After reading and discussing this election activity, decide if you wish to run for an officer position in the central cabinet. REMEMBER, in order to receive advanced credit, you must assume a position of responsibility.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this activity is to create a governing body for the Environmental Issues program. This year, Environmental Issues students will participate in the following two major projects:

ENVIRONMENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS

The Environmental Bill of Rights project will empower students to debate and craft basic environmental rights which students believe should be guaranteed to all people. The project will require students to research, debate and create rights that are both scientifically and socially sound. The final version of the actual Environmental Bill of Rights will take the form of an actual exhibit which will be open to the general public.

THE 21st CENTURY SCHOOLHOUSE

The 21st Century Schoolhouse is dedicated to resolving critical environmental problems. South Salem High School has joined with Warnbro Community High School (Perth, Australia), Alexander Sinton High School (West Cape, South Africa), High School for Environmental Studies (Negev, Israel), Recife School (Recife, Brazil) and Daimon High School (Toyama, Japan) to form a small pod of schools that will collaborate via the Internet to meet the challenge of sustainability for future generations.

After working together for a year over the Internet, student representatives from each school will come together here in Salem, Oregon to participate in an actual summit where students from all the participating nations will craft global legislation regarding selected environmental issues such as pollution, ozone depletion, greenhouse effect and the establishment of a sustainable environment. Upon completion of the summit, students will promote their legislation to governments in their home countries.

All Environmental Issues students will be part of a student organization which will take much of the responsibility for implementing the two projects as well as other class activities. As with any successful organization, it is essential that we have a dedicated group of people who would be willing to govern, lead and make decisions

In order to create an effective organization, the class will be required to elect officers that will provide leadership, inspire quality and promote productivity. We will elect a central cabinet which will initially be made up of a president, vice -president, secretary and treasurer. Students who run for office but are not elected will be appointed to other positions of responsibilities.

DUTIES OF CENTRAL CABINET OFFICERS

THE PRESIDENT:

• Coordinate projects
• Maintain deadlines
• Maintain positive attitudes/morale of committee members and classmates
• Introduce guest speakers
• Carry out other formal duties
• Regularly attend central cabinet meetings

THE VICE PRESIDENT:

• Assist president in carrying out duties
• Facility Arrangements
• Community Liaison Officer
• Communicate ideas and concerns to and from the general membership
• Regularly attend central cabinet meetings

SECRETARY:

• Publicity
• Communications
• Primary Assistant to the Editor and
• Chief of the: Environmental Issues Newsletter & 21st Century Schoolhouse Magazine
• Regularly attend and record minutes at the central cabinet meetings

TREASURER:

• Budgeting
• Accounting
• Fundraising
• Provide financial reports to the general membership

In addition to the above elected positions, there will be several committee appointments. Each appointment is considered a position of responsibility and selection will be based on an interview process. The Chairperson of each committee will also hold a seat in the central cabinet.
The committees will be as follows:

STANDING COMMITTEES:

• Editor and Chief of the Environmental Issues Newsletter and staff
• Art Director and staff
• Internet/Web Publishing Director and staff

SELECT COMMITTEES:

A few committees will be announced and created on an as needed basis.
Selection for membership on these committees will also be based on an interview process. (If you are seeking advanced credit, do not wait to a appointed to a select committee since there may be very few actual appointments.)

ELECTION PROCEDURES:

Campaign Week (Monday October 14 to Monday October 24)

Candidates will prepare their individual campaigns. In order to prepare an effective campaign, students will receive instruction on effective campaign strategies, utilize resources from the government text and the library.
Candidates may create informational pamphlets, buttons and posters. (Posters must a reasonable size and may on be placed in the cafeteria. There is a limit of two posters per campaign.) During this time candidate, candidates will have the opportunity to distribute campaign materials, hang posters and gather support.

2) Final Deadline to Announce Candidacy (Tuesday October 15 )

3) Election Day (Tuesday October 25)

Candidates will be required to give some type of presentation that demonstrates that (s)he is well suited for the contested position.
Presentations may not exceed five minutes. Time limit will be strictly enforced. A secret ballot election will be held at the end of the candidates forum.

4) Election Results and announce possible run-offs (Wednesday October 23)

STATEMENT OF INTENT

I, ___________________________________ am filing my intent to run for a central cabinet officer position. Put a check next to the position you are seeking.

______ President

______ Vice-President

______ Secretary

______ Treasurer

______ Other Position of Responsibility. Please State ______________________

I, ___________________________________ am filing my intent to earn honors/advanced credit

_________________________
signature

I, ___________________________________ decline the opportunity to run for a central cabinet officer position

_________________________
signature

NOTE: IF YOU CHOOSE TO NOT PURSUE HONOR'S CREDIT, YOU MAY STILL RUN FOR A CENTRAL CABINET POSITION