The student council at a school represents the student population and serves as a conduit between the students and faculty. The council is led by a cabinet of elected officers with specific responsibilities.
What Does a Student Council President Do?
Besides representing all students at the school, the president of the student council represents the council as a whole. In addition to coordinating student council activities, the president typically runs council meetings. In most schools, the president is not a voting member of the council. The exception is when there is a tie vote and the president must vote to break it.
The Representative of the Representatives
Students are represented by the school’s president to the school’s administration. Besides representing the student council to the administration, the president must also represent the student council to the other students. It is important for the president of the student council to be prepared to answer for the council’s dealings and explain them if need be.
What Does a Student Council Vice-President Do?
Vice-presidents are also representatives of both students and the student council, although to a lesser extent than the presidents. Whenever the president is unavailable to preside over meetings or to meet with faculty or students, the vice-president steps in.
Additional Duties
In most cases, the vice-president chairs committees or manages projects. In spite of the fact that they may not lead the student council, they usually have plenty of leadership opportunities and responsibilities.
What Does a Student Council Secretary Do?
The secretary is responsible for keeping accurate notes (also known as minutes) of student council meetings. In order for the student council to be transparent, the secretary must ensure that other students and faculty have access to these notes.
Public Affairs Representative
A secretary is sometimes a separate position within student council, but often they are responsible for disseminating information on behalf of the council. Student council blogs, meeting notes, and other public affairs duties typically fall to the secretary, unless another position exists to handle these tasks specifically.
What Does a Student Council Treasurer Do?
The treasurer is responsible for maintaining the budget of the student council. Student council regulations and votes determine how funds are used for fundraising events, which are managed by the treasurer. Student council budget committee meetings are chaired by the treasurer, not the president, if there is one.
Third in Line
The treasurer is usually third in line as the student council’s chairperson, below the president and vice-president, although this may vary from school to school. Otherwise, anything relating to money falls under the treasurer’s jurisdiction.
Student Council Members
There are not all student council members who hold office positions. Rather, they represent the students directly by bringing ideas to the council based on what students want or need. As a member of the school community, you are expected to maintain good grades and be a positive influence.
Voted In
The majority of student council members are elected through a school-wide election. An officer is either elected from the larger election, from a council-only election, or by faculty designation. Depending on the school, this can differ.
Held to a Higher Standard
According to the existing rules, members of the student council can be removed from their positions at the discretion of the principal and faculty. If a student council member receives disciplinary action or fails a grade, they are likely to be removed from the council.
Whether you’re interested in joining student council or running for an office, you will need some tips on creating a great student council speech.