Congratulations on your decision to run for office; by participating in student government you are improving the community in which you live and learn. Becoming an officer requires dedication and motivation. This packet is designed to assist you in researching the responsibilities of each position, as well as clear up any misconceptions concerning the election process. In order to run for office you MUST attend an elections meeting; please be sure to check the elections schedule to find meeting dates and locations. Good luck on your campaign, I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail!
Before you decide to run for office there are a few things you need to consider:
1. Am I in “good standing” as defined by page 42 of the Student/Parent Handbook.
2. Do I have the time to commit to the desired office? Can I make student government a top priority?
3. Am I flexible about meeting times? Can I meet before school, during activity block, or in the evenings?
4. What are the qualifications needed to successfully fill this position? Is it right for me?
If you have answered “yes” to all of these questions, please read the following regarding election procedures:
1. Watch the High School Update Newsletter or check the website for event reminders
2. Start writing a speech to deliver to your peers
3. Fill in the information at the top of the nomination form. Collect a minimum of 25 signatures from the appropriate peers (materials will be distributed at elections meetings only).
4. Submit your nomination papers as well as a rough draft of your speech by the indicated deadline. Late papers/speeches will not be accepted as it is a reflection of your level of responsibility.
5. Campaign-all campaign posters must be pre-approved by the Director of Student Activities, the Assistant Principal, or Principal.
6. Deliver your speech to your peers; you must deliver the speech that was approved. Unapproved speeches will result in disqualification from the election
7. Vote
8. Listen to the announcements at the end of the day for instructions on obtaining results.
Campaign Guidelines and Rules
- No campaign swag – this means that you cannot provide food, apparel, or other monetary forms of swag to garner votes from your peers.
- Posters MUST be either handmade or printed by a home computer. Professionally made posters are for professional politicians.
- Speeches must have a serious and professional tone. You are running for an important office in the Weston High School community. Co-Emcees are the ONLY candidates that can utilize entertainment (games, music, etc.) as a part of their speech.
Weston High School Responsibilities of Elected and Appointed Positions
Class Officers- Elections held second week in May
President:
• Represents the class
• Speaks for the class when appropriate
• Conducts class meetings and class officers meetings
• Delegates responsibilities for class activities then follows up
• Communicates with class members, advisors, parent advisors, faculty and parents
• Sets agendas for meetings
• Administers class funds
• Completes activity requests and building use forms
• Attends meetings as necessary with the Director of Student Activities
Vice-President:
• Represents the President upon his/her request or in his/her absence
• Assumes the Presidency when the President is incapacitated or ineligible (See MIAA Rules)
• Submits class information for Daily Announcements or for List-Serve to the Director of Student Activities
• Shares responsibilities for class activities
Secretary:
• Takes minutes at all meetings related to class activities
• Posts minutes on class page of the website each week
• Writes letters, invitations, flyers, and thank you notes
• Shares responsibilities for class activities
Treasurer:
• Maintains financial records for the class
• Meets with school bookkeeper as necessary
• Reports financial status at class meetings and at officer meetings
• Prepares budget forecast
• Deposits all income with school bookkeeper promptly upon receipt
• Arranges for payment for class and advisor approved bills
• Organizes cash boxes, tickets, and checks for class events (two days in advance)
• Shares responsibilities for class activities
Student Advisory Council Representative (SAC):
• Represents the class at monthly School Committee breakfast meetings
• Reports out to class concerning current events, issues or concerns discusses with School Committee
• Participates in the election of the Student Member of the Weston School Committee
• Shares responsibility for class activities
Student Council Officers- Elections held third week in May
Student Body Co- Presidents:
• Represents Weston High School student body when appropriate
• Conducts and chairs weekly Student Council meetings
• Sets agenda for Student Council meetings
• Attends monthly School Committee breakfast meetings
• Supervises the election of the following year’s student officers
• Submits announcements made on website or myGrapevine
• Attends weekly meetings with the Principal to assure that Principal’s decisions reflect student body desires
Student Body Co-Emcees
• Attends weekly Student Council meetings
• Conducts and chairs monthly assembly meetings
• Sets agenda for monthly assemblies
• Assists in the election of the following year’s Co-Emcees
• Meets with the Director of Student Activities as well as the Student Council Advisor as necessary
Student Council Secretary:
• Takes minutes at all meetings related to Student Council activities
• Posts minutes on the website
• Emails minutes of Student Council meetings to members
• Sends reminders regarding meetings and events out to Student Council members
• Sends notices to school on behalf of Student Council
• Takes attendance at Student Council meetings
Student Council Treasurer
• Maintains financial records for the Council
• Researches and presents options concerning spending for events, etc.
• Meets with school bookkeeper as necessary
• Reports financial status at Council meetings and at Officer meetings
• Deposits all income with school bookkeeper promptly upon receipt
• Arranges for payment for Council and advisor approved bills
• Organizes cash boxes, tickets, and checks for class events (two days in advance)
Student Council – Elections held last week in May
Student Council Representatives (five from each class):
• Represent their class at weekly Student Council meetings
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY (upon absence from third meeting, members may be impeached; student council members will have final decision).
• Assists class officers at class functions when appropriate
• Report Student Council news and activities to their class
• Shares in responsibilities for Council activities
• Participates in and helps to plan and organize school wide events
School Council – Elections held in September
Student Members of the Weston School Council (Three Reps)-Two-Year Term:
• Attend all Student Council meetings as a voting member
• Attend all School Council meetings and represent the views of the student body to the members of School Council
• Provide minutes from all School Council meetings for the Student Council.
• Inform the Student Council and Student Issues Committee of important issues facing the School Council
Principal’s Advisory Council – Elections held in September
Principal’s Advisory Council- (Two Representatives): Two-Year Term
• Attend all Principal’s Advisory Council meetings and give input on conflicts and issues involving the student body, faculty, and school administration
• Attend all Student Council meetings as a voting member
• Provide minutes from all PAC meetings for the Student Council.
• Inform the Student Council of important issues facing PAC
Weston School Committee – elected by class Student Advisory Council members only
Student Member of the Weston School Committee-One-Year Term:
• School committee consists of five elected town representatives that set all educational policies
• The Student member of the school committee attends all School Committee meetings and gives input on conflicts and issues involving the student body, faculty, and administration
• The student member is NOT a voting member
Regional Student Advisory Council – Elections held first week in March
Regional SAC Representatives (two):
• Attend statewide and regional meetings of the Student Advisory Council
• Attend monthly School Committee breakfast meetings
• Meet with the Student Council weekly as a voting member
• Submit minutes of the Regional SAC meeting s to the Activities Center
• Report School Committee minutes to the Student Council
• Attend evening School Committee meetings when appropriate
• Read all School committee agenda and minutes, which are available in the Student Activities Center
* School Council representatives, Principal’s Advisory Council representatives, and the two elected Regional Student Advisory Council representatives shall serve as voting members of the Student Council.
