Early Fall: Student Council Adviser Seminar
TARGET AUDIENCE: STUDENT COUNCIL ADVISERS
Student Council advisers (new, nearly-new, and needing a refresher!) attend a one-day workshop facilitated by the Student Leadership Coordinator and advisers from within our state. The day will introduce new advisers to the Association and offer a wide range of topics that are pertinent to them. Advisers get information on topics relating to their position: organization, constitutions, elections, fundraising, and more. Advisers in attendance will receive our New Adviser Handbook.
Early Fall: Honor Society Adviser Seminar
TARGET AUDIENCE: HONOR SOCIETY ADVISERS
Every other year at least (usually in odd-numbered years), Honor Society advisers attend a conference presented by the Student Leadership Coordinator, a representative from the NHS office, and experienced Honor Society advisers. Advisers receive information pertaining to their role as an adviser, their responsibilities and limitations, legal updates, and tips for success. Advisers are taken through a number of topics relating to their position: organization, constitutions, elections, service-projects, legal issues, and more.
October – November: Student Fall Training Institutes
TARGET AUDIENCE: 1ST & 2ND YEAR STUDENT COUNCIL & HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS
These one-day seminars for students will focus on a few main topics, selected by the Board of Delegates each summer. The Institutes are geared for first and second year council/chapter members. The subjects will revolve around job descriptions/duties, problem solving, teamwork, project planning, diversity, and others (at least two NHS-specific topics will be available at each conference). Each site will be hosted by an area school (Institutes takes place at community colleges, conference centers, or high schools) that will be responsible for hospitality, opening session, general flow of the day, and other small duties. All presentations will be prepared over the summer by the Board of Delegates and reviewed by the S.L. Coordinator. Board students and volunteer advisers will present the topics. Throughout the day, Advisers will have the options of presenting a session (pre-arranged), sitting in on sessions, or attending the Adviser Discussion Session (moderated by the host school adviser or S.L. Coordinator).
Late January: Annual State Advisers’ Conference
TARGET AUDIENCE: STUDENT COUNCIL & HONOR SOCIETY ADVISERS & ACTIVITY DIRECTORS
Both Honor Society and Student Council advisers are invited to join in on this conference. Most schools are finishing up with exams around this time so the conference will focus not only on educational sessions, but on appreciation and relaxation as well. Advisers will return to school refreshed with new ideas from a variety of sessions – quick Hot Topic sessions and more in-depth Education Sessions. Member advisers will do all presentations. A keynote speaker and hospitality reception will also be included in this conference.
February – March: Student Regional Conferences
TARGET AUDIENCE: STUDENT COUNCIL & HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS
The only way for students to fully understand what leadership entails is to practice it. They’ve just about completed a year of successes and failures and now we’re giving them a chance to share with other schools. Presentations are created by students for these one-day conferences (9am–1pm). Advisers will be asked to sit in on sessions and help evaluate presentations/presenters. Each Regional site has a volunteer host school that is responsible for hospitality, the presenters’ schedule, coordinating room moderators, and more. The host school adviser will be asked to remain in a room set aside for advisers and guide interested advisers in discussion, problem solving, and idea sharing.
March or April: MASC/MAHS Student State Conference
TARGET AUDIENCE: STUDENT COUNCIL & HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS
The top student presenters from all Regional Conferences are invited to present at the State Conference. Our State Conference allows statewide interaction and sharing as well as recognition for some individuals and entire councils and chapters. Seniors attending this end-of-year conference will be able to attend Senior-specific sessions focusing on college life, honors programs, leadership in college, debt/financial aid, and other issues relevant to their next step in life. Advisers will once again be invited to sit in on the students’ presentations, and will have the option of sitting with other advisers to discuss, plan, and share; this will be led mainly by the Advisory Committee and other interested Advisers.
May: Executive Forum
TARGET AUDIENCE: STUDENT COUNCIL & HONOR SOCIETY EXECUTIVE BOARDS
Our Forum runs for one day (9am – 2pm) and is for Executive Boards of Student Councils and Honor Societies ONLY. The keynote speaker will facilitate higher-level motivational training for these students along with a goal-setting session. Students will be expected to come prepared for a day of training and motivation, which should then be carried back to their respective school groups. We have moved this event to the end of the year so that the newly elected officers can begin their planning for the year over the summer. The day will include a goal setting session, position specific sessions as well as presentations on effective delegating, maintaining and motivating groups, working with administration, presentation skills, and responsibility and professionalism.
July: Middle Level Students’ Summer Camp
TARGET AUDIENCE: INCOMING 6TH-9TH GRADE STUDENT COUNCIL & HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS
Our 4-day Summer Camp for incoming 6th-9th graders offers students a chance to take a leadership role among their peers. Some students have experience, some don’t and we build both to a higher level of independence. Second-year delegates will experience higher-level training unique opportunities as well. All delegates go through a curriculum led by a Senior Counselor (school advisers) and Junior Counselor (11th and 12th grade students). Each council of approximately 18 students or less will be included in a number of hands-on activities that facilitate learning. Topics that will be included in the curriculum include conflict resolution, goal setting, communication, and more. These topics are similar to the topics taught at the High School Camp, but they are taught using different methods and at a level appropriate for Middle Level students. The camp is held at Albion College.
July: High School Students’ Summer Leadership Camp
TARGET AUDIENCE: INCOMING 9TH-12TH GRADE STUDENT COUNCIL & HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS
Our 6-day Summer Camp for incoming 10th-12th graders (some 9th graders with adviser and S.L. Coordinator approval) is in-depth training for the students. Delegates are separated from schoolmates into councils of approximately 20 students or less. Each council is led by a Senior Counselor (school adviser) and Junior Counselor (college students). The students are guided through a number of hands-on lessons ranging from constructive problem solving, teambuilding, communication skills, and diversity. The High School Camp offers 3 different levels, dependent on how many years a student has attended camp. Level II offers a deeper look at diversity among people, initiatives, personal responsibility and self-esteem. Level III provides delegates the opportunity to work hands-on building curriculum and training programs. The camp is held at Albion College.
