Is your Student Government running rough? Maybe participation is a quart low. Candidates are impossible to find. Members are bailing. Or students don't know, or don't care, that your SG even exists.
It happens. A lot. Even a good SG can start running on fumes. Ignore the warning signs long enough and you'll lose momentum, stall out, or just conk out completely, accomplishing almost nothing the rest of your term of office.
Before you start fixing things, find out what is wrong. A mechanic checks the whole vehicle before making repairs. Your SG needs the same kind of check-up. Grade your SG, grade your influence, then decide what needs attention first. Ask what is working, what needs fixing, and what you should fix first. Do not try to repair everything at once.
Get your SG back on the road. Follow the steps one at a time.
What's your SG supposed to do?
Before you rebuild your organization, make sure everyone understands what SG is and what it is supposed to accomplish.
What Is Student Government?Why Is SG Important?
Know what authority you have.
Find out where your SG's authority comes from and what your Student Government is actually authorized to do.
Does Your SG Have Power?SG Powers Worksheet
Get enough people to restart.
A struggling SG doesn't need hundreds of people. Start with 5-10 students who are willing to show up, work, and help rebuild.
Recruit 10 StudentsHow to Recruit
Get people willing to work.
Rebuilding requires more than names on a roster. Members need to understand their responsibilities and commit to participating and following through.
Get Your Members CommittedMember Commitment Contract
Decide what this SG is here to do.
Give your organization a clear sense of purpose, and a simple way to explain it to your campus.
Write a Mission Statement
Fix the flaws once and for all.
Your constitution and governing documents should help your SG function, not make it harder to function.
Get Constitution Help
Find out what students care about.
Don't guess. Talk to students. Listen. Find out what matters to them.
10-Minute Conversation GuideStudent Conversation Question CardStudent Priorities WorksheetStudent Connection Challenge
Choose winnable programs.
Don't make a list of twenty projects. Pick three things your SG can realistically work on and start making progress.
Set Goals on Three Projects
Give students a reason to care.
Create something students can actually see, use, and remember: a visible demonstration of what your Student Government can do.
How to Make Students CareSignature Program Idea Starter
Put the right tools in your hands. Once you know what needs work, these are the practical resources to help you do something about it.
Some problems need another set of eyes. Tell ASGA what is going wrong and we will help you figure out where to start.
You do not have to fix everything today. Find what is wrong, fix what matters most, and get your SG moving again.