Student Government: The Power of Leadership, Community, and Growth at ORCA
Extracurricular activities play an essential role in shaping a student’s experience at Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA). From special events like field trips and dances to our extensive slate of student-suggested clubs, these activities help build our school’s unique culture and provide valuable learning opportunities for the kids who participate.
Student government is one extracurricular activity that allows students to serve their peers by planning major events and promoting meaningful engagement throughout the school community. Along the way, student government members learn valuable leadership skills that will serve them long after graduation.
The Structure of ORCA’s Student Government
ORCA offers a K-8 student government and 9-12 student government, and any student in those respective grades can apply. Both student governments consist of two branches: the Executive Board and the Senate.
A committee consisting of the staff advisor, principal, and assistant principal reviews all applications and selects students based on factors such as leadership experience and grade point average. ORCA students then vote to elect the president and vice president.
Two Levels of Leadership
Here’s how the two branches of ORCA’s student government work together:
The Executive Board meets weekly and includes the elected president and vice president, as well as appointed roles such as secretary, activities director, social media coordinator, and public relations officer.
Senators meet every other week and commit to serving on one of three leadership committees. In addition to committee activities, senators also act as ambassadors for ORCA events and resources to their classmates.
The Committee System
ORCA student government members choose to serve on one of three leadership committees:
The Marketing Committee promotes all virtual or in-person events the student government hosts. It also manages the student government’s Instagram account and website.
The Newsletter Committee produces the student government’s segment in the monthly video newsletter that goes out to the ORCA community.
The Event Committee plans and hosts all virtual and in-person events, such as prom or the winter social.
What Student Government Does
Through their board and committee work, ORCA student government members serve the larger school community by planning and running major events and creating new opportunities for students to connect.
For example, the events committee organizes school-wide activities like prom, spirit week, and the winter social. They also coordinate charitable efforts like our annual food and toy drives. In addition to managing ongoing events, the Executive Board and leadership committees create and implement new initiatives. Right now, the current student government is working to develop a Virtual Wellness Center to support student well-being.
Another area of focus for the student government is promoting ORCA’s peer tutoring program. Now in its third year, the program connects high-performing student tutors with peers who need additional academic support. It is another example of a student government-launched program—the brainchild of a past student body president.
The student government also organizes and promotes more informal virtual activities, like Spirit Week and the holiday-themed Deck the Doors events, which help forge stronger relationships within ORCA’s school community.
Why Join Student Government?
Being a member of ORCA’s student government is a big commitment that reaps big rewards. Members have to make time for regular meetings and often take on additional responsibilities coordinating special events and school assemblies. This extra work brings many benefits for the students involved, including:
Skill Development: Student government members build confidence and cultivate leadership skills by planning and executing events, collaborating with peers, and leading school assemblies.
Building a Strong School Community: Student government members build and foster connections within the larger student body and create deep friendships with fellow student government members through their work.
Make a Real Impact: As government members, students get hands-on practice turning ideas into actual programs and events that improve the school experience for everyone at ORCA.
Who Thrives in Student Government?
Every ORCA student is welcome to apply for a student government position. Students with a passion for service and making a difference in their school will find student government very fulfilling. Those who enjoy leadership and teamwork will get to grow their skills.
Students of all personality types can thrive in student government. Outgoing students who enjoy acting as ambassadors will find it a great fit, while shy students often discover it helps them build confidence and connect with peers.
Most importantly, student government members should be willing to take responsibility for their position and honor their time commitments. This means attending meetings, engaging with fellow students, and taking on responsibilities to advance projects.
How to Get Involved
Student government at ORCA is a different type of extracurricular activity. Not only do students get to practice their leadership skills and planning abilities, but they also participate in building a stronger community for everyone. This work is critical in our virtual environment, where classmates are often spread across the state. Through organizing events like prom and spirit week and managing the peer mentorship program, student government members gain real-world experience while making ORCA a better place for everyone.
The student government welcomes students ready to roll up their sleeves and challenge themselves while serving their peers and growing as leaders. Executive Board applications for grades 9-12 open in the spring, while senator positions for grades 5-12 become available in the fall. Join us in building a stronger school and developing skills that will last a lifetime.
Join Us for a Virtual Information Session
If you’re interested in learning more about ORCA’s unique online community, join us for a virtual information session where you can connect with ORCA staff and preview our learning platform.