ELECTION TIPS FOR ADVISORS

1. Always take your elections seriously. Provide all candidates with information on how to run a campaign and what the campaign rules are. If they are to make speeches, give them the opportunity to practice on stage before the big assembly.

2. Allow your candidates every opportunity to look good. It is very difficult to start a position when the beginnings do not look promising.

3. Restrict the number of candidates that can run for a given position. Some of your losing candidates may make excellent council members in other positions.

4. Require candidates to list what their previous experiences at the school have been. Have them demonstrate some initial organization by completing a short series of assignments on deadlines.

5. Have positions that do not require extensive campaigning. Not all potential candidates are risk takers.

6. Allow for participation from all years. Your junior students will learn from the senior members.

7. Cultivate future candidates by inviting them to leadership activities that you run for your present group.

8. Ask staff members to get their students to think about why they are voting. Remind them that a good council can make a big difference in the number and quality of events that are run.

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