Student Council Constitution for Boles Junior High Click here to print copy of Constitution PREAMBLE We, the students of Boles Junior High, in order to promote a good school atmosphere, where students are involved in self-government; to create a positive environment of well-being; to foster cooperation among faculty, students, and community; to encourage school spirit; to become involved through activities for a better school and community; do adopt and establish this constitution creating a student council for the student body of Boles Junior High. ARTICLE I - NAME This organization shall be known as the Boles Junior High Student Council (BJH StuCo). ARTICLE II - PURPOSE The purpose of this organization shall be: 1. To provide the opportunity for all students to participate in a representative form of government, and create a desire for good citizenship based on democratic processes. 2. To provide experiences that develop increasing responsibility, initiative, and self-direction. 3. To provide for the development of cooperation and opportunities for leadership training. 4. To establish a line of communication between students, teachers, and administration that exist outside of regular classroom procedures. 5. To foster good citizenship, trust, and a sense of responsibility toward our school and community. 6. To help each person in our school become an effective worthy member of the whole group. ARTICLE III - MEETINGS Section A - The student council will meet every Thursday during the fall semester, unless otherwise noted. All regular meetings will be open. Section B - Weekly meetings may be canceled and special meetings can be scheduled by the sponsor or by the president with the approval of the sponsor. Section C - A quorum shall consist of one-half of the members of the Council. Section D - The Student Council meetings will be conducted according to parliamentary procedures. Section E - A typed agenda planned by the executive committee for each meeting held at Boles JH shall be given to all who attend the meeting. ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIVES Section A - Each grade level, seventh and eighth, will elect an Advisory and alternate representative from each Advisory class to represent their Advisory classes at the meetings. Section B- Any Boles Junior High student who meets the grade and conduct requirements may apply to be a BJH StuCo work-on member. Work-on members will be considered a representative. Section B - Representatives and work-on members should maintain an overall 70 scholastic average and an A- or higher in conduct. Section C - Representatives from each grade should report the actions of the Student Council to their Advisory class as soon as possible after the meetings. Section D - Representatives will serve on committees under committee chairs or as members as appointed by the executive committee and sponsor(s). Section E - Representatives should attempt to express the desires and opinions of the class they represent. Section F - Representatives must be elected to these positions according to the rules established in this constitution. ARTICLES V • OFFICERS Section A - The elected officers, called the executive committee, shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Parliamentarian. Section B - Officers must be elected to these positions according to the rules established in this constitution. Section C - Qualifications of Officers: ALL officers must be in the eighth grade during their term of office. Officers must maintain an overall 80 scholastic average and an A- in conduct in all classes. Officers should display good citizenship and leadership qualities. Section D - The President shall: 1. Preside over all meetings of the Student Council; 2. Work with the principal and sponsor(s) in developing and carrying out plans for the school year; 3. Call special meetings with permission of the sponsor(s); 4. Be responsible for carrying out the purpose of the Council; 5. Be the official representative of the student body. 6. President of Student Council may not hold an office in any other organization on campus. The responsibility of this office is too great and the student will need to remain focused on the duties of the office. Section E - The Vice President shall : 1. Serve as a presiding officer in the absence of the president; 2. Help the president develop and carry out programs for the school; 3. Serve as president if the office is vacated; 4. Be aware of all committee proceedings along with the president. Section F - The Secretary shall: 1. Keep the minutes of all Student Council meetings; 2. Keep the minutes of all executive board meetings; 3. Send, receive, and answer all outside correspondence to the Student Council; 4. Be aware of the order of business; 5. Preside in the absence of the president and vice president. Section G - The Parliamentarian shall: 1. Maintain order at all meetings; 2. Take attendance at all meetings; 3. Keep the point system; 4. Carry out all disciplinary measures pertaining to the point system. Section H - The Sponsor(s) shall: 1. Be the official student council sponsor(s), who is appointed by the principal; 2. Counsel and advise the student council on various matters; 3. Attend student council conventions and events; 4. Retain an unqualified veto over all decisions and actions of the student council. ARTICLE VI • ELECTIONS Section A - Elections for officers shall take place in the month of May prior to the annual school year in which they are to serve. Section B - Each candidate for office must submit a letter of application for nomination to the Student Council sponsor one week before the election. If the sponsor and principal approve the application, the candidate's name will be placed on the list of nominees. Section C - Each candidate must submit his or her Advisory speech to the sponsor at least two days before the election to be approved. Any deviation from the approved speech during the announcements will result in immediate removal from the ballot. Section D - Students who ran for, but were not voted into, an officer position will be considered as appointed committee chairs. Section E- Elections for Advisory representatives shall be held within the first six-weeks of the following school year. Once elected, the Advisory representative shall obtain a Student Council Membership Packet, and sign a Member Contract. The signed contract should be turned into the sponsor(s) along with a copy of the most current progress report and report card. Section F- After Advisory representative elections are complete, a call for additional members to the student council as work-on members will be made. The work-on members will be required to sign the Member Contract as described in Section E above. ARTICLE VII – STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES Section A – Any student who ran for an office but was not voted into an office will be considered for appointment to the Standing Committee Chairpersons. Section B - The Standing Committees shall be: 1. Community Outreach Committee 2. Energy and Environment Committee 3. Pride and Patriotism Committee 4. Teacher Appreciation Committee 5. Social Committee Section C - Other committees may be formed as deemed necessary by the Executive Committee and sponsor. Section E - The duties of the Committee Chairpersons shall be: 1. To have committee chair meetings on the day prior to committee meetings to be properly prepared. 2. To have committee meetings once a month. 3. To call special meetings as needed once approved by sponsor. 4. To remain in good standing with the point system, as designed by the parliamentarian. ARTICLE VIII - DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS AND OFFICERS Section A - Members may be dismissed from the Council if they have missed three meetings during the school year without just cause; or if they have received unsatisfactory conduct marks from the office or teachers; or if their average drops below an 80 (70 for Advisory representatives and work-on members) overall. Section B - The sponsor(s) will inform in private Members being dismissed. Section C - The principal shall have the power to remove any member from the Council. ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS   Section A - Amendments shall be proposed at a regular meeting of the Council. Section B - Amendments shall be effective when ratified by three-fourths of the Council. ARTICLE X - POWERS AND LIMITATIONS Section A - The Student Council shall have the power to: 1. Make and enforce all rules necessary for the betterment of the school within the power of the council; 2. Help supervise and promote the development of the extra-curricular activities of the school; 3. Recommend and appoint necessary committees for the school; 4. Promote respect for school, its students, its faculty, and its property. Section B - The power of veto on all matters shall go to the Administration. ARTICLE XI - RATIFICATION Section A – This constitution shall be presented to the BJH StuCo for a vote of ratification. Two-thirds of the votes shall be required for ratification. After acceptance by the council, the constitution will be presented to the Principal. The constitution will then become effective upon its approval by the Principal, sponsor(s), and council officers. Section B – Ratification Date: ___________________________________   Section C – Signatures: President: _____________________________ Vice President: _____________________________ Secretary: _____________________________ Parliamentarian: ________________________ Sponsor(s): Della Guerra _____________________________ Vivienne Knight _____________________________ Principal: Fernando Benavides ____________________________ Updated 9/14/10
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