Being on the school board gives you insights into how schools are run (from the inside).
"Governance" is a very special part of democratic practice. Putting your name forward for elected office is also an experience that looks good for your CV.
How to campaign for votes:
1. Prepare a good candidate statement.
Your candidate statement should say something about who you are and why you want to be on the board. What do you offer? Ask for feedback on it from your form teacher or English teacher or someone else.
Here is an example of a candidate statement:
“I came to New Zealand when I was 6 years old and I have been to many different schools. At these schools, both here and back in Mexico, I have seen how they were run, how decisions were made and noticed the impact they had on my peers and myself. I am currently a year 11 and I have been at this school since year 7...
Throughout my time here I have been able to observe this school change; these changes are both good and not so great…I want to help make our school a positive, helpful and overall an outstanding environment to be in for all of us; students and teachers. I believe I can bring a new perspective to what can be done at this school. Especially having been to schools in Mexico, I can say that the resources a public school like X High School has is far beyond what a kid in a public school in many places in the world could dream of. I want to help put those resources to better use... So I think I am an excellent candidate for student representative.”
2. Ask to address an assembly.
You should ask a Dean or a DP whether candidates can give a speech to students. (They might forget to include the student election). Prepare your speech. Say something about who you are, and why you want to be on the board.
3. Get friends to help you produce posters for classrooms around the school.
You are allowed to campaign! This is how politicians get elected too. Your friends can be your campaign committee. You only have two weeks from when nominations close.
4. Encourage people to “click to vote”.
Even though they might not vote for you, the more people that vote, the better. When voting gets under way, get everyone in your class and/or your year group to click to vote. Voting is easy and only takes 1 minute!