Student Council Association

George Mason High School

Constitution

Preamble

This constitution was written for and by George Mason students. It is for our benefit. This constitution establishes a student organization that will coordinate and support student activities, and serve as the means of communication among students, faculty, staff, and the community. The organization shall be called the Student Government.

Upon its ratification by a two-thirds majority of the students voting, this constitution negates all previous constitutions written for George Mason students.

Article I: Student Body

Every student of George Mason High School possesses the right of one vote on issues brought before the student body, as well as the right to attend open Student Government meetings.

Article II: Functions of the Student Government:

The Student Government shall:

1.  
2. Serve as the official spokesman/representative for the student body, acting as a mediator between the students and various groups, such as the faculty, PTSA, school board, community, student organizations, as well as other decision-making bodies;
3.  
4. Provide leadership through action and example;
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6. Review decisions that affect that student body;
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8. Communicate to the student body thoughts, ideas, and decision of the Student Government;
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10. Coordinate and execute a welcoming activity for new students at the beginning of the year;
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12. Initiate improvements concerning the school;
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14. Initiate, maintain, and/or change traditions and activities.

Article III: Members

The Student Government shall be composed of:

1.  
2. A President elected by the student body who shall be a senior during the year of his/her term. If there are no interested seniors, the office shall be extended to rising juniors.
3.  
4. A Vice President elected by the student body who shall be a junior or senior in the year of his/her term.
5.  
6. A Secretary elected by the student body who shall be a junior or senior during the year of his/her term.
7.  
8. A Teacher and Student Recognition Committee with two Chairpersons elected by the student body, and members selected by the Chairpersons.
9.  
10. A Community Action Committee with two Chairpersons elected by the student body, and members selected by the Chairpersons.
11.  
12. A Publicity Committee with two Chairpersons elected by the student body, and members selected by the Chairpersons.
13.  
14. A School Climate (Student Life) Committee with two Chairpersons elected by the student body, and members selected by the Chairpersons.

Article IV: Composition and Function of the Executive Council

The Executive Council shall consist of the President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Student Government.

The functions of the Executive Council are:

1.  
2. To plan the agenda for each meeting.
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4. To act as the first step in the decision making process.
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6. To respond quickly and effectively to issues which require immediate action.
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8. To maintain consistent communication with the committee Chairpersons.
9.  
10. To have the overall focus of school improvement.

Article V: Responsibilities of Members

The responsibilities of the members of the Student Government are:

1.  
2. The President shall maintain a distinct cohesiveness and effectiveness within the Student Government as a whole, meet regularly with the Executive Council and Committee Chairpersons, meet regularly with the school administration, conduct TA forums once a month, and guide the Executive Council in the overall direction of school improvement.
3.  
4. The Vice President shall preside over the Student Government in the President’s absence, and fulfill all duties as delegated by the President.
5.  
6. The Secretary shall keep all financial records of the Student Government, take minutes at Student Government meetings, be responsible for all written correspondence between the Council and various other groups, print and distribute the agenda for each Student Government meeting, and fulfill all duties as delegated by the President and Vice President.
7.  
8. The Committee Chairpersons shall coordinate and execute activities relating to their committee, meet regularly with committee members, meet regularly with the Executive Council, and work effectively with other committees.
9.  
10. The Committee Members shall attend all committee meetings, and fulfill all duties as delegated by the Chairpersons.
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12. All members are required to attend all meetings pertaining to them unless a reasonable excuse explaining their absence can be presented. Failure to do so will result in:

1.  
2. A written warning to the member after having missed two meetings.
3.  
4. A third unexcused absence will result in the member’s expulsion.

Article VI: The TA Representative Forum

Once a month after school, there will be a meeting of the Executive Council, Committee Chairpersons, and one Representative from each TA. The purpose of the meeting is to be a forum for informing students and listening to the thoughts and ideas of the TA Representatives. It is to be conducted in a formal manner. TA Representatives are expected to report back to their TA’s as to the content of the meeting. TA’s will select Representatives at the beginning of the year.

Article VII: Election and Voting Procedures

The Elections for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Committee Chairpersons will be held the last week of April each year. A candidate must turn into the sponsor a petition signed by forty students and five teachers who wish the candidate’s name to appear on the ballot.

A candidate must receive more than half the votes cast to win the election. If no candidate receives half the votes cast, a run-off will be held between the two candidates having the highest number of votes. Only votes by qualified voters will be tabulated. The qualified voters include members of the junior, sophomore, and freshman classes.

Any vacant post in the Student Government shall be filled by means of a special election.

Article VIII: Dismissal Procedures

Any person may recommend that a member be dismissed from office, provided that he or she presents, in writing, a list of valid reasons explaining why the member should be removed. Once a written request has been presented to the Executive Council, the following should take place:

1.  
2. A vote will be called after the list of grievances has been presented to the member in question and read aloud to the Student Government. A two-thirds majority is required to expel the member.
3.  
4. The President and Vice President of the Student Government together have the power to veto a decision to dismiss an officer. There can be no overriding such a veto.

Article IX: Meetings

Meetings of the Executive Council and the Committee Chairpersons should occur on a regular basis. Committee meetings should also occur on a regular basis. A schedule of the meetings should be printed and made available to all faculty and students. The President or Sponsor of the Student Government has the right to call emergency meetings.

Article X: Voting and Decisions

All decisions made by the Student Government must be approved by a majority of those members present. Each member of the Student Government shall have one vote. The president may not commit the Student Government or student body to any agreement without first consulting the Student Government.

Article XI: Amendments

The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of students voting. Amendments must first be approved by the Sponsor and Executive Council.