Sample Constitution

Article I - _________________ School Student Body Constitution

Section 1 Name

The name of this organization shall be the Student Body of _________________ School. Section 2 Membership

All registered students of __________________School shall become members of the Student Body and are entitled to a student body card. Section 3 Source and Extension of Power

Since the principal is directly responsible for the welfare of the school, it is expressly understood that powers herein delegated to the Student Government of the Student Body electorate are in whole subject to the advise and consent of the principal or his/her designee.

Article II Organization of the Student Government

Section 1 Form of Government

The government of _______________ School shall be vested in the Student Body and a Student Council. Section 2 Structure of the Student Government

The Student Government shall consist of the following bodies: A. Student Council B. Student Cabinet C. Student Senate D. All other bodies designated by the Student Council

Article III Composition of the Bodies of Student Government

Section 1 Structure of the Student Council

The Student Council shall be comprised of all Student Body officers, all class presidents, and treasurers, as well as members from the Student Government Class. The Student Body President shall preside over all Student Council meetings. Section 2 Structure of the Student Cabinet The Cabinet shall consist of the Student Body President, VicePresident, Secretary and Treasurer, as well as all others designated by the President. Section 3 Structure of the Student Senate

The Student Senate shall consist of one representative from each scheduled class, which meets at the time of the Senate meeting. Also the Student Body Vice- President and Secretary of the Senate shall be members of the Senate. The Student Body Vice- President shall preside over all Senate meetings and will select the Secretary of the Senate.

Article IV Powers and Duties of the Student Government Bodies

Section 1 The Powers and Duties of the Student Council

A. To give advice and consent to legislation for the regulation of the students within the Student Body. B. To consider all financial matters relating to the Student Body funds. C. To approve the yearly budget for the Student Council at the beginning of each school year. D. To approve the spending money by organizations at __________ School unless said organization has a President (Chairman) and/or Secretary/Treasurer. E. To assign jurisdiction among the bodies of the Student Government, in case of dispute over any responsibilities not expressly delegated to one certain body. F. To fill all vacancies of Student Body offices by the means stated in the election rules. G. To interpret the meaning of the Constitution in case of dispute. H. To maintain communication between students and administration on matters concerning the general Student Body (i.e., curriculum, athletics, attendance, etc.). I. All members shall have one vote on Student Council issues. The President shall note vote, except in the case of a tie.

Section 2

The Powers and Duties of the Student Cabinet

A. To hold regular meetings. B. To review the effectiveness of Student Council, form suggestions and propose a course of action to be taken for improvement. C. To discuss any concerns of the Student Body, and to initiate action through the Student Council. Section 3 The Powers and Duties of the Student Senate A. To hold regular meetings. B. To discuss agenda proposed by the Student Council, Student Senate, or any other student organization that will affect the student body. C. To make the Student Body aware of all school activities D. To provide the Student Body with all sides of an issue.

Article V Powers and Duties of Members of the Student Council

Section 1 The powers and duties of the members of the Student Council and Cabinet shall be contained in the By- Laws of the organization and said By-Laws shall be revised as needed. Section 2 Powers and Duties

The powers and duties of the members of the Student Senate are: A. President 1. To preside at all Student Senate Meetings 2. To call special meetings of the Senate when requested by Student Council or administration B. Secretary 1. To record and preserve minutes at all meetings 2. To prepare an agenda for all Senate committees C. Senators 1. To attend all meetings of the Student Senate. If the Senator cannot attend, the alternate must take his/her place. 2. To present his/her views as well as those of his/her constituent 3. To report to his/her constituency, the details of the Senate meeting, and to hold a class vote if required by the Senate

Article VI Student Government Elections

Section 1 Election Committee

The election committee shall consist of all outgoing seniors involved in Student Council. They shall be in charge of all Student Body and Class elections. No person involved with any candidates campaign (i.e. brother, sister) may serve on the election committee.

Section 2

Powers of the Election Committee

A. To present the Student Council with election procedures for approval prior to the first notice of election dates. B. To check the eligibility of each candidate before placing his or her name on the final ballot. C. To tabulate the ballots and submit to the advisor the names of the successful candidates. This must be done immediately after the close of the polls. Section 3 Student Body Elections

A. Qualifications Any member of the Student Body of _______________ School who will be enrolled the subsequent semester my campaign for Student Body office, provided they meet the standards set by the election committee. B. Election Procedures 1. All candidates shall submit to the election committee a signed statement declaring their intention to run for an office, and all contracts of office when specified by the election committee. 2. All candidates who shall be placed on the final ballot will be given the opportunity to speak before an assembly of the entire Student Body. 3. All newly elected officers shall serve for one term, lasting one year. 4. All other election procedures will be set by the Election Committee with Student Council approval, on a yearly basis. Section 4 Class Elections

A. Qualifications Any member of a class may campaign for a class office provided they meet the standards set by the Election committee. B. Election Procedures 1. Student shall sign-up with the election committee and complete all contracts as required. 2. All candidates shall be given the opportunity to speak before an assembly of their class. 3. A general election of each class shall be held when specified by the Election Committee.
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4. All newly elected officers shall serve for one term, lasting for one year. 5. All other rules governing the election will be submitted to the Election Committee and approved by the Student Council yearly. Section 5 Write-In Candidates

A write-in candidate must win by 51% of the vote in order to be awarded the office. All write-in candidates who succeed in winning 51% must complete all contracts of office within five school days after the election. If the contract is not completed, the position is declared open and will be filled according to the Election Committee procedures. Section 6 Student Senate Elections

A. Qualifications Any member of the Student Body who is willing to present their ideas as well as those expressed by their constituents, may run for Senator. B. Election Procedures The election procedure for Student Senate is presented by the VicePresident of the Student Council at the beginning of each school year and approved by the Student Council. Section 7 Exclusion

Any student expelled or suspended during election time shall be denied the right to vote.

Article VII Initiative, Recall, and Removal From Office

Section 1 Initiative

On a written petition of 10 voting members of the Student Council or 50 members of the Student Body, the Student Council shall take immediate action on any matter of school interest referred by such a petition. Section 2 Recall (Student Body, Class, Senate)

A. Any officer, upon a petition of 25% of their constituents, shall be subject to recall vote, which will be open to the constituents.
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B. Before the recall vote, the officer in question shall be given the opportunity to speak before an assembly of the constituents. C. A majority of those votes cast are required to remove an officer. Section 3 Removal From Office A. Student Body officers, upon petition of 1/3 of the Student Council, shall be subject to a vote to remove them from office. B. Before the final vote, the officer shall be given the opportunity to speak before the Student Council. C. A vote of the Student Council is required to remove the officer from office. D. Not more than 5 days after an officer has been removed, a committee appointed by the Student Council must select, by interview, a person to fill the vacant office. If the Student Body President is impeached, the Vice-President becomes President, and a committee fills the Vice- Presidents office. E. An impeached officer my not run for any other office which is part of the Student Council.

Article VIII By-Laws

The Student Council is empowered to write all appropriate procedures and regulations necessary to carry out the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

Article IX Amending the Constitution

A. An amendment to the Constitution may be proposed and discussed at a regular meeting of the Student Council. A majority is required to accept the amendment. B. The proposed amendment will be presented to the faculty and administration for discussion. C. The proposed amendment shall be adequately publicized two (2) weeks before the election is held. D. A majority of the votes cast by the Student Body shall be required to carry the amendment. Upon passage, it will be added to the existing Constitution.

Article X Ratification of the Constitution

The ratification by a majority of the Student Body in a general vote shall be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution as the governing instrument for ________________ School Student Body Association.

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