Ideas for Building a Strong Student Council

• • • Mike Coty Former Council Adviser, Junior Class Adviser, Freshman Transition Program Adviser Hamline & St. Thomas Adjunct Education Consultant [email protected]

612-801-7817

We want to Prevent this And Promote this!

Create a Strong Foundation:

Constitution • • Do you have a Constitution?

Does it have a Mission Statement?

Create a Strong Foundation:

Constitution  Do you have a Constitution?

 Does it have a Mission Statement?

• When was it last reviewed?

• Have Students read it?

Have a Direction:

Goals • • • • • • • Setting Goals vs. Planning Activities Establish 2-3 school goals and 2-3 council goals Make them SMART – – – – – Specific (and strategic): Linked to Mission. Answers the question—Who? and What?

Measurable: Success toward meeting the goal can be measured. Answers the question—How?

Attainable: Goals are realistic and can be achieved in a specific amount of time and are reasonable.

Relevant (results oriented): The goals are aligned with current tasks and projects Time framed: Goals have a clearly defined Make them public Connect every Event to a Goal before beginning Planning Debrief each event. Did it reach intended Goals?

What is your Record?

Help them become Leaders:

Training • • • • • • • Spring Beginning – So You Want to Be President – Outgoing President’s Dinner & Debriefs Beginning of year Kickoff—Leadership Night Weekly/Regular meetings with council leaders Meetings as mini-training time Mid-year Training (Where we have been and going) MASC Events Advise, not run—it’s their council. Be their sounding board.

Keep it Together:

Organization • • • Leadership Framework – – – President(s) Executive Board/Cabinet Class Officers Committees – – Older & younger chairs Weekly to monthly reports Events – Checklist/Instructions – – Cleanup Captains Canteen/Auxiliary Council

Connect with Council and the School: Communication • • • • • •

Council:

Meetings—make them useful Buddy System Weekly Awards Website, Facebook, text message, etc.

Monthly Calendars Google Calendar • • • • • Appreciation Cards Monthly Evaluations White Boards PO Boxes Friendly Reminders

Communication • • • • • • •

School:

Weekly/monthly Executive Board Administration Mtgs Home Room Reps Open Forums Facebook Texting T-Shirts • • • • • • Idea Box/Student Proposal Sheets Big Calendars of the Weekly Events Posters Tinkle Talk Council Members Representation

Bring them together:

Unity • • • • • • • Clique vs. Team Council Socials A Place to call their own Buddy System Celebrations Lock-ins T-Shirts, etc.

• • • • Photos MASC/Division Events Council Cheers Banquet

Keep Their Purpose in Sight:

Accountability • • • • • • • • Expectations Contract Point/Lettering System Monthly Self-Evals Quarterly Reviews Excused Slips Probation Contracts System for Removal and Replacement

Make your Mission Known:

Public Relations • • • • • • School & Local Newspapers – – – – Trinkets/gifts to staff Staff Recognition Days: – Staff person of the week/month Custodian Day Lunch Lady (Person) Day Clerk/Para Day Teacher Appreciation Week KSH (Keep Staff Happy) Staff Night Out Wrap & Watch • • • • • • • Staff person of the week/month Drive-By Raking Senior Prom, Senior Visits, etc.

Treats for the week MODELING responsible, respectful behavior Semester/End-of-Year Accomplishments List SALSA

Make it

Fun •

Priority is Service but it doesn’t mean you cannot have fun Serving the school

Food, Food, and more Food • • • Music Sleepovers, Coffee Nights, SALSA Lock-ins

Be There for Them

• • • • • Listen to concerns Be their Defenders Pick them up when they have failed Take care of members who have financial issues, emotional issues, etc.

Build Trust

Closing

• • • • • • Council can be one of the most rewarding things you can do, but make sure the members know your time constraints.

Don’t be afraid to say no.

Give it Time—you will always be learning Use MASC and its advisors for training, ideas, collaboration, and mentoring.

Take care of yourself.

ENJOY!