Contact the Board

You'll first have to find out where and when the school council meets and contact those involved:

• These meetings may be posted in your school calendar.
• Ask your either your teachers or the school secretary.
• Ask your parents when the next Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meeting is.

Absorb!

Sit in on the meetings and develop an understanding for how the school functions, what you will need to do to be heard, and how you can promote the necessary change. You'll need this understanding of how to create change if you hope to receive support for your endeavor. Also make sure you get to know the important figures at the meetings (Getting to know everybody is a bonus of course) and ask them for advice, and in turn, for their support. Here are a few things to keep in mind while listening and networking:

• Read about the relevant topics before the meetings and listen attentively during the meetings (Falling asleep would leave a pretty poor impression).
• Think ahead of time about the questions you would like to ask, and if you need to you can rehearse what you plan to say.
• Get to know the people in the meeting and allow them to get to know you as well. Feel free to introduce yourself before or after meetings if there is an opportunity. The boards will usually make decisions as a whole so you'll need the support of as many people as you can get.

What now?

• If you hope to introduce an idea you should be prepared to present in front of many people. You may consider creating surveys, power-points and preparing a well researched and rehearsed speech.
• Again, remember to read and do your research so you're always on top of things and so that your proposals are strong.