Student Government
Constitution of the
Student Council
Of the Mansfield Middle School
The name of the
organization shall be the Student Council of the Mansfield Middle School.
Article II:
Purpose
Section 1: To encourage
within the student body, active participation in school affairs and problems.
Section 2: To organize
this group into a working and progressive student council.
Section 3: To arouse a
spirit of unity among the students of our school.
Section 4:
To promote, encourage, and assist other
organizations and to promote cooperation among such organizations.
Section 5: To maintain a
high standard of scholarship and conduct, regard for the truth, and to promote
good citizenship among the students of the school.
Section 6: To provide a
forum for student expression.
Section 7: To
assist in the management of the school.
Section 8: To
provide opportunities for social and community activities.
Article III:
Membership
Section 1: Each
homeroom shall consist of at least two homeroom representative, officers, and
attending students.
Article IV:
Council Elections
Section 1:
Representatives shall be elected from each homeroom.
Section 2: Officers: The officers of the Council shall consist of
the president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
a. Officer candidates shall write a letter of intent,
stating the office they seek,
and their qualifications. Two open letters of recommendation must also be
included, at least one from a teacher, as well as
one from an unrelated adult
who knows his/her work.
b. All letters shall be printed in a packet available to
all students in homerooms
following the first day of campaigning.
c. There shall be one week of campaigning under the
direction and supervision
of the Council.
Section 3:
Vacancies: If a representative
of the Council resigns, or is removed from office, a new delegate shall be
elected within two weeks by the homeroom.
If an officer resigns or is removed from office, the Council shall elect
a new one, except in the case of the president; in this case the vice-president
becomes the president and conducts an election in the council for a new
vice-president.
Article V:
Meetings
Section 1: The newly
elected Council and officers shall assume full powers and responsibilities at
the first meeting following the election in the fall.
Section 2: The Council
shall meet as needed (every other week).
Section 3: The executive
board shall meet weekly.
Section 4: For a Council
decision, 2/3 of the voting members must vote.
Section 5: Any student
at any time shall have the right to petition the Council or present any matter
for discussion.
Article VI:
Removal from Office
Section 1: Any officer
or representative may be removed from office for failing to meet Council
responsibilities or for any other actions which are detrimental to the interest
and welfare of the school.
Section 2: The council
shall constitute the trial board. A 2/3
vote of the entire membership shall be necessary to remove anyone from office-
such action must have the approval of the faculty advisors.
Article VII:
Power and Duties
Section 1: The powers
and duties of the Council shall be to:
a.
Investigate, report and
decide on all matters referred to it by the
administration, faculty or student body.
b.
Advise the
administration on any matters of concern to the student body.
c.
Pass and enforce
regulations governing Council functions.
d.
Keep the administration,
faculty, and student body informed of all important Council matters.
e.
Keep a written record of
all Council meetings.
Article VIII:
Amendments
Section 1: This
constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the student body, provided
such amendment has first been approved by the faculty advisors and a 2/3 vote
of the Council. The proposed amendment
must be thoroughly explained to the Council and student body before voting to
ratify. Amendment shall become
operative immediately.
Section 2: As all powers
are delegated to the Council by the school administration, the Principal or
Vice-Principal shall have the right to veto any act of the Council or revoke
any powers held by the Council.
Article IX:
Executive Election Procedures
Section 1:
Candidates are required to give a campaign speech at the election rally.
Section 2: At
the conclusion of the campaign, the student body will vote for the four
officers according to Council election procedures.
Section 3: The advisors and administrators will count
the votes.
Section 4: The advisors (executive board members) will
announce the election results to the student body.
Section 5: Representatives will be elected during the
first month of school in the fall.
Article X
Section 1: The
president shall preside at all meetings of the Council; call special meetings
when necessary; appoint all committee chairpersons, provide 2/3 of Council
consent to such appointment; represent the student body at all public
functions; and assume such other duties as are generally associated with this
office.
Section 2: The
vice-president shall perform the duties of the president when the president is
absent, and become president if the office is vacated.
Section 3: The
secretary shall prepare and keep minutes of all Council meetings; maintain an
attendance record; handle and file reports of Council committees.
Section 4: The treasurer
shall have charge of all Council funds, both collection and disbursement and
shall maintain an accurate record of such funds; the treasurer shall make a
monthly report on the Council’s financial condition to the Council and advise
on its financial dealings.
Section 5: The officers
of the Council shall form the Executive Board which shall plan the agenda for
upcoming Council meetings, suggest measures to the Council and acts as a
legislative body only during an emergency in which it is impossible for the
full Council to meet. Measures passed
by this board shall be the first order of business for discussion and possible
alteration by the Council at the following meeting.
Section 6: The committee
chairpersons shall form their own committees, hold regular committee meetings
and submit reports to the Council.
Section 7: The
representatives shall attend meetings; keep the student body informed on all
Council matters, past and future; seek
the opinion of those students they represent; and whenever possible vote in
accordance with the wishes of the student body.