What Are the Duties of an Elementary Student Council?

Elementary school is one of the important first steps in a lifelong journey of learning. Students are molded into proper behavior and learn vital skills that will prepare them for advanced learning later in their education. An elementary student council presents a unique opportunity for young students to learn organization, leadership and teamwork skills and prepares them for later student government positions.

An elementary student council helps plan activities for its school and classes. These activities vary depending on what the student council decides. Under adult supervision, the student council will come up with activity ideas, vote on the ones it will implement, plan all aspects of the activity and then run the activity. Elementary school activities are usually fun and non-taxing for the council to plan. For example, a student council may plan a visit to a nursing home, where each student makes a gift for someone in the home. The council may also plan holiday events as well as coordinate pen pals and produce a school newspaper. All activities planned and carried out by elementary student councils should be approved by the teachers and administrators of the school and should be assisted by adults.

All activities need some sort of money to run. The elementary student council is responsible for finding this money by holding fundraisers. The council must decide on the right fundraiser for the school and plan it accordingly. Fundraisers can vary wildly and range from holding car washes to selling candy or other goods. Bake sales, walk-a-thons and other types of fundraisers are the key to all school activities. Elementary students can take advantage of fundraisers to help promote their school and its activities. All fundraisers should be carefully monitored by adults and all funds raised should be managed, counted and handled by adults. Adults also will be responsible for buying the tools necessary for any fundraiser.

Council members will vary depending on the elementary school. Generally, a basic student council will have a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and historian. The president is responsible for representing the student body at all meetings. She helps develop the agenda for meetings and manages the meetings. She votes in case of a tie and must present a fine example for the council. The vice president follows the duties of the president when the president is unable to fulfill her duties. He is more hands-on with planning and directing than the president. The secretary keeps track of the minutes and handles all communication between the council members. The treasurer handles the funds and keeps financial records. The historian collects any newspaper clippings or video reports about the council. Student council members should be closely supervised by an adult to ensure they perform their duties correctly. This is especially true of the secretary and treasurer, as an adult will have to double check all minutes and monetary business.