STUCO+Constitution

**GOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL Constitution** (REVISE AND EDITED BY STUCO ON APRIL 22, 2010

 **We the students of Goodland High School do hereby organize a Student Council (hereafter called STUCO) to establish lines of communication between the students, the faculty, and the administration, to advise the STUCO sponsor, to coordinate school activities and assemblies; to promote school spirit; and to provide training for a democratic way of life; do ordain and establish this constitution for STUCO of Goodland High School.**

Article I - Membership of STUCO

A. List of Officers – Executive Council 1. President 2. Vice-President 3. Secretary 4. Treasurer 5. Parliamentarian 6. Dance Coordinator

B. Duties of Officers 1. President Presides over meetings, makes agendas, and appoints committees. May only vote to break a tie. STUCO president may not hold presidency of any other club, organization, or class of Goodland High School. Presents business in an unbiased fashion. (No opinions given.)

2. Vice-President Takes over all duties of the president in case of absence of the President, is a voting member of STUCO, shall keep a record of all STUCO approved activities, and coordinate all STUCO special committees.

3. Treasurer Shall be in charge of reviewing all financial matters and records concerning STUCO; is a voting Member.

4. Secretary Shall take minutes of each meeting, publicize minutes, carry on correspondence of STUCO, is a voting member. (Minutes of the meeting shall be submitted to the STUCO President and STUCO Sponsor within two school days of the meeting.)

5. Parliamentarian Shall maintain order, take roll, judge on parliamentary procedures; is a voting member.

6. Dance Coordinator Shall perform all pre-event/post-event activities associated with each school dance, sponsored by STUCO. Shall be present and in charge of each dance decoration and clean-up session.

C. Qualifications of STUCO officers 1. Elected by the student body (excluding seniors) 2. Maintain a “C” average 3. Maintain satisfactory conduct while in office. 4. Term of office shall begin on the first Monday following the election, and end once new officers are elected. 5. Must attend all STUCO meetings unless absent with a valid excuse- which will be determined by the STUCO sponsor. (Will be removed from office & membership if absent from two meetings without prior approval from the STUCO sponsor.) 6. Officers may be removed from office by the sponsor for cause. 7. If an officer’s position becomes vacant, a special election shall be held.(Article II, No.3) 8. Shall not represent another organization or class for STUCO.

D. Qualifications for STUCO representatives 1. Elected by class or organization being represented. 2. Maintain a “C” average. 3. Maintain satisfactory conduct while in office. 4. Term of office shall begin on the first Monday following the election. 5. Must attend all STUCO meetings unless absent with a valid excuse-, which will be determined by the STUCO sponsor. (Will be removed from membership if absent from two meetings without prior approval from the STUCO sponsor.) 6. Represent the interest of the class or organization being represented. 7. Keep the class or organization fully informed of actions or proposed action of STUCO. 8. Representatives may be removed from office by action of the STUCO sponsor. 9. If a representative’s position becomes vacant, the class or organization he represented shall fill this vacancy by appointment. 10. Shall not represent more than one organization or shall not represent his class and an organization.

E. Definition of Clubs and Organization Any group of students joined together for legitimate and worthwhile purposes connected with GHS; having a constitution on file with the activities director and having adult sponsorship by a staff or faculty member of GHS. 1. Each club or organization shall have one representative to STUCO. 2. Each class shall have one representative added for every year in high school. a. Freshman 1. representative b. Sophomore 2. representatives c. Junior 3. representatives d. Senior 4. representatives

F. Affiliation a. All organizations or clubs must affiliate with Goodland High School and must apply for a charter from STUCO. To be eligible for affiliation and a charter they must submit goals, aims, purposes, state their officer positions method of election of officers, and must not be in conflict with the constitution. b. When a charter is granted by STUCO to the organization, it shall have one representative to STUCO. c. All charters must be on file in the GHS activities office. d. Any organization of GHS that wishes to function as an activity of GHS, but does not wish to affiliate with STUCO is encouraged to officially be recognized by the GHS activities office.

Article II- Election Procedure

A. Method of STUCO elections 1. Nomination of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Dance Coordinator. (ONLY Current Juniors may be candidates for the STUCO President and Vice-President offices. a. Any qualified student (as defined in Article I, Section D, Nos. 2 and 3) wishing to be a candidate for STUCO office, shall secure a petition and obtain the designated number of student’s signatures (see by Laws) for the particular office he/she is seeking. b. Seniors may not sign STUCO petitions.

2. Elections for STUCO offices shall be held by the third Tuesday in May for the new officers for the following school year. (Elections will be held after the seniors have graduated.)

3. Vacancies of STUCO offices, with the exception of President, will be filled by; a. Nomination and election by STUCO. b. When the office of President is vacated, the Vice- President of STUCO shall succeed to this office with no election necessary. c. Class officer election shall be held at the same time of STUCO elections, and by the same method of nomination (see by Laws for signature qualifications). d. Exception of Article II, No 3b above applied to the incoming Freshmen and special election to fill class officer vacancies; this election shall be held the second Tuesday in September. e. Each nomination petition shall be confirmed by the STUCO sponsor or his/her designee. All nomination petitions are to be returned to the STUCO Sponsor by the announced date, which will be about one week prior to the election.

Article III- Amendments of Constitution

A. Procedure 1. Amendments shall be submitted in writing to the council. 2. STUCO must approve all amendments by at least a ¾ vote of STUCO.

Article IV- by Laws

I. STUCO has the responsibility of planning, and organization of the following: Back-to-School Dance Homecoming Royalty Selection Homecoming Crowning Ceremony Homecoming Dance Snoball Royalty Selection Snoball Crowning Ceremony Snoball Dance STUCO and Class General Elections

3. The Homecoming and Snoball dances are to be semi-formal dances, which require semi-formal attire: Girls - Dress Slacks with Dress Blouse or Dress Dress Shoes and Nylon Dress Stockings Boys - Dress Slacks, Dress Shirt, and Tie Dress Shoes and Dress Socks

4. Goodland High School students must have completed a minimum of one semester of coursework at Goodland High School to be considered for GHS royalty and coronation

5. Other projects deemed beneficial and/or necessary to fulfill STUCO’S responsibility to GHS may be planned, organized and implemented by STUCO, with administrative approval and the approval of the STUCO sponsor.

6. STUCO shall hold at least two (2) general meetings each month.

7. Special meetings may be called by mutual agreement of the President and the STUCO sponsor.

8. To hold and official meeting of STUCO, and conduct business requires a quorum (simple majority).

9. Fulfillment of the duties of all STUCO officers, class representatives, and club representatives includes attendance at STUCO meetings; absence from STUCO meeting is just cause for removal from STUCO.

10. Clubs, organizations, and classes, which are affiliated with STUCO, and have representation in STUCO, must be willing to work, and give their assistance in the successful completion of all projects and activities authorized by STUCO.

11. STUCO has the right to appoint such committees as needed to complete its projects and activities. The following are standing STUCO committees: Dance committee Election committee - (THIS WAS TAKEN OUT) Publicity committee

12. The six (6) elected officers of STUCO makeup the Executive Council of STUCO. (INSERTED) OR BY 2/3 OF VOTE OF STUCO OFFICERS

13. Clubs and organizations affiliated with STUCO shall inform the STUCO Secretary of the name of their elected representative.

14. Nomination petitions: Class officer: Ten signatures are required for petitions. Bonifide members of the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior classes may sign these petitions.

STUCO officer: Twenty-Four student signatures and six teacher signatures are required for STUCO officer petitions.

15. The STUCO sponsor will be paid according to current policy of USD #352.

16. The STUCO sponsor will be appointed by the administration of GHS.