Many students, and let’s be honest many adults, don’t really know how to walk into a meeting with the powers that be.  Many years ago this 18 point layout was put into the CADA Leadership Camp handbook and I’ve been using it in my handbook since I began in CADA in 1990.  This really has become a pretty fool proof way to get that yes answer from the leaders on your campus.  If you’re organized they’re more likely to listen.  Good luck with that meeting:

1. First decide what you want to get done in the conference.
2. Write out those goals. Check in with the advisor and with those other students who are involved.
3. Get agreement on what you want to accomplish.
4. Write out a summary of your goals.
5. Decide who ought to attend the meeting, keep it to 4 or less
6. Go to the Secretary of the Principal. Make an appointment and leave a written statement of purposes. Be certain that all those who should attend a meeting can be there and that they know the time and place.
7. Do your homework. Get all the possible information you will need ready.
8. If copies of information would be helpful for the Principal to have, before the meeting get copies to the secretary with the note that “this will be useful for the meeting with the Student Council representative at _____ time.”
9. Be prepared to answer questions about any part of your proposal. Try to have the agreement of involved teachers and be aware of how the custodial staff and lunchroom staff or other adults will react. Magic words are these: “We’re going to ask for the Principal’s decision; will you help if they say yes?”
10. Be in the outer office ahead of time, at least 5 minutes. Look good. Look like you care enough to resent your best self.
11. Bring the papers, the references, and the information needed at the conference.
12. Be cordial. Open the meeting by stating the purpose of the meeting as you see them.
13. Listen for the Principal’s response.
14. Explain the reasons for your proposal – advantages and disadvantages.
15. Give the Principal choices to make, if possible. Let them turn down little stuff, make little suggestions, but work for a “yes” for your big question.
16. Listen really hard to what they say. Take notes – get actual phrases if possible.
17. Immediately after the meeting, right out what happens. Check it out with the others who were in the meeting. Date it, file it. Send a copy to the Principal for their records. Keep it honest. Drop a thank you note to them.
18. Now, measure whether you achieved your  purpose.