THE ALDINE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Student Council Constitution

PREAMBLE

We, the students of the Aldine Senior High School, in order to create and maintain a wholesome understanding and cooperation between the members of the student body and the faculty, and to foster an interest in schoolwork, school spirit, and school pride, do ordain and establish this constitution of the Student Council of the Aldine Senior High School.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The Name of this organization shall be:  The Aldine Senior High School Student Council.

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

1. To unify all student organizations.

2. To aid in the positive attitudes of students and community members.

3. To foster positive student-teacher and peer relationships.

4. To assist in the promotion of general activities of the school.

5. To develop in the student body a sense of civic and community responsibility.

6. To foster a sense of school spirit and pride in the student body.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

There shall be a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Parliamentarian, and Historian of the Student Council elected by the entire student body each year.  If for some reason the person elected cannot serve his/her term, there shall be a nomination of an elected representative who meets the election qualifications and an election will be held within the Student Council.  However, if the President is unable to complete his/her term, the Vice-President will assume the role of President and election will be held for the position of Vice-President using the above-mentioned process.  If Student Council paid for the removed officer to attend summer workshop, the student must pay the entire amount back to Student Council within 30 days of removal.

Section 2

All members of the student council must maintain a passing average (70).

Section 3

All members of the Student Council shall take the following pledge before the discussion of business at the first student council meeting:  “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of my office as a Student Council member and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and work for the good of Aldine Senior High School.”

Section 4

The Student Council shall consist of five officers and an unlimited number of work-on members.  All members must meet the qualifications established in the constitution to be eligible to serve.

Section 5

The Student Council Sponsor is chosen by the principal and shall be an honorary member of the council and executive committee.

Section 6

In case a member of the Student Council is guilty of conduct unbecoming of this organization, he/she shall be advised by the Sponsor and executive committee of the Student Council.   Final action can be taken by the Sponsor and Principal if behavior continues.

Section 7

A member may resign by submitting a written resignation to the Student Council executive committee.

Section 8

The Student Council can decide to discuss the removal of an elected member/officer with a simple majority of the entire council.  If a simple majority is reached, a special meeting will be held with elected members only.  The President will conduct the special meeting unless the President is up for removal.  In that case, the Vice-President will conduct the meeting.  The Student Council can decide to remove the elected member/officer with two-thirds of the members in agreement.

Section 9

The Student Council shall consist of delegate members.  Any student can join Student Council as a delegate member.  Once a member, they must maintain a passing average, receive no serious behavior offense, and meet the point requirements set forth in Article VI.

Section 10

The active membership of all members of the Student Council shall expire upon their graduation, withdrawal from school, or at the end of the school session.

ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

Section 1

The officers of the Student Council shall be President, Vice-President,  Secretary, Parliamentarian, and Historian. These officers and the Sponsor make up the executive committee.

Section 2

Nominations of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Parliamentarian, and Historian, shall come from the student body by a petition of twenty-five high school students.  Qualifications to run for one of these positions include serving the previous year in Student Council and attending summer workshop before the year of service.  The President must not hold the title of president in any other organization or be in a position with another organization that will hinder his/her service to Student Council.  The student body then elects these officers.

ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

Section 1

There shall be one meeting mandatory meeting during the first week of every month. There shall also be one non-mandatory meeting every following week of the same month. The executive committee shall decide the time and place.  Any member of the Student Council may call a special meeting with the approval of the Sponsor and Principal. All members are expected to attend meetings to maintain a good standing within the council.

Section 2

Parliamentary procedure will be used during meetings to maintain formality and respect.

ATTENDANCE

Section 1

Attendance for Student Council meetings is expected of members to maintain a good standing within the Council. You must arrive on time to the meeting promptly after school. Being more than 20 minutes late will result in demerits. Leaving the meeting early for any reason not approved by the sponsor in advance of the start of the meeting will also result in demerits.

Section 2

Attendance at Student Council events, volunteer opportunities, and non-community service events is expected of members to maintain a good standing within the council. You must arrive on time to the event. Being more than 20 minutes late to an event will result in demerits. When signing up for an event, you are making a commitment to that event. Student Council relies on the honesty and responsibility of its members to be successful. You must notify the Sponsor or Officer of cancelation of attendance to an event at least a week before the event. Less than a week’s notice or absence from event will result in demerits.

Section 3

Missing more than 3 mandatory meetings or events can result in probation or dismissal from the Council at the discretion of the President, Officers, and Sponsor.

ARTICLE VI

MERIT POINTS

75 points for attending a spirit related, school, or sporting event

50 points for attending full and committee student council meetings (must attend the entire time and not be late to the meetings)

            +50 points for wearing student council t-shirt on meeting day

25 points for dress-out spirit days

25 Points for working a lunch table per lunch

100 Points for each hour of community service completed

Each delegate and officer must obtain a specific amount of merit points as follows:

Delegate joined during sophomore year- 5000 points by graduation

Delegate joined during junior year- 4000 points by graduation

Delegate joined during senior year- 3000 points by graduation

DEMERITS

Demerits are points deducted from merits earned. Demerits will be issued as follows:

100 points for missing a mandatory meeting

50 points for being more than 20 minutes late to an event or meeting

50 points for leaving a meeting early for ANY reason not approved by the Sponsor

Double points for not attending an event, including a lunch table, that you committed to without a week’s notice to an officer or sponsor (Ex- signed up for 2 hour event [200 points], no show= 400 demerits)

Full points for not attending an event with less than a week’s notice (Ex- signed up for 2 hour event [200 points], told officer you cannot go the day before the event= 200 demerits)

ARTICLE VII

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1

The Student Council President shall:  preside over meetings of the council, vote only in case of a tie, know parliamentary procedure, appoint committees, enroll in the student council period, attend all student council events, and create projects for the betterment of the school and community.

Section 2

The Student Council Vice-President shall:  preside in the absence of the President, know and ensure the council uses parliamentary procedure, attend all student council events, enroll in the student council period, oversee committee meetings and projects, and create projects for the betterment of the school and community.

Section 3

The Student Council Secretary shall:  keep detailed records of meetings and events, write the meeting agendas, advertise upcoming student council meetings and events, maintain correspondence, attend all student council events, enroll in the student council period, and create projects for the betterment of the school and community.

Section 4

The Student Council Parliamentarian shall:  record the attendance of student council members at meetings and events, ensure a quorum is present for all votes, maintain an accurate record of student council points, attend all student council events, enroll in the student council period, and create projects for the betterment of the school and community.

Section 5

The Student Council Historian shall:  maintain a scrapbook of all student council events, submit all activities and events to the school and community newspaper, record events on the proper TASC award forms, attend all student council events, enroll in the student council period, and create projects for the betterment of the school and community.

ARTICLE VII

COMMITTEES

Section 1

Various committees will be formed by the President for particular services and functions.

Section 2

The executive committee will appoint a chairman and various members to each committee.

Section 3

The duties of the executive committee include:  making decisions regarding the entire council, encouraging the growth of student council, and creating meeting agendas.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by three-fourths vote of the Student Council at any regular meeting provided the amendment has the approval of the Sponsor.