Oklahoma Association of Student Councils

Oklahoma Association of Student Councils (OASC) is an educational, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational leadership training and opportunities for students and sponsors of member schools. The OASC, one of the nation's premiere state student councils, is sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals.

General information

The Oklahoma Association of Student Councils is composed of 14 districts across the state of Oklahoma. The OASC sponsors a variety of activities that are available to all member schools. Activities include an annual convention held at an elected secretary's school, summer workshops, fall advisor's workshops, and additional activities.

Executive Board

The OASC's governing body is composed of an executive board consisting of an Executive Director, a 3rd-Year Advisor, a 2nd-Year Advisor, and a 1st-Year Advisor as well as three state officers.

• Gary Oberste from Bishop Kelley High School currently serves as the Executive Director of the OASC.
• State officers are students leaders elected by member schools to serve as the OASC's State President, Vice President, and Secretary. All state officers serve for a term of one year.
• The 1st-Year Advisor is elected by the member-school's student council sponsors at the annual state convention each November. Once elected, the 1st-Year Advisor will serve for three years; serving first as the 1st-Year advisor then moving into the role of 2nd-Year Advisor and finally serving as the 3rd-Year Advisor in their final year on the Executive Board.
• For 2011/2012 , the 3rd-Year Advisor is Josh DeLozier from Edmond Memorial High School, the 2nd-Year Advisor is Tammy Jensen from Putnam City West High School, and the 1st-Year Advisor is Denise Tomlinson from Berryhill High School.
• Duties for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-Year Advisors are outlined in the OASC Advisor Handbook.

State Convention

The OASC State Convention is held each November at the State Secretary's school. Each year, member schools send delegates to the convention to enhance their leadership skills, hear motivational speakers and network with other student leaders from throughout the state.

• The 2012 state convention will be held in Pryor, OK.^[1]
• The 2013 state convention will be held in Bixby, OK.
• The 2014 state convention will be held in Del City, OK.
• The 2015 state convention will again be held in Yukon, OK.

Previous conventions have been held at various locations throughout the state of Oklahoma.

• The 2011 state convention was held in Skiatook, OK on November 5-7. The theme for the 2011 Convention was ImagiNative, and highlighted the region's Native American heritage. The motivational speakers included Mark Scharenbroich, Judson Laipply, Ted Wiese and Bill Cordes. Delegates also had the option of attending a non-denominational service with US Congressman James Lankford.
• The 2010 state convention was held in Yukon, OK on November 6-8 with the theme "Cruisin' The World of Leadership." The motivational speakers were Keith Hawkins, The "Original" Mike Smith, and Sam Glenn.
• The 2009 state convention was held at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma on November 7–9. "About 1,500 student leaders from across the state" attended this year's convention.^[2] The theme for this convention was "Lead Like A Champion!" The motivational speakers were Madeline Manning Mims, Kevin Carroll and Sherri Coale. Sherri Coale's warned Oklahoma's delegates that "The acceptance of mediocrity stains society" and that "many people settle, hanging on until Friday and aim only for survival." Coale "urged students to find their passion, make purposeful steps toward their goal and give their best shot, whether through the basketball net or life".^[3]
• The 2008 convention was hosted by Jenks High School^[4].
• The 2007 convention was hosted by Putnam City North High School.
• The 2006 convention was hosted by Yukon High School.
• The 2005 convention was hosted by Tulsa Union High School.

BASIC

The OASC hosts the Basic Leadership camp twice each summer for student leaders who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors at member schools. Basic is offered in both June and July at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma. "Students will be divided into 10 councils where they will come up with a school name, mascot, colors and a school song and yell. They also will participate in breakout sessions that will include leadership styles, team building, etiquette, school spirit and activities. The group also will be having a banquet" and a mixer.^[5] Basic provides Oklahoma's student leaders with the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in communication, project planning and problem solving, plus work on interpersonal relations, team building, self esteem and goal setting. Students will also work with a Junior Counselor (JC) during their Basic experience. A JC is a student who recently graduated from a member high school and previously attended Basic as a delegate. The JC's role is to help the adult advisor facilitate activities and presentations, supervise and assist student delegates, and serve as a role model for all students during the camp. Delegate and JC applications are available on the OASC web site. All delegate applications must be postmarked by May 1.

Advanced

The OASC hosts the Advanced Leadership Camp three times each summer for student leaders who will be seniors at member schools and have previously attended Basic. Advanced is offered twice in June and once in July on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Advanced provides Oklahoma's student leaders with the opportunity to "advance" their leadership skills through small-group leadership situations and team-building activities. Delegates will also participate in a high ropes course during their experience.^[6] Delegate applications are available on the OASC web site.

National Association of Student Councils

The OASC is also affiliated with the National Association of Student Councils. The NASC hosts a national student council convention each summer. The convention feature nationally known motivational speakers as well as nationally known speakers from the world of business, show business and sports. Student-led discussion groups, entertainment based on local attractions, and a community service project are all annual events. The National convention is an excellent opportunity for students and advisors to interact and connect with other students and advisors from around America and countries abroad. Applications and information about the NASC Convention are available at the NASC Convention web site.

References

1. ^ Yates, Julie: The Pryor Daily Times, Pryor hosts student council state convention, May 12, 2009.
2. ^ Parker Jones, Julianna: The Norman Transcript, State student council convention coming to Norman this weekend, November 3, 2009.
3. ^ Light, Nanette: The Norman Transcript, Coale: Don't ever give up, November 10, 2009.
4. ^ Plummer, Sara: The Tulsa World, A Conventional Lesson, August 18, 2008.
5. ^ Case, Valarie: Northwestern to be site for Student Council Camp, July 10, 2008.
6. ^ Griswold, Jennifer: The Daily Oklahoman, Students learn to develop leadership skills in Norman, June 27, 2009.

External links

• OASC Main
• Advisor's Handbook
• Camp Dates
• Camp Info
• NASC Main
• NASC Conference
• Northwestern Oklahoma State University
• Norman Student Council
• Yukon Student Council
• Skiatook Student Council
• Pryor Student Council
• Bixby Student Council