Student Council Constitution


		The revised constitution of Tantasqua Student Council was voted upon and approved on September 12, 2008 by a vote of the student body. 636 approved the changes and 264 rejected the changes. PREAMBLE We, the members of the student body of Tantasqua, in order to encourage a more responsible organization, have adopted the following constitution. The Student Council of Tantasqua shall be charged with the responsibility of promoting, to the fullest, the following constitutional principles: 1. To cultivate a sense of harmony and community among the student body and staff members. 2. To develop responsible interaction between the student body, faculty, administration, and community members. ARTICLE I—NAME Tantasqua Regional High School’s Student Council. ARTICLE II—GENERAL PURPOSES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES To provide a forum for student expression. To review all school procedures for the benefit of the student body. To provide a link between the student body and the administration/faculty. To assist in management of school activities and regulations. To serve as a sounding board for school programs, regulations, and alterations of such. To maintain and encourage school spirit, tradition, and the good name of our school. To provide a training ground for developing leadership. To encourage student government. To encourage and instill a sense of community and civic duty among students, faculty, administration, and members of our community at large. To furnish representation to the regional school committee, school improvement council, and regional student advisory board. ARTICLE III—SOURCE OF POWER AND AUTHORITY This student council shall have the power and authority to: Assist in the establishment and coordination of the financial structure of all curricular activities. Organize, supervise, and encourage all student elections. Assist in the determination and administration of school policies for co-curricular activities. Introduce new school policies that the Student Council feels are worthwhile to the administration and ensure that old rules are upheld. To serve as an enabler to class and co-curricular activities. To provide short-term financial loans to classes, clubs, and organizations where deemed appropriated by the student council. ARTICLE IV—QUALIFICATIONS FOR STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS AND MEMBERS SECTION A All students of Tantasqua Regional High School are essentially members of the Student Council in so much as their ideas and opinions are encouraged and welcomed by the Student Council. The Student Council shall be composed of the following voting positions: Six Student Council officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian and Webmaster. Four representatives from each class, all of whom have been elected by their classmates. Five class officers from each grade: President, Academic Vice President, Technical Division Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Student Advisory Committee representative and alternate. The two School Improvement Council representatives. The five School Committee Representatives. The Student Council shall also be composed of the following positions, which do not have voting privileges: Honorary members from the student body who have not been elected but regularly involve themselves in meetings and activities. The President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian and Webmaster of the Student Council may be in grades 10-12 with at least one year of high school Student Council experience. In the event that no student seeks a Student Council office, the outgoing Student Council shall elect a student from within its council body to fill the vacancy. Any mid-term Student Council officer vacancy shall be filled from among the current Student Council members. Any mid-term class officer vacancy shall be filled by nomination of remaining said Student Council class representation and a two-thirds majority vote of the Student Council. The position of Student Council representative may be sought by any full time registered student of the class which the student wishes to represent. SECTION B A Student Council Officer, Student Council Class Representative, or Class Officer may be removed from his/her position for: Failure to attend meetings Being absent or unexcused for two or more meetings. Failure to represent his/her group fairly. Failure to carry-out his/her responsibilities to the council and the school. Failure to comply with school department regulations or performance of actions which are detrimental to the welfare of the school. Student Council members who fail to fulfill the responsibilities to which they were elected will face possible removal from the Council. Prior to such proceedings the following process will occur: Verbal warning from the advisor Written warning from the advisor Written notification of impeachment A student can be removed from his/her position by a unanimous vote of the Executive Board. The Student Council advisor reserves the right to veto an impeachment decision made by the Executive Board. If the individual brought up for impeachment is a Class Officer, the corresponding class advisor reserves veto power over the Executive Board’s decision. Request for the impeachment of a Student Council representative can be brought forward by any member of the Student Council at large. The student in question will receive a verbal warning from the Advisor. If said council member is brought up for impeachment again, the student will receive written notification from the advisor and will have an opportunity to be heard at the following meeting. The Student Council will hear the indictment and arguments of the individual brought up for impeachment, and on the following week the Executive Board will deliberate and make a decision. If an Executive Board member is brought up for impeachment, the Senior Class President will step in and vote in the place of the said Executive Board member. Unanimous vote will still be required for impeachment. ARTICLE V—NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS For Student Council Representatives, Class Officers, Student Advisory Committee members, School Improvement Council members, and School Committee Representatives: An election Committee, appointed by the Student Council President, shall formulate and publicize the rules and procedures governing the elections. Students desiring to campaign for any office must file their names with the chairperson of the election committee and the advisor of the Student Council prior to the deadline chosen by the committee. No nominations will be accepted after this time. Any student, however, may campaign for a write-in position. All students desiring to campaign and have filed their name with the chairperson of the election committee and the Student Council advisor, must attain forty signatures from members of their class to endorse their candidacy. There shall be one week of campaigning prior to the election under the direction and supervision of the Election Committee and advisor. Speeches shall be given via the public address system (either by intercom or the television access channel throughout the school). Voting shall be by secret ballot. A simple majority vote shall be required for the election. A tally of the votes and announcement of winners will be made by the Election committee. Election Rules may be changed in special cases by vote of the Student Council. Election of Student Council Officers: Officers will be elected during a full board student council meeting, in which only members of the student council can vote. Voting will take place at the first full board meeting in May. Order of elections will be as follows: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Historian One cannot run for, and thus be a Student Council officer while simultaneously holding another voting position on the council. Webmaster will be appointed by the Student Council Advisor based on applications that will be completed by set date established at this time. Any Student council member holding a CDMASC or MASC Officer position becomes a non-voting Liaison to the Executive Board by default. The following are suggested times for elections: Student Advisory Council: last week in April. School Committee Representatives: last week in April. School Improvement Council: last week in April Student Council Officers: first full board meeting in May. Class Officers: second week in May. Student Council Representatives: third week in May. Special elections may be held any time in the case of class officers transferring, resigning, or any other contingency causing his/her absence. ARTICLE VI—DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS AND MEMBERS: The President shall: Preside over all business meeting of the Student Council. Prepare and distribute an agenda for each executive board and full board meeting with the guidance of the council, its officers, and the advisor. Have the power to call special meetings of the Student Council. Vote on any matter on which the Student Council is equally divided. Appoint the chairperson of all committees and serve as ex-officio of all committees. Exercise the power of veto on all Student Council actions where it is necessary. Two thirds vote of the full Student Council shall be necessary to override a presidential veto. Act as a mediator between the council the advisor, and administration. The Vice President shall: Perform the duties of the President during any presidential absence. Assist the President in all matters of the Student Council. Be in charge of all public relations for the Student Council and its activity. The Treasurer shall: Maintain records of receipts of deposits and expenditures for the Student Council. Present an up-to-date report of the Student Council’s financial account at each business meeting of the Executive Board and Student Council. Serve as an ex-officio chairperson of all fundraising for Student Council Activities. Maintain a schedule of all fundraising activities and their time table for all co-curricular activities with the school. Receive and file any, and all, bills that are filed with the Student Council. The Secretary shall: Record, publish, and read all minutes of the business meetings of the Student Council. He/she shall see that the minutes are made available to the entire Student Council and are posted for the school. Write all correspondences for the Student Council. Maintain attendance records and Student Council Roster. The Historian shall: See that the Student Council is aware of our constitution by providing them a copy. Serve as the parliamentarian for all student council meetings. Serve as ex-officio of the Constitutional Evaluation Committee. Maintain a record of all agendas, minutes, activity summary sheets, council mission statements, constitution, committee descriptions, treasurer’s reports, paperwork, and publicity. Complete above said materials and organize for state Excellence Award. The Student Council Representatives Shall: Attend all meetings. Assist in the conducting of all business matters. Inform and solicit opinions and advice of his/her classmates and the student body. Serve as a chair or co-chair on at least one committee. Serve on various other committees as members. Promote and attend all Student Council activities. ARTICLE VII—STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL Assembly Committee: Shall organize and conduct assembly programs of their initiation and assist the administration in regularly scheduled assemblies and ad-hoc assemblies. Shall have the ability to delegate authority to ad-hoc chairs and committee members when deemed appropriate. Student Activity Committee: Is responsible for all Student Council Fundraisers. Is responsible for all ordering, inventory, scheduling, financial reports, and duties for said activities. Shall have the ability to delegate authority to ad-hoc chairs and committee members when deemed appropriate. Community Service Committee: Shall organize community service and charitable events which Student Council and/or the student body will participate. Shall have the ability to delegate authority to ad-hoc chair committee members when deemed appropriate. Welfare and Appreciation Committee: Shall organize events or dates that are dedicated to showing appreciation to Tantasqua’s administration, faculty, and support staff. Shall send out communications to members of our staff when condolences, congratulations, or encouragement is required. Shall have the ability to delegate authority to ad-hoc chairs and committee members when deemed appropriate. Evaluation Committee: Shall evaluate the Student Council constitution, committee list and responsibilities, and school handbook. They will annually make recommendations to appropriate committees or staff and administration. Shall avail itself to send delegates for outside student body activities and conventions for the purpose of enrichment. ARTICLE VIII—QUALIFICATIONS OF CLASS OFFICERS The candidate for any class officer must be a member of the said class he/she wishes to represent. Any class officer may be removed from his/her position for: Failure to attend meetings Failure to represent his/her group properly and fairly. Failure to carry out his/her duties and responsibilities. Failure to comply with the school department regulations or performance of actions which are detrimental to the welfare of the school. A student may be removed from his/her position by unanimous vote of the Executive Board and the approval of the advisor of that class. Any impeachment of the class officers may be presented by any Student Council member with voting privileges, the Student Council advisor, or the class advisor. The indictment must be in writing and presented to the Student Council advisor one week prior to the meeting in which action is to be taken. The Student Council will hear the indictment and the Executive Board will vote on the matter the following week. In the event that no student seeks the office, the outgoing Student Council shall elect positions from its current body to fill the vacancy. ARTICLE IX—DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CLASS OFFICERS The President Shall: Preside over all business meetings of the class. Have the power to call meetings of the class with the approval of the advisor and principal. Prepare and distribute agendas to the class officers, class advisor, and members of the class for each meeting. Vote on any matter in which the class is divided. Appoint chairpersons of all committees and serve as ex-officio chairperson of all committees. Exercise the power to veto on all class actions where it is necessary; two-thirds vote of the full class shall be necessary to override a presidential veto. Serve as a chairperson in his/hers class’ executive committee. Serve as ombudsman to the Student Council, administration, and faculty for their respective class, as well as for the benefit of the school body. Serve as a voting member of the Student Council. The Academic Vice President Shall: Assist in performing the duties of any executive member when absent. Assist the President in all class matters. Serve as a voting member to the Student Council. The Technical Division Vice President Shall: Assist in performing the duties of any executive member when absent. Assist the President in all class matters. Act as a liaison between the class members, faculty, and the administration of both the academic and technical divisions of the school. Serve as a voting member of the Student Council. The Treasurer Shall: Maintain all records of receipts, deposits, and expenditures of the class. Present an up-to-date financial report at every meeting of their class. Serve as an ex-officio chairperson of all class fundraising activities. Serve as a voting member of the Student Council. The Secretary Shall: Keep accurate minutes of each meeting of the officers and/or class. Furnish information to the President and the Advisor concerning actions that should be taken by the class, or by a committee according to the requests of the class members as recorded in minutes. Give the class a report on activities and the treasurer’s balance for both the class and the Student Council. Serve as a voting member of the Student Council. Take care of all correspondences for the class. Maintain a class list and keep attendance records. ARTICLE X—DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL, SCHOOL COMMITTEE, AND STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES The School Improvement Council, School Committee, and Student Advisory Council representatives are exempt from the basic duties of a Student Council Member. The said representatives must attend one meeting a month and give a report to the full board describing the events concerning the council that have taken place at their respective committee meetings. The individuals will in turn report to their committee the events taking place within the Student Council, thus acting as a liaison between the two. ARTICLE XI—MEETINGS OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL Student Council meetings shall be held no less than twice a month. The Student Council President has the power to call special meetings and must notify the advisor and the council at least three days in advance. All meetings must be held at a time and location previously posted for the student council and student body to see with at least three days advance notice. An agenda prepared by the President with the executive board and advisor’s approval will be distributed to members of the student council and posted for the student body at least twenty-four hours prior to the meeting. Additional copies of the agenda will be distributed at the meeting posted for the student body no more than five days following a meeting. The agenda shall read: Tantasqua High School Student Council Agenda for _____________ (date) Call to order: Attendance Secretary’s report from previous meeting. Treasurer’s report. Vice President’s Public Relations’/Communications report School Improvement Council, School Committee, Student Advisory Committee Reports Reports of individual standing committees and discussions Reports of individual ad-hoc committees and discussions Unfinished business New business from the executive board, advisor, or class officer. New business from floor of the council and/or student body member. Discussion Motion to adjourn ARTICLE XII—MEETINGS OF THE CLASS All class officers will meet with their class advisor(s) at least once each month. All class officers will meet with their respective class at least once per semester. The class president shall have the power to call special meetings and must notify the advisor and members at least three days in advance. All members shall be notified of a meeting of the class by the secretary at least three days in advance. The agenda, prepared by the president of the class, shall be distributed among all members at all class meetings. The minutes of previous meetings will be prepared by the class secretary and distributed among class officers and class members at each meeting. The agenda shall read: Tantasqua Class of ______ (year) Date of Meeting Call to order Attendance Secretary’s report from pervious meeting Treasurer’s report Communications Reports of standing committees and discussion Reports of ad-hoc committees and discussion Unfinished business New business by officers, advisor, or administration New business from the floor of the class Discussion Motion to adjourn. ARTICLE XIII—ADVISOR OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL OR THE CLASS Any member of the Student Council, Student body, or class may suggest an advisor for their respective governing body; however, the final decision is to be in the hands of the principal and the administration. The term of the office of advisor shall be one year. At this time, a new appointment may be recommended by the class; hover the final decision is to be in the hands of the principal and the administration. Should the advisor resign or is absent for an extended period, he/she shall be replaced immediately. ARTICLE XIV—ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT PROCEDURES The constitution shall be ratified by two–thirds majority vote of the Student Council and a simple majority of the student body. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by any member of the Student Council or student body, faculty, or administration and ratified by two-thirds vote of the Student Council and a simple majority of the student body at any time. Proposed amendments must be read to the Student Council at one regular business meeting, be voted upon by the Student Council at the next business meeting, and be voted on by the student body within the following week. ARTICLE XV—BY LAWS A quorum constitutes two-thirds voting members present of the full Student Council. No actions on monetary matters in excess of twenty-five dollars may be taken at Student Council business meetings without a quorum present. A two-thirds vote of the Student Council and a simple majority of the student body are needed to amend or institute the by-laws. Activity Requests- All activity requests must be submitted four weeks prior to the date requested for the activity. The policy in effect will first be submitted, first considered and a representative of the class or club must be presented at said Student Council meeting, along with a formal written report being presented. Any member of the student body desiring action to be taken at Student Council meeting is required to present a petition signed be five percent of the student body, one week prior to the meeting in which actions to be taken. All petitions must go through the Student Council. Bills may be filed by any member of the Student Council and action must be taken within one month. There shall be permitted representatives-at-large from each class. They shall have all the responsibilities of an elected member yet without voting privileges. These representatives will be approved and appointed by the executive board. If no person comes forward to be a representative–at-large, the executive board may appoint up to two candidates per class from the list of unsuccessful candidates from the election.