Student Council Constitution

I. Name of Organization

This organization shall be known as the Student Council of St. Ephrem Academy, located in El Cajon, California.

II. Purpose of the Organization

• The purpose of this organization shall be:
• To uphold and demonstrate the Catholic values of the Academy;
• To promote good leadership;
• To be of service to the local community;
• To uphold school pride and plan social events for the student body;
• To give all students practice in democracy in action.

III. Student Council Members

The student body of St. Ephrem Academy, grades kindergarten through eight, will elect the Student Council annually which will serve as school representatives. Students from grades two through eight will be eligible to run for Student Council. No one may individually serve for more than two consecutive terms.

IV. Qualities and Duties of Class Representatives

Class Representatives: Two from grades 2-3 and two from grades 4-6. Each candidate must have a “C” or higher grade point average in order to be eligible.

1. Duties:

a. Communicate the events of the Student Council meeting to their class;

b. Take charge of student suggestions;

c. Bring up any suggestions, ideas, etc. to the Council;

d. Serve on any committees if needed.

2. Campaigning:

a. Any qualified student may run for Council. Students are to sign an official Nomination Form in their classrooms;

b. Campaigners may place signs and posters around the school campus displaying what qualities they have and why they should be elected.

3. Elections:

a. On a specified date each candidate will need to give a small speech to their class;

b. On election day, each classroom will vote by secret ballet for one candidate. The top two candidates will be the class representatives.

V. Qualifications and Duties of the Officers

1. President

a. Qualifications

• be an eighth grade student
• be a good citizen
• relate well to other students and adults
• have a “C” or higher grade point average

b. Duties

• Supervise student body activities
• Preside over all meetings of the Student Council
• Vote in case of a tie

2. Vice-President

a. Qualifications

• be a seventh or eighth grade student
• be a good citizen
• relate well to other students and adults
• have a “C” or higher grade point average

b. Duties

• Serve in absence of the President
• Aid in helping the President

3. Secretary

a. Qualifications

• be a seventh or eighth grade student
• be a good citizen
• relate well to other students and adults
• have a “C” or higher grade point average

b. Duties

• Keep records of meetings
• Prepares any correspondence that may be needed
• Make copies of minutes to be given to faculty

4. Historian

a. Qualifications

• be a seventh or eighth grade student
• be a good citizen
• relate well to other students and adults
• have a “C” or higher grade point average

b. Duties

• Act as photographer for the Student Council
• Maintain a photo log of events for the year

5. Treasurer

a. Qualifications

• be a seventh or eighth grade student
• be a good citizen
• relate well to other students and adults
• have a “C” or higher grade point average

b. Duties

• Handle money, keep records and receipts
• Report on money matters to the council

VI. Campaigning and Elections of Officers:

1. Any qualified seventh or eighth grade student may run for Office. Students are to sign an official Nomination Form in their classrooms and get the proper signatures;

2. Campaigners may place signs and posters around the school campus displaying what qualities they have and why they should be elected.

3. On a specified date each candidate will give a speech to the student body;

4. On election day, each student will vote for each officer by secret ballot.

VII. Removal from Office

1. Any officer or representative may be removed from office by the Headmaster for poor attendance at Council meetings, failure to perform required/requested duties, or failure to follow school rules or class rules.

VIII. Meetings

1. Student Council meetings shall take place at least twice monthly. The Student Council membership will decide each year the appropriate meeting dates and times. For example: first and third Friday of month at 12 p.m. An agenda shall be prepared and handed out to each member of the Student Council at least one day before each meeting. Student Council members may initiate agenda items. All items for agenda must be submitted to the Headmaster two days before a meeting. Additional agenda items may be added at the beginning of each Student Council meeting by a majority vote of Council members. If a quorum (half of Council members plus one) is not present for a meeting, no Council action may be voted upon.

2. Class meetings shall be conducted by each Representative at least one day before and at least two days after each Student Council meeting. The meeting may consist of a written communiqué of Council agenda items.

IX. Voting Procedures and Rules

Each representative shall have one vote.

1. All motions require a second; all motions require (for passage) a majority vote of the Council members.

2. Roberts Rules of Order, Revised Edition shall be the authority on any questions of parliamentary procedure.

3. Any and all actions of the Student Council are not official until approved by the Headmaster.

X. Amendments

1. This constitution may be amended by the Headmaster

XI. Role of the Headmaster

1. The Headmaster of St. Ephrem Academy shall be the final authority over all actions of the Student Council