Hello, all!
So this year, I’ve decided to run for Secretary of our school’s Key Club and President of Science Olympiad.
I’ve never ran for any position higher than Treasurer/Secretary of a club, so undoubtedly I’m really nervous to run for President (but although I have my qualms, I really want the position!).
What general/specific (something geared more toward a particular club) advice would you give to someone running for office in a club?
(Also, if anyone is willing to read speeches, please PM me!)
Thank you to all!
What I’d do is look at issues the club has (poor performance, inaccessible to freshmen, etc.) that bother people and talk about how you’ll fix them.
Good luck!
Unfortunately, unless there’s teacher oversight in picking who gets the position, most high school races end up turning into popularity contests where people vote for their friends. But that doesn’t mean you can’t beat the system!
Like awesomepolygot’s ideas for example. If someone hears that you have such an idea, they might be persuaded, particularly if they don’t know the other candidate well. The other way is simply to get to know the voting members of the club. If it’s a race between you and someone else they don’t know, the fact that you’ve bothered to say hi and chat with them will make their decision.
Yeah, the popularity contest is something I’m worried about - me and the person I’m running against both know pretty much everyone in the club, but she is more outspoken/less timid than I am, which I’m scared about.
True! I know I can’t always deliver on promises (and so thus am trying to stay away from making any in my speech) but since next year will be the second year the club is around, of course there are a lot of things that still need to be smoothed out.
Thank you to both of you @Scrippsie @awesomepolyglot
I wish you the best of luck! My sophomore year I decided to run for president of student council and I found it was helpful to make an effort to reach out and talk to people I may not normally have made an effort with. Building a reputation as somebody who is motivated and hard-working often makes people inclined to vote for you even if they do not know you personally. The key is to make connections and make it known that you are going to put in a lot of effort into improving and impacting the clubs you want to be in charge of.
•Talk to people you haven’t spoken to before and make sure you’re nice to them.
•Make your speech funny, with an undertone of seriousness.
•Stop and reflect about the people that you’re campaigning against. What are their weaknesses and how can you use that to your advantage? Who is your biggest threat, and what can you do to overthrow them?
•Think about the people you’re going to be representing. What appeals to them? What matters to them? How can you use their interests and incorporate them in your campaign?
Thank you! @fourXsquared + @Jen1114
Also, would anyone who has responded be willing to proofread my speech? Thanks ^-^