Constitution of the Great Valley Middle School Student Council

Article I – Name of the Organization

The name of this organization shall be the Great Valley Middle School Student Council.

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be:

1. To promote and encourage activities for the best interest of the school.
2. To develop good citizens and leaders through experience in government.
3. To provide a means for students to have a voice in their school.
4. To encourage student involvement in school wide activities. 

Article III – Responsibilities

Section I – All members of the Student Council have certain powers guaranteed by the Constitution.

1. Recommend ideas to all committees.
2. Report questions, concerns and ideas from the student body.
3. Publicize events and activities sponsored by student council.

Section II – Members of the Student Council have guaranteed rights but can be overruled by the Principal. The Principal has veto power to eliminate any proposition he/she feels is not beneficial to the school.

Article IV – Academic Eligibility

All members of the Student Council must maintain academic eligibility according the GVMS handbook and receive Faculty and/or Administrative recommendation in order to run for office.

Article V – Officer and Representative Requirements

Section 1 – Officers

Upon completing the necessary election paperwork, sixth grade students may run for the following officer-elect positions in the spring of sixth grade: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Sixth grade students who win the office for which they ran will serve as the officer-elect in seventh grade and assume the office position in eighth grade. There are eight student council officers: President-Elect (7^th), Vice-President-Elect (7^th), Secretary-Elect (7^th), Treasurer-Elect (7^th), President (8^th), Vice-President (8^th), Secretary (8^th) and Treasurer (8^th). 

Section 2 – Representatives

Representative membership in student council is open to ALL students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. The only requirement to join student council and serve as a representative is to complete the election information packet. Representatives must attend 2/3 of the meetings each academic quarter to maintain active member status in student council.

Article VI – Officer Elections
STUDENT COUNCIL

Section 1 – Membership

The Student Council shall be made up of the officers of the student body as well as Student Council Advocacy Representatives.

Section 2 – Officers

The executive officers of this organization shall consist of the following elected positions: President-Elect (7^th), Vice-President-Elect (7^th), Secretary-Elect (7^th), Treasurer-Elect (7^th), President (8^th), Vice-President (8^th), Secretary (8^th) and Treasurer (8^th). 

A. Duties of the President – The President shall preside at all Student Council meetings, call special meetings when necessary, appoint all standing and special committees, be the chairman of the elections committee, represent the Council on all occasions, and assume all other duties generally associated with this office.

B. Duties of the Vice-President – The Vice–President shall assume the duties of the President in case of his/her absence or disability. The Vice-President will assist the President in all events, meetings and responsibilities. 

C. Secretary – The secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Council and provide a bulletin, published when necessary, to be posted in all advocacy homerooms. At the close of the school year the minute book shall be filed by the Secretary in the Student Council files. In addition, the Secretary shall carry on correspondence of the Student Council and shall keep a record of attendance.

D. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall keep track of expenditures and sales and present an expenditures update at all Student Council meetings. 

Section 3 – Vacancies

In the case of the vacancy of the President, the Vice-President becomes President. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer, the President shall nominate an officer from the General Assembly who shall take the office upon confirmation by a majority vote of the General Assembly. 

Section 4 – Nominations and Elections

Student Council Representatives serve a one year term. Officers serve a two year term. 

Section 5 – Committees

a. The Student Council has the right to form committees.

b. Special committees may be organized as necessary.

Section 6 – Removal from office

The principal and/or advisor may require an officer or representative to resign due to misconduct or academic eligibility. 

Article VII – Meetings

Student Council General Assembly meetings must be held at least once a month. The President with the approval of the Adviser and Principal may call a special meeting.

Article VIII – Sponsor

There shall be a Faculty advisor for the Student Council. 

Article IX – Approval

Any regulation passed by the Student Council concerning Great Valley Middle School is subject to approval by the Administration.

Article X – Amendment Process

Section 1 – Proposal of Amendments

1. By a written petition of three hundred members of the student body and submitted during a General Assembly Student Council meeting. 

2. A representative may propose an amendment during a General Assembly Student Council meeting.

Section 2 – Passage of Amendments

1. The written petition from the student body will be read by the Secretary during a General Assembly meeting. Representatives will discuss the proposed amendment as a grade level for five minutes. Representatives may then individually offer their concerns to the entire General Assembly for no more than one minute. After discussion, each representative shall have one vote in favor or against the proposed amendment. Passage of the amendment requires three-fourths of the representatives voting in favor of the amendment.

2. Representatives will discuss the proposed amendment as a grade level for five minutes. Representatives may then individually offer their concerns to the entire General Assembly for no more than one minute. After discussion, each representative shall have one vote in favor or against the proposed amendment. Passage of the amendment requires three-fourths of the representatives voting in favor of the amendment.

Article XI – Ratification

The ratification of three-fourths of the General Assembly members shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution. Ratified with the unanimous consent of the General Assembly on December 18, 2014.