Charter

Constitution of the Exeter High School

Student Senate

PREAMBLE

We, the undergraduates of Exeter High School, in order to create a representative form of student government; to provide means for responsible and effective student participation in the organization and control of student affairs; to serve as the official voice of student opinion on matters affecting students and/or their rights; to provide for a mutual and beneficial understanding with members of the faculty and administration; and to enhance educational, social, and cultural opportunities, establish this constitution of the Exeter High School Student Senate.

ARTICLE I – NAME

This organization shall hereby be known as the Exeter High School Student Senate.

ARTICLE II - AUTHORITY

This constitution of Exeter High School Student Senate and it’s duly passed bylaws shall take precedence in all cases over the charter and/or contract of any student club or organization under the jurisdiction of the Student Senate and shall have ultimate authority in the resolution of any disputes. This document’s authority is invested in it by the membership of the Student Senate.

ARTICLE III – DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Senate are:

a. To act as the official voice and to promote the interests of the student body;

b. To give due consideration to any proposal, request, complaint, or grievance that a student or group of students may present in the best interest of the student body;

c. To consider a four-fifths override of any executive veto;

d. To uphold and defend the Constitution and Bylaws of the Student Senate.

ARTICLE IV-MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:

All voting members shall be defined as:

a. An elected senator belonging to a specific class;

b. An elected student class president;

c. A member of the Executive Board;

d. An honorary member of the Senate

Section 2:

All elected members of the Senate, i.e., elected Senators and Executive Board members, are expected to participate in one standing subcommittee. If any individual fails to meet this requirement, they will be reported to the appropriate advisor.

Section 3:

a. An honorary member is defined as a person who has been recognized to have attended 8 meetings during an academic quarter, and participated in 2 officially sanctioned Senate events, conferences, workshops, or fundraisers. Recognition of participation will be determined by the Senate advisor, a member of the Executive Board, or the chair of a subcommittee.

b. Honorary membership may carry over to the next academic school year. In order to apply for carry-over, the honorary member must complete the Honorary Membership Renewal Application, which will be distributed only at the third to last weekly meeting. In order for the application to be accepted, it must be handed in at the penultimate weekly meeting, and, pending approval by the Historian, all accepted applicants will be announced at the final meeting of the year.

c. Former elected senators may also apply for honorary membership with the same application, assuming they have maintained the requirements set for voting membership at the time of application.

Section 4:

All Voting Members may not be placed on academic or disciplinary probation excluding detentions during the length of their term. If a member fails to meet these requirements, he or she will no longer be considered part of the Senate and will step down. Any such Member who must leave the Senate because of failure to meet these requirements will be eligible for election to the Senate once he or she meets these requirements.

Section 5:

A Voting Member may be impeached for not fulfilling his or her responsibilities as a Voting Member; not conducting him or herself in fashion befitting a member of the Exeter High School Student Senate; not adhering to the unexcused absence policy (See Article X). These are to be determined by either the Constitution or the Executive Board, in that order. An honorary member will have his/her honorary membership revoked if he/she misses 4 consecutive meetings or 5 total meetings during an academic school year. If he/she wants to regain his/her honorary membership they will be required to attend 10 consecutive Student Senate meetings. If an elected senator misses 4 consecutive meetings or 5 total meetings in an academic year, his/her class advisor will be notified and it will be up to him/her to take further action.

Section 6:

A Voting Member may resign from their position when he or she finds that they are no longer able to fulfill the requirements of the office. Resignations shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board or at a public Senate meeting. Resignations shall be announced by the resigning Voting Member, or by the President, in the event that the Voting Member cannot attend, during open Floor, and shall take effect immediately upon announcement.

ARTICLE V– EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1:

Voting membership is a prerequisite to run for the Executive Board.

Section 2:

The executive power of the Student Senate shall be vested in the Executive Board, which shall consist of:

a. President, Vice President, Historian, Treasurer, and Secretary elected from amongst the voting members of the Student Senate.

Section 3:

The Executive Board shall:

a. Act as a steering committee for the Senate;

b. Meet weekly with the advisors to the Senate;

c. Appoint chair members to standing and ad-hoc committees;

d. Resolve conflicts both within the Senate and those that concern the Senate outside of the organization;

e. Plan all training sessions, conferences, and retreats;

f. With unanimous consent of The Executive Board act on behalf of the Senate in emergencies and report such action to the Senate;

g. Perform additional duties as may be required;

h. Discuss activities and concerns from respective organizations on the council;

i. Make recommendations and/or suggestions to the Student Senate;

j. Convene at least once a week and additionally as needed;

k. veto any proposition following a general voting procedure with a ⅘ majority.

l. Take leadership of the administration and service subcommittees.

Section 4:

The President of the Student Senate shall:

a. Chair all Senate meetings;

b. Be responsible for all external Student Senate correspondence;

c. Meet at least once a month with the Principal of Exeter High School;

d. Oversee the functions of both the administrative and service subcommittees.

e. Perform any additional duties as may be required.

Section 5:

The Vice President of the Student Senate shall:

a. Be a voting and speaking member of the Student Senate;

b. Act as President in the absence of the President;

c. Assist the President in his/her duties;

d. Be in charge of the Senate’s online media presence

e. Report to the President;

f. Perform any additional duties as may be required.

Section 6:

The Treasurer of the Student Senate shall:

a. Be a voting and speaking member of the Student Senate;

b. Be responsible for the internal finances involving the Student Senate budget, including:

i. Approving all appropriate purchases;

ii. Keeping accurate financial records;

iii. Reporting once a month on the financial status of the Senate in general assembly;

c. Report to the President;

d. Act as President in the absence of the President and Vice President;

e. Co-Chair all subcommittees with the potential of spending Student Senate monies;

f. Perform any additional duties as may be required.

Section 7:

The Secretary of the Senate shall:

a. Be a voting and speaking member of the Student Senate;

b. Record the minutes of all meetings, regular and special;

d. Receive and keep record of all legislation introduced to the Senate;

e. Report to the President;

f. Act as President in the absence of the President, Vice President and Treasurer;

g. Perform any additional duties as may be required.

Section 8:

The Historian of the Senate shall:

a. Be a voting and speaking member of the Student Senate;

b. Construct and maintain a system of collecting attendance;

c. Keep a permanent record of all attendance, minutes, all legislation proposed by members of the school community, new information regarding the school and Senate;

d. Maintain the NH honor council standing;

e. Document all student senate activities and conferences;

d. Report to the President;

e. Perform any additional duties as may be required.

Section 9:

When vacancies occur:

a. In the office of President, the Vice-President becomes acting President until the next Executive Board election.

b. In the Office of Vice-President, Treasurer, Historian, and Secretary, the Senate must elect new officers from amongst its voting members within two weeks of the vacancy.

ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section 1:

The Student Senate shall, from time to time, create any number of ad-hoc committees charged with a specific task of the Senate. At the completion of such a task, the ad-hoc committee must report back to the Senate. Such committees shall be created and dissolved with a four-fifths Executive Board decision or majority vote of the Senate.

Section 2:

Standing and ad-hoc committee chairmen shall report on topic given during general assembly. Such a meeting shall be for the purpose of increasing communication between the Student Senate and the Senate committees.

Section 3:

The membership of Senate standing and ad-hoc committees may consist of Student Senators, Honorary Members, and other students whom the subject may concern and all are eligible to vote within the subcommittee. All subcommittees shall be chaired by a voting member.

Section 4:

Any Student Senate subcommittee with the potential of spending Student Senate monies shall be co-chaired by the Executive Board Treasurer.

Section 5:

In order to maintain the two major tenants of the Student Senate, providing student voice in administrative decisions and representing the student body in the community, two standing subcommittees will be established. The committees will meet every other week, but alternate in such a way that one meets every week.

One subcommittee will be responsible for representing student opinions to the school’s administrators. It will meet regularly with the principal, have a presence at school board meetings, and work to ensure that all students are fairly governed. This subcommittee will be referred to as the Administrative & School Policy Subcommittee.

The other subcommittee will be responsible for performing community service as a representation the student body. It will plan and execute several service events throughout the year, as well as make the Senate aware of other service opportunities. This subcommittee will be referred to as the Community Service Subcommittee.

Both subcommittees will be chaired by one or two members of the executive board, but not by the president.

Although both committees require membership of elected Senators and Executive Board members, honorary members may attend any and all open meetings. Similarly, while the elected members are expected to remain on the same subcommittee for the duration of the year, honorary members are not expected to maintain such a commitment.

Standing subcommittees are permitted to delegate work to smaller committees within the existing subcommittee if necessary, ideally with a different chair.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS

Section 1:

The Student Senate spring elections shall take place on the first Thursday of May. These elections shall cover positions for Executive Board President, Executive Board Vice President, Executive Board Treasurer, Executive Board Secretary, and Executive Board Historian.

Section 2:

The Student Senate Advisor shall be responsible for the facilitation and supervision of all Student Senate elections, regular and special.

Section 3:

The following are the requirements for office for all Executive Board elections:

a. All candidates must not be on academic or disciplinary probation excluding detentions at the time of candidacy.

b. Candidates for Senate President must have served* on Senate for no less than three academic semesters.

c. Candidates for Senate Vice President must have served on Senate for no less than two academic semesters.

d. Candidates for the positions of Student Senate Secretary, Historian or Treasurer must have served on the Student Senate for no less than 10 general Senate meetings.

*Served shall be defined as achieving and maintaining voting member status.

Section 4:

The Student Senate officers elected in the Spring Executive Board elections shall take office the second Thursday of May. The period between the elections and this date shall be considered a period of duplication, where newly elected Senators and Officers will begin their duties and be assisted by the Council of Elders (retired Senators and Officers).

Retiring officials will advise and explain duties to incoming officials for the remainder of the year. Newly elected Senators will begin their term the following academic term.

ARTICLE VIII – MEETINGS

Section 1:

All meetings of the Student Senate, and Senate subcommittees shall be open to the High School community unless two-thirds of any of these bodies votes for a closed session. The Senate may, however, through a majority vote, demand an explanation and the minutes of any closed session.

Section 2:

The Student Senate must meet at least once a week, every week of a semester excluding breaks, holidays, midterms and finals week. However, this meeting may be cancelled by a consensus of the Executive Board in the case of extenuating circumstances.

Section 3:

All voting members must be present at the previous meeting and recognized at Roll Call for their vote to be recognized.

Section 4:

In order for an absence to be counted as excused the members of Senate must contact an Executive Board Member regarding the reason for the absence within one day;

Section 5:

Fall and Spring cleanup dates are to be considered meetings where attendance is mandatory if you have signed up, failure to report to a cleanup date will result in the loss of voting privileges for four consecutive meetings.

ARTICLE IX - BUDGET

Section 1:

The Student Senate shall have full control over all funds they raise.

Section 2:

In order to spend Student Senate monies in excess of fifty American dollars, a subcommittee must be formed to highlight the potential benefits in addition to specific costs. Any purchase made without such a subcommittee should be noted in the treasurer’s financial report.

Section 3:

After the subcommittee comes to a conclusion, the chair of the group must report to the General Senate or Executive Board on their findings. After presenting to the General Senate a vote will be administered to approve the motion. A two-thirds majority is required.

ARTICLE X – IMPEACHMENT

Section 1:

An impeachment proceeding may be initiated against any voting member of the Student Senate for dereliction of duties or misconduct by bringing a Bill of Impeachment to the Senate floor, which must be co-sponsored by at least four voting members.

Section 2:

A Bill of Impeachment, once brought to the Senate floor, cannot be brought to discussion or hearing until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Any individual subject to impeachment proceedings shall be entitled to a fair and equitable hearing at which time charges will be presented with an opportunity for refutation.

Section 3:

The entire Student Senate voting members shall serve as the adjudication body. A Senate advisor, selected by a majority vote of the Senate, shall preside over the hearing. A two-thirds majority vote is required to expel any member of the Student Senate. Neither the individual subject to impeachments, nor the four voting members bringing the impeachment charges, may serve as a member of the adjudication body.

ARTICLE XI – CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Section 1:

The Senate Constitution may be amended at any time, so long as a proposed amendment is provided to the Executive Board at least one week prior to the General Assembly meeting.

Section 2:

Amendments shall take effect immediately upon passage by the Student Senate after a two thirds majority is reached, unless otherwise noted.

ARTICLE XII – CONSTITUTIONAL RATIFICATION

This Constitution must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of voting members present at the Senate meeting, and shall take effect immediately.

Constitution Drafting Committee:

Advisor:

Mr. Daniel A. Provost , ‘00

AMENDMENTS

Amendment I:

-Clarified and reworded the charter where it proved to be vague, repetitive, or confusing

-Gave additional duties to the members of the executive board

-Extended the commitment of the Council of Elders

-Distinguished honorary members

-Adjusted budget procedures

-Sub-committee chaired by Silas Richards (‘14) and Tyler Boudreau (‘16)

-Effective as of May 8th, 2014

Amendment II:

-increased the requirement to become an honorary member to include exterior participation

-clarified the process of honorary membership transferring over academic school years

-Subcommittee chaired by Tyler Boudreau (‘16)

-Effective as of October 1st, 2014

Amendment III:

-scheduled the distribution, acceptance, and announcement of honorary membership renewal

-Subcommittee chaired by Tyler Boudreau (‘16)

-Effective as of March 26th, 2015

Amendment IV:

-created the administrative and service standing subcommittees, as well as the expectations of participation

-Written by Tyler Boudreau

-Effective as of September, 2015

Exeter High School Co-Curricular Club Code of Conduct

1. The Exeter High School Co-Curricular Club Code of Conduct takes effect for any member for the duration of their involvement with the club.

2. Students participating in an Exeter High School Co-Curricular Club must at all times conduct themselves in an exemplary manner during the school day, at club events and meetings, and in the community.

3. Behavior which does not represent the standards of the club, school, and community in a positive manner can be addressed by club leadership or administration in relation to the severity of their actions. Violations of the code of Conduct will be divided into two categories.

   1. Class A offenses shall be defined as major offenses which which will result in more severe repercussions, as decided by club leadership. These violations, including incidents outside of school, can occur at any time during the year, during academic sessions and vacations.

   2. Class B offenses shall be defined as minor offenses which will result in a suspension of club privileges, the duration of which will be determined by club leadership.