STUDENT COUNCIL HANDBOOK
First and foremost, every member of the Ecole Salish Secondary Council should be committed and ready to help organize and participate in all students' council events – regardless of their position. Every member NEEDS to be enthusiastic in his or her support of a strong school culture. That is the essence of leadership. Members of the council must be accountable and dependable. There is an expectation that all students on council will exemplify the School Code of Conduct. The following job descriptions exist to help define the scope of each member’s role on the council. They are not absolute and the overall expectation is that each member will pitch in where needed in the support of the entire team. Student Council is made up from Grade 8-12 students.
Roles and Responsibilities of Student Council:
♦Roles of Student Council
Meetings:
Meetings will be on TUESDAYS at lunch in the BLUE POD (RM 327-328). Members are expected to attend at least 75% of all meetings. Attendance will be a factor when selecting members for special events and activities. Special meetings may also be called as needed.
Council Membership:
EXCECUTIVE POSITIONS
(Be able to work well with others, maintain high academic standards and be well organized.
Students interesting in becoming chair must be exemplary student leaders, who has been a member of student council for at least a year. Students must be in Grade 10-12. They must have a cumulative GPA of 75%. Any failures or suspensions must be disclosed and discussed with the advisor and the principal (or vice-principal) before continuing position)
The Chair (or Co-Chair) should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• “Oversee” the different things council has going on, trying to make sure everyone is coordinated and working together cohesively
• Represent the student body of and act as the voice of the students to administration and staff
• Give input on projects to take on / to avoid
• Coordinate feedback and response to issues that affect the school culture
• Represent the student council at public events
• Communicate with other leadership groups in order to organize inter-school events
• Preside over all Students Council meetings on an alternating basis and prepare the agenda for all meetings
• Attempt to ensure that other executive and general members perform their duties adequately and to assist when necessary
• In the event their counterpart is unable to perform their duties, assume all responsibilities until such time as the other Co-Chair is capable of returning to council
• Be responsible for, along with the Co-Chair of finances and the advisor, the proper management of committees, equipment and supplies
• Be responsible, along with the Executives of Communication and advisor, for ensuring that the records of the of the Students Council are properly maintained, shared and stored
The Executive for Finance (Treasure) should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Co-ordinate all of the council’s financial transactions
• Provide financial reports during council meetings
• Advise and be responsible for all aspects of financial administration of the Students Council (including cash boxes at events)
• Make purchases if necessary
• Be able to reach out to the community for funding
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
Executive for Internal Communication (Secretary) should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Ensure accurate communication of events and flow of information between the council and advisors
• Act as a primary point of contact between advisors, committees and council for general information about council initiative and information
• Record and provide all minutes for student council
• Be responsible for any special reports as directed by the council
• Keep accurate records of council meetings, agendas, attendance
• Ensure the meeting and event schedule is up to date and accurate
• Be an accountable person who can fill in gaps and take initiative when the opportunity arises
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be very well organized
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
• Liaise with members at large and other leadership teams in our school
The Executive for External Communications should:
• Co-ordinate the communication of information generated by council with other school leadership groups
• Co-ordinate and deliver announcements at council meeting
• Creating announcements to be posted on the school website, app and information TV's.
• Manage the media presence for the council (including print and web presence – including, but not limited to, social media i.e. Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube)
• Help find ways to increase communication with the student body
• Co-ordinate the promotion of council initiatives and events through various mediums including posters banners and announcements
• Liaise with members at large and other leadership teams in our school
• Be an accountable person who can fill in gaps and take initiative when the opportunity arises
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be very well organized
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
The Executive for Events should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Plan and ensure proper execution of events
• Ensure that forms for events have been properly filled out and completed
• Oversee the events schedule
• Liaise with committees and groups planning events outside of council
• Have the ability to delegate jobs and tasks appropriately
• Seek teacher participation as chaperones for Students’ Council sponsored events in which they are required.
• Communicate with the schools’ student technician in order to provide sound; and/or lighting equipment for council sponsored events
• Be an accountable person who can fill in gaps and take initiative when the opportunity arises
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be very well organized
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
GRADE 8-12 REPRESENTATIVES
The Grade Level Reps should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Liaise between their grade level and students' council
• Represent the diversity of our school community
• Plan and execute student council events
• Participate in all students' council events
• Be a “representative” of the student body
• Be responsible for collecting student input on events / decisions
• Encourage friends to participate in council functions
• Help out where needed
• Potentially be able to represent another student group or committee (See Member
at Large)
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Members-at-large should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Attend Student Council Meetings and be an advocate for their group and committees on council
Members at Large may be appointed to join student council if they demonstrate commitment and involvement.
Roles and Responsibilities of Student Council:
♦Roles of Student Council
- To officially represent the student body.
- To identify and help solve problems/issues encountered by students in the school.
- To communicate the opinions of the student body to the school administration on any subject that concerns students.
- To promote and encourage the involvement of students in organizing school activities.
- To promote the interests of students among the school administration, staff, and parents.
- To inform students about subjects and issues that are of concern to the FHS student body.
- To organize school activities.
- To propose activities to school administration that would improve school culture.
- To provide service to the school and community.
- To organize events and activities that engage students, staff, and community.
- To maintain good relations with school staff, students and community.
- To maintain adequate grades and sufficient conduct while serving as a Council member.
- To attend Council meetings, events and activities as regularly as possible.
- Regular attendance and participation is MANDATORY. Unexcused absences might result in losing your position in council.
Meetings:
Meetings will be on TUESDAYS at lunch in the BLUE POD (RM 327-328). Members are expected to attend at least 75% of all meetings. Attendance will be a factor when selecting members for special events and activities. Special meetings may also be called as needed.
Council Membership:
EXCECUTIVE POSITIONS
(Be able to work well with others, maintain high academic standards and be well organized.
Students interesting in becoming chair must be exemplary student leaders, who has been a member of student council for at least a year. Students must be in Grade 10-12. They must have a cumulative GPA of 75%. Any failures or suspensions must be disclosed and discussed with the advisor and the principal (or vice-principal) before continuing position)
The Chair (or Co-Chair) should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• “Oversee” the different things council has going on, trying to make sure everyone is coordinated and working together cohesively
• Represent the student body of and act as the voice of the students to administration and staff
• Give input on projects to take on / to avoid
• Coordinate feedback and response to issues that affect the school culture
• Represent the student council at public events
• Communicate with other leadership groups in order to organize inter-school events
• Preside over all Students Council meetings on an alternating basis and prepare the agenda for all meetings
• Attempt to ensure that other executive and general members perform their duties adequately and to assist when necessary
• In the event their counterpart is unable to perform their duties, assume all responsibilities until such time as the other Co-Chair is capable of returning to council
• Be responsible for, along with the Co-Chair of finances and the advisor, the proper management of committees, equipment and supplies
• Be responsible, along with the Executives of Communication and advisor, for ensuring that the records of the of the Students Council are properly maintained, shared and stored
The Executive for Finance (Treasure) should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Co-ordinate all of the council’s financial transactions
• Provide financial reports during council meetings
• Advise and be responsible for all aspects of financial administration of the Students Council (including cash boxes at events)
• Make purchases if necessary
• Be able to reach out to the community for funding
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
Executive for Internal Communication (Secretary) should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Ensure accurate communication of events and flow of information between the council and advisors
• Act as a primary point of contact between advisors, committees and council for general information about council initiative and information
• Record and provide all minutes for student council
• Be responsible for any special reports as directed by the council
• Keep accurate records of council meetings, agendas, attendance
• Ensure the meeting and event schedule is up to date and accurate
• Be an accountable person who can fill in gaps and take initiative when the opportunity arises
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be very well organized
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
• Liaise with members at large and other leadership teams in our school
The Executive for External Communications should:
• Co-ordinate the communication of information generated by council with other school leadership groups
• Co-ordinate and deliver announcements at council meeting
• Creating announcements to be posted on the school website, app and information TV's.
• Manage the media presence for the council (including print and web presence – including, but not limited to, social media i.e. Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube)
• Help find ways to increase communication with the student body
• Co-ordinate the promotion of council initiatives and events through various mediums including posters banners and announcements
• Liaise with members at large and other leadership teams in our school
• Be an accountable person who can fill in gaps and take initiative when the opportunity arises
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be very well organized
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
The Executive for Events should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Plan and ensure proper execution of events
• Ensure that forms for events have been properly filled out and completed
• Oversee the events schedule
• Liaise with committees and groups planning events outside of council
• Have the ability to delegate jobs and tasks appropriately
• Seek teacher participation as chaperones for Students’ Council sponsored events in which they are required.
• Communicate with the schools’ student technician in order to provide sound; and/or lighting equipment for council sponsored events
• Be an accountable person who can fill in gaps and take initiative when the opportunity arises
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be very well organized
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
GRADE 8-12 REPRESENTATIVES
The Grade Level Reps should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Liaise between their grade level and students' council
• Represent the diversity of our school community
• Plan and execute student council events
• Participate in all students' council events
• Be a “representative” of the student body
• Be responsible for collecting student input on events / decisions
• Encourage friends to participate in council functions
• Help out where needed
• Potentially be able to represent another student group or committee (See Member
at Large)
• Be able to maintain a strong academic performance
• Be able to work well in a supportive manner
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Members-at-large should:
• Exemplify the elements of the School Code of Conduct
• Attend Student Council Meetings and be an advocate for their group and committees on council
Members at Large may be appointed to join student council if they demonstrate commitment and involvement.
