The Student Government Adviser
NESTOGYN S. ILAYA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Session Objectives:
To identify the roles of Student Government Advisers.
To help every participant feel comfortable in expressing their ideas
in a safe learning environment.
Higher like a TOWER!
Make a tower as high as you can using
SPAGHETTI STICKS and MARSHMALLOWS.
You will be given 10 minutes for you to finish
the task.
You will be answering question out of your
activity.
As SSG/SPG Advisers what do you think are the roles that
they must perform in order for the tower
(students/organization) to stand firm all throughout the
school year.
Roles of Student
Government
Advisers
Mentor
Students should feel comfortable coming to their
advisor with ideas, for issues they need help resolving
and for guidance when they are weighing choices.
Advisers must guide students without telling them
what to do. The Advisor must be able to listen carefully
and provide sound advice, instilling a sense of thrust in
student council leaders.
Tip No. 1 : Once is a habit
As a Teacher-Adviser, you should try your best to stop
negative behavior, actions and attitude before they start,
because if you don’t address an undesirable behavior or
comment at the outset, it will be an uphill battle to correct it
down the road. So before you allow a negative behavior to
affect your desired outcome, correct it is in the beginning.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Tip No. 2 : Play Fair
When working with students, the key is to remain consistent.
What you do for one, you must do for all, because if you are
not consistent, your integrity will be compromised. As a
supervisor, it is the one thing that gives you leverage. When
your integrity is compromised, you are no longer in-charge
because no one will respect you for the right reasons.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Tip No. 3 : Put all your expectations on the table
Be clear on what you can and can’t deliver. For many advisors,
with the exception of academic advisors, it is not a full time job.
In many cases, this is a responsibility in addition to your full time
position. Therefore it is very important that you know what to
expect from the students and they know what to expect from
you. If you don’t, communicate these expectations, your
disappointment as well as theirs will be foregone conclusion.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Strategist
The Advisor will assist with event planning and organization. An
advisor should help students brainstorm ideas for events such as
dances and after school activities and delegate responsibilities among
student council members. The advisor should provide strategies for
completing all project tasks without taking over from the governing
body.
Tip No. 4: It’s not you, it’s your perception
It is not always your decision. Whenever you work for an
organization generally speaking, you always put the
organization’s interest ahead of your own, and sometimes
even that of students.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Tip No. 5 : It’s the little things too
Don’t create more work for your-self than is necessary. Utilize your
talent to help your students, but remember that sometimes your
presence alone is good enough. Sometimes, just attending and
supporting events is all that students wants.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Publicist
A student council advisor should be their council’s greatest publicity
asset. The advisor should promote participation in student
government events and projects to students, teachers and
administrators. The advisor should publicize the organization
activities and take pride in his or her role, ensuring that the school
has a positive view of their student government.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Tip No. 7: Listen up!
As a mentor, your greatest gift to your mentee is
sometimes your willingness to listen. Most people just
want to be heard, so make listening a big part of your
relationship, and you will always be in a better position
to guide your mentee.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Coach
Student council advisers should always
keep an eye out for teachable moments
during council activity or conflict. Advisors
should encourage students to develop their
talents and try new things.
Tip No. 8: One-on-One Time
Whenever you are afforded the opportunity to spend time
with your students one-on-one, remember to use this time
wisely. Their view of you is already on edge because of
how they perceive you. The best thing you can do is to
change the environment, this will put your student leaders
at ease and hopefully allow you to connect with them.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Adjudicator
Student council advisor should lead students in a discussion of how
the event went well and what could be improved in the future. It is
important for the advisor to provide constructive criticism as well as
positive feedback. This will allow students to continue to grow without
feeling defeated or run down in the process.
Tip No. 10: It’s all in the lesson
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Whatever mistakes or
misfortunes you experience should always be looked at
as an opportunity to grow. If this is your first time,
please remember that you are still learning the position
and your own supervisory style.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Tip No. 11: Know when to say “No”.
As a mentor, your job is not to agree with everything. Your job is to
help guide the student in the many aspects of their life that go
beyond both the classroom and campus. Don’t be afraid to
disagree, but at the same time be willing to explain your position.
From the book: Up Your Org A Guide to Help Club Advisors
Mentor
Strategist
Publicist
Coach
Adjudicator
