High School Student Congress
CONSTITUTION OF THE
RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT CONGRESS
ARTICLE 1 - OFFICIAL NAME
The name of this organization is the River Valley High School Student Congress.
ARTICLE 2 - MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of this organization shall be to serve as an official medium through which students' ideas and opinions may be presented for faculty and administrative action; to serve as a governing body (with faculty supervision) for the development, promotion, and administration of student affairs; to give organized student support to education, recreation, social, and charitable activities initiated and sponsored by the school, and thus form a closer relationship between students, faculty and administration.
ARTICLE 3 - POWERS AND DUTIES
A. To organize and elect officers of the Student Congress.
B. To direct and organize committees.
C. To interpret the meaning of the Constitution in case of a dispute.
D. To maintain communications between students and administration on matters concerning the general student body.
E. All members shall have one vote on Student Congress issues. The Executive Board shall not vote. Appointed student congress members will not vote, e.g. Historian, Sgt. at Arms. In case of a tie, the President will break the tie.
ARTICLE 4 - ORGANIZATION
Section 1 MEMBERSHIP
1.1 The Student Congress will be comprised of equal representation of the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. Six representatives for each class, three of which are the class officers and three are members at large, will be elected by their respective classes for a term of one school year.
1.2 Each class will elect their own president, vice-president/treasurer, and secretary.
1.3 QUALIFICATIONS
a. A 3.0 grade point average to run for a class office determined by first semester.
b. A 2.5 grade point average to run for a class representative determined by first semester.
c. Maintain a 2.5 grade point average to stay in Student Congress.
d. Student Congress President must be present at the high school full time.
Section 2 ELECTION PROCEDURE
2.1 Executive Board
a. Elected by current underclassmen Student Congress members.
b. Elections are to take place in the last week in April.
c. New Executive Board will assume their duties on May 1st and retain their voting rights until the end of the current school year.
2.2 Class Officers
a. Candidates for class officers will turn in petitions signed by 15 classmates.
b. Petitions will only be able to be signed by one person for each office.
c. Petitions will be made available the first Monday in May due the following Friday.
d. Elections will be held the second Friday in May during a full class meeting where time will be allotted for speeches.
e. Absentee ballots will be made available the second Monday in May and will be due no later than the 2nd Thursday in May. They will only be made available in case of field trips or prearranged absences.
2.3 Class Representatives
a. Petitions are available the Tuesday after Labor Day and due that same Friday.
b. Petitions will need 10 signatures from classmates and these classmates can sign a maximum of three petitions.
c. Elections will be held the following Wednesday during a either a full class meeting without speeches or secret ballot during the school day.
d. Absentee ballots will be made available Monday after the petitions are turned in and are due the Tuesday before the final elections. They will only be made available in case of field trips or prearranged absences.
Section 3 MEETINGS
3.1 The Student Congress shall meet bi-weekly.
3.2 Special meetings may be called by any of the Executive Board or the advisor.
Section 4 REQUIREMENTS OF MEMBERS
4.1 Attend bi-weekly meetings.
a. Absences from meetings will be excused if the member is not present at school due to an excused absence or an adequate excuse as to the absence has been given.
b. Information of the absence shall be given to the Executive Board President or Student Congress advisor prior to the meeting.
c. Two unexcused absences from general meetings will result in removal from the Student Congress upon secret ballot by the Student Congress. A plurality shall remove the member from the Congress. Before the final vote, the member shall be given the opportunity to speak before the Student Congress.
4.2 Attend special meetings and committee meeting when necessary to complete projects.
4.3 Serve on at least one standing committee.
4.4 Serve on at least one additional committee for special projects.
4.5 Attend and support Student Congress functions and activities.
a. Any free admission requires help to clean up or other services.
Section 5 VACANCIES
5.1 If a member can no longer participate at any point in the year, the position will be filled from the general population of that specific class. Those individuals wishing to replace that certain position will be chosen by fellow class Student Congress members and the Executive Board in a joined caucus.
5.2 If the presidency of a class is vacated, the vice-president will fill that specific role. If another officer is no longer participating at any point in the year, the position will be filled from the current members of that class in the student congress. Those wishing to replace that certain position will be chosen by fellow class Student Congress members and the Executive Board in a joined caucus.
5.3 If there is an opening in any class representative position, there will be an opportunity for members of that class' student population to apply for that position. This person will be chosen by the Executive Board.
Section 6 QUORUM
There must be a quorum of more than 50% of the Student Congress members in order to hold a meeting.
Section 7 OFFICES
7.1 The Executive Board
a. The officers of the Student Congress shall be the President, Vice-President, and the Secretary and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Executive Board.
7.2 Qualifications
President
a. Must be a senior
b. Must have served on Student Congress for at least one year
c. Must attend all classes in the River Valley High School building.
Vice-President
a. Must be a senior
b. Must have served on Student Congress for at least one year
Secretary
a. Must be a senior
b. Must have served on Student Congress for at least one year
7.3 Responsibilities
President - Presides over meetings, prepares agenda with advisor, votes in case of tie, will represent student body when needed, shall remind those that are neglecting their duties, and shall all special meetings with consent of advisor, and appoint all committees with advice of Congress and/or advisor.
Vice-President - Presides in absence of President, becomes president if position needs to be filled, assists President in carrying out administrative duties, and oversees operations of all committees.
Secretary - Keeps complete records of Student Congress activities and meetings, posts information and communications in office window for the benefit of the student body, and maintains all Congress correspondence.
Sergeant-of-Arms - not an executive board member, see Article 7, Section 2.
Historian - an appointed position, thus does not vote and not a member of the executive board, but will assist the secretary with recordings of events, both articles and photographs.
ARTICLE 5 - IMPEACHMENT
All members of the Student Congress are subject to impeachment under the following conditions:
- Conduct unbecoming a Congress Member. This includes but is not limited to the student handbook and school athletic codes.
- Failure to attend this Constitution's guidelines Section 4.1c
- Suspension from school
In the event that an impeachment hearing is necessary, the member will be notified in writing of the reason for impeachment. A hearing shall be held and the impeached Congress member will be given an opportunity to state her/his case to the Congress. A 2/3 (two thirds) majority vote of the Congress will result in dismissal from the Congress and office.
ARTICLE 6 - COMMITTEES
Section 1 Standing Committees
1.1 The Public Relations Committee - shall plan and execute Student Congress initiated community activities (e.g. blood drives, service projects, etc.) and all school/club fund raising activities. Bona Fide school clubs, organizations, classes and departments may request loans or grants from the Student Congress. Any request for money from the Congress must be made through a club, organization, class or department and be directed to this committee.
1.2 The Student Activities Committee shall be responsible for all student participation activities and shall consist of:
a. The Spirit Committee
b. The Pep Assembly Committee
c. The Dance Committee
1.3 The Welcoming Committee - shall serve to welcome students new to River Valley High School, including incoming new students and transfer students. The welcoming committee shall also be responsible to see that all special guests (e.g. assembly) are greeted and assisted to their rightful location.
1.4 The Communication Committee - shall be responsible for all matters relating to communication between students, faculty, administration, the public, other school districts, and or the Student Congress. This committee will work in conjunction with the two student representatives working with the River Valley School Board.
ARTICLE 7 - PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1 Meeting Procedure
The rules contained in the current addition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER shall govern the Student Congress in all cases in which they are applicable.
Section 2 Sergeant-of-Arms
Sergeant-of-Arms - The Sergeant-of-Arms is an appointed position by the Student Congress President. This position involves keeping rules and order at Student Congress meetings with volume control, and enforcing respect within the Congress during these meetings. The Sergeant-of-Arms will take role at each meeting and record the attendance.
ARTICLE 8 - AMENDMENT PROCEDURES
Section 1 This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the Student Congress.
Section 2 Any member may bring an amendment to this constitution before the Student Congress.
Section 3 All amendments must be proposed to the Student Congress at least one meeting before the final vote is taken.
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