successfully meet the criteria
Student Leaders?
may be recognized as NASC Distinguished Student
Students become NASC Distinguished Student Lead-
Leaders.
ers through a structured application process. Those
Why did NASC create the NASC Distinguished
applying must be members of the student council in
Student Leader program?
an NASC member school and must be in grades 9–12
NASC has historically promoted excellence in student
at the time they submit their applications. Students
leadership through its conferences, training programs,
work independently to create a portfolio of evidence
and resources that advisers can use to help students
demonstrating their skills and knowledge in such
develop their leadership skills. As part of its refocus-
areas as general leadership, meeting management,
ing efforts, NASC realized the need and opportunity to
project planning, service, team building, civic engage-
nationally recognize outstanding student councils and
ment, time management, and personal organization.
individual student leaders. The NASC Distinguished
They must submit letters of recommendation from
Student Leader program is based on standards that
their adviser and the principal, along with all sig-
align to and support the National Councils of

natures verifying completion of the application pro- Warren E. Shull Adviser of the Year
cess. Finally, they write an essay on a predetermined Awards
leadership topic and include it with their portfolio and The NASC High School Adviser of the Year Award and
application materials. Final assessment of each ap- the NASC Middle Level Adviser of the Year Award
plicant’s submissions will take place at NASC. Those are awarded in honor of Warren E. Shull, who founded
found to have met the criteria will be named NASC NASC in 1931. Given annually, the Shull Awards rec-
Distinguished Student Leaders. ognize high school and middle level student council
This rigorous program is self-paced and respects advisers of exemplary character, leadership, and
the academic challenges and busy activity calendars commitment to young people and their development
that top student council leaders maintain and has no as student leaders. Although the award singles out
deadlines. individuals on the state, regional, and national levels,
Final evaluations of a student’s application will the purpose of the award is to highlight the dedication
take approximately 2–4 weeks. Students are encour- and many contributions made by all student council
aged to establish their own timelines, especially if advisers throughout the United States.
they want to include the award on college and scholar- Applications for these awards are due in early
ship applications. December. Selections are made in January. State and
The NASC Distinguished Student Leader desig- regional winners are announced in February. Regional
nation will be bestowed upon any student who has and national winners are announced during the an-
shown evidence of being a strong leader and has met nual NASC National Conference.
the program criteria. Visit www.nasc.us/shull for more information.
Applications and other resource materials are
available at www.nasc.us/distinguishedleaders.

APPENDIX 2
Value of Student Activities
Statement of the National Association of

Secondary School Principals on Student Activities
Issue:
Beyond the standard curriculum of required and elective courses, schools enhance student
learning and development by offering a range of cocurricular student activities. Activities
can be classified into four distinct categories:
■■ Direct extensions of required or elective courses (e.g., science club, math club,
dance club, etc.), including opportunities for recognition of achievements in those
areas through honorary organizations (e.g., National Honor Society, Quill and Scroll,
Spanish Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society [music], etc.).
■■ Clubs or activities that are expressions of student interest that may be interdisci-
plinary in nature or not have a direct curricular link (e.g., popular music club, skate-
boarding club, etc.).
■■ Student council or student government that serve as opportunities for students to
engage in the democratic process and have a voice in the life of the school to the
extent allowable by law, policy, or tradition.
■■ Interscholastic and intramural athletics that provide students opportunities for de-
velopment through sport (e.g., football, track, tennis, cheerleading, etc.).
NASSP Guiding Principles:

■■ Secondary schools properly provide for social and personal needs, as well as for those
that are strictly academic. Student activities are integral to an education, providing
opportunities for all students that support and extend academic learning.
■■ The term “student activities” is preferred to “extracurricular” since “extra” connotes
activities that are peripheral to a school’s main mission. Student activities are edu-
cational in nature and should be thought of as cocurricular.
■■ Student Activities support the goal of teaching students to be responsible and
fulfilled human beings, providing them with opportunities that develop character,
critical thinking, sociability, and specific skills.
■■ Research has shown a strong relationship between participation in student activi-
ties and academic achievement.
■■ Membership in national and state student activities organizations adds value to pro-
grams sponsored at the local level by providing training and other services, unique
opportunities for networking, and additional recognition for those involved.
Appendix 2: Value of Student Activities n 83

Recommendations: ■■ Ensure that participation in events sponsored
■■ Recognize all activities carried out under the by state and national organizations for youth be
aegis of a secondary school in terms of their po- subject to identifiable minimum standards for
tential contribution to the school’s overall goals the quality of the program, its content, and its
for young people. practices regarding participant supervision and
■■ Encourage secondary schools to engage as safety.
many students as possible in student activities ■■ Ensure that staff directing student activities
and offer sufficient variety to appeal to a wide receive professional development in the area of
range of student interests. responsibility, and appropriate compensation for
■■ Encourage administrators, educators, student the work provided while fulfilling this supervi-
activity advisers and the general public to use sory duty.
the term “student activities” instead of “ex-
tracurricular activities.” Student handbooks, Approved by the NASSP Board of Directors
school documents, and other communication November 9, 2002
should reflect this more current terminology.
■■ Ensure that activities are age-appropriate; non- Find additional research on the value of student
discriminatory; well planned, organized, and activities at www.nasc.us.
implemented; supervised by professional staff;
and evaluated on a regular basis.

APPENDIX 3
Sample Forms
M any computer software applications have excellent form templates. The samples given
here show the types of information that should be kept. Each student council should
determine its own method of record keeping and develop the forms needed.
Index
A. Meeting Agenda Outline
B. Sample Meeting Agenda
C. Project Planning Guide
D. Project Task Assignment Sheet
E Project Evaluation
F. Motions Form
G. Sample Budget
H. Committee Assignment Worksheet
I. Committee Assignment Timeline
J. Record Sheet for Taking Minutes
K. Sample Minutes
L. List of Other Types of Forms
Meeting Agenda Outline

I. Call to order
The chairperson calls the meeting to order, preferably using a gavel.
II. Roll Call
Roll call can be time-consuming, especially if each person’s name is called. Other ways to
take roll include: having assigned seats, passing around a sign-in sheet, and signing in
or out with someone at the door. The recording secretary can take attendance, but it may
be more advantageous to give this assignment to someone else and give the attendance
sheet to the secretary for the minutes.
III. Approval of Minutes (from the previous meeting)
Approval of the minutes can take a long time if they are read aloud. Save time by having
the minutes distributed to members the day prior to the meeting or giving them out as
everyone enters the meeting so people can read them silently. The chairperson should ask,
“Are there any corrections or additions to the minutes?” If there are none, “They stand ap-
proved,” or if corrections are made, “Stand approved as corrected.”
Appendix 3: Sample Forms n 85

IV. Officers’ Reports VII. Old Business/General Orders
Each officer should report on his or her work since Old business/general orders include:
the previous meeting. Officer reports should be brief, ■■ A question that was pending at the last session
possibly with a time limit. To save time and ensure ac- when it adjourned
curacy, they should be given in writing with a verbal ■■ Any unfinished business that did not come up at
summary or explanation. the last session
If an officer makes a recommendation, its form and ■■ Any general orders from the last session that
content should resemble a committee recommenda- were not reached
tion. After the report is given, the chairperson should ■■ Matters made general orders by a majority vote
restate the recommendation in the form of a main mo- ■■ A motion to take from the table is in order at this
tion and ask for a second. time if no motion is pending.
V. Standing Committee Reports VIII. New Business
Each standing committee should give a report on its Motions that introduce new items of business or mo-
work since the previous meeting. Standing commit- tions to take from the table are in order at this time.
tees include committees that serve all year and are Motions are made, seconded, discussed, and voted
usually mentioned in the constitution/bylaws. The upon. If more information is needed, the item can be
same rules apply as to the officer reports. left unfinished and be taken up under old business at
VI. Special Committee Reports the next meeting.
Special committees are appointed for a limited time IX. Announcements
and specific purpose, and their existence terminates Announcements—committee meetings or other items
with their final report to the assembly. These reports of interest—must be made before the meeting is
should also be in writing with a verbal summary. adjourned; motions are out of order at this time. The
A detailed committee report that offers a recommen- chairperson may make important announcements at
dation for the assembly should include: any time during the meeting.
■■ A description of the way in which the commit- X. Adjournment
tee undertook its task Adjournment ends not only the meeting but also the
■■ The information gathered and/or the facts dis- session. The next time the assembly convenes it must
covered start from the beginning of the agenda. There is no
■■ The findings or conclusions derived from the debate on a motion to adjourn.
facts or information
■■ Resolutions or recommendations.

Sample Meeting Agenda
I Call to Order/Roll Call (Kristen, President)

II. Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting (Ashoka, Secretary)
III. Reports
■■ Officers
❍❍ Sponsor, Mr. Jenkins
■■ Leadership lesson on making motions and resolutions
■■ President, Kristen
❍❍ Presentation to Civitan Club, October 13 (notes in folder)
❍❍ State Workshop, November 17 (application in folder)
■■ Vice President, Imran
❍❍ Report from Principal’s Advisory Group meeting (agenda in folder)
■■ Secretary, Carlos
❍❍ Amendment to add Service as a standing committee (proposal is in folder)
❍❍ Student council e-mail is working! Last name and first initial @ourschool.k12.anywhere.us (smithj@
ourschool.k12.anywhere.us)
■■ Treasurer, Sarah
❍❍ Account balance = $895.25
❍❍ Recent activity: Blowpop suckers for staff appreciation - $42.75
■■ Committees
❍❍ Fall Dance Committee (Tim, Chair)
■■ Help Needed – decorating, ticket collection, set-up, clean-up
■■ Details (music, food, drinks, game room, photos, giveaways)
❍❍ Amendment Committee (Cassandra, Chair)

■■ Service proposal change is in folder
■■ All students vote by next Thursday during first block
❍❍ Election Committee (Mayu, Chair)

■■ Candidates’ meeting set
■■ Presentation by county elections officer, Ms. Johnson, during next meeting
IV. Old Business

■■ Penny Wars Fundraiser: Cans need to be decorated, rules to be posted in homerooms
V. New Business
■■ Committee Amendment: add two at-large positions
■■ Student Parking Resolution: Reserve first-row spaces for students of the week
VI. Program
VII. Adjournment

General Council Operation Forms
Project Planning Guide
A. Fact Finding. How can your group find out more about the project—its possible good and bad points—in order
to be prepared?
1._____________________________________________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________________________________
B Approval. Whose approval do you need to conduct the project?
Approval Needed? Deadline Person Assigned OK?
Principal _______________________________________________________________________________________
Adviser________________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Committee____________________________________________________________________________
General Assembly_______________________________________________________________________________
Student Body___________________________________________________________________________________
Other _________________________________________________________________________________________
C. Resources. What resources will be needed for this project?
Resources Needed Where to Locate Person to Obtain OK?
1._____________________________________________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________________________________
4._____________________________________________________________________________________________
5._____________________________________________________________________________________________
D Budget. This must be clearly planned and itemized.
Item to be Purchased Anticipated Cost Deadline Buyer Amount Paid
1. ____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________________________________________
4._____________________________________________________________________________________________
E. Publicity. What types of publicity do you need? What will be most suitable to the project and the audience?
Item Person Responsible Deadline
Handouts______________________________________________________________________________________
P.A. Announcements_____________________________________________________________________________
Bulletin Boards/Web site__________________________________________________________________________
Newspaper Articles______________________________________________________________________________
Mass Media (radio, TV)___________________________________________________________________________
Other (be creative!)______________________________________________________________________________

Motions Form
A form should be developed that is completed by the person making a motion at a meeting. This form assists the
secretary in keeping accurate minutes and helps clarify exact motion wording to the members. Prior to voting on
the motion the form is turned in to the secretary.
Name of person making motion:______________________________________________________________________
Motion seconded by:________________________________________________________________________________
Exact wording of motion:____________________________________________________________________________
Action taken on motion: o Passed o Failed o Tabled
Sample Budget Format

School Year:__________________________
Account Name and Number Budgeted Actual Difference
Income Accounts:
1001: Homecoming tickets $1,250.00 $1,275.00 $25.00
1002: All school dance tickets $5,000.00 $5,100.00 $100.00
1003: In-kind donations
Exec. office supplies $360.00 $350.00 ($10.00)
Exec. retreat supplies/meal $250.00 $265.00 $15.00
Assembly supplies $100.00 $90.00 ($10.00)
Assembly speaker $500.00 $700.00 $200.00
Dance decorations $300.00 $310.00 $10.00
Homecoming decoration/supply $250.00 $300.00 $50.00
Dance refreshments $500.00 $500.00 $0.00
Dance DJ $0 $400.00 $400.00
Collection bags $0.00 $0.00
Scantron Forms $0.00 $50.00 $50.00
Totals $8,510.00 $9,340.00 $830.00

Committee Assignment and Worksheet for Initial Planning—Page 1 of 3
Date assigned by council: ___________________________________________________________________________

Title of assignment: ________________________________________________________________________________
Assignment of activity/event/project outline and outcome:________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Committee chair: __________________________________________________________________________________
Date event/project scheduled: _______________________________________________________________________
Selecting a plan for the activity (use a brainstorming method):
Proposed idea (done first) Advantage Disadvantage
(use more space on lined paper if needed for more ideas)

Title of assignment:_________________________________________________________________________________
Committee chair:___________________________________________________________________________________
Steps to accomplish plan:____________________________________________________________________________
1)________________________________________________________________________________________________
2)________________________________________________________________________________________________
3)________________________________________________________________________________________________
4)________________________________________________________________________________________________
5)________________________________________________________________________________________________
6)________________________________________________________________________________________________
7)________________________________________________________________________________________________
8)________________________________________________________________________________________________
9)________________________________________________________________________________________________
10)_______________________________________________________________________________________________
(for a large project/assignment use more space on another paper)
Person(s) responsible for each step (full name)

1)________________________________________________ 2)_____________________________________________
3)________________________________________________ 4)_____________________________________________
5)________________________________________________ 6)_____________________________________________
7)________________________________________________ 8)_____________________________________________
9)________________________________________________ 10)____________________________________________
Requirements of plan (personnel, equipment, materials):

1)________________________________________________________________________________________________
2)________________________________________________________________________________________________
3)________________________________________________________________________________________________
4)________________________________________________________________________________________________
5)________________________________________________________________________________________________

Title of assignment:_________________________________________________________________________________
Committee chair:___________________________________________________________________________________
Projected cost/budget for materials or equipment:
Proposed idea (done first) Advantage Disadvantage
Totals
Date work sheet submitted to adviser and officers for approval:____________________________________________

Committee Timeline Form—Page 1 of 3
Committee name: ___________________________________ Committee chair:_______________________________

Scheduled meeting date/time/place: __________________________________________________________________
Attendees: ________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tasks for Plan 1 Deadline for Completion
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Person(s) responsible for Plan 1 _______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tasks for Plan 2 Deadline for Completion_______________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Person(s) responsible for Plan 2 _______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Committee name: ___________________________________ Committee chair:________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Person(s) responsible for Plan 3 ________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Committee name: ___________________________________ Committee chair:________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Submit copies of this completed form to the vice president and adviser.

Record Sheet for Taking Minutes—Page 1 of 2
This can be set up in the computer using the agenda as the template. When taking minutes by hand and writing
directly on this the form, be sure to write or print clearly, leaving plenty of space between items. If taking minutes
on a computer, have this form ready to key in as minutes are taken.
Date:______________________ Time:______________________ Place:_____________________________________
Type of meeting:_______________________________________________ No. attending:_______________________
Presiding Officer:_______________________________________________
Review of Agenda:
Agenda accepted as presented, motion by: _________________________________________________________
Seconded by: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Agenda accepted with following additions/revisions:

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Motion by: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Seconded by: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Approval of Previous Minutes:

Minutes accepted as presented, motion by: _________________________________________________________
Seconded by: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Minutes accepted with following additions/revisions:

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Motion by: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Seconded by: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Officer Reports Summary (reports attached)

President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary

Record Sheet for Taking Minutes—Page 2 of 2
Committee Reports Summary (reports attached)

Spirit/Social
Service
Faculty Relations
Appreciation and Recognitions
Elections and Policy
Community Relations
Unfinished Business
Topic: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Action or motions from previous meeting: _____________________________________________________________
Motion: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Motion by: ________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Seconded by: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Discussion: _______________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vote Count: YEA_____ NAY_____

Motion: _____Passed _____Failed
New business
Same as above
Announcements
1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Adjournment time: ________________________
Next meeting set for:

Date:______________________ Time:______________________ Place:_____________________________________

Sample of Completed Basic Minutes—Page 1 of 2
Date: November 2, 2003 Time: 2:40 p.m. Place: Little Theater
Type meeting: General all council meeting No. attending: 88
Presiding Officer: Cindy Rhee, President
Review of Agenda:
Agenda accepted as presented, motion by:__________________________________________________________
Seconded by: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Agenda accepted with following additions/revisions:_________________________________________________

Add to unfinished business, report from Homecoming Dance committee, Megan Clark
Motion by: Erica Ajay
Seconded by: Max Sims
Approval of Previous Minutes:

Minutes accepted as presented, motion by: San Tran
Seconded by: Cynthia Crews
Minutes Accepted with following Additions/Revisions—

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Motion by: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Seconded by: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Officer Reports (reports attached)

■■ President: Cindy Rhee spoke at the school district meeting on upcoming events and activities of the student
council and other school clubs.
■■ Vice President: San Tran spoke at a PTA meeting asking for service project support.
■■ Treasurer: Trey Phillips gave the monthly financial report.
■■ Secretary: Marsha Brown gave an update on new computer software for the student council computer.
Committee Reports (reports attached)

■■ Spirit/Social:Sid Mathers reported that the committee is on schedule and meeting all deadlines for comple-
tion of plans. Dance ticket sales are going extremely well, the DJ is contracted, and decoration supplies and
food are ordered.

Sample of Completed Basic Minutes—Page 2 of 2
■■ Service: Ashley Smith reported the fall service project plans are nearly complete and that two organizations
they are working with have identified eight families in need. They have put together a list for of the food
items, gifts, and chores that volunteers can provide for each family. Some of the items and gifts have already
been collected. A list of needed items, gifts, or chores was given out and will be on the council Web site for
donations. Student Council members will also be personally recruiting others to help.
■■ Tutoring: Doh Jung reported that a record number of middle level students are signed up for the Saturday
morning tutoring sessions. Ten to 15 student council and honor society members volunteer each Saturday to
assist in various subjects. Sign up sheets and time schedules are available on the council Web site.
■■ Faculty Relations: Maggie Berwin reported that the monthly teacher appreciation event for October was
complimentary donuts and muffins in the teacher lounge last Monday morning.
■■ Student Relations: Svetlana St. Ives reported that the committee has divided up and each attended at least
one meeting of the various clubs on campus. Each invited club members to also attend the council meeting
and lend their voice to what is happening at school. They will continue attendance.
■■ Elections and Policy: Tristin Worthers reported that her committee has been reviewing the council bylaws
and there are minor modifications that need to be made to correct or update them. The committee is compil-
ing the new bylaws recommendation and will submit for discussion/voting next month.
Unfinished Business
■■ Thanksgiving can drive evaluation: Justin Taylor handed out the results of the evaluations of the Thanks-
giving can drive from students, faculty and those that received the donations. All were very positive. There
were some excellent recommendations that will be considered when planning for next year.
New Business
■■ Calendar of events change: Mary Todd recommended that the January council meeting date be changed
because of a conflict with two other school events. The current date is set for January 15. Change has been
approved by our adviser.
❍❍ Motion: Move to change meeting date from Jan. 15 to Jan. 18.
❍❍ Motion by: Kim Todd
❍❍ Seconded by: Jane Sonagle
❍❍ Discussion: There are away basketball games that day, but members playing should be able to attend at
least half the meeting.
❍❍ Vote Count: YEA 35, NAY 6, Abstain 2, Motion: Passes
Announcements
■■ Upcoming events, projects, and calendar: Mary Todd read the November calendar of events and projects.
Adjournment Time: 3:55 p.m. Next meeting set for: Dec 16

Other Forms That Student Councils Use
Other forms student councils often create and use include:
■■ Representative, homeroom, or class report form
■■ Advance request for approval of school activity
■■ Advance request for use of school facilities (Usually available from school office)
■■ Dance planning checklist
■■ Fundraising checklist
■■ Application for club charter
■■ Student activity budget
■■ Disbursement vouchers to transmit money
■■ Deposit statement
■■ Internal accounting forms
■■ Purchase order (must be signed by principal)
■■ Receiving slip
■■ Deposit slip
■■ Monthly budget statement.
Since these forms and the way they are used vary among school systems and schools, sample forms are not
included in this book. However, most student councils use them as part of their routine scheduling and financial
operations.

APPENDIX 4
Sample Constitutions
and Ceremonies
Build Your Own Constitution

Use this outline as a guide to create your own student council constitution.
Constitution of the_________________ School Student Council
Article 1
Name of the Organization
The name of this organization shall be the (School Name) School Student Council As-
sociation.
Article 2
Objectives and Purposes
(This article states the general aims and objectives of the council and lists any general
areas of responsibility.)
The objective and purpose of the student council shall be to:
a. Provide a democratic form in which students can address those school-related is-
sues that affect their lives
b. Maintain a continuous communication channel from students to faculty members
and administrators as well as among the students within the school
c. Offer a yearlong program of social functions and community involvement projects
for students
d. Provide leadership training for students in the duties and responsibilities of good
citizenship, using the school environment as the primary training ground.
Article 3
Authority of the Council
Section 1
All powers of the student council are delegated to it by the school administration.
Section 2
All actions of the student council are subject to review and possible veto by the adviser
and principal.
Section 3
The principal shall appoint a member of the faculty to serve as adviser to manage the stu-
dent council and oversee its and projects.
Appendix 4: Sample Constitutions and Ceremonies n 101

Article 4 Article 5
Organization and Membership Officers and Representatives
(This article outlines general provisions for member- (This article is to name the officers of the council.)
ship on the council. Separate sections should be used Section 1
for each office and for representatives, if different The elected officers shall be president, vice president,
criteria are used.) secretary, treasurer, and_____. These officers shall
Section 1 serve on the executive committee. The appointed of-
Any registered student is eligible for election to the ficers shall be selected by the president, subject to a
student council according to election procedures. majority vote of the executive committee.
Section 2 Section 2
The council shall consist of one representative from Each_____ class shall be represented by one elected
each_____ class and the officers elected by the stu- representative.
dent body. Section 3
Section 3 All elected officers and representatives must be se-
The election of representatives shall take place lected according to the election rules established in
the_____ week of the_____ term or semester of school. these bylaws.
Section 4
One gains membership in the student council upon Article 6
the completion of the nomination procedure as estab- Duties of Officers and Representatives
lished by the student council and election under the (This article outlines the general responsibilities of
procedures prescribed by the constitution/bylaws. each officer.)
However, one can be elected to a position in the stu- Section 1
dent council (without fulfilling the nomination proce- The president shall:
dure) by write-in votes. ■■
Section 5 ■■
Any member will be removed if he or she misses three ■■
(3) meetings without presenting reasonable justifica- Section 2

tion to the adviser. The vice president shall:
Section 6 ■■
Upon the creation of a vacancy in the position of _____ ■■
representative, the_____ will elect a new represen- ■■
tative within two (2) weeks. Upon the creation of a Section 3

vacancy in the position of president, the vice presi- The secretary shall:
dent shall assume all duties and responsibilities im- ■■
mediately. If both offices are vacated simultaneously, ■■
the student council shall open nominations for both ■■
offices, first accepting nominations for the office of Section 4
president from among its present membership and The treasurer shall:
holding an election within the student council, and ■■
then following a similar process to fill the position of ■■
vice president. All vacancies in elected offices shall ■■
be filled by accepting nominations from the student
Section 5
council members to decide upon the person to fill the
The representative shall:
vacancy. Any vacancies created by members chang-
■■
ing positions through this procedure will be filled as
■■
stated in these bylaws.
■■

Article 7 Section 5
Elections Any member of the student body may attend and par-
(The entire procedure for student elections is outlined ticipate in discussions, but must have written permis-
here. Including time of election, voting procedures, sion from the teacher whose class is being missed.
type of ballot and vote needed to elect, and other re-
lated guidelines) Article 9
Section 1 Executive Committee
Election for officers shall take place in the last ten (10) Section 1
school days in April or the first ten (10) days in May The elected officers and the standing committee
prior to the school year in which officers are to serve. chairpersons are the voting members of the executive
Section 2 committee. The appointed officers and the adviser are
Elections for 11th- and 12th-grade homeroom repre- non-voting members.
sentatives shall be held within two (2) weeks after the Section 2
election of the officers and will be so designed that The executive committee shall meet at least two (2)
candidates unsuccessful in the election of officers can days prior to the regularly scheduled student council
run for homeroom representative. meeting and plan an agenda, which is to be distrib-
Section 3 uted to the members at the meeting.
The elections shall be under the direction of the elec- Section 3
tions committee. The executive committee shall be subject to the orders
of the representative body of the student council, and
Article 8 none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the
Meetings council.
(This article outlines the general provisions for meet- Section 4
ings. The details—such as time, place, etc.—can be Special meetings of the executive committee may be
included in the bylaws or left to the discretion of the called by the president, adviser, or principal or upon
adviser and council.) written request of any three (3) members. At least one
Section 1 (1) day’s notice is required for a special meeting.
The student council shall meet for business at least Section 5
once a week during the school year, unless the as- The executive committee shall carry out all duties
sembly decides by a two-thirds vote to forego this assigned to it in these bylaws and by the student
schedule for a particular week. Meetings shall be held council.
during one of the regularly scheduled student council
Section 6
periods of each week.
The executive committee shall be subject to the orders
Section 2 of the representative body of the student council, and
Special meetings can be called by the president, the none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the
executive committee, the adviser, the principal, or council.
by written request of ten (10) members. The purpose
Section 7
of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Adequate
Special meetings of the executive committee may be
notice is required for a special meeting.
called by the president, adviser, or principal or upon
Section 3 written request of any three (3) members. At least one
All legally elected representatives and officers may (1) day’s notice is required if a special meeting is held.
vote.
Section 8
Section 4 The executive committee shall carry out all duties
A simple majority of the membership shall constitute assigned to it in these bylaws and by the student
a quorum. council.

Article 10 Section 5
Council Committees Membership on any student council committee shall
(The names of all standing/permanent committees be open to any student of the school student body. Ev-
are listed here along with the method of appointment, ery representative must serve on at least one standing
term, and responsibilities. Possible committees could committee.
be - public relations, publicity, finance, handbook, Section 6
social, homecoming, service projects, fundraising, as- Other committees, standing or special (ad hoc), may
sembly, program, awards, etc.) be appointed by either the council president or adviser
Section 1 from time to time as necessary to carry on the work of
The community service committee shall have the fol- the council.
lowing duties: Section 7
■■ The president shall be an ex-officio member of all com-
■■ mittees.
■■
Section 2 Article 11
The social committee shall have the following duties: Parliamentary Authority
■■ The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
■■ Revised shall govern the student council in all cases in
■■ which they are applicable and in which they are not
Section 3 inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rule of
The elections committee shall submit to the student order the student council may accept.
council recommendations concerning nominations,
campaigning, speeches, and balloting at least one Article 12
month prior to student council school elections. These Amendments
recommendations must be approved by a simple ma- a. Amendments may be made by any member of the
jority vote of the student council. The elections com- student council.
mittee shall then be in charge of handling all aspects b. Amendments must be submitted in writing during
of the elections. a regular business meeting of the council and must
be posted for reading for 30 days.
Section 4
c. A two-thirds vote by the student council member-
Unless otherwise directed by the assembly, the
ship is required for amendments to pass.
minimum and maximum number of members of each
d. Amendments that do not pass with a two-thirds
standing committee shall be determined by the execu-
vote may not be reconsidered during the same
tive committee.
school year.

The Constitution of the Anywhere Middle School Student Council Association
Article 1 Section 4: Vacancies

Name and Purposes of the Organization When a vacancy on the Executive Board occurs for
Section 1: Name any reason during the year, the Executive Board shall
The name of the student government at Anywhere recommend the appointment of a new officer to the
Middle School shall be the Anywhere Middle School Council Adviser for final approval. If the vacancy is of a
Student Council Association. team representative, the position shall be filled by the
team, within two (2) weeks of the date of the vacancy.
Section 2: Purposes and Duties
The purposes and duties of the Anywhere Middle Section 5: Ex Officio Membership
School Student Council shall be to: Ex Officio Members shall be nonvoting members of the
1. Promote the general welfare of the school Executive Board and shall include any student serv-
2. Develop attitudes and practices of good citizen- ing as an officer or board member of a national, state,
ship or district student council organization; or from time
3. Take an active role in the improvement plans for to time any student whose exceptional leadership
the school abilities would be of significant benefit to the council
4. Foster positive student/faculty relationships (Such membership will be at the determination of the
5. Provide a forum for student expression Executive Board and with approval by the Student
6. Assist with assemblies and school programs Council Adviser).
7. Promote positive attitudes of scholarship through
example Article 3
8. Provide activities that build school pride in stu- Powers and Duties of the Officers of the
dents and faculty members Student Council
9. Initiate and execute activities for the betterment Section 1: President
of the community. The President shall have the following duties:
Preside over all meetings of the Executive Board,
Article 2 appoint committee chairpersons, coordinate and over-
Membership to the Student Council see the making of morning announcements, represent
Section 1: General Membership the council at public occasions and conventions, act
All students legally enrolled in Anywhere Middle as the council liaison to the principal and faculty, as-
School as sixth, seventh, or eighth graders shall be sist in regular and special assemblies, carry out any
considered to have membership in the Student Coun- other duties as directed by the Executive Board, at-
cil Association. tend a leadership workshop prior to October.
Section 2: Executive Board Section 2: First Vice President

The membership of the Executive Board shall consist The First Vice President shall have the following
of a President, First Vice President, Second Vice Presi- duties:
dent, Secretary, Historian, and Team Representatives. Assume the duties of the president in his/her
absence, conduct student council elections under the
Section 3: Executive Officers
direction of the council adviser, act as chairperson on
The officers shall, during their terms of office, be in the
committees, assist the Secretary to maintain the Stu-
following grades:
dent Council message board, carry out any other du-
■■ President: Eighth Grade
ties from time to time as requested by the Executive
■■ First Vice President: Seventh Grade
Board, attend a leadership workshop by the month of
■■ Second Vice President: Sixth Grade
October.
■■ Secretary: Seventh Grade
■■ Historian: Eighth Grade

Section 3: Second Vice President After the established application period is closed, the
The Second Vice President shall have the following said students will meet with the newly elected team
duties: representatives and present a campaign speech to the
Assume the duties of the President and First Vice group. Following the speeches, ballots will be pre-
President in their absence, serve as chairperson on pared for the team representatives to cast their votes.
committees, carry out any other duties from time to After the elections are held, new officers will be an-
time as requested by the Executive Board, attend a nounced to the school population. The installation of
leadership workshop prior to the month of October. the new officers will be held within two weeks of the
Section 4: Secretary announcement.
The Secretary shall have the following duties: Section 2: Election of the Second Vice President
Keep the minutes of all Executive Board meetings and The term of Second Vice President shall be filled
Officers’ meetings, provide a written agenda to all by the third week of January by holding a general
Executive Board members not less than 2 days prior election in the Sixth Grade pursuant to the election
to a scheduled business meeting, assist the Council process outlined in Article 4, Section 1. The term of
Adviser with correspondence, maintain attendance the Second Vice President shall run from the January
records of meetings and activities, assist the First Vice election until the position is refilled the following Janu-
President with the Council message board, attend a ary. Upon completion of the term of office, the former
leadership workshop prior to the month of October. Second Vice President shall remain an Ex-Officio
Section 5: Historian member of the Executive Board with all the rights and
The Historian shall have the following duties: privileges thereof.
Maintain a written and photographic record of coun- Section 3: Election of Team Representatives
cil activities and projects, collect any letters or other The Team Representatives from all grade levels shall
recognitions for archival storage, collect newspaper be elected by the end of the first full week of school, on
articles of council activities, provide photos of council a date set forth by the Executive Officers.
activities to media and other organizations for publi- Section 4: Eligibility for Office
cation, create a scrapbook as the official record of the
Executive Officers
year’s council activities.
Any student who is legally enrolled as a student at
Section 6: Representatives Anywhere Middle School and is in the appropriate
The Representatives shall have the following duties: grade for the office desired may be considered eligible
Shall act as liaisons between the Executive Board for candidacy.
and the Student Body, attend all Executive Board
Team Representatives
meetings, actively participate on committees, actively
Any student who is legally enrolled as a student at
participate in activities and projects sponsored by the
Anywhere Middle School may seek a position as Team
Student Council Association.
Representative.
Article 4
Elections and Eligibility for Office Article 5
Meetings
Section 1: Election of the President, First Vice
Section 1: Officers’ Meetings
President, and Secretary
Executive Officers shall hold a minimum of two meet-
Once the representatives have been elected from their
ings per month, during the school year, and which
teams, the council will hold an organizational meeting.
precedes meetings of the whole.
During this time advisers will provide applications to
eighth graders for the positions of President and His- Section 2: Scheduled Meetings
torian; seventh graders for the First Vice President and The Executive Board shall hold a minimum of bi-
Secretary positions. Students will submit applications monthly meetings with one being for business pur-
for the positions for which they wish to campaign. poses and another for leadership training.

Section 3: Meeting Calendar 4. Provide service at council-sponsored concession
The administration, faculty, and staff of the school stands or other booths during sports seasons.
shall be furnished with a published calendar that Members participating on teams will be expected
includes the dates of all scheduled, regular meetings to compensate the time by service on extra com-
of the Executive Board before the first meeting of the mittees or as determined by the Executive Board.
year. 5. Provide service prior to, during, and after school
Section 4: Called Meetings dances sponsored by the student council.
No meeting shall be called without a minimum of two 6. Provide service as needed from time to time as
day’s notice to the adviser. requested by the faculty or administration.
Section 4: Dismissal from the Executive Board
Article 6 Dismissal will be considered when: infractions are se-
Attendance, Active Status, and Dismissal vere or habitual, and other disciplinary measures fail.
from the Executive Board Student Council members may be dismissed from the
Section 1: Statement of Justification Executive Board for any of the following infractions:
Inasmuch as the student council is a service-based 1. Violation of School policy that results in any form
organization, and can only properly carry out its proj- of suspension (in-school, Saturday school, out-of-
ects and activities with a full and active membership, school)
and Executive Board members are selected by their 2. Failure to attend council sponsored activities or
peers with the expectation of providing opportunities assist in projects.
and activities pursuant to the goals as set forth in the 3. Failure to notify of absences to committee, coun-
Constitution, and with this requiring a commitment cil, or officer meetings as stated in Article 6, Sec-
to the organization, and to the students and staff of tion 3.
Anywhere Middle School, the following rules of atten- 4. Failure to maintain minimum grade standards
dance and activeness shall apply to all members of the 5. Conduct which is deemed unacceptable and/or
Executive Board. upon recommendation of the principal, adviser, or
both.
Section 2: Unexcused Absences from Meetings
Any member of the Executive Board missing two (2) Section 5: Due Process in Dismissals
scheduled business meetings without giving prior Any student who is considered for dismissal will meet
notice to the council adviser, shall be required to meet with the Student Council Adviser and Principal for the
with the Executive Officers and council adviser, and purpose of hearing the reasons for dismissal and to
may be recommended for suspension or dismissal present a defense. Dismissal, probation, or dismissal of
from the Executive Board based upon the outcomes charges will then be determined. Students dismissed
of that meeting. This sections shall be inclusive of will not be eligible to hold office on the Executive
scheduled officers meetings as well. Board the following school year.
Section 3: Minimum Requirements for Active

Article 7
Membership
Amendments
To be an active member of the Executive Board, Team
Amendments to the Constitution may be submitted
Representatives and Officers shall be expected to:
by any Executive Board member during a regular busi-
1. Miss no more than one regularly scheduled meet-
ness meeting. Consideration of the Amendment is in
ing without giving prior notice.
the following manner:
2. Serve on two active committees per semester,
3. Proposed amendments are submitted to the Ex-
and not miss more than one scheduled committee
ecutive Board during a regular business meeting
meeting without giving prior notice.
as new business.
3. Team Representatives must present a report to the
4. A written copy of the proposal is given to each
homerooms in each respective team, and provide
Team Representative, who will review it with their
a written copy of the report to the secretary, veri-
team constituents and teachers.
fied by the team faculty.

5. Following the class meetings, a two-thirds major- Section 2: Veto Power of the Adviser
ity vote of the student body will be required for The Student Council Adviser, acting as a designee of
passage and adoption of the amendment. the principal, shall have the right to veto any action,
activity, or project of the Executive Board when such
Article 8 action, activity, or project is not in the best interest
Sources of Power and Veto or reflective of the educational mission of the school
Section 1: Source of Power environment and/or students.
The power of the Student Council Association is
derived from the administration of Anywhere Middle The Constitution of _____________________________
School. The Principal shall have the right to permit is hereby ratified on this, the _______day of ________.
or deny any action, activity, or project of the Student Principal of School: ______________________________
Council Association when such action, activity, or
Student Council Adviser: ________________________
project is not in the best interest or reflective of the
educational mission of the school environment and/or Student Council President: _______________________
students.

Sample Student Council Ceremony: Installation of Officers
The following is a sample outline used by a school to ■■ White tapers for each representative member of
install its student council officers. Consider the fol- the student council
lowing tips and outline to plan memorable installation ■■ Red tapers (in table holders) for each current
ceremonies at your own school. officer
■■ White tapers (in table holders) for each new of-
Tips for Officer Installations ficer
Involve the Student Body ■■ One large white candle symbolizing the Student
a. Have the installation at a schoolwide assembly Council Association and student body
b. Televise the installation live to in the classrooms ■■ Certificates for every council member
■■ Row of chairs behind podium (officers seated in
Invite Parents and Faculty Members
middle-presidents side-by-side and representa-
a. Make sure to send invitations to the parents and
tives evenly split by grade on each side).
teachers of all students to be installed and current
officers actively involved with the ceremony.
I. Procession and Welcome
b. Host a reception immediately following the instal-
a. Students gather in gym and are seated.
lation for parents, faculty members, and adminis-
b. VP introduces the adviser to give welcome and go
trators
over the purpose and symbolism of the induction of
Involve the Entire Student Council officers.
a. Have all members present and on stage as a dis- c. Adviser asks that all stand and welcome their stu-
play of unity that is present in the student council. dent council, who process into the gym from each
b. Selected council members may be given assign- end of the bleachers (appropriate instrumental
ments such as escorting guests to their seats music is played)
Use Symbolism to Emphasize the Importance of
Student Council II. VP leads the Pledge of Allegiance
a. The torch (light of leadership)
b. Candles in different colors (in school colors signify- III. Presentation of Certificates
ing current and new members) Secretary calls representatives to receive their certifi-
c. The gavel (tool of leadership) cates from the president (by grade level, beginning
**Explain all symbols used to the student body as part with lowest grade). Officers are called last.
of the ceremony.
Oaths of Office
IV. Oaths of Office
The oaths are given beginning with the lower offices
a. Write short, “repeat-after-me” oaths for each office
and the president going last.
to be installed
a. Current officer goes to the podium, retrieves his/
b. Avoid using words like ‘swear’ that may conflict
her red candle and calls officer-elect to join him/
with religious beliefs.
her.
Use Music b. The first officer-elect picks up the outer-most white
a. Select entrance and exit songs that connect with candle in the line and takes recites the oath of of-
leadership fice given by the outgoing officer.
b. Use an appropriate song during the lighting of c. At the end of the oath, the red candle is tilted
candles (Passing the light of leadership) to light the white one, then the red one is extin-
guished and both are replaced on the table in their
Sample Installation Ceremony original positions.
Set-up: d. After the president-elect has taken the oath, he or
■■ Podium with a table in front for the candles she gives an installation address to the assembly.

V. Passing the Light of Leadership
a. After the speech, the president-elect picks up his Footnote: Following the induction, parents, available
or her candle. This is the cue for the council mem- faculty and council members are guests of a short
bers to stand, holding their candles. reception in the media center or cafeteria. Press pho-
b. The president-elect lights the VP’s candle first, tos are also taken of the new officers during this time
then proceeds to light the past president’s. They in and a release provided within two days. (Local press
turn light the candles of the SCA members to their is always invited one week prior to the installation
sides and so on until the light of leadership has ceremony)
been passed to all members. (Song playing: Randy
Travis’ “Point of Light” or another similar song)
c. Adviser goes to the podium and presents to the as-
sembly, the student council again and the officers
for the coming year.
d. The council members recess from gym after which
the assembly is dismissed.

APPENDIX 5
Project Examples
T he types of student council projects are only limited by imagination, energy, and
budget. Many projects come from the needs within the school or community and
others from school traditions. The following section describes typical project areas often
undertaken by student councils, followed by a title listing of various projects. These titles
are offered to give an idea of the type of project that your council can develop on its own.
Homecoming
Homecoming can be the biggest school event each fall. It usually occurs early in the school
year and therefore requires planning prior to the start of school. Because so many council
and student body members are involved, communication and delegation of responsibilities
are vital. Some of the items for consideration when planning homecoming are:
■■ Develop a schedule of the event showing each step or activity.
■■ Develop a work timeline.
■■ Set up committee responsibilities. Some possibilities are:
Pagent committee, which can oversee election of royalty, election method and
ballots, publicity, flowers, and crowns for court
Assembly committee, to determine location and plan program with speakers,
entertainment, etc.
Parade committee, which obtains parade permit, plans route, arranges police
escort, handles parade entry request procedures, determines placement of floats, ap-
points float judges, and determines judging categories
Bonfire committee to obtain permits, request fire department assistance, fire ma-
terials, and develop program
Half-time activities committee oversees band, rehearsals, cars for royalty, winning
floats, and announcer
Homecoming dance committee plans and obtains decorations, DJ, refreshments,
clean up, and chaperones
Publicity committee can seek coverage of local newspaper, radio, TV, and school
newspaper; create posters; and make daily announcements.
■■ Keep accurate records of all expenses and revenue.
■■ Keep written summary of committee activities and recommendations.
■■ Involve as many students as possible.
Service Project
The heart of a student council is expressed through its service projects. These projects can
be for the school or the community, can be a single-committee project, or be of wide scope
and include several committees. Below is an outline for a larger project, although smaller
Appendix 5: Project Examples n 111

specialized projects may better fulfill the council’s national level for student council members to partici-
goals than one large project. This should be deter- pate in leadership training. It is important for student
mined in the council’s planning for the school year. council members who participate in these activities
Special Arts to pass on that training to the student body members.
Similar to Special Olympics, this project offers arts and This can be in a one-evening activity, a Saturday
nonathletic games for people with disabilities. Events event, or a weekend retreat.
can be anything including face painting, craft work, Committees to help plan a leadership training
three-legged races, and Twister. All events should be event might include:
designed so students can lead the special participants ■■ Program Committee, which develops a
with minimal expertise. Committee involvement can schedule and timeline, contacts presenters and
include: speakers, and puts together a printed program
■■ Community involvement committee, to
for participants
identify the special population within the com- ■■ Refreshment Committee determines refresh-
munity, contact special organizations, organize ment or food requirements and procures them
publicity, and coordinate special participants ■■ Facility Committee determines site to be
■■ School involvement committee, to sign up

used, gets approval for use, sets up and tears
students within school(s) for events, provide down chairs and other equipment, obtains need-
training for students to work with the partici- ed AV equipment, and cleans up
pants, and coordinate the schedule of student ■■ Registration Committee determines if
volunteers at each event registration fee is needed, signs up interested

■■ Program committee, to develop schedule,
students at school(s), orders name badges, and
timeline, and types of events to be offered makes registration signs
■■ Publicity Committee handles all publicity
■■ Materials committee, to determine supplies
needed for each event and procure them from within school or within area schools, possibly
local businesses using local newspaper, radio, and TV.
■■ Facilities committee, to determine the site
to be used, procure permits required, set-up Project Ideas
booths for events, schedule events, and clean up The following list of suggested projects and activ-
the booths and site ity ideas are grouped into the primary focus areas of
■■ Refreshments committee, to determine NASC: student voice, civic engagement, service, and
booths for food and beverage sales or possible activities for all. See Chapter 10 for guidelines on proj-
giveaways (from a soft drink manufacturer dona- ect planning.
tion or PTA baking). Student Voice
To provide opportunities for student input and
Turning Service Into Service Learning opinion:
Using student council service projects as service- ■■ Plan a panel discussion on current topics of
learning activities can maximize their effect. A student interest
favorite acronym for those who use service learning to ■■ Survey or poll students on a regular basis to let
engage students and enhance the volunteer experi- them share their opinions and ideas
ence is PARC, which stands for Plan, Act, Reflect, and ■■ Encourage non-council members to attend
Celebrate. PARC reminds all involved in service-learn- meetings and share their ideas
ing activities that to be successful, students plan what ■■ Have students sound off about important topics
they are going to do, act on their plans, reflect on their ■■ Get permission for officers to conduct discus-
experiences, and celebrate their efforts and successes. sions during classes
■■ Present forums on violence and tolerance
■■ Organize a school safety council
Leadership Training
■■ Ask nonmembers to serve on student council
There are many opportunities at the local, state, and

committees ■■ Serve refreshments at polling locations during
■■ Have council officers visit classes to discuss top- general elections
ics with students ■■ Supervise all school elections
■■ Establish a student grievance board ■■ Participate in a youth-in-government day
■■ Sponsor student forums ■■ Hold a United Nations week
■■ Establish a regular schedule of student/adminis- ■■ Attend local government meetings
trator dialogues ■■ Invite local government and civic officials to
■■ Provide the principal with copies of minutes speak
after each meeting ■■ Meet with community leaders about community
■■ Establish a student advisory committee development plans
■■ Maintain a suggestion box ■■ Develop a know-your-community campaign
■■ Create a process for students to report needed ■■ Schedule speakers from community health orga-
building repairs nizations such as the American Lung Associa-
■■ Seek representation on the school’s curriculum tion, the American Cancer Society, etc.
committee ■■ Present programs about student council to local
■■ Present student viewpoints to various adult clubs and organizations
groups involved with the school ■■ Serve on city, county, or state youth commis-
■■ Establish a student problem hearing board sions
■■ Conduct a survey of cocurricular participation ■■ Represent student interests in debates on laws
by students that affect young people
■■ Secure petitions from students for various school ■■ Invite local or state educators to participate in a
or community improvements. panel discussion
Civic Engagement ■■ Campaign for a school bond issue
To provide civic-based experiences: ■■ Have student representatives on community
■■ Conduct an assembly on rights and responsibili-
education/recreation boards
ties ■■ Send representatives of student council to meet-
■■ Invite the school board to a student/board din-
ings of local service clubs
ner ■■ Join the Parent-Teacher-Student Association
■■ Send board members monthly information bul- ■■ Study local history and present an assembly
letins about school activities program or publish a booklet
■■ Consider student representation on the board ■■ Submit environmental resolutions to the state
■■ Encourage council members to attend at least
legislature
one board meeting ■■ Sponsor a guest speaker or current film on cru-
■■ Ask board officers to help train council officers
cial personal issues facing young adults
■■ Publicize school board decisions that affect ■■ Establish joint efforts in campaigning for politi-
students cal issues that are relevant to students
■■ Make presentations before the board ■■ Establish youth-in-government and youth-in
■■ Serve on various curriculum design and school
business days
policy committees ■■ Write a student bill of rights
■■ Visit local voters to encourage them to vote in ■■ Revise the council constitution or bylaws
school board elections ■■ Issue a statement of goals and ideals approved
■■ Include discussions with board members in
by the council
leadership training workshops ■■ Establish a student rights and responsibilities
■■ Hold mock national political conventions
committee
■■ Secure voting machines for school elections ■■ Keep students abreast of current court decisions
■■ Work to establish a leadership class with school
involving student rights and responsibilities
credit through a newspaper column, fact sheet, etc.
■■ Serve on district and state curriculum develop-

ment committees ■■ Assist in summer recreation programs
■■ Serve on policy development committees ■■ Establish a tutoring service
■■ Attend meetings of the local and state boards of ■■ Sponsor a science fair
education ■■ Sponsor a college information day
■■ Work to get a student on the board of education ■■ Sponsor a substance abuse program, panel dis-
■■ Hold a rights and responsibilities day cussion, or workshop
■■ Invite speakers to talk about rights and respon- ■■ Set up a telephone hotline for students
sibilities ■■ Publish and distribute a fact sheet on drugs and
■■ Poll students on how well they know their rights their effects
and responsibilities. ■■ Send members of the school drug committee to
Service the local elementary schools to talk with stu-
To provide volunteer opportunities: dents about drugs
■■ Volunteer at elementary schools, day care ■■ Organize an HIV/AIDS awareness seminar;
centers, nursery schools, or orphanages in your prepare HIV/AIDS awareness information for
district distribution
■■ Hold a story time at local libraries ■■ Work with local police to improve poorly marked
■■ Participate in a Toys-for-Tots campaign
roads and other traffic hazards
■■ Collect, repair, and distribute used toys ■■ Paint stripes on parking lots
■■ Make toys in shop classes ■■ Establish programs with the American Lung
■■ Set up a babysitting service at the school for
Association
parents attending school functions ■■ Plan activities for Kick Butts Day
■■ Volunteer in district special education class- ■■ Set up a “smokers’ seminar” for students and
rooms teachers who want to quit smoking
■■ Work with local community service clubs (Lions, ■■ Help the cafeteria workers prepare nutritional
Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.) on citizenship award pro- menus for students
grams ■■ Provide vending machines containing snacks of
■■ Sponsor or volunteer at a Red Cross blood drive
high nutritional quality
■■ Work on community pollution detection and ■■ Put treads on steps
clean-up ■■ Put salt on slippery sidewalks
■■ Participate in training classes for rumor control ■■ Provide adequate and secure bicycle racks
centers, hotlines, etc. ■■ Recycle paper and items from the cafeteria and
■■ Work at animal shelters
entire school
■■ Work on Halloween UNICEF drives ■■ Sponsor Earth Day and Earth Week projects and
■■ Plant trees, shrubs, and flowers in the commu-
community clean-up days
nity ■■ Develop a long-range, schoolwide environmental
■■ Cooperate with civic clubs on community im-
program
provement projects ■■ Establish a student council committee on the
■■ Work to establish local and state parks
environment
■■ Collect books, magazines, etc., for orphanages, ■■ Sponsor a science fair on environmental issues
nursing homes, and hospitals ■■ Present national and international ecology is-
■■ Set up and direct a community youth center
sues in assemblies
■■ Help develop a local historical museum ■■ Sponsor a career day
■■ Visit elderly people in their homes or care facili- ■■ Establish and maintain a library of career infor-
ties mation
■■ Sponsor family night at school ■■ List college catalogs available in library
■■ Work with Habitat for Humanity to build a home ■■ Hold a college night (or day)
■■ Participate in walk-a-thons and bike-a-thons ■■ Publish a list of community counseling and
youth services

■■ Conduct college financial aid seminars ■■ Assist in the nurse’s office
■■ Give a holiday party for senior citizens ■■ Plant trees, shrubs, and flowers on campus
■■ Bring canned goods and food to school for distri- ■■ Have a sign made to identify the school
bution to the needy ■■ Place exit signs in proper places in the school
■■ Invite teachers to breakfast in the cafeteria ■■ Clean up the campus
■■ Invite students and faculty to a potluck supper ■■ Maintain operation of public phones on campus
■■ Arrange for students to help teachers a few days ■■ Designate special parking lot spaces for stu-
before school opens dents earning special recognitions
■■ Organize student volunteers to monitor and ■■ Provide bicycle racks
clean up areas frequented by students ■■ Help teams, band, and cheerleaders raise money
■■ Finance a foreign student studying at your for uniforms
school for a year ■■ Establish a lecture series.
■■ Raise funds to send a student to another country
for study Activities for All
■■ Sponsor an orphan in a foreign country To engage different and diverse student,
■■ Raise money to build a school in a developing school, and community populations:
nation
■■ Help an elementary or junior high school orga- Alumni
nize a student council, run a meeting, or hold a ■■ Organize an alumni association and maintain
workshop alumni records
■■ Collect supplies for an underequipped school ■■ Arrange hospitality for alumni at homecoming
■■ Conduct panel discussions for parents ■■ Send school bulletin to alumni
■■ Provide members to serve as a receptionist in ■■ Plant a tree on campus to honor a distinguished
the school lobby or guidance office alumnus.
■■ Conduct tours of the building Appreciation
■■ Staff an information booth for visitors ■■ Hold a student/faculty dinner
■■ Organize hall guides for parent and community ■■ Adopt a teacher (can be in conjunction with a
nights holiday)
■■ Renovate the janitors’ room ■■ Write biographies of faculty members or admin-
■■ Place shelves near the gym and cafeteria for istrators and publish them in a newsletter or on
books a Web site
■■ Establish rules for the cafeteria ■■ Present the work of certain departments in the
■■ Help plan menus for the lunchroom school (art, shop, culinary)
■■ Give numbered cards to those in lunch line to ■■ Write notes, poems for teacher mailboxes
ensure order in line ■■ Feature a slide show presentation at an assem-
■■ Maintain hall bulletin boards bly in appreciation of teachers.
■■ Clean the trophy case and polish the trophies Assemblies
■■ Obtain good reproductions of paintings and ■■ Present a musical excerpt, concert, one-act play,
hang them in halls or skit
■■ Keep a school scrapbook ■■ Present a talent show (for students and/or teachers)
■■ Usher at school events ■■ Present motivational speakers or trainers
■■ Help celebrate the school’s anniversary ■■ Showcase the activities of other school clubs
■■ Make a victory flag for school ■■ Show movies, slides, travelogues
■■ Raise and lower the school flag each day ■■ Prepare a “who’s who” assembly to introduce
■■ Inspect and repair lockers club officers
■■ Paint halls and restrooms ■■ Hold a student council meeting on the stage
■■ Assist school librarians and offer assistance to ■■ Set up an induction service for newly elected
extend the library’s hours officers

■■ Devise a system to evaluate assemblies Awards, Honors, and Scholarships
Assume full responsibility for the entire assembly ■■ Provide awards for scholarship or service
program ■■ Hold an awards assembly
■■ Set up a speech/debate assembly for candidates ■■ Design awards for graduating seniors
to office ■■ Help each department develop criteria for
■■ Celebrate holidays with programs and assem- awards in its field
blies. ■■ Meet with local businesspeople and community
Athletics leaders to establish a scholarship fund
For interscholastic sports teams: ■■ Set up a permanent plaque to honor outstanding
■■ Write pep notes to players before every game students
■■ Organize a pep club ■■ Start a school hall of fame
■■ Hold a recognition banquet for all players ■■ Invite a college to send a financial aid officer to
■■ Have a homeroom or class competition for at- an assembly for interested seniors.
tendance at games Board of Education
■■ Sell popcorn at games ■■ Invite board members to school activities
■■ Have an all-school competition for new cheers ■■ Invite board members to shadow students at
■■ Hold school color days before important games school.
■■ Promote attendance at all sports events Career Development
■■ Work at the concession stand. ■■ Arrange for representatives from various voca-
For cheerleaders tions to speak with students
■■ Conduct election for cheerleaders ■■ Work to establish work-study and career studies
■■ Send cheerleaders to a training workshop classes in school
■■ Hold a local workshop for cheerleaders ■■ Charter career-interest clubs
■■ Set up criteria for selecting cheerleaders ■■ Work with the industrial arts department to
■■ Organize a special cheering section for games design school projects
■■ Purchase megaphones and uniforms for cheer- ■■ Sponsor an arts-and-crafts fair
leaders ■■ Sponsor writing and poetry contests
■■ Work with cheerleaders to put on pep rallies. ■■ Sponsor an academic pep rally
Homecoming ■■ Participate in a youth careers day.
■■ Assume responsibility for all homecoming Contests
events: parade, floats, banquet, dance, decora- Sponsor contests in a variety of areas:
tions, alumni, coronation of queen, hospitality, ■■ For new schools, hold contests to select school
reception, and publicity. flag, emblem, seal, mascot, school ring, song,
Intramurals nickname
■■ Plan an all-school field day ■■ Hold a competition between classes for various
■■ Plan tournaments so that everyone can partici- charity drives
pate in something ■■ Hold contests during holidays for the most cre-
■■ Sponsor an intramural athletic program among ative lobby or hall decorations
classes, clubs, teams ■■ Have a school-spirit contest
■■ Hold a Wacky Olympics (nonathletic, fun events) ■■ “Alternative sports day” with hula-hoops, Fris-
■■ Plan activities for students with special needs. bee contests, tug of war, pillow fights, peanut
Student Attitudes pushing, etc.
■■ Organize a good-sportsmanship campaign Educational
■■ Organize a school-spirit campaign ■■ Work to set up an accredited leadership class
■■ Offer an “unsung hero” award to a person who ■■ Sponsor a vocational education information day
contributes to the school atmosphere but re- ■■ Offer activities to enhance the curriculum or
ceives little credit offer programs to serve student interest that fall
■■ Try to eliminate vandalism. outside traditional courses

■■ Offer after-school classes in auto maintenance ■■ Give a party for teachers
■■ Prepare a list of community lectures and other ■■ Set up a system for distributing holiday cards
events through the school
■■ Publicize a list of community lectures. ■■ Exchange holiday cards with other councils
■■ Help set up a special holiday assembly
Fundraising ■■ Have an all-school holiday dinner
■■ Sponsor rummage sales, prom dress sales, ga- ■■ Decorate area store windows.
rage sales Student Relations and Services
■■ Coordinate various “zany” contests: head stand- ■■ Hold a student art exhibit
ing, pie eating, sit-ups, kiss the pig, etc. ■■ Sponsor a school savings program
■■ Sell a book of student literature and music ■■ Organize a school bank
■■ Set up a bicycle repair shop ■■ Conduct a student employment service
■■ Coordinate the fundraising activities of all ■■ Maintain a lost-and-found room
school groups ■■ Set up a system to record cocurricular credit
■■ Help musical organizations make recordings and points
sell them ■■ Establish and maintain a card file of information
■■ Sponsor a craft show on all activities
■■ Operate a school supply store, snack bar, soda or ■■ Promote a plan for student insurance
juice machine ■■ Adopt a plan to discourage and eliminate fresh-
■■ Make a wishing well for a school project man hazing
■■ Sponsor an all-school activities night ■■ Conduct a workshop for school hosts
■■ Make and sell a cookbook ■■ Obtain discount cards for students at local the-
■■ Run a concession stand at games aters, fitness studios, etc.
■■ Have a lost-and-found auction ■■ Maintain the school activities and club calendar
■■ Sponsor a popular movie ■■ Issue identification cards for all students
■■ Have a basketball game between school faculty ■■ Provide music for students during lunch
members and the staff members of a local radio ■■ Create an advertising file for use of all clubs
station ■■ Organize a drive to secure a memorial to a stu-
■■ Help other school organizations with their proj- dent
ects and receive a percentage of earnings ■■ Send presents, cards, flowers, etc., to students
■■ Hold a festival, fair, jamboree, carnival, etc. who are ill or injured
■■ Stage a talent night ■■ Establish a loan fund for small emergencies
■■ Sponsor rollerskating or ice skating parties ■■ Serve as student proctors or peer tutors
■■ Make and sell coupon books with discounts at ■■ Organize and publicize information about youth
local businesses counseling services, drug abuse programs, voter
■■ Sell: light bulbs, football programs, pep pins, registration, and student rights and responsibili-
pennants, brooms, candles, car stickers, decals ties
with school emblem, book covers, candy, baked ■■ Investigate and publicize student travel dis-
goods, popcorn, student directories, handi- counts
craft articles, school supplies, Christmas cards, ■■ Conduct open council meetings
wreaths, trees, holly and mistletoe, magazines, ■■ Regularly report student council news to the stu-
etc. dent body
Holidays and Cultural Awareness ■■ Set up a plan of student tutoring in study halls
■■ Schedule speakers from other cultures to make ■■ Write a manual to help student groups plan out-
presentations about their country’s celebrations of-town trips
■■ Sponsor an International Day with the home Faculty Relations
economics and foreign language department ■■ Sponsor teacher-appreciation days
■■ Distribute holiday baskets ■■ Sponsor student/faculty athletic events

■■ Send birthday cards to teachers ■■Establish an international club to research life in
■■ Invite teachers to council meetings other countries.
■■ Establish teacher-student discussion groups Leadership
■■ Interview teachers for articles in school paper ■■ Have upcoming or returning officers and mem-
■■ Sponsor a student “teach day” bers attend LEAD conferences held during the
■■ Give copies of student council minutes to all spring and the NASC National Conference held
teachers in June each year
■■ Conduct a teacher baby picture contest ■■ Hold local retreats for student officers
■■ Host a tea or reception for teachers and advisers ■■ At the state level, have students attend district,
■■ Welcome new teachers in the fall regional, or state conferences and workshops
■■ Sponsor your student council adviser’s atten- ■■ Sponsor a weekly leadership training session
dance to professional development event such open to all students
as a LEAD or NASC Conference. ■■ Conduct a dinner in the fall for all school and
Building Relationships with Other Schools club officers
■■ Organize and/or participate in local, district, ■■ Conduct a school leadership workshop for
state, and national student council meetings council and club officers during the first week of
■■ Develop a student exchange program with a school
school in another city ■■ Organize an inter-club council
■■ Plan an exchange day or week between local ■■ Study proposed clubs, grant charters, and
schools review all clubs’ activities at the end of each
■■ Mail newspapers and council newsletters to school year
other schools ■■ Designate certain council meetings for special
■■ Share rides with students from another school activities, such as brainstorming, rap sessions,
when going to regional or state meetings discussion sessions, and roleplaying
■■ Form an area student council with neighboring ■■ Work to establish a leadership class for credit
schools or those in your district. ■■ Design a training program for newly elected
International Relations representatives
■■ Participate in a United Nations project Welcoming New Students
■■ Cooperate with such international organizations ■■ Hold orientation week
as CARE, UNICEF, Junior Red Cross, and Ameri- ■■ Urge all organizations to post welcome signs for
can Field Service new students
■■ Invite foreign students and other foreign mem- ■■ Visit feeder schools and answer questions
bers of the community to talk about their coun- ■■ Assign older students as special friends or
tries guides
■■ Make a tape of typical school activities, discus- ■■ Make a video of a typical week at school and
sions, etc. and send it to a school in another show it to new students
country ■■ Present a skit showing what the school has to
■■ Organize a pen pal or e-mail pal club offer
■■ Hold an assembly about the work of the United ■■ Serve as big brothers and big sisters
Nations ■■ Hold a breakfast or a get-acquainted party for
■■ Invite students who have traveled abroad during new students
the summer to make informal talks and show ■■ Give each new student a school handbook
slides during a noon hour assembly ■■ Ask each club to send a representative to a
■■ Keep a file and post information on a bulletin meeting of new students
board about special student travel rates abroad ■■ Have a special assembly for newcomers
■■ Observe United Nations Week in October ■■ Give newcomers a welcome kit
■■ Have international food days and dinners ■■ Award each new student a certificate of mem-
■■ Invite speakers from other countries bership in the student body

■■ Prepare special name badges and invite new ■■ May Day, etc.)
students to attend council meetings ■■ Senior (junior) prom
■■ Hold a formal induction ceremony to welcome ■■ Senior breakfast
new students ■■ Senior citizens prom
■■ Have upperclassmen visit new homerooms or ■■ Skating party (roller and/or ice)
classes for a week and explain various aspects of ■■ Square dances
the school. ■■ Teen canteen
Parent/Student Relations ■■ Valentine post office/flower deliveries
■■ Encourage the formation of parent-teacher-stu- ■■ Yearbook signing party.
dent-associations (PTSAs) Travel
■■ Encourage students to join PTSAs and attend ■■ Develop chaperone guidelines
meetings and activities they sponsor ■■ Assist school organizations with plans for their
■■ Ask parents to chaperone activities trips
■■ Send thank-you notes to parents who help on ■■ Help finance some trips
projects ■■ Contact other schools to get ideas on how to
■■ Invite PTSA members to council meetings improve a trip
■■ Attend regional and state PTSA meetings ■■ Have a follow-up on each trip to see how future
■■ Send occasional newsletters to parents, counsel- trips can be improved
ors, teachers. ■■ Arrange for inter-school exchanges
Social/Spirit Activities ■■ Schedule trips to governmental agencies
■■ Air guitar contest ■■ Arrange transportation for away games and for
■■ All homecoming activities local or state student council meetings
■■ All-activities night ■■ Attend a LEAD conference
■■ All-school banquet or picnic ■■ Attend the NASC National Conference.
■■ Bobsled ride
■■ Bowling party Student Council Publications
■■ Box supper Suggested items that student councils can
■■ Buffet supper produce electronically or in print to keep
■■ Chili supper students and faculty informed
■■ Community sing ■■ Monthly activities calendar
■■ Coronation ball ■■ Booklet suggesting homeroom ice breaker
■■ Dancing classes activities
■■ Dress-up day breakfast ■■ Yearbook
■■ Farewell party for graduates ■■ Newspaper
■■ Game party ■■ News bulletin
■■ Get-acquainted mixer ■■ Student directory
■■ Hawaiian luau ■■ School handbook
■■ Hayride ■■ Column in school paper
■■ Hike ■■ Election rules
■■ International music festivals ■■ Student body constitution
■■ Mid-winter ball ■■ Voters’ guide
■■ New Year’s party ■■ Map of school
■■ Penny party ■■ Student council meeting minutes
■■ Pizza party ■■ Pictures and biographies of candidates for
■■ Pot-luck supper school offices
■■ Progressive dinner ■■ Directory of student council members
■■ Rock concerts ■■ Council newsletter
■■ Seasonal parties (Valentine, St. Patrick’s, ■■ Summary of important laws relating to students

■■ Student rights and responsibilities documents ■■ Verify record sheets
■■ School history ■■ Issue purchase order for sale inventory
■■ Initial inventory received, counted, and secured
Fundraising ■■ Secure merchandise during delivery period
While fundraising should not be the purpose of a
■■ Secure and return unsold merchandise and com-
student council, it is a common activity that enables
plete final inventory
student councils to provide the additional financial
■■ Conduct final reconciliation of the funds raised
support often needed to help them achieve their goals.
■■ Have final bill approved by students and adviser
The following general checklist for fundraising can be
■■ Hold evaluation and recognition meeting
customized for your particular needs and the require-
■■ Write up final reports
ments of your school district.
■■ Organize and file notes, records, and
■■ Organize a fundraising steering committee
evaluations.
■■ Review school policies and procedures for fund-
raising
■■ Fill out fundraiser intent form (including budget)
and file it in the activities office Connect With National Association
■■ Secure approval by adviser, principal, school of Student Councils
board, or other authority as determined by local
policy Web: www.nasc.us
■■ Establish a timeline and schedule it on the mas-
Social Media: Facebook: NASC4LEADERS
ter school calendar
Twitter: @NASC_
■■ File meeting minutes showing student approval
in the activities office E-mail: Membership information and questions:
■■ Consider several vendor choices and research [email protected]
each vendor thoroughly General information and policy questions: nasc@
■■ Conduct a group meeting to cover the details of nasc.us
the sale
Mail: National Association of Student Councils
■■ Determine incentives
■■ Acknowledge parent and student responsibility
Reston, VA 20191-1537
■■ Sign contract with the vendor
Phone: 703-860-0200
■■ Hold sale kick-off event
Fax: 703-476-5432
■■ Create and distribute individual student record
sheets Sales: To order NASC products, call the Sales
■■ Deposit money daily Office at 866-647-7253. For questions, e-mail
[email protected].

APPENDIX 6
State Student Council Associations
E ach state maintains a statewide student council association. These associations

offer a wide variety of activities including workshops, conferences, and summer lead-
ership camps as well as publications. Activities vary from state to state, with some states
having extremely active associations. For information about what is available in your state,
contact your state executive director. Find e-mail addresses for the state student council
directors in the About NASC section at www.nasc.us.
Student Council State Association Websites

Web sites sponsored by state student council associations provide an ideal opportunity for
student leaders to network with one another, share ideas, ask for help with local problems,
and find out about leadership opportunities beyond the local level. Many of those sites
include idea sharing forums, resources, and other information to help student leaders take
an active part in their state organizations. Hyperlinks to the state student council associa-
tions are available at www.nasc.us/about/nasc-region-map.aspx.
Appendix 6: State Student Council Associations n 121

1904 Association Drive n Reston, VA 20191-1537 n www.nasc.us
ISBN 978-0-88210-376-1
52400 > NASC is a program of NASSP
9 780882 103761

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Student

1904 Association Drive

NASC NATIONAL OFFICE

© 2001 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Printed in the United States of America.

NASC is a program of NASSP

1904 Association Drive

Broad student participation in school and community activities is an essential part of

iv n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Introduction........................................................................... iii Reducing the Negative Effects of Elections.....................41

NASC History and Philosophy n v

Chapter 11: Projects—Plan, Implement, Record Sheet for Taking Minutes......................................96

APPENDICES Appendix 5: Project Examples.......................................111

vi n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

NASC History and Philosophy

NASC History and Philosophy n 1

executive secretary of NASC. Walter Hess of NASSP ondary Schools

part-time basis. ■■ North Carolina Student Council Congress

2 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

NASC History and Philosophy n 3

1989 After founder Warren Shull’s death, the Leadership

2012 Ann Postlewaite became the director of

4 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council in the 21st Century

I n examining the role of student council, it is important to look at how it evolved.

Student Council for the 21st Century n 5

6 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council for the 21st Century n 7

■■ Parent drop-off would cement block near the plan

amount of traffic drop-off signs. the baseball field

8 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council for the 21st Century n 9

10 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council for the 21st Century n 11

leaders to extend their leader- DER the Year Awards

12 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council 101: Getting Started

How To Start a Student Council in Your School

1. Lay the foundation: the student council concept.

Student Council 101: Getting Started n 13

14 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

munity members can develop a solid basis for cooper- tion

tions for the actual establishment of the council. procedures

and Bylaws members from office.

Student Council 101: Getting Started n 15

16 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

4. The Club Council ing meeting schedules.

Student Council 101: Getting Started n 17

18 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council 101: Getting Started n 19

20 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council 101: Getting Started n 21

22 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council Operation in

A student council is a group of students elected by their peers according to an adopted

Working With the Student Body

Student Council Operation in Secondary Schools n 23

24 n NASC Student Council Handbook 2014

Student Council Operation in Secondary Schools n 25