Becoming a member of your school's student council can be a great way to meet new people and enact positive change at your school. If you're considering a run and want some help developing winning strategies, this guide will teach you how to win a school election.

Becoming a member of your school's student council can be a great way to meet new people and enact positive change at your school. If you're considering a run and want some help developing winning strategies, this guide will teach you how to win a school election.

• If you're considering a career as a politician, running for student council is an excellent opportunity to try out your speech making skills and determine whether you're suited for politics. As with any election, there are several factors that determine who constituents will vote for and there is no way that you will be able to convince every student to vote for you. There are, however, several things you can do to get your name out there and improve your chances of getting elected.

(Creative Commons photo by Jose Kevo)

• In order to run a successful student council campaign, you'll need to create an engaging and informed platform on which to run. Before establishing your platform, find out as much as you can about the issues that are concerning students and what changes they would like to see enacted in your school. You may want to consider:

1. Conducting an informal student survey. See if there are any issues that come up repeatedly and try to make these issues part of your platform
2. Holding a student focus group. Get some of your friends and acquaintances together (bribe them with snacks if necessary) and have them brainstorm about important school issues
3. Speaking with student council members. Ask them for tips on running for office
4. Attending a PTA meeting, or joining the association if you can
5. Talking with teachers and the principal about student council duties and school issues that they would like to see addressed
6. Becoming active in school clubs or teams

• Once you have determined what the students want and what you will be able to do as a member of student council, decide on a few key issues that will be the basis of your platform. Be careful, though, and be sure not to make any promises that you won't be able to keep. Create a catchy slogan to use on your promotional materials.

• Your next step will be to create some promotional materials and make sure that as many students as possible know who you are, why you are running and what you stand for. This will be a big job, and can be made much easier if you get some friends to help you out.

1. Make posters and put them up around the school
2. Write an engaging speech or two
3. If possible, hold a rally or assembly at which you can give a presentation introducing yourself and your platform
4. Hand out buttons, candy, pencils and other materials with your name and slogan on them
5. Talk to as many people as possible during lunch hour and other breaks. Be informative and proactive, but not pushy. Remember to be friendly and smile at everyone you see
6. Make sure that everyone knows when the election date is and encourage them to get out and vote

• Although there is no way to guarantee that you will win a school election, running a clean, honest campaign on a platform that addresses issues of concern will increase your chances of winning. Ensure that as many people as possible know who you are, what you stand for and when and where to vote.

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• Introduction
• Step 1: Get Informed
• Step 2: Build a Platform
• Step 3: Get Your Name out There
• Conclusion