The Constitution
of the
Normandy High School Student Government
Preamble
We, the students of Normandy High School, in order to teach respect for law and order, to maintain high standards of cooperation, loyalty, and school spirit, and to assist us in conducting ourselves like members of a democratic society, do form this constitution for the Student Government of Normandy High School.
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Normandy High School Student Government. Hereafter, this organization shall be referred to as NHSSG in this constitution.
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of NHSSG shall be as follows:
1. To develop an effective and efficient student government.
2. To increase student participation in the decision making process of the school and community.
3. To improve understanding between and within groups, through interaction and communication.
4. To provide a medium of exchange for ideas, activities, and problems.
5. To promote the practice of good citizenship and democracy as a way of life.
Article III – Membership
Section 1 - All members and officers must attend all regular meetings of NHSSG, unless prior excuse has been made.
Section 2 - An excused absence must be approved by the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary or Advisor prior to the meeting or activity.
a. Excused absences shall be in accordance with published school policy.
Section 3 - Membership in NHSSG shall be open to all students enrolled in Normandy High School, provided they meet the requirements of Section 4.
Section 4 – To become a member of NHSSG, the student shall submit to the Advisor a Membership Application Form. The qualifications for membership shall be stated in the NHSSG Membership Application.
a. Applicants must obtain 25 signatures from students of their respective grade. They must also obtain a parent/guardian signature, along with a teacher or counselor recommendation.
Article IV – Duties of Student Government Officers
Section 1 - Presidential Duties
a. Preside over general meetings.
b. Prepare general meeting agendas.
c. Lead discussion of new business at general meetings.
d. Coordinate the functions of the officers and committee chairs.
e. Maintain presidential notebook of events.
f. Represent NHSSG at public functions.
g. Be a part of every NHSSG activity.
h. Review all NHSSG mail.
i. Be the official link between students and faculty.
j. Meet frequently with Advisor and other officers.
k. Uphold the Constitution.
l. Encourage and set an example in leadership, politeness, honesty, promptness, and good school spirit.
Section 2 - Vice Presidential Duties
a. Perform presidential duties if the President is absent.
b. Lead discussion of old business at general meetings.
c. Be the official link between NHSSG, its officers and the student body.
d. Maintain NHSSG Bulletin Board.
e. Write announcements for meetings and other activities.
f. Be a part of every NHSSG activity.
g. Meet frequently with Advisor and other officers.
h. Uphold constitution.
i. Encourage and set an example in leadership, politeness, honesty, promptness, and good school spirit.
j. Chairman of Publicity/Communication Committee
Section 3 - Treasurer’s Duties
a. Receive and record all funds of NHSSG and record payments.
b. Submit written and oral reports on balance in treasury.
c. Coordinate fundraising activities / Chairperson of Ways and Means Committee.
d. Assist Secretary when needed.
e. Be apart of every NHSSG activity.
f. Meet frequently with Advisor and other officers.
g. Uphold constitution.
h. Encourage and set an example in leadership, politeness, honesty, promptness, and good school spirit.
Section 4 - Secretarial Duties
a. Prepare and report minutes of every meeting.
b. Keep attendance at all meetings.
c. Responsible for all NHSSG correspondence as Chairperson of the Correspondence Committee.
d. Report on member’s attendance and NHSSG activities.
e. Be a part of every NHSSG activity.
f. Meet frequently with Advisor and other officers.
g. Uphold constitution.
h. Encourage and set an example in leadership, politeness, honesty, promptness, and good school spirit.
Article V – Candidacy of Student Government Officers and Class Officers
Section 1 - Candidacy of Student Government Officers
Student Government Presidential, Vice Presidential and Treasurer candidates must be seniors during his/her term of office and must have been a member in good standing the year proceeding his/her term year. Secretarial candidates must have been in NHSSG in either the tenth or eleventh grade proceeding his/her term.
a. All candidates must at least a 2.0 GPA.
b. Candidates must have no disciplinary problems within the last 90 school days.
c. Candidates are required to address their fellow classmates in a campaign speech given at a class election assembly.
Section 2 - Candidacy of Class Officers
d. All candidates must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
e. Candidates must have no disciplinary problems within the last 90 school days.
f. Class officer candidates must be active members of their class advisory board the previous year. Candidate must get written approval from the previous years’ class advisor to run for a class office.
g. Candidates are required to address their fellow classmates in a campaign speech given at a class election assembly.
h. It is mandatory all ALL class officers, once in office, to attend all NHSSG meetings and activities. Removal from office can be pursued if an officer neglects these duties.
Article VI – Meetings
Section 1 - There shall be a general student government meeting every first Thursday of the month before school. Meeting can be cancelled at anytime if no new business needs to be discussed.
Section 2 - Special meetings may be called by the President or Advisor. One week’s notice must be given to the faculty and members of the NHSSG, with the exception of emergency meetings.
Article VII – Committees
Section 1 - Standing Committees are comprised of members of NHSSG, unless otherwise indicated, and exist throughout the duration of the school year.
a. Executive Committee – chaired by NHSSG President and comprised of the current NHSSG officers, and any past NHSSG officers; responsible for all elections.
b. Publicity/Communication Committee – chaired by NHSSG Vice President; responsible for all intra school communication.
c. Ways and Means Committee – chaired by NHSSG Treasurer; responsible for all fundraising communication.
d. Correspondence Committee – chaired by NHSSG Secretary; responsible for all inter school communication.
e. Community Service/Philanthropy Committee – responsible for coordinating all service projects and charity work done by NHSSG.
f. Student Activities/Social Committee – responsible for coordinating all activities sponsored by NHSSG including, but not limited to Homecoming events and the Winter Formal.
g. Spirit Committee – responsible for generating spirit for all activities.
Section 2 - Ad hoc committees may be formed upon suggestion by any member of NHSSG and are subject to approval by a majority vote of NHSSG delegates.
Section 3 - Chairs for those committees not having a constitutionally appointed chair shall be selected by NHSSG President with approval of the Executive Committee.
Article VIII – Amendments
Section 1 - Amendments to this Constitution must be submitted by members of the Government.
a. Amendments are subject to the approval the majority of student government members.
b. After approval by all the necessary groups, the amendment shall go into effect immediately.
Section 2 - By-laws of this organization must be submitted by members of the Government.
a. By-laws are subject to the approval of the members of NHSSG and the Advisor.
b. By-laws may be repealed, subject to the action of the members of NHSSG and the Advisor.
By-Laws
Of the
Normandy High School Student Government
Article 1
Section 1 - There shall be three separate elections each year. The first election shall be for class officers, with the exception of the incoming freshman class for the next school year, and shall be conducted no later than May 15th. The second election shall be for NHSSG officers and shall be conducted no later than May 15. The third election shall be for the freshman class officers and shall be conducted no later than October 1.
Section 2 – Petition for all offices will be available before campaigning. The campaigning for all positions will take place one week prior to the date of election. Any special election may be held as NHSSG directs, and the above stated guidelines shall apply.
Section 3 - All ballots shall be retained until the last day of the school year.
Article II
Section 1 - A quorum at all meetings of NHSSG will be anything over fifty percent of all NHSSG members.
Section 2 - No final action may be transacted until a quorum is present.
Article III
Section 1 - All student government and class officers must attend all regular meetings and all activities of NHSSG unless prior excuse has been made.
Section 2 - All excused absences must be approved by the President or Advisor prior to the meeting or activity. See Article II, Section 2a of the NHSSG constitution.
Section 3 - In cases of absence from school, on the day of an activity or a meeting, the Advisor will determine in an absence is excused or unexcused following established school policy.
Article IV
Section 1 - A member shall be removed for any of the following reasons (special circumstances will be individually evaluated by Executive Committee to determine action to be taken):
a. Four unexcused absences from NHSSG meetings.
b. Three unexcused absences from NHSSG activities.
c. A total of seven absences from meetings excused or unexcused.
d. Prolonging disciplinary action from the faculty or administration.
e. Failure to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position held in NHSSG.
f. Any action detrimental to the welfare of the school.
Section 2 - The procedure for removal from NHSSG shall be as follows:
a. The executive committee shall notify the Government member in writing when his/her status is in question.
1. When the member has three unexcused absences from meetings.
2. When the member has two unexcused absences from NHSSG activities.
3. When the member has a total of six (excused or unexcused) absences from meetings.
4. When the Executive committee feels that the member is not fulfilling the government duties and/or responsibilities.
b. If the members’ status continues to be in doubt because of further negligence, the Advisor shall notify the member of the intent to remove him or her from NHSSG.
c. The member in question may appear before the Executive Committee to challenge the reasons for removal, to produce witnesses, or otherwise explain his or her activities.
d. A majority vote by the Executive Committee is necessary to remove the member in question from the Government.
e. If the member is to be removed from Government, the Executive Committee will inform his or her of the date of the action in writing.
f. The member in question has the right to appeal the removal from NHSSG to the Principal of Normandy High School. The appeal must begin within one week of notification of removal.
Article V
Section 1 - A vacancy in the presidency of NHSSG shall be filled by the Vice President of NHSSG.
Section 2 - A vacancy in the presidency of any class shall be filled by the Vice President of the class.
Section 3 - A vacancy that occurs in a class or NHSSG office of Treasurer or Secretary must be determined by the Executive Committee of Student Government.
Section 4 - A Class President can be removed through recall procedures:
a. A recall petition must be signed by three-fourths of the class.
b. The validity of this petition must be verified by the class Advisor and/or the Advisor of the NHSSG.
c. If the petition is valid, a special Recall Election will be held.
d. Officers will be recalled immediately if three fourths of the voters of the class vote in favor of recall.
Article VI – Homecoming court candidate requirements
Section 1 - Homecoming court applicants must meet the following requirements:
a. At least a 2.0 GPA
b. No disciplinary problems within the last 90 school days
c. Must be in a school activity (club or sport)
d. Must complete a “Nomination Acceptance Form”
e. Homecoming court candidates must be of senior status.
Section 2 - Here is how the election process goes for homecoming court:
a. Any student from any grade level may nominate anyone for homecoming court. Nominations are posted in the student services office. Students can go there at their leisure and write in a nomination. This usually lasts approximately 3 days.
b. After this initial nomination students have approximately 2 days to fill out a “Nomination Acceptance Form.” There will be a deadline for this application. Students should listen to the morning announcements or read the announcements on the bulletin board in front of the student services office. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS IF THE FORM IS NOT FILLED OUT. Late forms will NOT be excepted. If a student lies on the form they are automatically disqualified.
c. For the next 2 school days any grade level student may vote for a senior top 10 list. From this we get a top 10 list.
d. For the next 2 school days any grade level may vote for the top 5, which will become the homecoming court.
e. For the next 2 school days only seniors vote for the Homecoming Queen and Sir Norman.
Article VII – Winter court candidate requirements
Section 1 - Winter court applicants must meet the following requirements:
a. Must have at least a 2.0 GPA
b. May have no disciplinary problems within the last 90 school days
c. Must be in a school activity (club or sport)
d. Must complete a “Nomination Acceptance Form”
e. Winter court candidates may not be on the court for two consecutive years.
f. Senior court candidates are not permitted to run if they were on homecoming court.
Section 2 - Winter court consists of 5 girl members and 5 boy members from every grade. Here is how the election process goes for winter court:
a. Any student from any grade level may nominate anyone for winter court. Nominations are posted in the student services office. Students can go there at their leisure and write in a nomination. This usually lasts approximately 3 days.
b. After this initial nomination students have approximately 2 days to fill out a “Nomination Acceptance Form.” There will be a deadline for this application. Students should listen to the morning announcements or read the announcements on the bulletin board in front of the student services office. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS IF THE FORM IS NOT FILLED OUT. Late forms will NOT be excepted. If a student lies on the form they are automatically disqualified.
c. For the next 2 school days all grades vote for top 10 of every grade.
d. For the next 2 school days all grades vote for the top 5 of every grade.
e. For the next 2 school days each grade can vote for the winners in their grade only.
Article VIII – Winter Court Titles
9th grade – Snow Baron and Snow Baroness
10th grade – Snow Duke and Snow Duchess
11th grade – Snow Prince and Snow Princess
12th grade – Snow King and Snow Queen
Article VIIII – Homecoming Float Rules
1. Only school sponsored clubs or organizations are permitted.
2. All groups must give a written notice of their intent to enter the float competition. A rough sketch of or idea of your float should accompany the notice.
3. The place and time for preparation of floats will be left to the discretion of the groups with the approval of the class advisor/administrator.
4. Floats should be confined to a trailer or platform. Signs may be used as part of the display, but they may not be insulting or otherwise derogatory towards their opponents.
5. Judging will be based on originality, integration of the theme, workmanship, and creativity (how you used your materials). Judges will be members of the Normandy Faculty and administration, or alumni. Neither class advisors nor the Student Government Advisor will judge the floats.
6. Judging of floats will be between 6:45 and 7: 15 p.m. This time is subject to change. No float will be considered ineligible unless the class officers and/or class advisor of that class if informed personally.
7. All floats and materials must be removed from Byers Field immediately after the game.
Article X
Any rules, regulation, or matters of parliamentary procedure not addressed by this Constitution and By-laws shall be referred to Robert’s Rules of Order under which this organization operates.
