Preamble:
The Student Council is a representative organization inaugurated by the faculty, administration and the St. Mary student body, for the purpose of developing the students’ responsibility pertaining to citizenship, charity, fundraising, community and the betterment of St. Mary Catholic School.

It is intended that the members of the Student Council shall:

1. Bring about a closer understanding between the faculty and student body.
2. Listen to suggestions of the student body on measures aimed to introduce new ideas.
3. Stimulate loyalty and spirit toward all the standards and ideals of the school, by faithful observance of all regulations and outstanding cooperation in all activities.

Article I
Members

Section I:
The Student Council shall consist of sixth through eighth grade Executive Board Officers and fourth through eighth grade Class Representatives.

Article II
Student Council Organization

Section I:
President - eighth grade student
The President represents our school while demonstrating his/her Catholic faith and acceptable behavior and is the spokesperson for the entire student body and the leader of the Student Council.

1. He/she communicates with the administration and keeps administration informed about Council actions and projects.
2. He/she runs the meetings along with the Faculty Advisor(s).
3. He/she works closely with and supports the other Officers and Advisor(s).
4. He/she counts Council votes and announces the results to the Council. The President only votes when there is a tie.
5. He/she participates in daily school announcements.

Section II:
Vice President – sixth, seventh, or eighth student
The Vice President represents our school while demonstrating his/her Catholic faith and acceptable behavior and is the spokesperson for the entire student body in the President’s absence.

1. He/she must know the President’s responsibilities well and assume the President’s role in his/her absence.
2. He/she works closely with and supports the other Officers and Advisor(s).
3. He/she must create and post the agenda for meetings, including organizing motions and speakers.
4. He/she must select the chairpersons and coordinate the work of any committees.
5. He/she participates in daily school announcements.

Section III:
Secretary – sixth, seventh, or eighth student
The Secretary represents our school while demonstrating his/her Catholic faith and acceptable behavior and is in charge of the Council communication functions.

1. He/she works closely with and supports the other Officers and Advisor(s).
2. He/she must keep accurate records of attendance at meetings and events.
3. He/she must publicize meeting schedules
4. He/she must record and post the minutes of the meetings.
5. He/she makes sure all necessary materials are at the Council meetings, including copies, paper, markers, etc.
6. He/she writes formal proposals to administration for changes to handbooks.
7. He/she writes thank you notes to any adult who helped with a Student Council activity.
8. He/she participates in daily school announcements.

Section IV:
Treasurer - sixth, seventh, or eighth student
The Treasurer represents our school while demonstrating his/her Catholic faith and acceptable behavior and must keep accurate record of all Council monies.

1. He/she must work with the School Business Manager and Advisor(s) to learn and execute proper financial procedures.
2. He/she works closely with and supports the other Officers and Advisor(s).
3. He/she must keep a record of all Council monies to create a budget.
4. He/she must report at each meeting the current Council balance and the updated budget.
5. He/she is responsible for publicizing the results of fundraiser, donations, contest, etc.
6. He/she is responsible for making sure all committees submit a project report on funds.
7. He/she participates in daily school announcements.

Section V:
Spirit Commissioner - sixth, seventh, or eighth student
The Spirit Commissioner represents our school while demonstrating his/her Catholic faith and acceptable behavior for encouraging a sense of enthusiasm and loyalty to St. Mary Catholic School.

1. He/she publicizes events utilizing posters, flyers announcements, etc.
2. He/she serves as the faith leader of the Student Council.
3. He/she is responsible for coordinating pep rallies with the Sports Commissioner, Advisor(s) and Athletic Director as necessary.
4. He/she participates in daily school announcements.

Section VI:
Sports Commissioner - sixth, seventh, or eighth student
The Sports Commissioner represents our school while demonstrating his/her Catholic faith and acceptable behavior and acts as a liaison to the Athletic Director.

1. He/she participates in daily school announcements regarding sports activities.
2. He/she publicizes upcoming athletic events and results.
3. He/she writes daily announcements as they relate to sports activities.

Section VII:
Class Representatives – fourth through eighth grade students, one from each classroom.
Class Representatives represent our school while demonstrating his/her Catholic faith and acceptable behavior and act on behalf of the students who elected them.

1. He/she must attend Council meetings and keep notes.
2. He/she must coordinate class meetings with the teacher to discuss and vote on ideas.
3. He/she supports the Officers and Advisor(s) in all Student Council events.

Article III
Campaigning and Elections

Section I:
Election Application
Student Council elections will occur in spring for the following school year positions.
Elections for Representatives for the current school year will take place in early fall. Student Council candidates must submit or comply with the following items within the prescribed time frames:

1. Permission slip signed by their legal guardian.
2. A typed 150-300 word persuasive essay to be used as a campaign speech.
3. Two completed “Teacher Recommendations” forms submitted directly from the teacher to the Faculty Advisor(s).
4. Student Council candidates must have a minimum, cumulative GPA of 85% for the first three quarters of the election school year.

Section II:
Campaign Rules

1. All campaigning will be of a positive nature.
2. A single campaign poster (14’x18’) may be displayed on the first floor of the school.
3. Candidates for Officer positions may campaign in the front entry of the school before school using their poster.

Section III:
Candidates Speeches

1. Officer speeches will be presented to fourth through eighth grade students.
2. Class Representative speeches will be presented in the classroom.

Section IV:
Voting

1. Third through seventh students will vote for Council Officers.
2. Classroom students will vote for their Class Representatives.
3. The Faculty Advisor(s) shall count voting ballots.

Section V:
Unsuccessful Officer Candidates

1. Candidates that are not successfully elected to an Executive Officer position may run for Class Representative.

Article IV
Ongoing Requirements for all Student Council Members

Section I:
Behavior

1. Student Council members are required to maintain satisfactory conduct as determined by the Administration and Advisor(s).
2. A Student Council Member may be removed from office because of inappropriate conduct.

Section II:
Grades

1. Student Council members are required to maintain a minimum 85% GPA average at the end of each quarter in order to remain on Student Council.
2. Failure to maintain this academic standard will result in impeachment proceedings.

Section III:
Catholic Values

1. Student Council members will exemplify Catholic, Christian values.
2. Students will represent St. Mary Catholic School in a respectful and responsible manner, both on and off the school campus.

Article V
Student Council Meetings

Section I:
General Meetings

1. Student Council meetings will be held semi-monthly at a time and date determined by the Advisor(s).
2. Advisor(s) reserve the right to modify the time/date of Council meetings as needed to meet the needs of the school community.

Section II:
Committee Meetings

1. Committee meetings will be schedule by the President and the corresponding Committee Chairperson.

Article VI
Parliamentary Procedure

Section I:
All Student Council business will be conducted using “Robert’s Rules of Order” for Parliamentary Procedure.

Article VII
Attendance

Section I:
Unexcused Absences

1. Student Council Officers and Class Representatives are required to attend Student Council meetings and Student Council sponsored events.
2. Absences must be reported to the President and Faculty Advisor(s) prior to the meeting or event.
3. More than four unexcused absences will result in impeachment proceedings.

Section II:
Excused Absences

1. Absences for illnesses or other medical appointments with a note from the student’s legal guardian will be considered excused.
2. Faculty Advisor(s) reserve the right to determine whether other types of absences are considered excused or unexcused.

Article VIII:
Faculty Advisors

The Faculty Advisor(s) shall:

1. Be official representatives of the administration and the faculty for the Student Council.
2. Be an official Liaison between the students and the administration.
3. Be “moderators” in the sense of providing guidance and advice concerning Student Council business.
4. Have final approval of all Student Council activities in conjunction with the administration.
5. Assist in chaperoning all Student Council sponsored activities.

Article IX
Finance

The Student Council shall self-finance expenses that it incurs.

Section I:
Approval of Expenditures

1. All proposed expenditures shall receive approval from the Faculty Advisor(s).

Section II:
Money Procedures

1. All monies received as a result of Council activities shall be promptly deposited in accordance with school procedures.
2. The Treasurer will complete financial transactions under the supervision of the Business Manager.

Section III:
Use of Funds

1. The use of Student Council funds will be determined by vote of the Council and approval of the Faculty Advisor(s) and administration.

Article X
Impeachment or Resignation from Student Council
Section I:
Impeachment Process

1. Before any impeachment proceeding, the Faculty Advisor(s) shall present the facts to the Student Council Member concerning the indictment.
2. He or she will have an opportunity to explain the circumstances or have the option to resign.
3. If the President is being impeached, the Vice President shall temporarily carry out the duties of the President.

Section II:
Grounds for impeachment

1. Actions for which the consequence will be impeachment shall be a violation of the duties and responsibilities as outlined in the constitution.

Section III:
Impeachment Request

1. Any member of the Council can make a request to the Faculty Advisor(s) to initiate impeachment proceedings of a Council Member.
2. The Faculty Advisor(s) will make an initial determination as to the merit of such a request.
3. In the event of an impeachment hearing, parliamentary procedure will be followed.

Section IV:
Continuity of Office

1. In the event of impeachment or resignation of the President, the Vice President will assume the office of President.
2. Should the Vice President or other Officer be impeached or resign, the vacant position will be offered to the runner up candidate who received the second most votes in the original election.
3. Should that student decline the position offered, a new election will be held.

Article XI
Right to Amend

Section I:

1. A proposed amendment to this constitution must be presented using parliamentary procedure.
2. The President shall send a copy of the proposed amendment to all members of the Council, Faculty Advisor(s) and the Administration.
3. Amendments may be ratified at any time during the calendar year.