Baltimore City Public Schools



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Mr. Michael D. Thomas, Director

Mr. Sean P. Bailey, District Advisor

How to Start

A SGA at Your School

Instructions

to help you start a student government association within your school

Table of Contents

Message from Your ASCBC Advisor and President 3-5

The Flow Chart of Student Leadership 6

Acronyms Associated with Our Leadership & Officers 7

Starting a Student Government: At a Glance 8

ASCBC Membership Form 9

The Election Process 10

Tips for Candidates 11

How to Run a SGA Meeting & Roberts Rules of Order 12

What Does A Student Government Do? 13

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Greetings!

As we begin another school year in our city, I am fortunate to be given the opportunity to lead the districts efforts to expand student government across our school system. Over the summer, I was selected as the ASCBC (Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City) district advisor to help in this effort. This is certainly a task that will require a lot of hard work and effort, but I have seen firsthand the many benefits of this program.

I have seen children become inspired to make a difference here in Baltimore and learn the necessary skills to advocate for positive change. I have seen our children learn to work with people from many backgrounds with diverse interests from all over our region. I have seen our children put their prior learning to use in real world scenarios and further their knowledge. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Our city, and indeed our world, is in need of great leaders. Today, we face so many challenges in the world and in our community. Despite this, there is hope. We hope for great political and social leaders to ease the injustice of poverty, crime, and despair in all its forms. We hope for the next great inventor or businessperson to develop products to improve our lives and provide people with good jobs. We hope for doctors and medical researchers to help the sick and make our lives better and more comfortable. But how do we get these leaders? Leadership is a skill that is not easily taught in the classroom. This is where student government comes into play.

On the district and state level, we are working to get our students access to workshops and meetings where they will build on what they have learned in the classroom and in the community to use their voice as citizens. We are teaching students how to interact and advocate with people who may not share their viewpoint or perspective. We are teaching students how to speak to an audience. We are teaching students how the political process works in government and in other less formal settings. These skills are very valuable to our district’s goal to ensure our students are college and career ready. Furthermore, these skills will allow our students to grow into the next generation of great Baltimore leaders. They will go on to success in government, business, advocacy, academia, and research to name just a few examples.

It is for this reason that I am most excited to take on the challenge of serving as our district’s ASCBC advisor this year. I believe in the future and potential of our students, and I am proud to play a part in fostering their leadership skills.

I want to conclude by offering each and every school in the city my assistance in the formation of student government organizations this year. I plan to be a resource to every school that desires my help in this process to make forming a SGA as easy and positive as possible. Together we can make a positive difference in the lives of our students and in the future of our city.

 

Respectfully,

Sean Bailey

Sean Bailey

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Hello,

Fellow students as we begin this new school year it’s important that we as students make sure our voices are heard and our concerns are taken seriously. Fortunately, I have been elected as the new ASCBC president, and with this position I plan to help lead the district in its goal to embrace student voices in every grade level and encourage students to step out of their comfort zone to stand up for what they believe in. Trying to complete this task has proven to be a little difficult, but with your help I am positive we can accomplish this task and have fun while doing so.

I witness the desire to make a difference in schools every day in my peers, brothers, young cousins, and in other community members. I have seen students put their differences aside and band together in order to put the welfare of their school ahead. I have witnessed communities get involved with problems at the local schools, so that if the students weren’t discussing a change, the community was. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough.

Our city is need of leaders who will stand up and inspire others to follow suit. For too long, Baltimore City has been considered an afterthought and it’s time that we as students change this status quo. Changing this will happen when we decide to stand up as one in a positive and appropriate fashion with everyone on the same page. When we as students stand together in a positive manner, more people will pay attention and more will get accomplished.

On this district and state level, we are trying to get more Baltimore City students voices heard in a positive manner and while doing so, we will be setting an example of unity and aspiration for younger students to follow. Together we can change students’ lives and inspire them to keep the fight going, so that over time not only will student lives be changed, but Baltimore City will be changed for the better.

Sincerely,

Ziqiaya Shropshire

Ziqiaya Shropshire

Baltimore City Public Schools Flowchart of Leadership

Below are the different associations that make up student government in descending order of rank.

*Asterisks indicate that member(s) are adults.

National Association of Student Councils

Maryland State Department of Education*

Mr. Lance A. Ledebur, Executive Director of Maryland Association of Student Councils*

Maryland Association of Student Councils

Dr. Sonja B. Santelises, CEO Baltimore City Schools*

Mr. Michael Thomas, Director ASCBC*

Mr. Sean Bailey, ASCBC Advisor*

Ziqiaya Shropshire, President of ASCBC

Jonathan Townes, Student Commissioner

Marlena Milic, Vice President

Ziyona Robinson, Chief of Staff

Melanie Hopkins, Secretary

Kache Curtis, Treasurer

Vacant, Middle School Executive

Your School Based SGA Advisor*

School Student Government Members

Acronyms Associated with Our Leadership

ASCBC – Associated Student Congress of Baltimore City

BCPSS- Baltimore City Public Schools

MASC- Maryland Associated Student Congress

MSDE- Maryland State Department of Education

NASC - National Associated Student Congress

PTSA – Parent Teacher Student Association

SGA – Student Government Association

GA - General Assembly

Typical Middle and High School SGA

Class Advisor (usually a teacher from the school)

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary/ Historian

Chief of Staff

Starting a

Student Government Association:

At a Glance

Step 1: Find an Advisor

Your SGA Advisor will be the adult that makes sure student government operations run smoothly. This individual will be taking on a lot of responsibility, so chose them wisely. An advisor can make or break a SGA.

Step 2: Talk to Your Principal

Ask your principal for permission to start a student government, and begin a dialogue about some of the things you want to see happen at your school.

Step 3: Have an Election

After asking permission from your principal, set up an election to determine the officers on the Student Government Association Executive Board.

Step 4: Set up a Meeting Schedule

Once you’ve filled positions on the executive board, set up a meeting schedule so that your Student Government can start to plan events.

Step 5: Register with ASCBC & MASC!

Once you’ve set up your SGA, you should register with ASCBC and MASC, so that you can receive its full support in your future endeavors.

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ASCBC Student Government Association (SGA) Membership Application

***Note: School must also join MASC (Maryland Association of Student Councils) at

Date: ____________

Complete School Name: _____________________________________________________

School Address: _____________________________________________________

School Enrollment: ___________________

SGA Advisor Full Name: _______________________________________________

SGA Advisor’s Email address: _______________________________________________

SGA President for 2016-2017: ________________________________________________

SGA President’s Email: ________________________________________________

|Type Of School |Check One |Type Of School |Check One |

|Elementary/Middle School | |Middle School | |

|Middle/High School (Combined) | |High School | |

ASCBC Supports:

✓ SGA Support for your Advisor and Student Officers

✓ Workshops & Materials for Your SGA Officers and Advisors

✓ ASCBC General Assembly Meetings

Amount of Check for ASCBC SGA Membership Dues for 2018-19 $ 50

Return this completed form and a check for the total amount made payable to Baltimore City Public Schools

Send to ASCBC – c/o Office of Learning to Work Attn: Daniel Heller - 200 East North Avenue- Room 316 Baltimore, MD 21202

The Election Process

Here is a basic checklist of things to do before, during and after a school wide SGA election. The election should occur in September so that it will not interfere with the academic climate.

1. Make an announcement that the SGA elections are coming and provide Candidate Applications for students. They can come to you to get them, or they can be left in the Main Office, in Guidance Counselor’s offices, or any number of locations based upon the climate and rules of your school.

2. Arrange a date when all of the candidates can come to you to hear about how they can display their posters and also get information about their speech requirements.

3. Speak with an Administrator, or their designee, about reserving a location for students to hear the candidate’s speeches. Check with the staff responsible for microphone and security. It is important that the election process is calm, quiet, and within the appropriate standards of safety.

4. Decide how you want the voting to take place. (Via computers, ballots in the cafeteria, etc.)

5. Review the written speeches and give your approval. If necessary, ask teachers to help students with their speeches.

6. After the candidate speeches and the voting are over, make sure to include ethical staff members to help count the votes. Make an announcement regarding who won.

Tips for Candidates

Promise something you can deliver. Always talk to the appropriate staff before saying that you can do something. Instead of saying, "I'll cut back homework and make lunch 15 minutes longer!" try saying, "I'll make sure you choose what our school lunches are!" By saying this, you could arrange some favored foods with the cafeteria workers and make up a poll for the students

Make a good campaign. Note the things that you're good at and some personality traits. You can tell people to vote and give them something like a pencil, or a great flyer and a ballot sheet. But don't give out cupcakes or cookies, because if you do, you might look like you are trying to bribe the voters. Giving out a simple something with a warm smile and a bubbly personality will show that you're poised and ready to take up the job.

Display your speech with confidence. Don't play with your hair or stutter. Just look up and give a quick smile to the audience if you get nervous. This way you'll give off a huge breeze of contentedness - not only to you, but the students, too! Don't say you're nervous, don't look nervous, and don’t act nervous. Just tell yourself you can do it, and always continue smiling. Be excited, and remember the worst thing that can happen is you lose.

Read your speech while you're talking. If you read your speech and look ahead, you'll be able to lift your head and look at the crowd while still talking. You never want your eyes plastered to the speech, because concentration is your worst enemy - at least when it's at large! You want concentrating to be relaxing, and this is the perfect way.

➢ When you make your speech, be sure to add why you want to be elected and why it's important for you to win.

How to Run a SGA Meeting

There is a lot of prep work involved with running a Student Government Association meeting. Here are some steps to take before your first meeting:

1. Talk with your advisor and figure out what you want to talk about with your board at your first meeting.

2. Write an agenda.

3. Find a day that your board can come to a designated meeting room.

Once the meeting starts, here are some things that you should do and/or consider:

1. Call the meeting to order and distribute agendas.

2. Make sure that debates and discussions are conducted in an orderly manner where everyone’s ideas are heard.

3. Vote on issues when a unanimous decision cannot be reached.

Roberts Rules of Order

SGA meetings are usually run based on Roberts Rules of Order, which is a guide to conducting meetings and making decisions. Many corporations, government agencies, unions, community associations, and other groups use some form of Roberts Rules of Order to conduct meetings. Your school can purchase a paper edition of Roberts Rules of Order if you wish or your school can use a reference guide to better understand how to conduct meetings appropriately. An online reference guide to Roberts Rules of Order is located at .

Student government works for the school. It does what students and staff wants it to do to reach the chosen goals. It is important that we each take part in student government activities so that the student government can reflect student ideas and feelings in achieving objectives.

The Student Government:

1. Coordinates the Activities Calendar

➢ balances the activities program all students.

2. Sponsors Events that Enrich School Life

➢ advocacy, focused fundraising, leadership & citizenship, public relations & publicity, service learning, social, and spirit activities

3. Raises:

➢ standards and expectations

4. Develops positive Student Morale

➢ for worthwhile projects

5. Creates Public Relations and Publicity

➢ about student events and accomplishments

6. Solves Problems and Makes Decisions

➢ works on student problems

➢ uses student input

7. Encourages Learning Experiences

➢ for everyone.

8. Builds Communication

➢ with all student groups and serves as the voice of the students

➢ in the community and with other schools as well

9. Promotes School Spirit and Pride

➢ sponsors awards for outstanding participation, scholarship, citizenship, and sportsmanship

➢ sets a positive school atmosphere

10. Advises others of

➢ student opinion about important issues

➢ gathers facts to share with others

11. Develops Leadership Skills

➢ among students and staff.

The Student Council Is the Mind, Heart, and Hands of All School Activities

The above was adapted from The Spirit of the Student Council, Earl Reum, NASSP 1981[pic][pic]

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