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 1904 Association Drive 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