The Chestnut Grove Middle School Student Council Constitution
Preamble
We, the students of Chestnut Grove Middle School, in order to form a more perfect learning environment, believe that:
1. All students and staff, regardless of gender, religion, color or creed should have the opportunity to be involved in the schools Student Council.
2. All participants in the Student Council should be responsible members of the Chestnut Grove
Middle School Community.
3. The Student Council should be based on democratic principles.
4. All staff and students should work to create a safe and orderly learning environment.
5. All students shall have certain rights and freedoms as guaranteed to them as students of the
school.
Article 1
Name of the Organization
The Chestnut Grove Middle School Student Council, shall hereafter be referred to as the CGSC.
Article 2
Composition of the Student Government
Section 1: The Representative Assembly is comprised of two representatives from each team.
Section 2: The Executive Board is comprised of elected and appointed officers/chairpersons.
Article 3
Powers of the Student Government Association
Section 1: The power of the Student Council is provided by the administration and Stokes County Board of Education. Within this authority, the CGSC general assembly and executive aboard shall have the power to pass legislation in matters concerning the best interests of the student body. All actions of the Student Council are subject to the approval by the principal.
Section 2: The administration will appoint a faculty advisor to the CGSC. The advisors role is to direct and guide the actions of the CGSC. He/she does not have voting rights. The student government advisor has the responsibility to:
a) Provide guidance in all CGSC sponsored activities
b) Chaperone all CGSC activities (and secure additional chaperones as needed)
c) Excuse the absences of students who miss class because of student government activities
Section 3: The General Assembly shall have all legislative powers. All expenditures of the CGSC over and above thirty percent (30%) of the treasury must be authorized by the general assembly.
Section 4: The Executive Board shall have all legislative powers save those superseded by the Constitution. The Officers Board has the responsibility to involve the general assembly in as many actions of the CGSC as possible, because it is the representatives, therefore the general assembly, which expresses the voice of the total student body.
Article 4
Qualifications and Terms of Office
Section 1: General Qualifications
a) All officers and representatives must maintain a C average or better. In addition, any student serving on a CGSC must maintain a C average.
b) All officers and representatives shall exhibit exemplary behavior and academic ethics. If reservations about behavior or academic ethics are brought forth by faculty and staff, the administration shall make the final decision concerning the qualification of the candidate in question.
c) All officers and representatives are expected to attend all general assemblies of the CGSC. Additional meetings are required as specific to the positions listed below.
Section 2: Specific Qualifications
Officers - In addition to general assemblies, the officers board is expected to attend all officers meetings. Officers will also attend committee meetings as assigned.
1) Student Body President- the president shall be in 8th grade for the year of his/her service
2) 1st Vice President - shall be in 8th grade for the year of his/her service
3) 2nd Vice President - shall be in 7th grade for the year of his/her service
4) 3rd Vice President - shall be in 6th grade for the year of his/her service
5) Treasurer- shall be in 6th grade for the year of his/her service
6) Secretary- shall be in 7th grade for the year of his/her service
7) There are no grade-level stipulations on appointed positions.
b) Grade level Representatives - Representative must attend all general assemblies. Should
he or she not be able to attend, advanced notice must be given.
1) Representatives are expected to participate in the planning and implementation of at
least one CGSC service project.
2) Representatives must report all actions of the CGSC to his/her constituents and be
responsible for reporting to the CGSC the concerns of his/her constituents.
Section 3: Term of Office
a) All elected/appointed CGSC officers/chairman shall serve a one year term beginning immediately upon the announcement of the election results, until the last day of school in June the following year.
b) Representatives shall serve a one year term beginning immediately upon the announcement of the election results, until the last day of school in June the following year.
Article 5
Responsibilities and Duties
Role of the Student Council:
a) To create in cooperation with the Principal, staff and students, a better school life for the
student of our school.
b) To provide students with opportunities of leadership and to develop in all students a
sense of responsibility.
c) To encourage the students in the school to become more aware of how the school is run
and to constructively identify and express their needs.
d) To contribute to overall school development by being involved in school policy
development ,and to be a resource in working in partnership with the management of the
school.
e) To act as liaison where appropriate between the students and the teaching staff and
management.
President:
a) Shall execute and carry out the Constitution of Chestnut Grove Middle School.
b) Shall preside at all meetings of the General Assembly and the Officers Board.
c) Shall represent the student body of Chestnut Grove Middle School when called upon to
do so by the principal, CGMS advisor, or other Stokes County administration..
d) Shall appoint, with the approval of the executive board, ad hoc committees as
necessary.
e) Shall have the authority, with approval from the executive board, to call additional
meetings of the CGSC.
f) Shall promote interest and participation within the Student Council.
g) Shall meet with the Principal quarterly to communicate the desires of the council to implement
new policies or to discuss any CGSC business that needs the approval of the Principal.
1st Vice President:
a) In case of president’s absence or inability to carry out his responsibilities, the vice-
president will take charge and assume the responsibilities of the president.
b) Shall assist the president as directed.
c) Shall meet at least once a month with grade level resource/team leaders to discuss
concerns and issues relevant to the specific grade level.
d) Is responsible for passing along any relevant information from the Officers meeting to all 8th
grade team representatives and faculty.
2nd Vice President:
a) Shall assist the president as directed.
b) Shall meet at least once a month with grade level resource/team leaders to discuss
concerns and issues relevant to the specific grade level.
c) Is responsible for passing along any relevant information from the Officers meeting to all 7th
grade team representatives and faculty.
3rd Vice President:
a) Shall assist the president as directed.
b) Shall meet at least once a month with grade level resource/team leaders to discuss
concerns and issues relevant to the specific grade level.
c) Is responsible for passing along any relevant information from the Officers meeting to all 6th
grade team representatives and faculty.
Treasurer:
a) Shall be responsible for the record keeping concerning all student government expenditures and
income. The faculty advisor will make sure all numbers are provided
b) Shall, at Representative Assembly Meetings, submit a report on the financial status of
the Student Council.
c) Shall be responsible for attendance records at all meetings
Secretary:
a) Shall be responsible for recording all minutes of the Student Council meetings.
b) Shall be responsible for copying and distributing all records of the Student Council to
the Representative Assembly..
c) Shall be responsible for all secretarial and clerical duties of the Student Council
d) Shall be responsible for all approved correspondence.
Representatives:
a) Will share CGSC news with their constituents.
b) Shall bring issues to the general assembly that are of concern to his/her constituents.
c) Will notify the other team representative and CGSC advisor that he/she is unable to attend a
required meeting.
d) Will actively serve in the planning and implementation of at least one CGSC service project.
Article 6
Elections and Appointments
Section 1: Election/appointments of the Executive Board shall take place in first month of each new school year.
Section 2: All elections will be voted on by the whole of the student body. Every student has the right to vote once per election cycle.
Section 3: Grade Level representatives will be voted on by only the member of that specific grade. (ie; 8th Grade Representative voted on by the whole of the 8th grade)
Section 4: Any candidate receiving the most votes cast (popular vote) will win the election (all positions)
Section 5: Any vacant positions at the end of the election cycle will be voted on by the CGSC after names have been presented after our first meeting of the year. Nominations will be brought forth by faculty and representatives only.
Section 6: School-wide elections shall be held no later than one month after the beginning of each school year, but should be done as soon as possible by faculty advisor. The polls shall be open for a period of time to assure all students an opportunity to participate in the elections. Electronic Ballots shall be placed on the Student Government website for a period of 48 hours for voting. For all officer positions, the candidate receiving the most popular vote will win. In the case of team representatives, where a number of positions are to be filled, these offices are to be filled by the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes.
Section 7: Campaign posters must be limited to no more than 2 posters within a grade level area for team representatives; limited to no more than 5 total posters for any officers position; they must be removed from the school the following day after the election is held. Posters need to express candidate ideas and be positive. No derogatory posters about other candidates are permitted. Flyers and other forms of soliciting votes is also prohibited to keep elections fair and balanced for all candidates.
Article 7
Meetings
Section 1: All meetings, as deemed appropriate, shall be conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
Section 2: The executive board shall meet a minimum of once a month.
Section 3: The general assembly shall meet a minimum of once a month.
Section 4: Committees shall meet as needed.
Article 8
Impeachment and Succession
Section 1: Impeachment
a) All officers (elected/appointed) and representatives shall be subject to impeachment for behavior deemed inappropriate by the administration.
b) Out of School Suspension or expulsion from school requires automatic impeachment from any CGSC position.
c) A report card with lower than a C average requires a probationary period for all CGSC positions. A written probationary letter will be given by the faculty advisory to the offending representative. Representatives have until the following progress report to raise their average above a C average, or impeachment proceedings will commence.
d) Missing 3 or more meetings, unexcused, shall be subject to impeachment proceedings.
e) Any officers or representative who fails to carry out his/her duty in a responsible manner may have impeachment charges brought against him/her.
f) Impeachment proceedings are defined in the bylaws.
Section 2: Succession
a) In case of the president’s permanent inability to serve, the CGSC Vice President will assume all responsibilities of the office of president. The Vice President will be replaced following clause (b) below.
b) In case of all other elected/appointed officer’s inability to serve, the president shall appoint from general applications or previous candidates, with approval from the executive board, a person to complete the term. The council will approve the appointment by a 2/3rd majority vote.
c) When Representative vacancies occur, they will be filled by appointments brought forth to the council by representatives and faculty members. The council will approve the appointment by a 2/3rd majority vote.
Article 9
Amendments
This constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) of the legislative body.
Article 10
Ratification
This Constitution shall be in effect when it is approved by the administration, then receives two-thirds (2/3) vote of the student body.
Article 11
Finance and Fundraising
An account has been opened in the name of the Student Council with school financial secretary. The Student Council Treasurer will keep an up-to-date and accurate account of all money raised by the council and will provide a report to the council at the last council meeting of the year. All expenses will be paid according to Stokes County District policy.
Bylaws to the Constitution
Article 1
Impeachment
Section 1: From Article 9, Section 1 in the Constitution, these are the proceedings to be implemented when charges are brought before an elected/appoint CGSC office/representative.
a) Charges should be submitted in writing to the CGSC advisor.
b) The CGSC advisor will inform the Officers Board and a committee of students,
faculty, and administration shall be convened to discuss the charges.
c) If the advisor and principal finds the charges to be credible, the CGSC member
charged with the impeachment shall present his or her defense to the executive
members, advisor and principal (impeachment committee).
d) The committee shall vote by secret ballot to determine the outcome. The principal
must confirm the outcome. If the principal overturns the result, he/she must submit in
writing, within five school days, to the committee his/her reasons for reversing the
decision. The decision of the principal may be appealed following grievance procedures
Article 2
Adoption and Amendments
Section 1: This document shall take effect upon its approval by the administration and two-thirds vote of the Officers Board.
Section 2: These bylaws may be amended upon approval by the administration and 3/4 vote of the officers board.
Article 3
Jurisdiction
Section 1: This document shall be appended to the Constitution for the duration of its authorization, but shall be superseded by the Constitution in any conflicts.
Preamble
We, the students of Chestnut Grove Middle School, in order to form a more perfect learning environment, believe that:
1. All students and staff, regardless of gender, religion, color or creed should have the opportunity to be involved in the schools Student Council.
2. All participants in the Student Council should be responsible members of the Chestnut Grove
Middle School Community.
3. The Student Council should be based on democratic principles.
4. All staff and students should work to create a safe and orderly learning environment.
5. All students shall have certain rights and freedoms as guaranteed to them as students of the
school.
Article 1
Name of the Organization
The Chestnut Grove Middle School Student Council, shall hereafter be referred to as the CGSC.
Article 2
Composition of the Student Government
Section 1: The Representative Assembly is comprised of two representatives from each team.
Section 2: The Executive Board is comprised of elected and appointed officers/chairpersons.
Article 3
Powers of the Student Government Association
Section 1: The power of the Student Council is provided by the administration and Stokes County Board of Education. Within this authority, the CGSC general assembly and executive aboard shall have the power to pass legislation in matters concerning the best interests of the student body. All actions of the Student Council are subject to the approval by the principal.
Section 2: The administration will appoint a faculty advisor to the CGSC. The advisors role is to direct and guide the actions of the CGSC. He/she does not have voting rights. The student government advisor has the responsibility to:
a) Provide guidance in all CGSC sponsored activities
b) Chaperone all CGSC activities (and secure additional chaperones as needed)
c) Excuse the absences of students who miss class because of student government activities
Section 3: The General Assembly shall have all legislative powers. All expenditures of the CGSC over and above thirty percent (30%) of the treasury must be authorized by the general assembly.
Section 4: The Executive Board shall have all legislative powers save those superseded by the Constitution. The Officers Board has the responsibility to involve the general assembly in as many actions of the CGSC as possible, because it is the representatives, therefore the general assembly, which expresses the voice of the total student body.
Article 4
Qualifications and Terms of Office
Section 1: General Qualifications
a) All officers and representatives must maintain a C average or better. In addition, any student serving on a CGSC must maintain a C average.
b) All officers and representatives shall exhibit exemplary behavior and academic ethics. If reservations about behavior or academic ethics are brought forth by faculty and staff, the administration shall make the final decision concerning the qualification of the candidate in question.
c) All officers and representatives are expected to attend all general assemblies of the CGSC. Additional meetings are required as specific to the positions listed below.
Section 2: Specific Qualifications
Officers - In addition to general assemblies, the officers board is expected to attend all officers meetings. Officers will also attend committee meetings as assigned.
1) Student Body President- the president shall be in 8th grade for the year of his/her service
2) 1st Vice President - shall be in 8th grade for the year of his/her service
3) 2nd Vice President - shall be in 7th grade for the year of his/her service
4) 3rd Vice President - shall be in 6th grade for the year of his/her service
5) Treasurer- shall be in 6th grade for the year of his/her service
6) Secretary- shall be in 7th grade for the year of his/her service
7) There are no grade-level stipulations on appointed positions.
b) Grade level Representatives - Representative must attend all general assemblies. Should
he or she not be able to attend, advanced notice must be given.
1) Representatives are expected to participate in the planning and implementation of at
least one CGSC service project.
2) Representatives must report all actions of the CGSC to his/her constituents and be
responsible for reporting to the CGSC the concerns of his/her constituents.
Section 3: Term of Office
a) All elected/appointed CGSC officers/chairman shall serve a one year term beginning immediately upon the announcement of the election results, until the last day of school in June the following year.
b) Representatives shall serve a one year term beginning immediately upon the announcement of the election results, until the last day of school in June the following year.
Article 5
Responsibilities and Duties
Role of the Student Council:
a) To create in cooperation with the Principal, staff and students, a better school life for the
student of our school.
b) To provide students with opportunities of leadership and to develop in all students a
sense of responsibility.
c) To encourage the students in the school to become more aware of how the school is run
and to constructively identify and express their needs.
d) To contribute to overall school development by being involved in school policy
development ,and to be a resource in working in partnership with the management of the
school.
e) To act as liaison where appropriate between the students and the teaching staff and
management.
President:
a) Shall execute and carry out the Constitution of Chestnut Grove Middle School.
b) Shall preside at all meetings of the General Assembly and the Officers Board.
c) Shall represent the student body of Chestnut Grove Middle School when called upon to
do so by the principal, CGMS advisor, or other Stokes County administration..
d) Shall appoint, with the approval of the executive board, ad hoc committees as
necessary.
e) Shall have the authority, with approval from the executive board, to call additional
meetings of the CGSC.
f) Shall promote interest and participation within the Student Council.
g) Shall meet with the Principal quarterly to communicate the desires of the council to implement
new policies or to discuss any CGSC business that needs the approval of the Principal.
1st Vice President:
a) In case of president’s absence or inability to carry out his responsibilities, the vice-
president will take charge and assume the responsibilities of the president.
b) Shall assist the president as directed.
c) Shall meet at least once a month with grade level resource/team leaders to discuss
concerns and issues relevant to the specific grade level.
d) Is responsible for passing along any relevant information from the Officers meeting to all 8th
grade team representatives and faculty.
2nd Vice President:
a) Shall assist the president as directed.
b) Shall meet at least once a month with grade level resource/team leaders to discuss
concerns and issues relevant to the specific grade level.
c) Is responsible for passing along any relevant information from the Officers meeting to all 7th
grade team representatives and faculty.
3rd Vice President:
a) Shall assist the president as directed.
b) Shall meet at least once a month with grade level resource/team leaders to discuss
concerns and issues relevant to the specific grade level.
c) Is responsible for passing along any relevant information from the Officers meeting to all 6th
grade team representatives and faculty.
Treasurer:
a) Shall be responsible for the record keeping concerning all student government expenditures and
income. The faculty advisor will make sure all numbers are provided
b) Shall, at Representative Assembly Meetings, submit a report on the financial status of
the Student Council.
c) Shall be responsible for attendance records at all meetings
Secretary:
a) Shall be responsible for recording all minutes of the Student Council meetings.
b) Shall be responsible for copying and distributing all records of the Student Council to
the Representative Assembly..
c) Shall be responsible for all secretarial and clerical duties of the Student Council
d) Shall be responsible for all approved correspondence.
Representatives:
a) Will share CGSC news with their constituents.
b) Shall bring issues to the general assembly that are of concern to his/her constituents.
c) Will notify the other team representative and CGSC advisor that he/she is unable to attend a
required meeting.
d) Will actively serve in the planning and implementation of at least one CGSC service project.
Article 6
Elections and Appointments
Section 1: Election/appointments of the Executive Board shall take place in first month of each new school year.
Section 2: All elections will be voted on by the whole of the student body. Every student has the right to vote once per election cycle.
Section 3: Grade Level representatives will be voted on by only the member of that specific grade. (ie; 8th Grade Representative voted on by the whole of the 8th grade)
Section 4: Any candidate receiving the most votes cast (popular vote) will win the election (all positions)
Section 5: Any vacant positions at the end of the election cycle will be voted on by the CGSC after names have been presented after our first meeting of the year. Nominations will be brought forth by faculty and representatives only.
Section 6: School-wide elections shall be held no later than one month after the beginning of each school year, but should be done as soon as possible by faculty advisor. The polls shall be open for a period of time to assure all students an opportunity to participate in the elections. Electronic Ballots shall be placed on the Student Government website for a period of 48 hours for voting. For all officer positions, the candidate receiving the most popular vote will win. In the case of team representatives, where a number of positions are to be filled, these offices are to be filled by the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes.
Section 7: Campaign posters must be limited to no more than 2 posters within a grade level area for team representatives; limited to no more than 5 total posters for any officers position; they must be removed from the school the following day after the election is held. Posters need to express candidate ideas and be positive. No derogatory posters about other candidates are permitted. Flyers and other forms of soliciting votes is also prohibited to keep elections fair and balanced for all candidates.
Article 7
Meetings
Section 1: All meetings, as deemed appropriate, shall be conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
Section 2: The executive board shall meet a minimum of once a month.
Section 3: The general assembly shall meet a minimum of once a month.
Section 4: Committees shall meet as needed.
Article 8
Impeachment and Succession
Section 1: Impeachment
a) All officers (elected/appointed) and representatives shall be subject to impeachment for behavior deemed inappropriate by the administration.
b) Out of School Suspension or expulsion from school requires automatic impeachment from any CGSC position.
c) A report card with lower than a C average requires a probationary period for all CGSC positions. A written probationary letter will be given by the faculty advisory to the offending representative. Representatives have until the following progress report to raise their average above a C average, or impeachment proceedings will commence.
d) Missing 3 or more meetings, unexcused, shall be subject to impeachment proceedings.
e) Any officers or representative who fails to carry out his/her duty in a responsible manner may have impeachment charges brought against him/her.
f) Impeachment proceedings are defined in the bylaws.
Section 2: Succession
a) In case of the president’s permanent inability to serve, the CGSC Vice President will assume all responsibilities of the office of president. The Vice President will be replaced following clause (b) below.
b) In case of all other elected/appointed officer’s inability to serve, the president shall appoint from general applications or previous candidates, with approval from the executive board, a person to complete the term. The council will approve the appointment by a 2/3rd majority vote.
c) When Representative vacancies occur, they will be filled by appointments brought forth to the council by representatives and faculty members. The council will approve the appointment by a 2/3rd majority vote.
Article 9
Amendments
This constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) of the legislative body.
Article 10
Ratification
This Constitution shall be in effect when it is approved by the administration, then receives two-thirds (2/3) vote of the student body.
Article 11
Finance and Fundraising
An account has been opened in the name of the Student Council with school financial secretary. The Student Council Treasurer will keep an up-to-date and accurate account of all money raised by the council and will provide a report to the council at the last council meeting of the year. All expenses will be paid according to Stokes County District policy.
Bylaws to the Constitution
Article 1
Impeachment
Section 1: From Article 9, Section 1 in the Constitution, these are the proceedings to be implemented when charges are brought before an elected/appoint CGSC office/representative.
a) Charges should be submitted in writing to the CGSC advisor.
b) The CGSC advisor will inform the Officers Board and a committee of students,
faculty, and administration shall be convened to discuss the charges.
c) If the advisor and principal finds the charges to be credible, the CGSC member
charged with the impeachment shall present his or her defense to the executive
members, advisor and principal (impeachment committee).
d) The committee shall vote by secret ballot to determine the outcome. The principal
must confirm the outcome. If the principal overturns the result, he/she must submit in
writing, within five school days, to the committee his/her reasons for reversing the
decision. The decision of the principal may be appealed following grievance procedures
Article 2
Adoption and Amendments
Section 1: This document shall take effect upon its approval by the administration and two-thirds vote of the Officers Board.
Section 2: These bylaws may be amended upon approval by the administration and 3/4 vote of the officers board.
Article 3
Jurisdiction
Section 1: This document shall be appended to the Constitution for the duration of its authorization, but shall be superseded by the Constitution in any conflicts.