SFVYL Student Leadership Acknowledgment & Attestation
This attestation applies to the Student Director and all SFVYL cabinet officers. It is signed in addition to the SFVYL Member & Delegate Acknowledgment and Attestation.
By signing below, I acknowledge that accepting an SFVYL student leadership position carries additional responsibilities and expectations beyond those of general SFVYL membership.
Leadership Responsibility & Commitment
I understand that accepting an SFVYL student leadership position is a commitment to actively fulfill the responsibilities of that position. A leadership title represents responsibility to SFVYL, its Delegates, VKAPA, and the community.
I agree to complete my assigned responsibilities to the fullest extent of my ability, communicate when I need assistance, remain actively involved in the responsibilities of my position, and support the other members of the student leadership team.
I understand that accepting a leadership position means I am accountable for the responsibilities assigned to my role and that simply holding the title without actively performing those responsibilities does not fulfill my commitment as an SFVYL student leader.
Leadership Communication
I understand that consistent communication is an important responsibility of serving as an SFVYL student leader.
I agree to regularly monitor official SFVYL communication channels and respond to important leadership communications within a reasonable amount of time.
If I am unable to complete an assigned responsibility, meet a deadline, attend a required activity, or fulfill another commitment associated with my position, I agree to communicate this to the appropriate student leader, Student Director, or SFVYL Director as early as reasonably possible.
I understand that asking for assistance or communicating a scheduling conflict is acceptable and responsible. However, repeatedly failing to communicate, respond, or provide updates may be considered a failure to fulfill the responsibilities of my leadership position.
Meeting & Community Event Attendance
I understand that active participation is an important responsibility of serving as an SFVYL student leader.
I agree to make a reasonable effort to attend every SFVYL monthly meeting and community event during my leadership term. As a student leader, I understand that my presence, participation, and support are important to the success of SFVYL and to the Delegates I represent.
If I am unable to attend a monthly meeting or community event, I agree to notify the appropriate leadership as early as reasonably possible.
If I miss a meeting, I am responsible for obtaining the information I missed, reviewing any assignments or decisions made, and completing responsibilities assigned to me.
I understand that if I miss three monthly meetings during my leadership term, I will be subject to review and possible dismissal from my leadership position and/or SFVYL.
Three missed monthly meetings do not automatically result in dismissal. The circumstances surrounding the absences, communication with leadership, and my overall fulfillment of responsibilities may be considered before a final decision is made.
Responsibility & Willingness to Step Down
I understand that holding an SFVYL student leadership position requires me to actively and consistently fulfill the responsibilities associated with my position.
If I am having difficulty fulfilling my responsibilities, I agree to communicate with the appropriate student leadership or SFVYL Director and make a reasonable effort to correct the issue.
I understand that repeatedly failing to complete assigned responsibilities, failing to participate in the responsibilities of my position, or consistently relying on other student leaders to perform my responsibilities may result in a review of my leadership position.
If I am no longer able or willing to fulfill the responsibilities of my position to the fullest extent reasonably expected of an SFVYL student leader, I agree to willingly step down from my leadership position so that another student may fulfill those responsibilities.
I understand that a leadership position is a responsibility rather than simply a title, and remaining in a position requires continued participation, communication, and fulfillment of my responsibilities.
Leadership Review & Dismissal
I understand that if I repeatedly fail to fulfill the responsibilities, participation expectations, communication requirements, or standards associated with my leadership position, my position may be subject to review.
When appropriate, I will first be informed of the concern and given an opportunity to discuss the situation, explain any circumstances affecting my ability to fulfill my responsibilities, and make a reasonable effort to correct the issue.
If the issue continues after I have been given an opportunity to improve, SFVYL leadership may determine that I am no longer able to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of my position.
The SFVYL Director retains final authority regarding the dismissal or removal of a student from an SFVYL leadership position.
Depending on the circumstances, a student leader may:
- Receive a verbal or written warning.
- Be given specific expectations or responsibilities that must be improved.
- Be given a reasonable period of time to demonstrate improvement.
- Be asked to voluntarily step down from their leadership position.
- Be removed from their leadership position if the issue is not resolved.
Serious circumstances involving safety, harassment, intentional misconduct, or behavior that significantly affects SFVYL, VKAPA, its members, or its activities may require immediate review and action without following each progressive step above.
If I am removed from a leadership position, I agree to respect the final decision and cooperate with any reasonable actions necessary to conclude my responsibilities.
Respectful Conduct & Conflict Resolution
I understand that, as an SFVYL student leader, I am expected to demonstrate respectful and professional behavior when working with Delegates, other student leaders, the SFVYL Director, VKAPA members and Advisors, parents, volunteers, schools, and community members.
I agree to handle disagreements respectfully and make a reasonable effort to resolve conflicts through communication rather than allowing personal disagreements to interfere with SFVYL activities or responsibilities.
I will not use my leadership position to bully, harass, intimidate, retaliate against, exclude, or intentionally undermine another student or member of the organization.
If a conflict cannot be resolved between the individuals involved, I agree to bring the matter to the appropriate leadership level. Depending on the situation, this may include my President, the Student Director, or the SFVYL Director.
I understand that serious or repeated conduct issues may result in a leadership review under the Leadership Review & Dismissal procedure.
I understand that disagreements between student leaders do not excuse me from completing my responsibilities or cooperating with the organization.
Confidentiality & Protection of SFVYL Information
I understand that my leadership position may give me access to information that is not intended for public distribution, including student contact information, registration information, attendance records, internal documents, leadership discussions, event information, and other SFVYL or VKAPA records.
I agree to use this information only for legitimate SFVYL responsibilities and will not intentionally share, distribute, post, or use non-public organizational information for personal purposes or outside its intended organizational use.
I agree to appropriately protect documents, spreadsheets, accounts, passwords, contact lists, and other information that I am authorized to access through my leadership position.
I will not use my access to organizational information to embarrass, target, retaliate against, or negatively affect another student or member.
If I am unsure whether information may be shared, I will ask the Student Director or SFVYL Director before sharing it.
Leadership Structure & Organizational Decisions
I understand that SFVYL uses an established leadership and reporting structure to provide clear responsibilities, communication, and accountability.
I agree to respect the responsibilities and authority assigned to the SFVYL Director, Student Director, Presidents, and other student leadership positions as described in the SFVYL Student Leadership & Delegate Training Handbook.
I agree to follow reasonable organizational decisions and directions that apply to my position and responsibilities.
I understand that I may respectfully ask questions, provide feedback, express concerns, or disagree with a decision. However, once a final organizational decision has been made by the appropriate authority, I agree to respect that decision and continue fulfilling my responsibilities.
I will not intentionally interfere with, undermine, or prevent another student leader from carrying out the responsibilities and authority assigned to their position.
If I believe a decision creates a serious problem or conflicts with established SFVYL procedures, I may bring the concern to the Student Director or SFVYL Director through the appropriate communication process.
I understand that the SFVYL Director retains final organizational authority.
Election Conduct & Acceptance of Results
I understand that SFVYL leadership elections are determined by SFVYL Delegates through the election procedures established in the SFVYL Student Leadership & Delegate Training Handbook.
As a candidate or student leader, I agree to participate in the election process respectfully and honestly and to follow all established nomination, candidate presentation, voting, and election procedures.
I will not attempt to pressure, intimidate, threaten, or retaliate against another student because of how they vote, whom they support, or the outcome of an election.
I understand that voting is conducted by secret ballot, and I will respect every Delegate's right to make their own voting decision.
Once an election result has been counted through the established two-person verification process and officially announced, I agree to respect and accept the result.
I will not argue against, interfere with, attempt to overturn, or refuse to accept a verified election result solely because I disagree with the outcome or because I was not elected.
If I have a legitimate concern that an established election procedure was not followed or that a counting discrepancy or procedural error occurred, I may respectfully bring that concern to the SFVYL Director for review.
Once the concern has been reviewed and the SFVYL Director has made a final determination, I agree to respect that determination.
If I am not elected, I agree to conduct myself respectfully toward the elected candidate and will not interfere with their ability to perform the responsibilities of their position.
If I am elected, I understand that the election gives me the responsibility to serve SFVYL and its Delegates, and I agree to treat students respectfully regardless of whether they supported me during the election.
Academic, Personal Responsibilities & Availability
I understand that serving as an SFVYL student leader requires a commitment of time in addition to my school, family, extracurricular, and personal responsibilities.
I agree to make a reasonable effort to manage my schedule so that I can fulfill the responsibilities of my leadership position, attend SFVYL meetings and community events, and complete assigned responsibilities.
I understand that school and academic responsibilities are important, and SFVYL does not expect me to neglect my education in order to fulfill my leadership position.
When school, family, extracurricular, or other significant responsibilities interfere with an SFVYL commitment, I agree to communicate the conflict to the appropriate leadership as early as reasonably possible.
If my schedule changes to the point that I can no longer consistently fulfill the responsibilities of my leadership position, I agree to discuss the situation with the appropriate student leadership or SFVYL Director so that an appropriate solution can be determined.
I understand that having other commitments is not itself a failure to fulfill my leadership responsibilities. However, consistent lack of availability without communication or reasonable effort to fulfill my responsibilities may result in a leadership review.
Handbook & Policy Updates
I understand that SFVYL may update its handbook, procedures, expectations, or organizational policies when changes are necessary for the operation of the organization.
I agree to review and follow officially communicated updates that apply to my leadership position.
I understand that significant changes affecting my responsibilities will be communicated to student leadership by the SFVYL Director or authorized SFVYL/VKAPA leadership.
I understand that I may ask questions or request clarification regarding any new or updated policy.
I agree that updates to SFVYL policies do not remove my responsibility to follow the current expectations of my leadership position once those changes have been officially communicated.
Final Acknowledgment
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the SFVYL Member & Delegate Acknowledgment and Attestation, the SFVYL Student Leadership & Delegate Training Handbook, and this SFVYL Student Leadership Acknowledgment & Attestation.
I understand that accepting a student leadership position is a commitment to serve SFVYL, its Delegates, VKAPA, and the community.
I agree to fulfill the responsibilities of my position to the fullest extent reasonably expected of me and to follow the leadership, participation, communication, conduct, election, and accountability standards described above.
I understand that failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in review of my leadership position and, when appropriate, removal from that position or dismissal from SFVYL.