Student Council Constitution

The Graves County Middle School


Student Council Constitution





Article I – Name



The name of our organization will be: “The Graves County Middle School Student Council”



Section I - Goals:



• To improve and develop high standards of leadership and conduct for students.

• To give the students a voice in the decision-making of the school.

• To volunteer in the community, and to help others on the committee.

• To bring the effort of the students, faculty, and the administration, in all school activities, together.

• To give the students the opportunity to participate in the affairs and government of their school.



Section II – Mission Statement



As the Student Council at Graves County Middle School, we will serve to the fullest of our extent. We promise to provide service to the students and faculty at GCMS as well as our surrounding community.



Article II – Qualifications, Nomination, Election and Removal from Office



Section I – Qualification of All Members



• Must be a student of GCMS.

• Limit of one ISD.

• Must have at least a C average.

• Must be organized.

• Exhibit responsibility.

• Possess leadership abilities.

• Must obtain teacher recommendation.



Section II – Qualifications of Officers



• The council will elect a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer by a majority vote of student council members. Council members may not vote for the office for which they are running.

• Council members who want to run make their request know to the council sponsor.

• Each officer must have at least a B average.

• Every member has the right to run for officer positions, except President, which is reserved for an eighth-grade member.



Section III – Nomination and Election



• Every homeroom will allow qualified students to campaign for the primary election.

• The students in each homeroom will then elect one person from the class (primary election winner) to serve as the candidate for the general election.

• The eighth-grade students will then compete against each other in the general election, with the candidate receiving the most votes serving on the student council.

• The runner-up in the general election will then serve as the alternate.



Section IV – Removal from Office



• If a student council member’s grades drop below a B average, or members drop below a C average, that member will be placed on academic probation until the next mid-term report or grade report is issued. If that member has not raised his grades at that point, they can be removed from office. The alternate from that representative’s team will then replace that person.

• If a student council member receives an ASD, then that person will receive a warning. A second ASD will result in probation and suspension for one meeting. A third ASD will result in an ISD, and cause a suspension for the next two meetings for that council member. The team’s alternate will be allowed to participate on the student council during the suspension.

• If a student council member receives an ISD, then that student will receive probation and warning, and be suspended from the next meeting.

• A second ISD, or referral to Alternative School, for a student council member will result in removal from office. The alternate from that team will replace that person on the student council.

• If an elected officer on the student council is sent to ISD, then that officer will be demoted to member status permanently, and an election will be held for a new officer.

• If in any circumstance the general election winner and the runner-up (alternate) are unable to serve on the student council, a special election will be held on that team for a replacement.



Article III – Power and Authority



Section I



• The teacher sponsor delegates all powers of the student council.



Section II



• The power of veto shall be vested in the sponsor as the representative of the principal. The sponsor shall have the right to veto any council action if it is contrary to school policy or not in the best interests of the school.



Section III



• The principal shall reserve the right to impeach any officer of the student council if he/she sees fit, due to poor academics that could have been caused by involvement in the student council. This would call for a re-election for the vacant officer’s position. This form of impeachment can be used to remove any student council officer or member.



Section IV



• Attendance shall be required, and if a student does not attend meetings frequently, action will be taken.



Section V



• To pass an act, the council must take a vote, and receive at least 75 percent in favor of the act for it to be passed. If less is in favor of the act, it shall not be passed. This is the same for all types of acts involving the school, or constitutional matters.



Article IV – Duties and responsibilities



Section I – President



• Presides over all meetings as chair.

• Has the power to call special meetings.

• Has the power to appoint members of all committees.

• Votes only to break or create a tie.

• Has the power to veto: This veto can be over-ridden by a three-fourths (75 percent) vote of the council present at the meeting. The president also has 48 hours after a motion to veto the action. If the veto is not confirmed at the meeting, it must be given in writing to the sponsor and within the 48-hour time limit.

• Be the official student representative of GCMS. In general, the president is the leader of the officers and any committees. The president assigns the tasks and follows through to see that they are done correctly.



Section II – Vice President



• Assumes duties of the president in his/her absence.

• Performs all duties assigned to him/her by the council.



Section III – Secretary



• Records, keeps and files the minutes of all meetings of the council.

• Keeps accurate attendance at all meetings.

• Notifies all members of meeting dates and times.

• Writes and sends all student council correspondence.



Section IV – Treasurer



• Keeps an account of the receipts and expenditures of the council.

• Is required to give a financial report when requested.

• Sees that all bills are approved and paid.



Section V – Team Representatives



• Attends all general student council meetings.

• Reports the proceedings for each meeting to his/her team.

• Serves on committees when requested by the president.

• Participates actively in Graves County student council-sponsored events.



Section VI – Officers



• Attend all executive and general council meetings.

• Are elected by general council.

• Helps plan all general council meetings.

• Participate actively in Graves County student council-sponsored events.



Article V – Ratification of the Constitution



Section I – Changes



For any change (amendment) that can be made the student council must vote if that is the best decision. Seventy-five (75) percent of the student council must pass this change. If it is voted and allowed they must have permission from the sponsors.



• Changes must be presented to the general council.

• The vote on all amendments must take place at the meeting after that change is introduced.

• A three-fourths (75 percent) vote is required to approve any changes.



Section II – Impeachment



If any member of the student council wants to be replaced by a student (alternate) and have support from others, the student council will vote and must receive 75 percent to replace the member.



The principal has the right to replace any member of the student council.



Section III – Amendments



Any student or teacher can write an amendment. The amendment must receive 75 percent of the student council members to be passed as an amendment.



Section IV – Veto



The principal and/or sponsor can veto any constitutional amendment, by-laws, or articles, and each has the right to veto any bill passed by the student council.



The student council can also veto amendments by a 75-percent vote.



Article VI – General Procedure and By-Laws



Section I – Meetings



• The president and sponsor shall determine the time and place of all meetings.

• All of the meetings should be conducted using parliamentary procedure.

• A majority of the total membership shall constitute a quorum. A quorum must be present to conduct a valid meeting.

• If all officers are present an executive session can be called.

• If no quorum is present, the meeting shall be adjourned until a more convenient time.



Section II – Committees



• The president shall choose any committees.



Section III – Student Council Funds



• All funds to be expended or bills to be paid shall be approved by a majority vote of the general council.

• If the council approves a program, funds will be made available to complete the program.

• The sponsors, president, and treasurer may authorize payment of bills when the general council is unable to meet.