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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Huntsville City Schools Is Raising Student Voice
Last month, 16 middle level and high school student council delegations from Huntsville City Schools in Huntsville, AL, spent two days in training to prepare leading the NASC Raising Student Voice & Participation (RSVP) program at their schools. RSVP is a structured, student-led process that engages all students in a school to identify issues, recommend solutions, and then take civic-based action to make a positive difference in the school or community. The Huntsville students and their advisers were introduced to RSVP, experienced how the process works, and began their initial planning to launch it at their own schools. Learn more about RSVP here or contact NASC for information about training options. Don’t forget that RSVP training is offered for a discounted cost as a preconference session at each LEAD Conference.
Huntsville students prepare to lead RSVP at their schools.
Think Globally. Act Locally.
The formal launch of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Student Leadership Initiative: Global Citizenship took place at the LEAD Conference in Denver on November 11 during a Facebook Live event. The initiative brings NASSP and its student programs—NASC and the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, and National Elementary Honor Society—together to make a difference in schools, communities, and beyond. It is the first time these organizations have joined hands in such a profound way with an effort that aims to encourage all students to think globally and act locally.
Encourage your leaders to join in and post activities related to the initiative to social media using #MakingGlobalChange. Visit the initiative’s website at www.makingglobalchange.org.
Excellence Deserves Recognition
The prestigious NASC National Council of Excellence (NCOE) Awards are based on NASC Standards and provide councils with a framework to enhance the quality of their council activities and operations. While working toward the award, councils create measurable evidence of their performance in numerous areas common to most active council organizations. These include basic operations such as meetings, recordkeeping, giving students a voice, and hosting projects with different purposes. The National Gold Council of Excellence Award is given to those councils that demonstrate the highest levels of leadership and meet additional standards set by NASC. Apply now! The application deadline is February 15, 2017.
New this year! One project entered for the National Council of Excellence Awards must support the NASSP Student Leadership Initiative on Global Citizenship. See details on the NCOE webpage and the project entry section of the online application.
NASC Adviser of the Year Deadline in Two Weeks
The Warren E. Shull Adviser of the Year Award program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school council advisers. Each state student council association is able to nominate one middle level and one high school adviser for the awards. State middle level student council associations may also nominate a middle level adviser. Two national winners (middle level and high school) will be announced during the 2017 NASC National Conference in New Hampshire next June. Applications for the Shull awards are online. The application deadline is December 1.
Energize Your Leadership in February
Both student leaders and advisers from student councils and the National Honor Societies will trek to the nation’s capital the first weekend in February. More will venture to Chicago the very next weekend. They’re all headed to LEAD Conferences. Be among them and enjoy exciting speakers, informative panels, and valuable workshops to put new ideas into action at your school. Register soon to get early-bird discounts. Visit the LEAD Conferences website.
Looking for Out of This World Leadership?
Don’t miss your chance to join student leaders and advisers in New Hampshire for an out-of-this-world leadership experience at the NASC National Conference. Join fellow NASC members at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH, for the 2017 NASC National Conference, June 26-28. For three event-filled days, adviser and student delegates will be part of the only national event of its kind specifically for student council. The conference features an exciting blend of top speakers and informative workshops promoting excellence in student council leadership. Learn more.
STUDENT COUNCIL TIPS AND TOOLS
Advisers Must be Savvy Consumers
Often new advisers are not prepared for the onslaught of “invitations” to host events, raise money, or collect items for a cause or organization. Charity and pseudo charity groups know that student councils are very successful in their efforts to help charitable causes. On average, NASC councils collectively donate several million dollars annually to charities of their choice. The results of the 2016 NASC Adviser Survey reflected donations that averaged $4,159 per council last school year. Before committing to support a lesser or unknown charity or group, advisers should learn all they can about the prospective recipient. Visit websites such as the American Institute of Philanthropy’s CharityWatch and Charity Navigator. Both sites provide tips and ratings for charitable organizations. You should also request letters of reference and check with the Better Business Bureau.
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