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Constitution

Amity Student Government Constitution

We, the Representatives of the students of Amity Regional High School, do hereby convene this Council in the interest of our fellow students.
 
1. To promote cooperation among students, staff, administration and the Board of Education.
2. To support student organizations.
3. To provide a democratic forum for all.
4. To represent and act upon the social interests of students.
5. To provide the entire school community with the opportunity to actively participate  in school related events.
 
PREAMBLE
We, the Representatives of Amity Regional High School Student Government, in order to aid in continuing a school characterized by cooperation among the student body, faculty, administration, superintendent and the board of education, hereby pledge ourselves to assist in any action or program that will further the educational objectives of our school while promoting the rights and ideals of the students of Amity High School. Establish this Constitution of the Amity Regional High School Student Government.
 
ARTICLE I.
THE PURPOSES OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Section 1: To serve as a liaison among students, faculty, administration, the superintendent, the Board of Education, and the community.
 
Section 2. To represent, defend and promote student ideals, rights, and activities for the student body, faculty, administration, superintendent, Board of Education, and community.
 
Section 3: To set an example for the school community to follow.
 
Section 4: To provide students and faculty with an OPPORTUNITY to voice opinions and administer change.
 
Section 5: To uphold the Amity High School Student Government Constitution.
 
ARTICLE 2.
THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
In accordance with the above stated purposes of the Student Government, it is hereby empowered:
Section 1: To initiate, coordinate, and aid in projects that will bring about improvement in our school or community.
 
Section 2: To promote school spirit by organizing and sponsoring school functions.
 
Section 3: To assist in the formation and development of clubs.
 
Section 4: To aid the faculty, administration, superintendent, and Board of Education in determining the wants and needs of the students.
 
Section 5: To publicize the activities of the school and the Student Government.
 
Section 6: To orient the new students with Student Government and incoming freshman with class council duties.
 
Section 7: To form special or standing committees for the purpose of aiding Student Government in any of its functions and duties.
 
Section 8: To hold activities for the purpose of raising funds for the Student Government and to fulfill the obligations to support any other in-school club.
 
Section 9: To hold elections, if necessary, for the purpose of electing members to the Student Government.
 
Section 10: To hold meetings.
 
Section 11: To run Student Government meetings in accordance with the latest edition of Robert’s Rules of ORDER unless noted otherwise in a bylaw.
 
Section 12: To represent, defend, and promote student ideals and rights at events and meetings of any other organization, including, but not limited to, the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO), the Board of Education, and any subcommittees thereof.
Section 13: To spend or use the Student Government’s money in ways to promote its goals, execute its powers, fulfill its duties, and otherwise further the business of Student Government, with the approval of the majority.
 
Section 14: To conduct referendums and surveys of the students and faculty, in accordance with policy set forth by the administration, providing that the policy does not infringe upon students’ constitutional rights established by the courts of the United States and the State of Connecticut.
 
Section 15: To work with any other outside organization or entity in executing any of the aforementioned powers granted to the Student Government.
 
Section 16: To make recommendations and proposals for action to the faculty, administration, superintendent, Board of Education, and any other outside organization, if requested.
 
Section 17: To keep and maintain a Student Government website, wherein Student Government records may be kept and business may be conducted. The burden of maintaining such a website shall lie upon the elected Technology Coordinator official.
 
Section 18: All actions taken by the Student Government are subject to veto by the administration with due cause. In the event that the administration vetoes a Student Government action, the Student Government reserves the right to appeal such a veto to higher levels of authority.
 
ARTICLE 3.
THE MEMBERSHIP WHO SHALL COMPRISE THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Section 1. Five officers shall head the Student Government, namely:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Treasurer
4. Recording Secretary
5. Technology Coordinator
 
Section 2. The Student Government shall contain a maximum of one hundred representatives. (See Article 7) These representatives shall be divided among the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes in the following way: Twenty-five representatives (See Article 7) from each the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior class to the Student Government as a whole.
 
ARTICLE 4.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Section 1: The President:
1. Shall be entering his or her senior year.
2. Shall not have reason, at the time of his or her candidacy for the presidency, to believe that he or she will opt for the early graduation program.
3. Shall be elected by a majority vote of student government members present at a meeting. If no candidate receives a majority the candidate receiving the fewest number of votes will be dropped.
 
Section 2: The Vice President:
1. Shall be entering either his or her senior or junior year.
2. Shall not have reason, at the time of his or her candidacy for the vice presidency, to believe that he or she will opt for Amity’s early graduation program.
3. Shall be qualified to perform the duties of the office of the Vice President, and also President, in the event that the President is absent or is, by any number of means, removed from office.
4. Shall be elected by a majority vote of student government members present at a meeting. If no candidate receives a majority the candidate receiving the fewest number of votes will be dropped.

Section 3: The Treasurer:
1. Shall be entering either his or her senior, junior, or sophomore year.
2. Shall not have reason, at the time of his or her candidacy for the office of Treasurer, to believe that he or she will opt for Amity’s early graduation program.
3. Shall be able to execute the duties of the office of Treasurer, and also Vice President, in the event that the Vice President is absent.
4. Shall be elected by a majority vote of student government members present at a meeting. If no candidate receives a majority the candidate receiving the fewest number of votes will be dropped.
 
Section 4: The Recording Secretary:
1. Shall be entering either his or her senior, junior or sophomore year.
2. Shall not have reason, at the time of his or her candidacy for the office of Recording Secretary, to believe that he or she will opt for Amity’s early graduation program.
3. Shall be elected by a majority vote of student government members present at a meeting. If no candidate receives a majority the candidate receiving the fewest number of votes will be dropped.
 
Section 5. The Technology Coordinator:
1. Shall be entering either his or her senior, junior, or sophomore year.
2. Shall not have reason, at the time of his or her candidacy for the office of Corresponding Secretary, to believe that he or she will opt for Amity’s early graduation program.
3. Shall be elected by a majority vote of student government members present at a meeting. If no candidate receives a majority the candidate receiving the fewest number of votes will be dropped.
 
Section 6. All Executive board members must have one or more years of experience in the Amity Student Government and Class Council.
 
Section 7. Each of the class representatives to the Student Government:
1. Shall be a member of the class that he or she represents to the Student Government.
2. Shall not have reason, at the time of his or her candidacy for the office of Class Representative, to believe that he or she will opt for Amity’s early graduation program.
3. Shall take the following oath or affirmation upon assuming the office of Class Representative, “I do solemnly swear, (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the office of Representative of my class to the Student Government of Amity Regional Senior High School, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Student Government of Amity Regional Senior High School.”
5. Shall be able to execute the duties of the office of Class Representative.
 
 
ARTICLE 5
POSITIONS OF EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The President, while in office:
1. Shall preside over meetings of the Student Government, and meetings of the officers of Student Government, and enforce the rules by which Student Government has agreed to in its meetings.
2. Shall consult with the Vice President or other parliamentarian on questions of parliamentary procedure.
3. Shall appoint people to committees and other posts as is necessary and proper with approval of the majority of student government. Shall appoint chairmen and vice-chairmen to special committees with the approval of a majority of student government
4. Shall take all appropriate measures to insure that all the provisions of the Student Government Constitution and its Bylaws are carried out.
5. Shall call special meetings of the Student Government, or any of its committees, or subcommittees, or of the Executive Board at any time, as is necessary.
6. Shall fulfill all of his or her obligations, as stated in this Constitution.
7. Shall, at his or her discretion, exercise the powers of the office of President, as stated in this Constitution.
 
Section 2. The Vice President, while in office:
1. Shall perform all the duties of the President in his or her absence.
2. Shall assist the President in every way possible to further the business of Student Government.
3. Shall act as a parliamentarian during Student Government meetings, and assist the President in dealing with questions of parliamentary procedure.
4. Shall fulfill all of his or her obligations, as stated in this Constitution.
5. Shall, at his or her discretion, exercise the powers of the office of Vice President, as stated in this Constitution.
6. Shall correspond with all standing committees, special committees, and subcommittees, and report to the president on progress or lack thereof within the various committees.
7. Can relegate corresponding duties to other executive officers.
 
Section 3. The Treasurer, while in office:
1. Shall work with the faculty advisor to record all the transactions of the Student Government portion of the School’s General Fund.
2. Shall carry out any and all financial business of the Student Government.
3. Shall keep a ledger of all Student Government expenditures, receipts, profits, losses, and balances, and shall present a copy of such a ledger at Student Government meetings and make a copy of such a ledger available to any person that requests one. A copy of this ledger shall be passed on to the Treasurer of the next year.
4. Shall keep all paperwork, or a copy thereof, pertaining to the financial business of the Student Government, and pass it on to the Treasurer of the next year.
5. Shall fulfill all of his or her obligations, as stated in this Constitution.
6. Shall, at his or her discretion, exercise the powers of the office of Treasurer, as stated in this Constitution.
 
Section 4. The Recording Secretary, while in office:
1. Shall keep the minutes of each meeting of the Student Government, and each meeting of the officers of the Student Government, and pass these records on to the Recording Secretary of the next year.
2. Shall make minutes of previous meeting public prior to next meeting of the student government.
3. All minutes by the recording secretary shall be approved by a majority vote of members present at the next monthly meeting.
4. Shall distribute the agenda for student government meetings. The secretary must send the agenda to all student government members at least 24 hours before a meeting. Any changes to the agenda must be approved by a majority of members present. An emergency meeting may be held if necessary.
5. Shall keep an accurate record of all other proceedings of the Student Government, which shall be passed on to the Recording Secretary of the next year excepting financial proceedings that the Student Government Treasurer shall handle.
6. Shall produce, any fliers or propaganda that the Student Government may deem necessary to further its business, unless this task is assigned to another member of Student Government by the President.
7. Shall produce any listings of members of the Student Government or council or committee thereof that the Student Government may deem to be necessary.
8. Shall keep a record of attendance at all meetings and activities of the Student Government, and turn over a copy of such records to the advisor and the president. A copy of such attendance-records shall be passed on to the Recording Secretary of the following year.
9. Shall fulfill all of his or her obligations, as stated in this Constitution.
10. Shall, at his or her discretion, exercise the powers of the office of Recording Secretary, as stated in this Constitution.
 
Section 5. The Technology Coordinator, while in office:
1. Shall assume all responsibility related to our Student Government website and other social networks.
2. Shall notify all members of Student Government meetings by use of e-mail and shall request to make an announcement over the public address system to advertise functions of the Student Government.
3. Shall post the minutes of all Student Government meetings to the Student Government website.
4. Shall perform all the duties of the Recording Secretary in his or her absence.
5. Shall assist the other officers in filing papers of the Student Government.
6. Shall fulfill all of his or her obligations, as stated in this Constitution.
7. Shall, at his or her discretion, exercise the powers of the office of Technology Coordinator, as stated in this Constitution.
 
ARTICLE 6
DUTIES OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 1: To act as a voice for the entire student population at Amity High School. To represent the students from their respective classes. To listen to the opinions of students. To be assigned to a minimum of one special committee.
 
ARTICLE 7
ELECTION OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES
Section 1: Each student running for Student Government Representative must submit a completed application before their names will be placed on the ballot. This application will provide the Executive Board with important information.
 
Section 2: 25 seniors, 25 juniors, and 25 sophomores, 25 freshmen representatives will be elected to the Student Government by members of their respective class. In the event that fewer than 25 candidates run to become the representatives of any one class, then elections will not be needed and all the candidates shall become representatives. In the event that the number of applications exceeds 25, then elections will be held. At the conclusion of the elections, if more than one candidate is tied for the 25th membership, then a runoff election shall occur.
 
Section 3: In the case of an election, a meeting between the candidates and the Executive Board will take place. This meeting will explain the protocol for the up-coming elections. Method, time and place of voting shall be determined by the Executive Board.
 
Section 4: The tabulation of election results shall take place in the presence of the Student Government Advisor and the Executive Board.
 
Section 5: Elected representatives will vote on executive positions for their respective class council and for executive positions within the Student Government. The election results shall be made available if requested.
 
Section 6: All candidates are entitled to a recount under the discretion of the Executive Board.
 
Section 7: Any person is entitled to obtain the results of an election, including the voter turnout, and the number of votes obtained by each candidate.
 
Section 8: A list of all candidates who ran for any representative office and how those candidates placed in the election shall be saved.
 
Section 9: When a vacancy occurs among the elected representatives the following order shall be followed to fill the vacancy.
  1. The Student Government President or designee along with the Student Government advisor will determine who is next in line from the most recent election. The Student Government President or designee will ask if they would like to fill the vacancy. If that person declines, the President or designee shall ask the next person in line.
  2. If there is no available person from the most recent election, then the President of Student Government or designee will seek a nomination from the entire class. The nomination period will not be shorter than one week. If there is more than one candidate, a vote will be held by the class council for which the vacancy exists.
  3. If there are no nominees or the vacancy occurs after the start of marking period 4, the position will remain vacant until the next regular election.
 
ARTICLE 8.
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. For the purposes of this Constitution, and the Student Government, the Executive Board shall be defined as the group collectively composed of the Student Government President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Technology Coordinator.
 
Section 2. The Executive Board shall hold meetings and conduct executive sessions as needed, at its discretion.
 
Section 3. The Student Government Advisor and any other invited person by the Executive Board may attend any meetings of the Executive Board.
 
Section 4. The Executive Board shall be responsible for overseeing the activities and effectiveness of every Student Government committee and subcommittee thereof. This committee shall also be responsible for investigating any and all cases of irregularities reported to the Executive Board. The Executive Board may recommend removal of any member from Student Government, committee or subcommittee. Members subject to removal can appeal to the Executive Board and the advisor.
 
Section 5. The Executive Board shall investigate absences and/or attendance problems, and deal with such problems on a case-by-case basis. 
 
Section 6. Any member of the executive board is subject to impeachment by the Student Government body. Any member of the Student Government may motion for an impeachment vote with at least 10 other members of the student government signed onto the motion. The motion must contain at least one member from each class council signed on. The motion shall be hand written and given to the recording secretary for filing. Once the motion has been presented and read to the Student Government, the impeachment vote will be held at the next meeting of the Student Government. The sponsor of the motion will receive five minutes to explain his or her reasoning on why this officer should be impeached. The said officer will then receive five minutes to explain his or her defense. The advisor will then open general debate on the motion. Once debate has been closed, a paper ballot vote will occur. A two-thirds majority of the entire student government must vote in favor of impeachment for the motion to pass. The advisor will release the results of the vote. If the said officer is impeached, the order of succession will be implemented immediately. A vote to fill the now vacant position of technology coordinator will take place at the next meeting of Student Government. 
 
Section 7. A member of Student Government may be removed by a unanimous vote of the executive board.
 
ARTICLE 9.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing committees may be formed either by a majority vote of the Student Government, or if a particular standing committee is required by the Constitution.
 
Section 2. The President of the Student Government shall appoint Members of any standing committee. The President may appoint a committee chairman and vice chairman, or leave the election of the committee chairman and vice chairman to the members of the committee.
 
Section 3. Meetings of all standing committees are open to any student, unless otherwise declared by executive order of the Student Government President.
 
Section 4. Standing Committees are open to the public, but have the right to enter executive session at any time.
 
Section 5. Each Standing Committee shall be required to meet a minimum of one time per month during the school year, if deemed necessary by the chairman or president.
 
Section 6. The President of the Student Government, or the chairman of each representing committee may call a meeting of such said committee at any time, as needed.
 
Section 7. Executive Board has ultimate control over standing committees.
 
Section 8. Each standing committee shall be required to submit a committee report at each regular Student Government meeting, unless stated otherwise by the Student Government President.
 
ARTICLE 10.
EXECUTIVE ORDERS
Section 1. The Student Government President shall have the power to issue executive orders to bring about action, on any urgent issue, which should not wait until the next Student Government meeting.
 
Section 2. The representative body of the Student Government has the power to override any executive order by 2/3 vote.
 
ARTICLE 11.
MEETINGS
Section 1. The Student Government officers shall preside over meetings of the Student Government and work to organize the Student Government into committees for various events.
 
Section 2. Student Government meetings shall be run by a strict adherence to the rules adopted by a majority vote of the Student Government. Copies of these rules shall be available to any member that requests them.
 
Section 3. Attendance shall be taken at all meetings and a copy of the attendance record shall be submitted/reported to the Advisor and President within three days of the meeting.
 
Section 4. A majority of student government members must be present to have a meeting.
 
ARTICLE 12.
CLASS COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Section 1. Each graduating class at Amity High School shall have a class council committee designated to itself. These class council committees shall be called “Freshmen Class Council Committee,” “The Sophomore Class Council Committee,” “The Junior Class Council Committee,” and “The Senior Class Council Committee”, as is appropriate.
 
Section 2. Each Class Council Committee is hereby declared to be a standing committee, whose existence is hereby mandated by this constitution. It has all of the duties, and responsibilities of a general standing committee, with the exception of the fact that each Class Council Committee shall have its own treasury, completely separate from the treasury of the Student Government.
 
Section 3. Any member of Student Government shall be entitled to membership on their respective Class Council Committee.
 
Section 4. Each Class Council Committee shall be responsible for handling issues pertinent to their class, or any other issue that may be assigned to them by the Executive Board.
 
Section 5. All executive positions will be voted in by the incumbent class council. The position of class president can only be filled by those with 1 or more years of experience, with the exception of the freshmen class.
 
Section 6. Any attendance issues shall be reported to the student government executive board. If subjected to removal from the class council, the member will also be removed from Student Government but can only appeal to the Class Council (unless attendance issue is pertaining to Student Government).
 
Section 6. The Executive Board, if called upon to do so by a Class Council Committee, shall assist the members of that particular Class Council Committee to nominate their chairman, vice chairman, treasurer, and secretary. The duties of all Class Council Committee Offices shall be outlined in the Bylaws of each respective Class Council Committee. Each respective Class Council Committee may choose to amend and adopt their By-laws.
 
ARTICLE 13.
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by a three-fourths majority vote of the members of the Student Government who are present at a meeting.
 
Section 2. Changes to the Constitution must be made public one week prior to the meeting that changes are voted on.
 
ARTICLE 14.
RATIFICATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Ratification of this Constitution shall only take place upon a two-thirds majority vote of the members of the Student Government of Amity Regional Senior High School present at a meeting.
 
ARTICLE 15.
BYLAW ADDITIONS
Section 1. Bylaws may be created if necessary to state a specific policy or guideline. A bylaw must be approved by a majority of members present at a meeting.
 
 

Bylaws of Amity Student Government

 
  1. Unexcused Absence Notification
    If any member has two unexcused absences from either their class council, committee, or government meetings, they will receive a warning from the board of the respective council. If they have another unexcused absence after the warning, the member may be subject to removal from both their class council and Student Government.
     
  2. Functions of Student Government
    Spirit Week, Homecoming Dance, Pep Rally, Food Drive, Clothing Drive, Student Assemblies, Student Elections, Principals Committee, Chartwells Committee, Board of Education Representative.
     
  3. Class Council and Student Government board elections
    Student Government Executive Board elections shall happen at the end of the school year after the new representatives are elected.  The Student Government executive board elections shall happen before the class council executive board elections.  Class council officers and Student Government Executive Board elections shall include a candidates’ forum where members can ask questions of candidates before voting.
     
  4. Ending Discussion
    A motion to end discussion on an item must receive the approval of three-fourths of members present. The President must poll who is still waiting to speak in the discussion and share the results before representatives vote on the motion.
     
  5. Surveying
    The executive board has the ability to conduct a survey of the overall student body. The results of the survey will be presented to the student government and may be presented to others at the discretion of the executive board.
     
  6.  Funding Request Increases
    The student government body may not increase a funding request to an amount greater than the amount originally requested.