school council how what why?

[albatros]

Dd1 has come home from school today talking about the elections on Friday for class reps for the school council (yr1) she desparetly wants to be one and informs me I have to help her get elected. I am going to speak to her teacher tomorrow about it as I know nothing about it, but I was wondering what sort of things get you elected, is it usually the most popular child or do they have issues to stand on etc. also can we use bribary

my ds1 (yr2) was elected to school council - the first I knew about it was after the event - don't think they had to write a manifesto or anything

ds was on school council (yr 1), I suppose he got elected really, because he's likeable and a good speaker. I knew nothing about it before I got thenote home that he was on so can't help you with campaigning. I think he ran against at least one other child. He took it very seriously and tried hard to be responsible. They have to be very confident about public speaking, enthusiastic and good listeners (in a group, at least). I know a few kids got intimidated when they actually went to meetings & didn't like it all (felt the responsibility too much).
DS is really bummed there will be new elections & he can't run having just been on as class rep, he loved it.

Dd is articulate, confident and a good listener but is not the most popular girl in her class if she doesn't make it this year she will be disappointed but at least she's got alot more oppertunities in the coming years

i am pretty sure ds is not most popular in his class, i think it's another boy (who is vocal but not so articulate, iyswim). Teacher's pet didn't get it, either (not that I know if she ran).

Our (junior) school council is very active -each class has 2 reps & the meetings are chaired by a Yr 6 (tho' the deputy head is there to oversee, encourage the shyer ones etc) Each class has it's own council meeting where they decide what issues to bring to the whole school meeting.
Things they have decided include which charity the school will support, whether there should be class pets and whether they should be allowed to wear polo shirts untucked. They also talk about things like the perennial football in the playground problem & usually their ideas are sensible enough to be at least tried out.
At the elections they have to say why they would be a good rep, how they would make sure that everyone's views were listened to etc.
I must say that I assumed that everyone would vote for their friends but it really doesn't seem to work that way.

ds brought this up with me this week. His manefesto, 'Longer playtime' and 'I will do what the class ask me to do' Aged 6, my boy the spind doctor already!