Being on a student council can be fun but don't forget there is a lot of tedious work to do at the same time.

There are a number of common tasks that are worked on in student councils. These are listed from the most simple at the top, to the more difficult at the end. It is a bit unfortunate that there aren't so many of the ones at the end.

• just surviving: the group spends all its time on internal operational matters - things like worrying about attendance at meetings.
• fund-raising: students raise money for charities, for the school and for special projects that may be targetted.
• social: this involves students organising social activities for students within the school. This might seem a bit trivial - but they are often activities with a fundraising focus that also help encourage a bit of social interaction.
• uniforms: it seems that in Australia, students spend a lot of time surveying students about uniform details and policy. This would not be so common in countries where students enjoy wearing uniform - or in countries like the USA where most students do not wear a school uniform.
• facilities: students discuss existing and possible facilities (canteen, library, computers, student radio etc). They can often then focus their action and fundraising efforts into getting these facilities underway.
• rules: students will discuss and survey others about the current school rules. This often preceeds a proposal to get one or more rules changed.
• environment: students may develop and implement programs both in school and the local environment related to environmental concerns.
• advocacy: students advocate for changes on behalf of specific students or groups who may need something. This may be local (wanting the library open at lunch) or global, (supporting programs to stop the use of child labour)
• curriculum: students discuss, survey and propose cahnges about things to do with what is learned and how it is taught.
• community action: students may become involved in community issues beyond the school. This can occur through student participation in local youth councils. These organisations will have a focus other than school.

Regardless of which areas students are involved in, the focus is on making a difference. There may be times when the difference is just a minor one at other times, the issues may be more important.

What does your student council spend most of it's time on? and what have you found to be the most effective things you have worked on?