1. Advisors: Mr. West & Mrs. Wall
TMSA Student Council
Advisors: Mr. West & Mrs. Wall

2. What is it?
The student council helps share students' ideas, interests, and concerns with teachers and school principals. They often also help raise funds for school-wide activities, including social events, community projects, helping people in need and school reform.

3. “Student Council is a waste of time” Member from last year

4. That’s up to you.

5. Student Council is student led
Ultimately, how much of an effect student council has on both the school and yourself is up to you. The purpose of Student Council is to be an entirely student-run organization that does fundraising for school functions, the creation and management of said school functions, and advocating the desires and needs of the student body.
What this means is that we as your advisors will not be holding your hand as you go step by step through each event. We will provide you with advice (hence the name), but the way this council goes is up to you.
That being said, let’s look at some long-term and short-term goals.

6. Short-Term Goal #1: Student Elections
Traditionally, the leadership of student council is done through school- wide elections towards the end of the previous school year. As this was not done last year, we will be having high school elections at the beginning of this year (now). These elections will be high-school wide, not just student council, so you need to campaign. We also need to determine a date for the elections, no later than September 22nd.

7. Student Council Positions
President:
Lead all meetings
Give assistance, guidance, and praise
Act as a facilitator during discussion
Maintain frequent contact with faculty and administration
Work with advisor on all planning
Participate in student council sponsored activities/events

8. Student Council Positions
Vice President:
Work closely with President
Assume President’s duties when needed
Work with President and Treasurer in preparing calendar and budget
Assist the President in preparing meeting agendas

9. Student Council Positions
Treasurer:
Oversee council expenses and revenues
Maintain an accurate and detailed financial record
Give monetary advice to the council
Authorize payment/deposits
Work with President and Vice President in preparing calendar and budget

10. Student Council Positions
Secretary:
Keep an account of minutes at every meeting
Keep an accurate account of attendance at every meeting
Maintain a roster of active members
Maintain contact information for people who work with the council
Responsible for “Thank You’ cards

11. Student Council Positions
Historian:
Keeps a record of all Council activities and events
Responsible for taking pictures or otherwise documenting Student Council events
Prepares a monthly report for the Council that covers the proceedings of the previous month

12. Any other positions that should be included (grade level representatives, etc.?)

13. Student Council Elections
You need to declare what position you intend to run for by the end of this week (September 1st). You will be responsible for your own campaigning, including the creation of any posters, pins, etc (pending advisor approval). You may only declare for one position.

14. What happens if I don’t get/want a position?
You are still welcome to be a part of Student Council! While you may have a named position, all students who regularly attend Student Council may be part of the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council will present ideas and concerns to the Student Council as well as present their opinion on topics to the council. Also, in the case a Student Council member has to step down from their position, vacant seats will be filled from the Advisory Council.

15. Student Council Responsibilities
If you do run and gain a seat, you are expected to maintain your seat. This means Student Council should be a priority for you. If you are absent too much, the other members of Student Council can (and will) elect to remove you from your position.
Members of the Advisory Council do not have the same requirement, but should still try to attend the majority of meetings.

16. Short Term Goal: Recycling
Last year, student council was responsible for maintaining recycling. This was done once a week during lunch. With changes to the lunch schedule this week, that might be trickier. Points to consider:
Not all teachers have recycling bins currently
When would be the best time to gather recycling? Lunch, Study Hall? Before/After School (9th period?)
Do we want to try to also recycle glass/plastic this year? Would we need additional bins, or just more time for sorting?

17. Short Term Goal: Patriot Day
Patriot Day is on September 11th, and serves to remember those we lost on 9/11/01. That is two weeks from today, and is also the next time we’ll meet as a group (next Monday is Labor Day). Mrs. Jackson is planning to sell American Flag stickers which will act as dress down passes for Patriot Day, as long as students wear red, white, and/or blue.
We would also like to purchase/create a wreath to place at the flag on Patriot Day.
Any thoughts on this?

18. Student Council Long Term Goals
One common complaint last year was that there weren’t enough events for High School. Again, changing that is up to you. Mrs. Favreau has some ideas for upcoming events, but they require planning and organization by you. Here are some possible events this year:
Pep Rallies
Spirit Days
College Days
Homecoming (already booked, needs volunteers/planners)
Tiki Night 2

19. Junior Prom
Now that we have upperclassmen, we should consider having a Junior Prom. We have teachers in the school who have been on Prom Committees before and are willing to help, but the planning, organization, and fundraising responsibilities fall on you. If you want to have a prom this year, the sooner you start planning, the better.

20. Other ideas? Questions, Comments, Concerns?
Now’s the time to let them out.