Lake Norman High School Student Council Constitution and Bylaws

Transcription

1 Lake Norman High School Student Council Constitution and Bylaws Article 1. Name of the Organization for Which This Constitution Governs This Constitution is in place to outline and guide the Student Council of Lake Norman High School. Article 2. Purpose of the Lake Norman High School Student Council Section 1. Our Mission Statement The Lake Norman High School Student Council exists to promote civic responsibility, leadership, scholarship, human relations, and school spirit within in the student body. Student Council serves two distinct functions: legislation and service. Section 2. The legislative purpose of the Student Council is as follows: A. To represent the interests of the entire student body B. To review and respond to feedback of the student body C. To act as liaison to the school administration and/or School Committee, when it becomes necessary for student issues to be addressed at this level D. To create bodies amongst its membership when necessary to achieve general and specific goals of the council Section 3. The service purpose of the student council is as follows: A. To provide aid to the students, the school, and the community B. To host school functions which may include, but are not limited to, pep rallies, dances, and teacher appreciation C. To sponsor a number of community service activities, in a manner which brings the school and community closer together as a whole D. To create an atmosphere that promotes student involvement in both the council and other student organizations at LNHS Section 4. Duties of Student Council as delegated by the Principal or E Board A. The Principal may propose projects to the Student Council. B. These projects and responsibilities must adhere to the aforementioned purposes of Student Council. ratified?/?? 1 of 14

2 Article 3. Members C. They may include school events and community opportunities. D. All proposals made by the principal are subject to vote by the general council, unless under an emergency time crunch. Lake Norman High School Student Council shall consist of: A. Seven (7) Executive Board members. B. Four (4) class officers from each class. C. Representatives from each class. 1. No more than thirty percent (30%) of each class shall act as Class Representatives. D. One (1) PTSA Representative. E. One (1)School Board Representative (based on availability & interest). F. One (1) student representative to the faculty leadership team. Article 4. Duties of Student Council Members Section 1. All Student Council Members must: A. Not have three (3) unexcused absences from consecutive meetings or a total of four (4) unexcused absences from meetings per semester. B. Participate in at least two (2) acts of community service, volunteer work, and/or acts for school improvement per year, totalling 5 hours per semester. C. Serve on at least two (2) committees per year. D. Fulfill all of their respective position requirements. E. Any infraction of the above duties shall result in disciplinary action as stated in the disciplinary article of this constitution. (See Article 16) Section 2. The Executive Board (Officers) A. Executive Board members must: 1. Be elected in the spring of the year prior to their terms subsequent Executive Board members are voted in. ratified?/?? 2 of 14

3 2. Be a member of Student Council for the year prior to their terms, or have a letter of recommendation from a non student, non advisor adult. 3. Serve as at least one (1) committee facilitator per year. 4. Not have more than two (2) unexcused absences from Executive Board meetings per year. B. Each Executive Board Member s term shall last from the date of their election until the subsequent Executive Board members are voted in. Article 5. Elections of Members and Definitions of Membership Section 1. Election of Members It is the responsibility of each class, in the last term of each school year, to appoint 5 (five) students from that class to serve as members on the Student Council for the upcoming year. Section 2. Definitions of Membership There are two distinct definitions of membership within the Student Council: Member in Good Standing and Member at Large. A. A member in good standing shall be defined as: 1. A person who has been appointed to the council through the aforementioned process (Article 4) 2. A person who has been inducted into the council through the member at large induction process. B. A member at large shall be defined as: 1. A member who has yet to meet the requirements of a member of good standing 2. They do not have voting rights within the council 3. A member at large may be inducted as a member of good standing when the following requirement has been met: 4. Have attended 80% of the required meetings and events from the previous semester ratified?/?? 3 of 14

4 5. A person who has fulfilled this requirement shall be made a member of good standing at one of the biannual induction ceremonies, where their induction shall be announced to the entire council. Article 6. Voting Rights of Student Council Members 1. All members in good standing (Article 5), are given one vote each, except for the President, who shall have two votes (Article 7, Section 2.A). 2. All persons holding elected positions within the council can be impeached (see Bylaws), and therefore lose their voting rights, if the Council has (1) the approval of the advisor and the principal and (2) a three fourths vote of the council as a whole. 3. In such an instance, a general election will be held at a full council meeting to occupy that position. Appropriate voting procedure (Article 10) will take place. Article 7. Elections Requirements for and Definitions of Officers & Positions Section 1. Election Requirements for Officers A. The Executive Board (later referred to as the E Board) shall consist of the following positions: Student Body President, Student Body Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Historian, and Public Relations Officer. B. E Board Officers shall be elected each Spring. To run for office candidates must have served a minimum of one semester as a member in good standing. C. No class officer may hold both a position as a class officer and as an E board member. D. Candidates for the Office of President must be members of the incoming senior class who fulfill the above requirement, but who, in addition, have served as a member in good standing for the entirety of the year prior to the year to when he/she would take office. Section 2. Definition of Officer Positions A. The President shall: 1. Be responsible for scheduling and running all meetings of the both the full council and the Executive Board a. Create an agenda for each meeting incorporating updates from the ratified?/?? 4 of 14

5 E board b. Acknowledge persons wishing to speak at meetings c. When necessary, initiate voting on council matters 2. Lead Executive Board meetings. a. Oversee all other E Board members, to insure their duties are being fulfilled b. Maintain close contact with Student Council Advisors and the Vice President 3. Address the Student Body at assemblies and other school sponsored events upon request 4. Write the Student Body President s message in the Student Handbook 5. Hold the power to appoint committee members 6. Hold the power to vote when there is a tie 7. Meet with the Vice President at the beginning of each month to discuss monthly activities B. The Vice President shall: 1. Upon the absence of the President, assume presidential duties 2. Be responsible for upholding the Council s Constitution and Bylaws a. Evaluate all Student Council proceedings, events, and activities, to ensure they are in line with these above mentioned document 3. During general meetings, the Vice President will be responsible for taking general notes on the board and insuring the meeting is running smoothly, and effectively, and that all present members are sufficiently engaged 4. Oversee the recruitment of new students to participate in Student Council 5. Carry out any duties designated by the President 6. Maintain correspondence with Student Council Advisors 7. Meet with the President at the beginning of each month to discuss ratified?/?? 5 of 14

6 monthly activities 8. Upon resignation or removal of the President, assume presidential duties C. The Secretary shall: a. The Vice President will assume the duties of the President until elections can take place b. Upon the absence of the President and the Vice President, general Student Council meetings will be postponed until their return 1. Be responsible for writing and distributing an agenda for each meeting 2. Record official minutes for both general and E Board Meetings a. Take accurate, detailed meeting notes for E board reflection 3. Report on the previous meeting s minutes at each meeting before submitting them as official record 4. Report progress made in any council goals, activities, or events 5. Send relevant documents to persons or organizations upon request and/or as directed by the Student Council 6. Maintain a file of Student Council Records D. The Treasurer shall...be A Teacher 1. Be responsible for reporting at each general meeting as well as each E Board meeting the status of the council budget, if required. [This information shall include profits, expenditures, and available revenue.] 2. Advise the council on any matters potentially involving fundraising or the use of council funds E. The Parliamentarian shall: 1. Record attendance at each meeting, both general and E Board 2. Keep attendance records for all members a. Share past month documents with E board & Advisors regularly 3. Respectfully inform both individual members and the E Board when attendance requirements are not being fulfilled ratified?/?? 6 of 14

7 a. Inform Advisors of when the attendance policy needs to be enforced by informing members that they are in danger of losing their good standing 4. During meetings, a. Keep order at all Student Council meetings b. Keep track of time on all limited discussions 5. Plan or present a Parliamentary workshop during the fall Student Council retreat (To take place before Sept. 30) F. The Historian shall: 1. Maintain an organized binder for submission to the National Association of Student Councils 2. Serve as the webmaster for the Student Council web site, insuring that it is kept up to date G. The Public Relations Officer shall: 1. Inform clubs of their club correspondent privilege and keep relations with them through their terms 2. Post minutes on the Student Council Bulletin Board 3. Decorate and keep up to date the Student Council Bulletin Board 4. Regularly attend teacher s meetings to inform staff about Student Council or send final draft s to the Advisors for staff wide forwarding 5. Present a report on Inter Club status to the Student Council upon request 6. Update the student council web page 7. Submit updates for the school webpage and Wildcat Connect Ed updates 8. Contact newspaper/yearbook staff with student council news and events Section 3. Class Officers and Representatives A. Four (4) Class Officer Titles & Responsibilities: 1. Class President ratified?/?? 7 of 14

8 a. Responsible for scheduling and running all class meetings b. Create an agenda for class specific meetings c. If necessary, initiate voting on class specific issues 2. Class Vice President a. Upon the absence of the President, assume presidential duties. b. Be responsible for upholding the Council s Constitution and Bylaws. c. During class meetings, the Class Vice President will be responsible for taking general notes and insuring the meeting is running smoothly, and effectively, and that all present members are sufficiently engaged 3. Class Secretary a. Be responsible for writing and distributing an agenda for each class meeting b. Record official minutes for Class meetings c. Report on the previous Class meeting s minutes at each meeting before submitting them as official record d. Report progress made in any Class goals, activities, or events e. Send relevant documents to persons or organizations upon request and/or as directed by your Class or the Student Council 4. Class Parliamentariana. Record attendance at each meeting, both general and class meetings b. Keep attendance records for all Class members i. Share past month documents with E board & Advisors regularly c. Respectfully inform both individual members and the E Board when attendance requirements are not being fulfilled i. Inform Advisors of when the attendance policy needs to be enforced by informing members that they are in danger of ratified?/?? 8 of 14

9 d. During meetings, losing their good standing i. Keep order at all Class meetings ii. Keep track of time on all limited discussions 2. General Responsibilities: 3. Terms: B. Class Representatives a. Represent their respective class on the Student Council b. Facilitate all their respective class functions c. Insure that their respective class responsibilities are filled d. Stay in contact with their respective class sponsors/advisors a. Sophomore, junior, and senior class officers shall be voted upon in the spring of the year prior to their terms b. They shall act only as a class representative from the time they are voted in, until the end of that school year c. Each sophomore, junior, and senior class officer s term shall last from the beginning of their designated school year until the end of that school year d. Each freshman class officer s term shall last from the day they are voted in until the end of that school year e. Each class officer shall attend the first executive board meeting of each month 1. Responsibilities: 2. Term: a. Represent their respective class on the Student Council b. Represent their respective class at Student Council events a. Each Class Representative s term shall last from the day they fulfill the requirements to become a member until the end of that ratified?/?? 9 of 14

10 school year Section 4. School Board Representative Article 8. Elections A. At the beginning of each school year, the incoming School Board Representative shall have the opportunity to join Student Council 1. If the School Board Representative denies that opportunity, then the position becomes void B. The School Board Representative is encouraged to: 1. Attend Executive Board meetings 2. Submit a monthly report to the Executive Board C. The School Board Representative must give a report to the Student Council concerning any School Board business that directly affects the Student Body Section 1. Executive Board A. Nominations for each Executive Board position will be open for three (3) consecutive Student Council meetings B. A voting Student Council member will nominate each potential candidate C. The candidate may accept or decline the nomination D. Upon the third consecutive Student Council meeting, nominations shall close and each candidate shall present a speech to the Student Council 1. In the case that a candidate cannot be present, he/she shall submit a written speech to be read in his/her absence by an executive board member E. Student Council voting members shall then take a ballot vote Section 2. Class Officers (Class President, Vice President, Secretary) A. Each potential candidate must submit the following to the Executive Board: 1. A paragraph explaining their goals for their respective position 2. Ten (10) classmates signatures B. The Executive Board Vice President shall compile the respective ballots to be ratified?/?? 10 of 14

11 presented to each class C. Each candidate shall read his/her paragraph to his/her class prior to voting D. Voting for the sophomore, junior, and senior class officers shall take place no later than the last day of April E. The incoming freshman class officers shall be elected no later than the last day of September F. The Vice President shall make nomination forms available to the student body at least two weeks prior to voting Section 3. Class Representatives. A. Potential class representatives must be present at four consecutive meetings in order to be a voting member Article 9. Frequency of Student Council Meetings and E Board General Meetings A. The President is responsible for planning out a flexible calendar at the beginning of each month 1. The frequency of meetings is to be determined by the E Board as necessary based upon upcoming events, elections, or issues. 2. Each Council member will be given a monthly schedule and is expected to follow it B. There should be at least one general council meeting per month. Additional council meetings will be determined by the E Board C. It is expected that all members of the E Board meet on a weekly basis to discuss council happenings and plan for upcoming general meetings D. They also must insure, that the Student Council, at a minimum, takes on one project or objective per month Article 10. Voting Procedure, as stated in Robert s Rules of Order A. Asking for a vote on an issue: 1. Obtain the floor (the right to speak) by being the first to stand when the person speaking has finished 2. State, Mr./Madam President/Chairman i. Raising your hand means nothing, and standing while another has the ratified?/?? 11 of 14

12 floor is out of order ii. Must be recognized by the President/Chair before speaking 3. Debate cannot begin until the President/Chair has stated the motion or resolution and asked, "Are you ready for the question?" 4. If no one rises, the chair calls for the vote 5. Before the motion is stated by the President/Chair (the question), members may suggest modification of the motion i. The mover can modify as he pleases, or even withdraw the motion, without consent of the seconder ii. If mover modifies, the seconder can withdraw the second 6. The "immediately pending question" is the last question stated by the Chair 7. Motion/Resolution > Amendment > Motion to Postpone 8. The member moving the "immediately pending question" is entitled to preference of the floor 9. No member can speak twice to the same issue until everyone else wishing to speak has spoken to it once 10. All remarks must be directed to the President/Chair i. Remarks must be courteous in language and deportment ii. Avoid all personalities, never allude to others by name or to motives 11. The agenda and all committee reports are merely recommendations B. Counting of votes: i. When presented to the assembly and the question is stated, debate begins and changes occur 1. If the question is on the adoption of a resolution, unless it has been read very recently, it should be read again, the question being put in a way similar to this: i. "The question is on the adoption of the resolution [which the chair reads]; those in favor of the resolution say aye; those opposed say no. The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted;" or, "The noes have it, and the resolution is lost." ratified?/?? 12 of 14

13 ii. iii. iv. Or, thus: "The question is on agreeing to the following resolution," which the chair reads, and then he continues, "As many as are in favor of agreeing to the resolution say aye;" after the ayes have responded he continues, "As many as are opposed say no. The ayes have it," etc. Or, "It is moved and seconded that an invitation be extended to Mr. Jones to address our club at its next meeting. Those in favor of the motion will rise; be seated; those opposed will rise. The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted [or carried]." Or, if the vote is by "show of hands," the question is put and the vote announced in a form similar to this; "It has been moved and seconded to lay the resolution on the table. Those in favor of the motion will raise the right hand; those opposed will signify [or manifest] it in the same way [or manner]. The affirmative has it [or, The motion is adopted, or carried] and the resolution is laid on the table." C. Results 1. The assembly is assumed not to know the result of the vote until announced by the chair, and the vote does not go into effect until announced. 2. As soon as the result of the vote is announced the chair should state the next business in order 3. The chair should never neglect to state what is the business next in order after every vote is announced, nor to state the exact question before the assembly whenever a motion is made. Much confusion is avoided thereby. 4. The vote should always be taken first by the voice (viva voce) or by show of hands (the latter method being often used in small assemblies), except in the case of motions requiring a two thirds vote, when a rising vote should be taken at first. i. When a division is demanded a rising vote is taken. Article 11. Inter Club Council Correspondents Section 1. The Club Correspondents shall: A. Be an advisory board member from their club or organization. B. Encourage their respective organizations to take an active part in our school s activities. ratified?/?? 13 of 14

14 C. Answer all questions and submit documents requested by the Student Council. D. Speak on behalf of their organization at Student Council meetings upon request. Article 12. Student Council Committee Chairs Section 1. A Committee Chair shall: A. Coordinate and organize the activity assigned to them. B. Report to and contact his/her Executive Board Committee Facilitator at least monthly. C. Report to the Student Council regarding committee members and progress of the Committee upon request. D. Conduct their respective committee meetings. E. Attend the first executive board meeting of each month. F. Take attendance at each committee meeting and submit to the Point Master at least monthly. G. Facilitate the planning of at least five (5) events or activities each year, unless an exception is granted by the executive board. Article 13. Process for Ratification of the Student Council Constitution A. In order for this Constitution to be ratified, a meeting must be held among all Council officers and members in good standing. 1. Prior to being voted on, the Constitution must have received unanimous approval from the officers, advisor, and principal. B. A vote will be held to ratify it and a three fourths approval of the Council is required. C. If these requirements are met then the Constitution will be considered ratified and will take effect immediately. Article 14. Provisions for Amending the Student Council Constitution A. If the Council believes that the Student Council Constitution needs to be amended, then the following procedure must be followed: ratified?/?? 14 of 14

15 Article 15. Administrative Powers 1. A meeting of the entire council must be held where the problem must be addressed and a solution suggested 2. Any proposed changes must be approved by the Advisor(s) and Principal as appropriate 3. The council will discuss the change and vote on amending at the meeting following approval by the Principal and Advisor(s). 4. Three fourths vote is required (following correct voting Procedure from Article 3) to make the change. 5. The Secretary is responsible making for changes to the official copy of the Constitution, once amendments have been accepted by the Council. Section 1. In the best interests of the Student Body, the principal shall have the power to modify or override any Student Council decision. Article 16. Disciplinary Action A. Any and all modifications and/or overrides must be presented to the Student Council by Administration. Section 1. Probation and Dismissal for Participation Constitutional Amendments: A. Members failing to meet position and/or membership requirements monthly and/or missing two (2) consecutive meetings shall be placed on probation. B. Members failing to meet position and/or membership requirements for two (2) consecutive months and/or missing four (4) consecutive meetings shall receive a letter of dismissal given by the Point Master. C. An appeal to these disciplinary actions may be made to the Executive Board in written form to regain membership. D. All student council members are subject to all state and federal laws, ISS school board policy, and NASC regulations at all times. Failure to do so shall result in disciplinary action. ratified?/?? 15 of 14

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17 BY LAWS 1. All General Student Council Meetings shall follow Robert s Rules of Order. 2. Any individuals wishing to have an issue put on the agenda shall submit it to the Student Council Secretary at the Executive Board meeting prior to the General Student Council Meeting when the issue will be presented and/or voted upon. 3. Closed Executive Board meetings may be held when deemed necessary but no official business shall be conducted. 4. A retreat will be held in the fall of each school year to: a. Promote team building b. Review parliamentary procedure c. Provide training for committee chair positions d. Review and/or revise the constitution e. Set goals for the upcoming year 5. All Student Council meetings shall comply with the following: a. General Student Council meetings will be held at least twice a month. b. No official business shall be conducted without a majority of Student Council members present. i. A majority constituted by 60% of the members in good standing. 6. An administrator, at least one Student Council advisor and at least three members of the Executive Board are collectively granted the authority to recommend fundraising activities. 7. The Student Council shall develop and maintain a calendar of student council activities and shall be responsible for maintaining a record of traditions for future years. 8. Student Council shall annually provide funding for the following, dependent on financial status: a. Current Student Council president and one advisor to the NASC conference. b. No more than four (4) LTC (leadership training camp) scholarships held in the summer. 9. All off campus trips made by the Student Council shall comply with the rules outlined in the Activities Handbook and shall be in accordance with all state and federal laws, ISS school board policy, and ASAA regulations at all times. ratified?/?? 17 of 14