Constitution of the Student Council of Central Gwinnett High School

We, the students of Central Gwinnett High School, in order to promote a democratic relationship with the student body, administration, faculty, and school clubs, do hereby establish this Constitution of the Central Gwinnett High School Student Council. Article One Student Council Investiture Section One: An organization known as the Student Council of Central Gwinnett High School is hereby established. This organization shall hereby be referred to as the Student Council. Section Two: The mission of the Central Gwinnett High School Student Council is to develop leadership skills in order to enrich the lives of the Central Gwinnett community and encourage positive change. The ways to achieve this are as follows: 1. Voice and elicit student opinion and to work for the well-being of the students of Central Gwinnett High School 2. Create opportunities for interaction within the Central Gwinnett High School community 3. Promote leadership within the student body 4. Sponsor and organize activities involving the students of Central Gwinnett High School in order to promote a culture of community and achievement

Article Two Membership

Section One: Every applicant and member of the Student Council must meet the following criteria: Be a student in good standing with the administration (has never served OSS and has not served ISS in the past school year) Be academically eligible ( 80% overall grade average) Be service eligible (80% attendance rate for all Student Council activities) Be willing to adhere to the attendance policy as stated in Article Three Be willing and able to perform the duties of office Section Two: The organization will consist of a faculty member residing as the advisor and moderator, an Executive President, Executive Vice President, Executive Secretary, Faculty Relations Committee Chair, Student Relations Committee Chair, Community Service Committee Chair, Spirit Committee Chair, Public Relations Committee Chair, all Class officers, and members-atlarge. The presiding principal of Central Gwinnett High School prevails over the entire Student Council.

Section Three: If it becomes necessary to replace an elected officer or committee chair of the Student Council, an in-council election will be held.

Article Three Attendance

Section One: Attendance at all meetings and events will be monitored on a points system determined by the Executive Board at the start of each year and published for members. Section Two: If you are not at a meeting or event, but have turned in an acceptable excuse, you will receive half the points assigned for that meeting or event. If you are not at a meeting or event and do not turn in an acceptable excuse you will receive no points. Acceptable excuses are as follows: 1. Illness or family emergency (signed by parent) 2. School related absence (signed by sponsor) 3. Pre-planned trip (signed by parent) 4. Work related if your employer is unable to change your schedule (signed by employer) *All excuses for activities must be written. *Students who do not attend school may not attend any after school meetings or activities. Section Three: If you lose many points due to a long illness or some other long-lasting circumstance, a written letter of appeal explaining the situation should be submitted to the Advisor. This letter will be reviewed by the Judicial Committee.

Section Four: If you are removed from Student Council due to attendance or failure to follow CGHS or Student Council rules and policies, you will not be allowed to participate in any more Student Council activities for the remainder of that year. You will also lose the opportunity to run for an elected office the following year.

Article Four Job Description

Section One: Every position in the Student Council described in Article Two shall possess its own unique job description whose contribution benefits the organization. Section Two: Executive Sponsor 1. Faculty member of CGHS appointed by the administration 2. Does not vote upon issues debated by the Student Council, but may offer suggestions and other forms of assistance 3. In attendance at all Judicial Committee hearings 4. Handles all financial duties of Student Council

Section Three: Class Sponsors 1. Faculty members of CGHS appointed by the administration 2. In attendance at all specific Class officers meetings 3. Handles all financial duties of specific Class Section Four: Executive Board The Executive Board is made up of the Student Council President, Vice President, Secretary, Faculty Relations Committee Chair, Student Relations Committee Chair, Community Service Committee Chair, Spirit Committee Chair, Public Relations Committee Chair, Senior Class President, Junior Class President, Sophomore Class President, and Freshman Class President. *If the Student Council decides to take a position as a GASC State Officer School or SASC Regional Officer School, the student representative(s) will be a member(s) of the Executive Board. If the Council takes the role of the Presidency, a Conference Chair will be appointed. This person will also be a member of the Executive Board. All students holding GASC or SASC officer positions will hold appointed positions on the Board. 1. Discuss and oversee all activities and events in which the Student Council will participate 2. Make any decisions that cannot be brought before the entire Student Council 3. Serves as Judicial Committee to investigate and make decisions concerning the discharge of a member 4. Plan and run annual summer Lock-In 5. Participate in Committees (approves all committee activities) 6. Attend Executive Board meetings 7. Participate in Executive Turnover and Retreats 8. Reviews and recommends amendments to the Constitution 9. Approves Student Council yearly theme T-shirt 10. Establishes attendance policy at the start of each council year Section Five: Executive President (Student Council President) 1. Will be a rising Senior with at least one year previous Student Council membership 2. Presides at, leads, and adjourns all meetings 3. Prepares a written agenda for each executive and general meeting and provides copies for each member 4. Recognizes speakers at meetings 5. Oversees all activities, meetings, and committees 6. Enforces observation of the Student Council Constitution 7. Works with Committee Chairs to ensure each is fulfilling his/her duties 8. Participates fully in all Student Council activities, programs, and events 9. Calls special meetings 10. Receive and organizes all memos or miscellaneous paperwork 11. Is available at all times for whatever is needed Section Six: Executive Vice President 1. Presides over all Executive Board and General meetings when President is absent

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Serves as president of Interclub Council (ICC) Assists Student Council President in organizing and executing all activities and events Participates fully in all Student Council activities, programs, and events Enforces observation of the Student Council Constitution Is available at all times for whatever is needed

Section Seven: Executive Secretary 1. Takes minutes of all Executive and General meetings 2. Publishes minutes of all General meetings within one week of meetings on Student Council website 3. Organizes, maintains, and responds to all correspondence, including, but not limited to thank you notes and invitations 4. Assists Student Council President in organizing and executing all activities and events 5. Participates fully in all Student Council activities, programs, and events 6. Enforces observation of the Student Council Constitution 7. Is available at all times for whatever is needed Section Eight: Faculty Relations Committee Chair 1. Executive in charge of the Faculty Relations Committee 2. Organizes Teacher Appreciation projects (examples - teacher breakfasts, holiday gifts, goodie bags, small gifts, etc.) 3. Organizes appreciation projects for OTHER faculty (ex. bus drivers, custodians, clerical, etc.) 4. Organizes pre-planning & post-planning service hours 5. Organizes Homecoming chaperones (post sign-up list, deliver thank you notes) 6. Plans appreciation activities for Teacher Appreciation Week Section Nine: Student Relations Committee Chair 1. Executive in charge of the Student Relations Committee 2. Organizes member recognition projects 3. Organizes Student Council social events 4. Organizes end of the year banquet and awards 5. Manages Homecoming Court nominations & reception 6. Organizes Student Council involvement in school-wide events 7. Organizes events to improve school-wide student relations Section Ten: Community Service Committee Chair 1. Executive in charge of the Community Service Committee 2. Organizes all Community service events 3. Establishes and maintains relationship with Richards and Moore Middle School Student Councils 4. Organizes events for CGHS cluster Elementary Schools 5. Designs & sells tickets for Homecoming

Section Eleven: Spirit Committee Chair 1. Executive in charge of the Spirit Committee 2. Organizes and oversees all pep-rallies 3. Organizes Spirit Week for Homecoming 4. Organizes Powder Puff Football game during Homecoming week 5. Selects choices and plans Homecoming Decorations 6. Organizes purchasing/distribution of Homecoming dance favors 7. Plans year-long spirit signs for all sports Section Twelve: Public Relations Committee Chair 1. Executive in charge of the Public Relations Committee 2. Organizes and maintains Student Council bulletin board 3. Creates printed posters and fliers for Student Council events 4. Takes pictures/records video at ALL major Student Council events 5. Oversees any special Public Service projects (Affiliations) 6. Advertises all Student Council events through Student Council website Section Thirteen: Class President 1. Calls and presides over all class officer meetings 2. Appoints Class committee chairs 3. Plans and executes all Class events and activities 4. Brings Class ideas to Class Sponsor for approval 5. Organizes class events relating to Homecoming, including hall decorations, float, posters, and Class spirit 6. Represents the ideas and opinions of Classes on the Student Council Executive Board 7. Participates in all Student Council activities, programs, and events 8. Special responsibilities of: a. Senior Class President Graduation (cap and gowns, announcements, etc.); post-graduation organization of alumni and reunions b. Junior Class President Prom (theme, venue, DJ, invitations, ticket design and sales, decorations, publicity, etc.) Section Fourteen: Webmaster 1. Maintains the Student Council website 2. Maintains the calendar of all Student Council meetings, activities, programs, and events Section Fifteen: Members in Good Standing 1. Bring suggestions and wishes to Student Council and Committee meetings 2. Represent the Student Council to the rest of the student body 3. Participate in all Student Council activities, programs, and events 4. Serve on at least one standing committee

Article Five Committees

Section One: The primary responsibilities of the Student Council will be carried out by various standing committees. Each of these committees will have a committee chairperson. For those committees that do not have chairpersons detailed by the Constitution, the committee members will elect a chairperson. Committee chairs must be approved by the advisor and the Executive Board. The duties of a chairperson are as follows: 1. Be in charge of any committee meetings, activities, and events 2. Assign committee member responsibilities 3. Report any committee activities to the Student Council Section Two: Standing Committees and their Responsibilities 1. Faculty Relations Committee a. Appreciation activities throughout the year b. Organize pre-planning & post-planning service hours c. Organize Homecoming chaperones (post sign-up list, deliver thank you notes) d. Plan appreciation activities for Teacher Appreciation Week 2. Student Relations Committee a. Organize member recognition projects b. Organize Student Council social events c. Organize end of the year banquet and awards d. Organize events to improve school-wide student relations e. Organize Homecoming Court nominations and reception 3. Community Service Committee a. Organize at least two service projects a semester b. Offer opportunities for the Student Council and student body to participate in school/community service activities c. Establish and maintain relationship with Richards and Moore Middle Schools Student Councils d. Design and sell tickets for Homecoming 4. Spirit Committee a. Plan all Pep-Rallies b. Plan Homecoming Spirit Week c. Select choices of Homecoming Decorations d. Supervises decoration of Commons for Homecoming Dance e. Support teams/organizations by making signs and/or distributing favors 5. Public Relations Committee a. Advertise all Student Council activities, programs, and events (poster /fliers/announcements) b. Take pictures/video at Student Council events Section Three: The Executive Board will serve as the Judicial Committee, with the Executive Secretary serving as Chair. Council members in jeopardy of being removed from the Council or Executive Board

will be able to attend their own hearing and speak on their own behalf before the Judicial Committee votes. Executive Board members in jeopardy of being removed will not serve on the Judicial Committee for their own hearing. The responsibilities of the committee are as follows: 1. Send/Distribute probation letters and removal letters 2. Hold hearings when members are in jeopardy of being removed from the Council or Executive Board for either attendance reasons or violation of any other member requirements. **Judicial hearings are closed sessions. Members who serve on the Judicial Committee should take this as a revered trust and refrain from discussing comments or outcomes with anyone once the hearing is over.

Article Six Interclub Council

Section One: The Interclub Council will exist under the supervision of the Student Council. Section Two: The purpose of the Interclub Council is to promote and correlate the various activities of the Central Gwinnett clubs and organizations. Section Three: The Interclub Council will be made up of the vice presidents of all clubs and organizations. The Student Council Executive Vice President will serve as President of the Interclub Council.

Last Name: ___________________________First Name:__________________________ I have received and read through the Constitution of the Central Gwinnett High School Student Council. I understand my duties and obligations as a member and representative of my graduating class. I will attend all meetings, participate in all Student Council events, and offer aide to the projects Student Council undertakes. I understand that as a member in good standing, this responsibility should be my first priority over any other extracurricular event. I understand that if I fail to meet these obligations, I am subject to removal from the Student Council. I undertake this duty with respect and responsibility. Student Signature: _______________________________________________ Student Name (print):_____________________________________________ I have read through the Constitution of the Central Gwinnett High School Student Council with my student and understand his/her duties and obligations. I understand that he/she has earned the privilege of serving and must undertake this duty with the respect and responsibility it deserves. I understand that being a member of Student Council will require attendance at functions outside of the school day and I will support my child in fulfilling these duties.

Parent Signature:_________________________________________________

**Please return, signed, by May 17th, 2013, to Ms. Humphrey in room 8113**