Constitution | class-of-2015

Class of 2015 Constitution

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the Coral Glades Junior Class.

Article II: Objectives/Purpose

The objective and purpose of the Junior class shall be to:

Provide a democratic forum in which students can address school related issues that affect their lives
Maintain a continuous communication channel from students to both faculty and administration, as well as among the students within the school
Conduct fundraising activities to raise money for prom in which all Junior can be involved
Offer a year-long program of social functions and community involvement projects for all Junior
Officers will act as representatives to make decisions regarding Junior business on behalf of the Junior class

Article III: Authority

Section 1 All powers of the Junior Class are delegated to it by the school

Administration and/or the School Board of Education.

Section 2 All actions of the Junior Class are subject to review and possible veto by

the Administration.

Section 3 The Administration shall appoint a member of the faculty as an advisor to aid the

Junior Class in its activities.

Article IV: Organization/Membership

Section 1 Any registered Junior is eligible for election to the Junior Class according

to Article VII election procedures.

Section 2 The Junior Class shall consist of two bodies: the Class Officers and Representatives and the General Assembly. The Class officers and Representatives are elected by the student body. The General Assembly will function after school hours and is open to any registered Junior.

Section 3 The election of officers shall take place no later then the first week of October of each school year.

Section 4 One gains membership to Student Government through participation in the General Assembly or upon the completion of the election procedures as established by Student Government, resulting in the receipt of office.

Section 5 Any member may be removed if he or she does not fulfill the duties of

their position

Section 6 Upon the creation of a vacancy, the General Assembly will elect a new

representative within two weeks. Upon the vacancy of president, the vice

president shall assume duties and responsibilities immediately. If both

offices are vacated simultaneously, the second vice president shall assume duties and

responsibilities. If all three offices are vacated, the Junior class shall open

nominations for both offices and hold an election.

Article V: Officers and Representatives

Section 1 The elected officers shall be president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary, treasurer, historian, webmaster inter-club council representative parliamentarian and representative.

Section 2 Any student who is not an elected officer, but attends most functions and fundraisers, can be

voted in by the elected officers to be a representative.

Section 4 Any student who attends at least 80% of the General Assembly meetings and 80% of the fundraising activities shall be named a representative.

Section 5 If a vacancy occurs, the Junior Class or Class sponsor must announce the vacancy at

a class meeting at least one week in advance of holding an election. Any eligible Junior may be nominated for the vacant position. Voting will be done by secret ballot and tallied by the class sponsor and one additional staff member.

Article VI: Duties of Officers and Representatives

Section 1 The president shall:

Preside over the Executive Board and Junior class.
Coordinate the work of Junior Class through the officers and committees. He/she will give assistance, guidance, and praise when appropriate.
Provide an agenda to the Junior Class sponsor prior to each meeting.
Act as a facilitator of group discussion by summarizing, clarifying, etc.
Work closely with the Junior Class Advisor on all planning.
Call Executive Board meetings, as needed, in accordance with the Constitution.
Participate in Junior Class sponsored activities.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.
Have had at least 1 year of experience as an officer.

Section 2 The first vice president shall:

Work closely with the president on all Junior Class activities and events.
Assume the president’s duties if necessary.
Work closely with the Junior Class advisor on all planning.
Oversee class meetings if the president is not present.
Coordinate the class activities by submitting all Project Approval forms and contacting community members.
Assist the president in preparing meeting agendas.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.
Have had at least 1 year of experience as an officer.

Section 3 The second vice president shall:

Work closely with the president on all Junior Class activities and events.
Maintain weekly contact with the Junior Class sponsor.
Assume the president’s duties if the president and first vice president cannot.
Oversee class meetings if the president and first vice president are not present.
Coordinate the work of the committees and chairs with the Junior Class.
Assist the president in preparing meeting agendas.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.
Have had at least 1 year of experience as an officer.

Section 4 The secretary shall:

Prepare and distribute meeting agendas for the Executive Board and any student present.
Take roll of attendees at Executive Board meetings and Junior Class activities.
Take minutes of the proceedings at all Junior Class meetings.
Receive all main motions and amendments proposed during a meeting to be included in the minutes.
Prepare and distribute the written minutes, with the president’s assistance in a timely manner.
Maintain a file of original agendas and minutes.
Prepare and distribute the written minutes, with the president’s assistance weekly to the class sponsor and administration.
Type all required letters of the Executive Board and Advisor.
Maintain contact names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of Junior Class contacts.
Send correspondence to teachers, staff, and administration.
Produce a Junior Class directory.
Alert the organization members to important correspondence.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.
Have had at least 1 year experience as an officer.

Section 4 The treasurer shall:

Work closely with the Executive Board to prepare a workable budget.
Oversee Junior Class expenses and revenues.
Maintain an accurate and detailed financial report.
Prepare cost-benefit analyses of various endeavors.
Understand the policies the school has in regard to the use of student finances and explain them when necessary.
Authorize payments, review purchase orders, and give final approval before invoices are paid.
Deposit money quickly to prevent accidental loss.
Make and interpret monthly financial reports to membership at business meetings.
Check that the appropriate school officials sign all contracts entered into.
Work with the school bookkeeper in order to maintain accurate records of all financial transactions.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.
Have had at least 1 year experience as an officer.

Section 5 The historian shall:

Record the activities of Junior Class throughout the year through video, photos, written reports, and other materials.
Prepare a historical document such as a scrapbook, website, slide show, video, or CD.
Work closely with the Yearbook class to provide photos of all school events as well s to help produce a yearbook layout of Junior Class.
Work closely with Journalism to provide up-to-date information and accomplishments to be published in the school newspaper.
Work closely with the Website committee in the Leadership class to record Junior Class highlights and upcoming events.
Present artifacts once a month during the General Assembly meetings for modifications.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.

Section 6 Representatives and committee members shall:

Attend and participate in all activities in such as meetings and fundraisers.
Work closely with the Executive Board members on events and fundraisers.
Commit to at least one fundraising committee during the course of the year.
Update fellow Junior class students on upcoming events and information when necessary.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.

Section 7 Webmaster shall:

Maintain and update class website.
Keep in contact with all Officers about news and events.
Work closely with Class Historian to use up to date pictures on the website.
Assist in the creative design of a Sponsor Friendly website that will also promote Class of

2015 Business Partners.

Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.

Section 8 Inter-Club Council (ICC) Representative shall:

Represent the Class of 2015 at all ICC Meetings and Functions.
Serve as the official spokesperson for the Class to all outside clubs and organizations.
Promote the Class of 2015 at the ICC Meetings and Functions.
Work closely with the Executive Board members on events and fundraisers.
Work closely with the Historian and Webmaster for the latest information.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.

Section 9 Parliamentarian shall:

Meet with Executive Board prior to all general meetings to assist in the planning.
Maintain order at all general meetings.
Call Meeting to order and close all meeting per President’s instructions.
Make sure that parliamentary procedures are be followed by all members.
Maintain a weekly report of all duties performed.

Requirements for all Officers:

Officers can miss no more than four Junior class meetings while in office per semester.
Officers can miss no more than two fundraising events per semester (including, but not limited to, candy sales, clothing sales, car washes, flowers sales, food nights).
Officers must maintain classes regularly.
If an officer is absent from any event, they are required to get the missed information from the secretary.
Officers must represent the Junior Class in its entirety.

Article VII: Elections

Section 1 Elections for officers shall take place by no later then the first week of October of the school year in which officers are to serve.

Section 2 Elections shall be under the direction of the Junior Class adviser

and the Election committee.

Section 3 Any student serving on the Election committee may not run for any Student

Government or class office.

Section 4 The qualifications to run for Junior Class office are as follows:

The candidate must have a 2.5 un-weighted cumulative grade point average.
The candidate must not have received any unsatisfactory conduct grades for the marking period prior to the election.
Only registered incoming Juniors may run of Junior Class President.
Students seeking the office of president must have attended one General Assembly meeting or one Junior Class activity during the six-month period prior to the election.
All other Junior Class offices are opened to currently enrolled students who are Juniors.
Each student seeking an elected office will present a petition containing the following:

1. Signature of 50 fellow students
2. Signature of the administrator directly responsible for the student
3. Signature of the parent or guardian on the candidacy form containing the job description of the office the student is seeking
4. Signed Elections/Penalties form by the candidate and parent or guardian recognizing that the candidate is fully aware of all election policies and procedures and agrees to abide by them

g) Failure to comply with any of the above requirements will result in the

removal of the student as a candidate and/or as an officer.

Section 5 All candidates must abide by the following rules and procedures during campaigning:

All banners and posters must be approved and signed by the administrator in charge of student activities prior to placement.
Banners and posters may not obstruct the view of any hallways or doorways.
All banners and posters must be hung from tack strips ONLY. Students may use tack strips in teacher classrooms or in the general areas of campus.
Each candidate is limited to one banner and three 24” x 30” posters.
Candidates may hang flyers in classrooms only. Teacher permission is required. Candidates may not handout flyers to students.
All banners and posters must be removed by 3 pm the day elections results are announced.
Outside publicity utilizing newspapers, television, the internet, or any other type of media is not permitted.
Candidates may create t-shirts promoting their candidacy. Candidates are limited to 5 t-shirts total that may be worn by any Coral Glades student. T-shirts must be pre-approved by Administration.
Speeches may not exceed one minute in length.
Candidates may record their speeches a maximum of one time. There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!
Props may be used throughout your speech, but must be appropriate in nature.
$50.00 is the maximum spending limit for your entire campaign.
The day before campaigning begins, candidates must submit a campaign form listing all items used to campaign as well as all corresponding receipts. Failure to do so will result in removal from the ballot.
No special privileges or bribing are allowed. You may not give or receive money or gifts. No soft money is permitted.
Slogan related advertising is acceptable.
No threats may be made towards students or opposing candidates.
Slander or libel of other candidates or the use of profanity will not be tolerated.
No stickers may be used when promoting candidacy.
Any candidate who violates any of the above guidelines is subject to disqualification or removal from office at the discretion of the Student Government adviser and the Administration.

Section 6 Elections are to be conducted through secret ballot.

Section 7 Ballots will be delivered to classes with teachers allowing only eligible students

to have the opportunity to vote once.

Section 8 Ballots are to be counted by the Junior Class Advisor, Student Government Adviser and the

Administration. No students may be directly involved in the tallying of ballots.

Section 9 Elections are won by the candidate who receives the most votes for that office. In the case of a tie, a run-off election shall be held.

Section 10 No two students may serve as co-officers for Junior Class President.

Section 11 Coral Glades High School must provide proper election security to insure the

accuracy and validity of the election.

Section 12 The school’s administration must certify the results of any elections prior to the

announcement of the results. If a run-off election should take place, elections results will not be announced until the run-off election is complete and a candidate has received a majority of the votes and can be declared the winner.

Article VIII: Meetings

Section 1 The Junior Class will meet to conduct business at least one time per week during the school year. Meetings shall be held during a designated time after school that is voted during the first week of holding office.

Section 2 Special meetings can be called by the president, the executive board, the adviser, or the principal. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Adequate notice is required for a special meeting,

Section 3 Any Junior enrolled at Coral Glades is considered a voting member.

Section 4 Any student who attends the General Assembly is considered a voting member.

Section 5 A simple majority of the membership shall constitute quorum.

Article IX: Committees

Section 1 All standing, or permanent committees, will function within the Junior Class. All temporary committees, will function within the General Assembly.

Section 2 Standing committees and their responsibilities shall be as follows:

a) Poster Committee

Responsible for creating posters about upcoming fundraisers.
Prior to putting up posters, they must be approved by administration.
Make sure 3-5 reliable students work together to create posters.

b) Publicitiy

Responsible for interacting with the community .
Responsible for contacting community members to try to collaborate.
Maintain a typed database of all materials used

c) Apparel

Provide inventory before and after all sales
Place product orders
Check all orders for any damaged items prior to sales
Pick up product orders
Create and oversee shifts for sales

e) Donations

Responsible for helping all committees obtain donations
Create a format request form on CGHS letterhead
Create a request form for committees to use

f) Elections

*If you serve on this committee, you cannot run for any office.

Publicize elections
Create handbook for all candidates to include all rules and procedures that apply during campaigning and while in office
Create contracts for all candidates
Hold candidates meeting
Work with TV Productions to tape speeches and broadcast
Order ballots
Create folders with ballots and instructions for 4th period classes
Organize a committee to collect ballots
Write announcement for winners
Responsible for making sure all campaign information is removed by 3pm on the day results are announced
Create contracts for officers
Responsible for overseeing the training of new officers
Responsible for planning the induction dinner

g) Fundraisers

Responsible for overseeing all fundraising events

i) Staff Appreciation

Responsible for staff motivation and appreciation
Create special notes/cards/letters to place in staff boxes twice a month
Responsible for overseeing Teacher Appreciation Week
Responsible for overseeing Secretaries Day

j) Website

Responsible for creating and maintaining Junior Class website
Website should include:
- General information
- List of committees
- Calendar of upcoming events
- Pictures of Junior Class
- Special Awards & Honors
- Any other important information

Section 3 Every student nominated to serve as an officer/representative of the Junior Class must serve on at least two standing committees.

Section 4 Membership on ad hoc committees shall be open to any Junior within the student body.

Article X: Parliamentary Authority

Section 1 The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Junior Class in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rule of order the Junior class may accept.

Article XI: Amendments

Section 1 These bylaws can be amended at the General Assembly by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at least one week prior to the meeting.

Article XII: Impeachment & replacement of Officers

Section 1 If an officer fails to meet the requirements of office they can be removed from office. If an officer fails to meet the requirements as established in Article Vi Section 6 the club sponsor will inform the most Junior officer that an officer is to be removed from office creating a vacancy.

Section 2 The President will appoint an interim officer to take over the position until a formal election can be held. If the position to be replaced is that of President, the 1st Vice President will serve as an interim President until a formal election can be held.

Section 3 Special Election will be held to replace impeached or vacant officer positions within 2 weeks of the vacancy. A special meeting will be called and announced as an election meeting. An opportunity for the candidates to address the meeting will be given and then a vote will be taken at the meeting. A majority vote is needed for the officer to be declared the winner.

Section 4 Officer initiated impeachment may occur if 2/3rds of the officers sign a petition to remove an officer from their position. Such a petition should be typed up stating the reasons for seeking impeachment of the officer and at least the signature of 2/3rds of the officers and 2 copies of the petition should be given to the Club sponsor and the Club Secretary.

The officer to be impeached will be given the opportunity to appeal the officer’s impeachment in which a special meeting will be called for the entire membership. At this special meeting the impeached officer and a spokesperson for the officers will make their cases and the final decision will be made by majority vote of the membership.

Article XIII: Executive Board

Section 1 The Executive Board will consist of the following Officer Positions: President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2 The President may call for an Executive Board meeting rather than an officer meeting as he/she feels fit.