Vinton High School
Constitution and By-Laws
Article I: NAME
This organization shall be known as the Vinton High School Student Council. (STUCO)
Article II: PURPOSE
Section 1: The purpose of the Vinton High School Student Council shall be:
A. To establish closer cooperation between the faculty and students of Vinton High School.
B. To establish standards of education, school, spirit, and honor based on school pride.
C. To provide democratic school government through representation and participation of the school body in school affairs.
D. To promote the general welfare of the school and community.
Article III: MEMBERS
Section 1: A President and Vice President shall be elected to the Student Council from each 9-12 class.
A. Qualifications for President and Vice President shall be:
a. Grades- 2.5 GPA average with no “F”s (IPR or Report Cards)
b. Positive behavior referrals from all current teachers
Section 2: Each 9-12 class shall have unelected Student Council Representatives
A. Qualifications for Representative shall be:
a. Grades- 2.5 GPA average with no “F”s (IPR or Report Cards)
b. Positive behavior referrals from all current teachers
Section 3: A Student Council elected Executive Board shall run the meetings and committees.
B. Qualifications for Executive Board shall be:
a. Grades- 2.5 GPA average with no “F”s (IPR or Report Cards)
b. Positive behavior referrals from all current teachers
Section 4: The duties of the Student Council Representatives shall be:
A. To attend the general meetings.
B. To have one vote in legislative matters.
C. Be a member of committees as needed.
D. To report all Student Council information to his/her class.
Section 5: Representatives and officers shall be removed from the council if they receive ten (10) demerits based on the merit system established in Article V Section 7.
Section 6: A student is given “member” status after notification of acceptance is provided by the advisor and he or she is invited to the induction ceremony.
Section 7: Members have “active” member status after one (1) year of participation ending in good status with academics and behavior requirements.
Section 8: All vacancies created in an officer position shall be filled by the next officer in charge or election of the Council of those whom are serving or committees.
Article IV: Officers
Section 1: The officers of the Student Council shall be: Freshmen President and Freshmen Vice President; Sophomore President and Sophomore Vice President; Junior President and Junior Vice President; and Senior President and Senior Vice President.
Section 2: The candidates for the Student Council office must complete and sign all paperwork and turn in seven (7) teacher recommendations. A speech must be presented to the class they wish to represent on the day of election. Elections shall be held in April/May each year.
Section 3: The Executive Board of Student Council shall be: Executive President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, LASC Chair, Philanthropy Chair, Fundraising Chair, and Social Activities Chair
Section 4: The office of the Executive President shall be occupied by a full-time senior or junior, and the office of the Executive Vice President succeeding to the presidency upon graduation of the President shall be occupied by a junior or sophomore. All offices must be held by a Senior, Junior, or Sophomore, who has been in the council for one (1) semester. Executive Board is elected by majority vote of Student Council members.
Article V: Duties
Section 1: The Class President’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Speak on the behalf of your grade level at meetings
C. Coordinate grade level activities, events, and functions
D. Call special meetings of the general council or executive committee, with the approval of the advisor(s).
E. Attend Louisiana Association of Student Council (LASC) Convention
F. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards
Section 2: The Class Vice President’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Act in place of the president in the event of the president’s absence
C. Support the president in coordinating grade level activities, events, and functions
D. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards
Section 3: The Executive President’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Preside over and conduct regularly scheduled and any additional meetings that may be required to be effective in student body leadership.
C. Give guidance, support and leadership to school activities that are approved by the administration and the student body.
D. Plan, support, implement and delegate responsibilities within the framework of student activities supported by adult sponsorship.
E. Sit on the Hearings Committee which discusses disciplinary action for members.
F. Attend Louisiana Association of Student Council (LASC) Convention
G. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards.
Section 4: The Executive Vice President’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Generate enthusiasm for athletic events and promote school spirit throughout the year.
C. Work closely with the president to be fully aware of his/her role and responsibilities in the event of his/her absence and/or to assume the role per his/her direction. The president may assign the vice-president to reside at the meetings
D. Attend Louisiana Association of Student Council (LASC) Convention
E. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards.
Section 5: The Secretary’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Call roll during meetings and events.
C. Photograph events and meetings.
D. Keep accurate records of school business in each meeting.
E. Preside over committees that keep attendance at different activities.
F. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards.
Section 6: The LASC Chair’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Work with the advisor and Mr. Phil to make sure paperwork throughout the year is completed for LASC.
C. Responsible for reporting any LASC news to the members.
D. Preside over the committee for the different activities.
E. Attend Louisiana Association of Student Council (LASC) Convention
F. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards.
Section 7: The Philanthropy Chair’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Maintain a calendar of philanthropy events.
C. To plan, schedule, and execute the philanthropic events. Events include but are not limited to:
a. LASC State charity fundraiser, LASC philanthropic organizations (Jeans for Teens, Stock the Shelves, etc.), Activities for local charities, organizations, and non-profits, etc.
D. Promote and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all philanthropic activities.
E. Preside over committees for the different philanthropic activities.
F. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards.
Section 8: The Fundraising Chair’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Summer and school year)
B. Maintain a calendar of fundraising events.
C. To plan, schedule, and execute the fundraising events. Events include but are not limited to:
a. Candy Grams, King Cake sales, Pie-A-Teacher, etc.
D. Promote and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all fundraising activities.
E. Preside over committees for the different fundraising activities
F. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards.
Section 9: The Social Activities Chair’s duties include but are not limited to:
A. Attend all Student Council meetings. (Upon third absence, members may impeach.)
B. Maintain a calendar of social events
C. Plan, schedule, and execute the social events. Events include but are not limited to:
a. Homecoming Week, Senior Week, Lion-lympics, dances, etc.
D. Promote and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all social activities.
E. Preside over committees for the different social activities.
F. Exhibit exemplary behavior, leadership and acceptable scholarship standards.
Section 10: Officer Obligations
A. Should an officer be unable to fulfill his/her duties he/she shall be replaced by the opposing candidate with the next highest votes or, if unavailable, by a person of the council’s election.
B. Once an officer accumulates five (5) demerits, he/she will be immediately placed on probation. The officer will be allowed one (1) week to gain merits and get off probation or he/she will be removed from the council.
C. The preceding and following duties need to be completed by the officer on time, or he/she will receive demerits.
Monthly duties (before/during meetings):
Executive President-
A. Complete and agenda for the meeting.
B. Preside over the meeting.
Executive Vice President-
A. Have an up-to-date merit/demerit report prepared.
B. Assist the President in any way needed.
Secretary-
A. Call Roll.
B. Take minutes.
Class Presidents-
A. Class reports
Executive Officers-
A. Report on current activities/events
*Officers will receive two (2) demerits if items are not prepared. *
Section 11: The Merit System- A merit system shall be followed by the members of the Student Council. Demerits shall be given to members who do not follow the stated duties. If a member accumulates five (5) demerits, he/she will be given a written and oral notice. If a member accumulates ten (10) demerits, he/she will be given notice of their removal from the council. If a member is removed from the council, they are no longer eligible to run for a position on the Student Council throughout their high school career. A member may earn merits by completing community service or a task delegated by the President or advisor.
A. Demerit Outline
a. Probation- 5 demerits
b. Dismissal- 10 demerits
B. Minuses
a. Out-of-School suspension- 10 (automatic dismissal from Student Council)
b. In-School suspension- 5
c. Absent at meeting- 3
d. Absent during activity/project- 3
e. Breaching the Student Council Code of Ethics- 3
f. Not prepared for the meeting- 2
g. Tardy to meeting- 1
h. Tardy to activity/project- 1
i. Leaving meeting early- 1
C. Pluses
a. Assigned duty by President or advisor- 1
Article VI: Meeting and Quorum
The general council shall meet whenever deemed necessary by the Executive President of the Student Council or by 2/3 vote of the quorum of the executive committee. The meetings shall be conducted at the appropriate time.
Article VIII: Advisors
The advisor(s) shall be members of the faculty and the ex-officio members of all the committees. They shall advise the council in any way they deem necessary and shall assist the council in any way possible. The advisor(s) may override any decision made by the council.
Article IX: Committees
Section 1: Committees will be formed as needed.
Section 2: Standing committees shall:
A. Have a chairperson from the Student Council appointed by the Executive President with the approval of 2/3 of the general council.
B. Consist of Student Council members and interested members of the student body.
C. Carry out the duties delegated to it.
D. Be added as called for by the Student Council.
E. Present a written and/or oral report of the activities to the general council.
F. Have a faculty member as advisor whenever possible.
Section 3: Chairpersons and members of committees from the student body may attend meetings held at the school, but are not permitted to go on out-of-school activities unless deemed necessary and proper by the Student Council President, with approval from the advisor(s) and administration.
Article X: Limitations of Power
Section 1: Any action taken by the Student Council is subject to the approval of either the Superintendent, Principal, or advisor.
Article XI: Amendments
Section 1: Amendments to this constitution may be presented in writing by the Executive Board; the administration through the advisors; or the students through the Student Council Representatives. Amendments to this constitution shall be approved by 2/3 of the Student Council members present at the meeting at which it is presented.
Article XII: Bylaws
Section 1: This constitution shall be ratified by the administration and by the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members present at the Student Council meeting.
Section 2: Regular bi-monthly meetings of the Student Council shall be conducted according to the following program:
A. Call to Order
B. Roll call
C. Reports of officers and committees
D. Reading of the minutes
E. Old business
F. New business
G. Miscellaneous
H. Adjournment
Section 3: The Student Council shall have any fundraisers—approved by the administration—that are deemed necessary to the function of the council.
Section 4: The Student Council shall, with the approval of the administration, have the power to delegate any authority which it deems necessary for its function.
Section 5: The Student Council of Vinton High School shall be the supreme authority of all student organizations within the school. The decisions of the student body in all relations between the student body and the administration.