<p>I'm asking this in the Parents forum because I think I'll get more constructive feedback here than in High School Life.</p>
<p>I'm currently very involved in a certain school club. The teacher advisor of the club announced in the beginning of the school year that they would select students for leadership positions at the end of the year, instead of at the beginning, based on the amount of work each member put in. This is because in previous years students selected for top positions didn't put the appropriate amount of work in. </p>
<p>The teacher has said to me multiple times how she "appreciates the work I'm putting in", and commenting on my "good initiatives". Today, she mentioned it again, and said "it looks good on a resume." This teacher is very aware of students wanting positions for college.</p>
<p>The club activities end in early June, close to the end of the school year. If the teacher doesn't say anything, would it be appropriate to ask for a leadership position? What do I say?</p>
<p>"I feel I have contributed a lot to ------ this year, and deserve/may be appropriate for ----"</p>
<p>Pizzagirl - I agree that deserve it not the right word. The thing is, how would I ask her if I am "officer position" for this year? She did mention the resume, but I need a title to put on a resume. I do care about the club and have done a lot for it. Not bragging, but I have done significantly more than most other members.</p>
<p>“Deserve” is a word that will rub most adults the wrong way. </p>
<p>“Mr./Mrs. X, I’ve really enjoyed being in the XYZ club and contributing through (initiatives already done). I have some other ideas for this club to help further our goals of a,b,c. I was thinking that next year I’d really like to take the lead in doing d,e,f. What do you think I need to do to set us up (note the “us”, not the “me”) to be able to reach those goals?” You want to position yourself as the student who thinks proactively about how to help the club realize its goals, not the student who is angling to be picked for president (or whatever position).</p>
<p>I think you should just be up front about it: “Mrs. X, I’ve really enjoyed working on our club projects this year. I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished and have some great ideas for next year that I’d love to do. I know you said that you would pick the club officers for next year at the end of this year. I don’t know what your selection process is, but I want to let you to know that I’m very interested in being president. Please tell me if there is anything you need from me to help you decide.”</p>
<p>This teacher also sometimes gives out positions by age. Older students who more desperately need positions than younger ones have higher priority. There are two other students, one older who has done some work, but less than me, and another student in my grade who has also done some work, but less than me. I think either they or the advisor expects one of them to recieve a position as well. How do I deal with that</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say anything demeaning or out-of-place. So I guess I should just make my case the best I can?</p>
<p>You don’t deal with it at all. You state your case positively about why you should be considered. You don’t get into " … more than so-and-so, just because he’s older doesn’t mean he should be picked over me" or " … more than such-and-such, because she hasn’t done as much as me."</p>
<p>I would just like to add, if it doesn’t work out for you, don’t sweat it. While it will be nice if you do, and it will seem like the most fair outcome, it won’t really matter in the big scheme of things. I honestly don’t think someone is so on the margin of getting into a particular school that whether you were president or not of a given club is going to make or break your chances. Maybe others feel differently but I think such thoughts are mostly out of a need to (understandably) control an unpredictable process that isn’t that rational.</p>
<p>^^^not sure I agree starbright. My S had to fill out some scholarship application that specifically asked him to state his leadership positions.</p>
<p>OP: it sounds like you should some type of leadership position, given your involvement and commitment. It’s almost unfortunate that you’ve raised the question here, because I personally think you should have a hunch already. Are you worried that you’ll miss being asked? Seems to me that if it’s that important, you should have a talk with this teacher about your thoughts and concerns. Are there some politics involved?</p>
<p>limabeans - Your son’s situation is one of the main reasons I want to be sure. I’m not sure if the teacher intends to formally ask or give out positions, but her comments have been very indicative. The teacher is unusually concerned with being fair and nice to everyone, regardless of whether or not they have deserved this treatment, and to not differentiate between students, even in her classes, when they should be. </p>
<p>After all these responses, I think I will wait until a little later, when the club’s project ends, and then talk to the teacher regarding this. I believe she thinks of me in a positive light, and would not be surprised or offended by such a conversation.</p>
<p>I think it is appropriate for you to outline your commitment to the club and your desire to take on a leadership role. Do not reference any other student. And be aware that many schools and organizations have guidelines for leadership positions which often include choosing upperclassmen whenever possible. Your advisor must follow these guidelines or have a very compelling reason not to. Bottom line, if you are committed to this club and its activities, your dedication will be eventually be rewarded. But maybe not on your timeline.</p>
<p>Sadly, that does not always happen. I agree with being proactive and letting the teacher know that you are interested.Sometimes it just helps to be on someone’s “radar”. Also agree with focusing on your contributions to the club (past and present), and your ideas for going forward. Don’t even mention the other students.
Be positive!</p>
<p>As I see it, one club president role or not- one- is not going to make or break a scholarship either. Titles don’t say much. What you DO in the club means a lot. Possibly a letter from the teacher in this regard is more valuable than a title. </p>
<p>Same mindset about grades and so forth. While yes one should give it their all, try their best, AFTER THE FACT if things do not work out, one should let it go and remember the one thing likely does not matter. Teens stress sooooo much about the one B. The one deadline for x thing missed. The one unfair teacher. Almost invariably, one singular thing does not make an ounce of difference in the <em>big scheme of things</em>. </p>
<p>The reality is schools and scholarship committees and hiring committees are usually looking at the whole giant collection of datapoints to see the person. And there is always error in both directions with those datapoints: sometimes we luck out with a single datapoint (grade, spot, teacher, award), sometimes we are unfairly disadvantaged. But fortunately with a whole giant collection of datapoints, one datapoint doesn’t matter for the most part. If someone is worthy of a particular college or scholarship or job, that person shows through- regardless of ONE data point in the set.</p>
<p>Does anyone else find it strange that the advisor is picking the club officers and not the club members? Seems strange to me - a bit elementary-school-ish. </p>
<p>I do think it’s important to be president of a club that you like and have ideas for running - it shows an extra measure of responsibility and can give you things to weave into an essay. It can even be what makes you stand out - the one thing you are very passionate about.</p>
<p>Definitely express to the advisor that you would love a leadership role and that you have some great new ideas for the club - first come up with some great new ideas! I would even tell her that you’d love to be president. Can’t hurt.</p>
<p>^ I do. But then again i think it may be more fair than leaving it up to students (as then it is often the most dominant, personality wise, or most popular kids, who get into those roles and it has nothing to do with leadership abilities).</p>
<p>I agree if the members choose the officers, it can become a popularity contest, and the same kids tend to get several leadership positions. For one of my D’s EC’s, the teacher in charge solved that problem by naming all the seniors officers, as well as some from the junior and sophomore level. They would really have to work together to get things done with so many in charge!</p>
<p>In our HS it is not unusual for the teachers to choose. In some cases they make good choices, but it can be just as much a popularity (favoritism) contest. Sometimes the students make better choices.</p>
<p>Wow! I am amazed at the number of responses. I will ask the teacher politely, using these suggestions, at an appropriate time and in an appropriate way. Thanks!</p>
<p>Would you say that her comments show that she would be receptive of such a request?</p>
<p>Because of the nature of the club and the specific teacher, favoritism isn’t really a problem here.</p>
<p>yes. of course it is appropriate. Also, the work and initiate you have described in, by definition “leadership,” whether you are an “office holder” or not.</p>