THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB

SELECTION TIPS:

Ask your feeder schools for the names of students that have shown some leadership ability. Invite these first year students to run for class reps, or invite them to participate in events and meetings.

Remember, not all students see themselves as capable of acting in a leadership role. They will be much more open to the idea when it is approached as an opportunity rather than a duty.

Find out from previous members what they got out of being a part of the leadership team. You can learn what direction they think you should take.

Post your agendas and minutes for meetings. Active leaders are looking for places where things are happening. Have your candidates come looking for you.

Make your students aware that Colleges, Universities, and employers are looking for people with proven leadership skills. This will attract students with goals and aspirations.

Find a place for everyone that indicates an interest in joining. Enthusiasm is contagious and you may be able to infect more students with the leadership bug.

Celebrate excellence with leadership awards. Many students will find inspiration from reading the plaques in the hallways. Look at the award plaques yourself. Approach students who have shown excellence in other areas, such as academics, to consider a leadership role.

ELECTION TIPS:

• Always take 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.

 

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

 

• 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.

 

• 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

• 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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