Constitution

Article I

Title

The organization's name shall be the Student Council of Green Hope High School.

Article II

Mission and Goals

We, the students of Green Hope High School, do hereby establish this Constitution of the Student Council of Green Hope High School in order to give voice and representation to all students to promote the following goals:

1. To serve as a link between students and administration.

2. To encourage the highest possible degree of scholastic excellence.

3. To promote and sustain both individual and collective integrity and honor.

4. To reflect merit and distinction upon Green Hope High School in all forms of endeavor.

5. To foster and preserve the traditions of Green Hope High School.

6. To encourage and develop ties between students and teachers in pursuit of academic excellence.

7. To practice the art and science of democracy.

8. To encourage and promote the highest possible level of collective school spirit and enthusiasm for excellence.

Article III

Powers and Duties of the Student Council

- Section I -

1. The Student Council shall propose & plan projects within the limits of its capabilities for the betterment of the school.

2. The Student Council shall secure the advice and consent of the administration before taking on any project. It must abide by the principal’s veto of any project or activity.

3. The Student Council shall coordinate and direct its own committees.

4. The Student Council shall coordinate and direct its own elections and removals.

5. The Student Council shall promote and plan special events and activities geared towards student involvement.

6. The Student Council may act in any capacity to support the work of the principal, such as helping in the orientation of new students. 

- Section II -

1. An amendment to this Constitution may be proposed by any student, faculty member, or member of the administration.

2. Amendments to the Constitution of the Student Council of Green Hope High School must be ratified by a majority of the student council. 

3. All amendments must be approved by the principal and faculty adviser(s) to the Student Council. 

4.  All amendments shall be dated with the year of ratification.

Article IV

Frequency of Meetings, Attendance, and Provisions for Special Sessions.

1. Class Councils and the Executive Council shall meet on a regular basis as determined by their respective members to plan and execute council-specific events/duty. Each Council is responsible for maintaining progress on its projects and adhering to established deadlines. A minimum of one meeting each month is required. Additional meetings can be determined by councils as necessary to ensure tasks are completed on time. 

2. The Student Council shall meet at a time agreed upon by the members, at a minimum of once a month. These meetings are to be determined and communicated at the beginning of each month and used to give an update on where each class is with their event and if they need help from other councils.

3. At least two members of the Student Council must attend the monthly Inter-Club Council meetings with the approval of the Executive Council. 

4. Special meetings (such as but not limited to: impeachment trials, personal meetings with advisors, etc.) may be called only with the permission of the Student Council faculty adviser(s).

Article V

Membership of the Student Council

Section I:  Responsibilities of Student Council Members

1. Membership of the Student Council shall consist of the Executive Board of Officers, composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Historian, in addition to all class officers and representatives.

2. Members of the Student Council are expected to attend all general meetings and their respective class council meetings unless communicated prior that attendance is not mandatory.   Prior approval is required from either the Student Council President or Advisor for excused absences. Members who have more than three unexcused absences per semester shall be subject to impeachment for failure to fulfill their duties. Secretaries are required to keep track of their council’s attendance.

3. Members of the Student Council are required to participate in activities planned by the Student Council unless previously communicated. Members who do not fulfill this requirement shall be subject to impeachment for failure to fulfill their duties.  

4. All officers and members of the Student Council shall maintain a 3.0 weighted grade point average at a minimum.  Any officer or member whose grade point average falls below a 3.0 in any quarter shall be placed on probation until the next interim report.  Students on academic probation are prohibited from voting in any Student Council decisions.  If the member’s grade point average remains below a 2.5 following the interim report, the student will be suspended from Student Council.

5. Each member and officer of the Student Council must maintain a high standard of ethical and moral conduct.  Any violation will result in automatic suspension from the Student Council. Violations include, but are not limited to, cheating on any assignment, after-school detention, in-school suspension, and out-of-school suspension. Student Council Advisers and/or the GHHS Administration reserve the right to remove a student council member for any violation.

Section II:  Removal Procedures

1. Removal proceedings may be brought against any member or officer of the Student Council who, in the opinion of the majority of the Student Council, has failed to complete duties satisfactorily or who has failed to meet all standards set forth in this Constitution.

1. A formal letter must be presented to the Student Council Advisor with a clear violation stated based on the Articles of the Constitution.

2. The accused has the right to be informed of the accusations brought against him/her.

3. All accusations made will be brought before the Executive Board for review prior to being presented to the rest of the Student Council.  

4. The Student Council shall hear the charges with the President of the Student Council presiding unless the President themself is being impeached, in which case the Vice-President will preside.

5. It shall take a majority vote of the Student Council to convict the accused.  If accused, the convicted must immediately resign from office.

6. Student Council Advisers and/or the GHHS Administration reserve the right to remove a student council member for any violation without discussion from other members.

2)   Students removed from office may not claim membership in Student Council on their transcripts for the year in which they were removed.

3. Students removed from office are ineligible to run for office during any upcoming elections.

Article VI

Duties of Officers and Committees

Section I:  The Executive Board of Officers

1.  President of the Student Council

1. The President shall be a member of the senior class of the school.  

B)  The President must have served at least one term as a member of the Green Hope 

      Student Council prior to their election.

3. The President shall be responsible for carrying out the functions of the Student Council in accordance with the Constitution.

4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Student Council.  

5. The President shall create and appoint committees as necessary.

6. The President shall preside at all trials of impeachment except their own.

7. The President shall attend and preside over all Inter-Club Council meetings or assign members to do so.

2.   Vice-President of the Student Council

1. The Vice-President shall be a member of the junior or senior class. The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in their absence.

2. The Vice-President must have served at least one term as a member of the Green Hope Student Council prior to their election.

3. The Vice-President shall preside over the annual revision of the Constitution.

4. The Vice-President shall oversee all committees.

3. Secretary of the Student Council

1. The Secretary may be a member of the senior, junior, or sophomore class.  

2. The Secretary must have served at least one term as a member of the Green Hope Student Council prior to their election.

3. The Secretary shall take and report the minutes of all Student Council Meetings.

4. The Secretary shall be responsible for all Student Council correspondence.

5. The Secretary shall keep attendance of all Student Council members at meetings and activities, keeping a running record of yearly attendance.

6. The Secretary shall be responsible for emailing/uploading a copy of the minutes of each meeting within two days of the meeting to all members.

7. The Secretary shall be responsible for updating the Student Council Calendar of all meetings, activities, etc.

4. Historian of the Student Council

1. The Historian may be a member of the senior or junior class.  

2. The Historian must have served at least one term as a member of the Green Hope Student Council prior to their election.

3. The Historian shall account for all Student Council monetary transactions.

4. The Historian shall keep records of yearly Student Council members and events; these records will be kept in a folder to be passed on to Student Councils of the following years for reference. Records shall include, but not be limited to: membership and role, past editions of the constitution, elections, etc. 

5. The Historian shall maintain and routinely update the Student Council website. 

5) Representative(s) of the Student Council

1. There shall be a maximum of three representatives on the Executive Council. 

2. The Representative must have served at least one term as a member of the Green Hope Student Council prior to selection. 

3. The Representative must have their application reviewed by the previous Executive Council, in addition to the staff members outlined by the selection process. 

4. The Representative shall serve as a liaison between the Executive Council and the Class Councils, as well as between the Executive Council and the students. 

5. To collaborate with other class officers. 

6. To seek the advice and counsel of the class sponsors. 

7. To attend all class and steering committee meetings. 

8. To obey and enforce the Student Council Constitution. 

6) The Council as a Whole

1. The Executive Council will meet weekly to organise and allocate events and responsibilities among the class councils.

2. The Executive Council will schedule and announce monthly general meetings at the beginning of each month with a minimum of one meeting a month.

3. The Executive Council shall meet before 

4. Each Executive Council member shall act as a guide for one assigned Class Council. There may be multiple Executive Council members guiding each Class Council, preferably two in each Class Council. 

5. Executive Council members shall be responsible for communicating their assigned Class Council’s activities and progress to the rest of the Executive Council at Executive Council meetings.

Section II: Class Council

1. Each class shall elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Historian, and two Representatives.

2. Nomination and election of candidates for class offices shall conform to the standards set forth in this Constitution.

3. All class officers and representatives shall serve as voting members of the Student Council.

4. Officers of each class shall serve as representatives of their respective classes; as such, they shall assume duties and responsibilities necessary to provide leadership for the projects and activities of their class.

The primary role of the Class Officers is to serve as the leadership for their specific classes.  

1. Class Council President

   1. To create and hold regular meetings of the class steering committee. 

   2. To prepare an agenda for all steering (event) committees and class meetings, with the assistance and counsel of the class sponsor. 

   3. To collaborate with other class officers.

   4. To seek the advice and counsel of the class sponsors. 

   5. To obey and enforce the Student Council Constitution. 

2. Class Council Vice President

1. To attend regular meetings of the class steering committee. 

2. To preside at the meetings in the absence of the President. 

3. To provide class information to the school in a variety of ways, including social media. 

4. To collaborate with other class officers. 

5. To seek the advice and counsel of the class sponsors. 

6. To obey and enforce the Student Council Constitution.

7. Keep notes at meetings.

     3) Class Council Secretary

1. To assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and Vice President. 

2. To keep minutes and a record of attendance at all meetings. 

3. To be responsible for any class correspondence. 

4. To track all community service hours for steering committee meetings and class events. 

5. To collaborate with other class officers. 

6. To seek the advice and counsel of the class sponsors. 

7. To attend all class and steering committee meetings. 

8. To obey and enforce the Student Council Constitution. 

      4) Class Council Historian

1. To maintain an accurate record of all transactions of the class. 

2. To collaborate with other class officers. 

3. To seek the advice and counsel of the class sponsors. 

4. To attend all class and steering committee meetings. 

5. To obey and enforce the Student Council Constitution.

6. To record contacts, notes, timeline, and reflections for events done by the class council.

      5) Class Council Representatives

1. To assist the Class officers in achieving their respective class goals. 

2. To communicate regularly with the officers of the other classes, serving as an ambassador for their own class. 

3. To maintain class information by updating bulletin boards around the school (e.g. 200s Hallway), which will be used to share information regarding class leadership, administration, and events. 

4. To collaborate with other class officers. 

5. To seek the advice and counsel of the class sponsors. 

6. To attend all class and steering committee meetings. 

7. To obey and enforce the Student Council Constitution.

Section III: Standing Committees

1. All standing committees for Student Council-assigned events (i.e., Pep Rally) shall be chaired by members of the Student Council Executive Board.

2. All chairpersons shall be appointed by the officers of the Student Council.

3. Chairpersons shall call meetings of their committees with the approval of the faculty adviser(s).

4. Chairpersons shall preside at the meetings of their committees.

5. Chairpersons shall deliver a report on their committees’ activities at least once per month.

6. Standing committees will be created at the beginning of each academic year and will dissolve two weeks after the occurrence of their respective assigned events.

Section IV: Council’s Duty

1) The Junior class is in charge of planning and promoting Prom. 

2) The Senior class is in charge of planning and promoting the Homecoming Dance. 

3) The Executive Council is in charge of planning and executing the Freshman election in the Fall of the school year.

4) All Seniors of the Student Council are in charge of planning and executing the Student Council election in the Spring of the school year. 

5) All other events shall be discussed within the Executive Council for either a standing committee or to be executed by a class council.

Article VII

Elections

1. Election of a Student Body President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Historian shall be held in the spring for the upcoming school year.  

2. Three Executive Representatives will be selected through an essay application and be selected through the advisor’s discretion.

3. Election of senior, junior, and sophomore class officers and representatives shall also be held in the spring for the upcoming school year.

4. Elections of freshman class officers and representatives shall be held in the fall of the current school year.

5. The spring election committee shall consist of all Seniors member of the Council and the Advisor(s).

6. The fall election committee shall consist of the Executive Council and the Advisor(s). 

7. The timeline for Student Council Elections shall be as follows:

   1. Week 1: Interest Meeting (provide link to Applications for Eligibility) must attend to run.

   2. Week 2: Applications for Eligibility, Teacher Recommendations;

      1. Weekend 2: Review Applications, contact eligible applicants with further 

Instructions regarding campaign rules, contact disqualified candidates.

3. Week 3: Campaign materials & optional videos approved by the middle of the week, campaigning 

and voting should begin by Wednesday of Week 3;

1. Campaigning should not last more than one week.

4. Results shall be announced over the PA system and on Student Council Instagram 

Stories when voting closes.

8. Nominations for every office shall provide proof of qualification to be presented to the Student Council adviser, as evidenced by the completion of a required application.

9. Students running for a campaigning position (President, Vice President, Secretary, Historian) may be declared as qualified candidates only after they have presented all their credentials and have met all the qualifications specified by the application and by dates set by the Student Council adviser; such qualifications are as follows:

   1. A minimum of a 3.0 unweighted GPA;

   2. Two teacher recommendations through a Google Form (Form will be managed by
                              the Student Council Advisor);

   3. A written essay submitted through a Google Form (Form will be managed by
                              the Student Council Advisor);

   4. A digital portfolio submitted through the above-mentioned Google Form, which
                              should be a slide-deck format, shall include examples of commitment and service
      in the applicant’s school and community. Details may be decided by the current
      election committee.

10. Students applying for a representative position may be declared as a qualified candidate only after they have presented all their credentials and have met all requirements set by the Student Council adviser; such qualifications are as follows:

    1. A minimum of a 3.0 unweighted GPA;

    2. Two teacher recommendations through a Google Form (Form will be managed by
                               the Student Council Advisor);

    3. A written essay submitted through a Google Form (Form will be managed by
                               the Student Council Advisor);

    4. List in-school and out-of-school commitments and any leadership positions held within those organizations.

11.  Candidates may be declared ineligible by Student Council adviser(s) and/or Administration for violation of established campaign rules or discipline, attendance, or academic concerns.

12.  Seniors are not permitted to vote for next year’s class officers or Executive Board officers.

13.  Votes shall be counted by Student Council Advisers or those appointed by the advisers.  

14.  Winning candidates will have received the highest number of votes in the general election, except for the position of representative of each class.  The representative positions will be decided based on the highest overall scores from the rubric judging of applications. A panel of faculty members will score the applications using the rubric; applications will not include applicants’ names when being scored.

15.   Vacant positions will either be filled or not be filled at the discretion of the Student Council Advisers and/or Administration.