Ground Rules for good meetings
In advance of the meeting
In advance of the meeting
- Put a copy of the agenda on the student council notice board including the date and time of the meeting.
- The chairperson and secretary should meet informally a day or two before the meeting to finalise and prioritise items. Consult with the student liaison officer and look for any advice that is needed. Remember being organised is the key to having a good meeting.
- Arrange the seating. Put chairs in a circle or semi circle. Avoid classroom layout.
- The chairperson and secretary sit together.
- The chairperson welcomes all student council representatives and any staff members/Principal or other invited guests who may be present. ( e.g. a member of the parents association)
- Get student council representatives to sign the roll.
- The secretary will read the minutes of the previous meeting and the chairperson will sign them.
- The chairperson will deal with any issues arising from the minutes.
- The secretary will then refer to any letters, cards, emails that may have been received. The secretary will record all correspondence and proceed to take the minutes.
- The chairperson now refers to the issues to be discussed. S/He will explain the issue, give the background, invite contributions.( What, How and Who )
- A.O.B. any other business. This should ideally be limited to 5/6 minutes. Perhaps this could be given to housekeeping issues e.g. broken locks, desks etc.
- Set a date of the next meeting- remind reps about the importance of reporting back to their classes. It is vital to the smooth running of the student council that ALL students in the school are aware of the work of the student council.
- Close the meeting.( minutes signed at the end of meeting by teacher and two presiding officers)