As one of my CAS creativity goals for the semester, I strived to participate and get elected for a role in the secondary student government association (SGA). I was successful in doing so after formulating an election video, and my CAS experience progressed from thereon. The SGA is the student government association for our secondary school, dedicated to maintaining school spirit, organizing events, and voicing the suggestions or commentary of students to improve our school environment. Every Wednesday lunchtime, the SGA group meets to discuss plans, which is currently being held on zoom calls and in-person. We meet at 1:15 pm and brainstorm or brush over any ideas or suggestions from representatives and students, and any new information from the heads of school through the EXCO.
Submitted Video for Grade Representative Election
Becoming a grade representative has helped me move closer to my initial goals, as I strived to get elected as a grade representative to better the school. This specifically helps me focus on creativity, which I found is being utilized during meetings as our brainstorming of ideas is crucial to the success of the group. Currently, due to the covid 19 restrictions, events and plans are limited and constantly changing. Especially with the slow re-opening of the school and restriction changes. Over the past semester, we have organized a spirit week and attempted to progress in creating an OSCARS dance. This event is currently put on hold however it is important we have a plan for when restrictions loosen. During February, in order to prepare an outline for the OSCARS, we sent out a google form for theme recommendations. This helps us to achieve our goal of planning events based on the preferences of the entire secondary student body.
SGA Meeting Zoom Calls
To maximize the productivity of the SGA, we were split off into different groups so that all members would be aware of their responsibilities. I was placed in COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, and an example of a role I was assigned was to find the health protocols for all potential venues. Most of the tasks given to me have connected to Covid-19, which I find valuable as it is necessary in order to allow events to take place.
What I found particularly challenging about joining the SGA was the uncertainty connected to all plans we were and are currently making. The SGA future plans are currently being brainstormed in person at school. We plan to set up a spirit week in the following weeks, as well as some larger events to bring back the school spirit. The SGA has allowed me to undertake challenges, especially with coming up with creative ideas for events and planning, and allowed me to develop these creative and collaborative skills. Over the course of the past semester, the SGA has helped me to become more creative in my ideas through the use of group brainstorming. The SGA, highly orientated around planning and organization, has helped me improve my planning skills and initiations of ideas. An example of this would be following and building on the SGA’s current plans with undertaking a variety of events such as spirit week and OSCARS. Adding on to this, it has allowed me to demonstrate commitment as I come to every Wednesday meeting during lunch prepared. Lastly, SGA has allowed me to understand the benefits of working collaboratively through the use of groups, as we are able to pay attention to details when taking on large events. Hearing other members’ ideas inspire me to be more creative, and allow the SGA to carry out new plans whilst making our to-do list manageable. Overall, my current experience with the SGA has been positive, as I have improved on my planning and collaborating skills, as well as found a medium to express my creativity and enhance our school environment.