Leadership at Berkshire

Berkshire's prefects are selected as fifth formers each spring to serve during the following school year. The responsibilities of a prefect are many. Most of the “duties” performed by a prefect are of the behind the scenes type: talking to students in the dorm on an informal basis, filling the role of friend, mentor and gently guiding students in the right direction or in making the right decision. Day Prefects focus on the experience of day students on campus. Some of the duties include:

• Assisting with the day to day operations of the dorm (or Day Students), such as supervising study hall and lights out, assisting with dorm meetings, organizing schedules, and assisting with moving-in days.
• Be a consistent, positive and visible presence in the dormitory or student center, including most weekends, and is available to both faculty and students.
• Work to develop a keen understanding of the climate of the dorm or day students and any underlying issues.
• Display an ability and willingness to connect with all types and ages of students and take the initiative to check in with all residents of the dorm.

Student government meets on a regular basis and discusses a wide-range of issues affecting the entire Berkshire community. Representatives from each form are nominated to serve as class presidents, and in addition the All-School President oversees the group. The All-School President works directly with the Administration and has several responsibilities, including helping to organize and present during All-School meetings.

Green Key leaders work closely with our Admission Office. This is one of the highest ranking student leadership positions at Berkshire. The largest responsibility of a Green Key Leader is to help coordinate the daily prospective student tour schedule. Green Key Leaders also perform a variety of duties for the Admission Office, including helping around the office, attending off-campus admission events and giving tours to Placement Directors from others schools and Berkshire faculty candidates. Applicants must be current members of Green Key.

Green and Gray Leaders (8 total, 4 Green and 4 Gray) should embody the Berkshire spirit and have a genuine desire to lead their team in a positive way. G&G leaders will lead Berkshire students in campus-wide activities, announcements, get the student body excited about sporting events, other campus activities, and carry on the tradition of Green vs. Gray, which began in 1907. Leaders should be committed, organized, work well in groups, and with adults around campus. They are responsible for campus events such as the G&G ceremony, Berkshire Idol, G&G Ball, Last Bear Standing, and Hunger Games to name a few. The captains should be spirited, organized, work well in groups, and be committed to creating a positive school culture.

Student Activities Leaders work closely with the Director of Student Activities to schedule and organize the activities calendar. Students are involved in running weekly meetings at which weekend activities are planned and responsibilities are delegated to dorm representatives and activity coordinators. Student leaders should plan on spending most weekends on campus. In addition, leaders are expected to solicit feedback from students about activities and to communicate with all other student leaders through active participation in Student Government meetings.

Peer Listeners is a group of student leaders on campus supported by the Counseling Office. Built on the premise that students will seek the support and guidance of their peers during difficult times, Peer Listeners are available to all students.

Peer Listeners are not professional counselors but are trained in active listening, problem solving, crisis response, and stress reduction.  The mission of Peer Listeners is to foster emotional wellbeing through confidential peer-to-peer interaction. Peer Listeners will also lead campus programming and initiatives to raise awareness about mental health and decrease stigma around seeking support.