• The New Caney High School Student Council Constitution

    Established 2020-21

     

    Preamble

    We, the students of New Caney High School, aim to give students a voice, develop leadership and citizenship, and increase school pride and positivity through involvement in school activities. Striving to set high standards, we will be willing to be educated,  open-minded, and dedicate ourselves to be an organization that students can look up to. 

     

    Article 1: Name

    Section 1: The name of this organization shall be  the New Caney High School Student Council (abbreviated to the NCHS Student Council). 

     

    Article 2: Purpose

    Section 1: The purpose of this organization shall be the following: 

    1. The NCHS Student Council will strive to provide a voice to the student body.
    2. The NCHS Student Council will  implement a democratic system to make decisions.
    3. The NCHS Student Council will  strive to improve relationships between students and faculty
    4. The NCHS Student Council will help others in times of need.
    5. The NCHS Student Council will  foster an environment of respect for others’ ideas and personalities in our school and home community.

     

    Article 3: Membership

    Section 1: The New Caney High School Student Council is open to all New Caney High School Students.   

    Section 2: Members will fall into three categories, Active Members, Inactive Members and Student Organization Non-Voting Delegates. 

    1. Active Members
      1. Active Voting Members have met all the requirements for Student Council Membership and are allowed to fully participate in general council meetings including voting, holding positions as committee chairs, and running for office. 
      2. Active Non-Voting Members are students who are actively involved in the New Caney High School Student Council and are working towards meeting voting membership requirements.  They are able to participate fully in general council meetings, including sitting on a committee, but are not allowed to participate in final votes. 
    2. Inactive Members
      1. Inactive Members shall be students who have lost UIL eligibility or are facing disciplinary action.  These members are only eligible to attend general council meetings.  They are not eligible to attend Student Council events or activities or sit on a committee until they regain eligibility.  
    3. Student Organization Non-Voting Delegates
      1. Every NCHS Campus organization and team is eligible to send one delegate to general student council meetings.  These delegates will be the voice of their organization but will not be allowed to vote.  

    Section 3: In order to be considered an Active Voting Member a student must meet the following prerequisites: 

    1. Maintain UIL eligibility
    2. Fulfill petitioning requirements set by the Executive Board
    3. Meet the minimum point requirement set by the Executive Board
    4. Pay New Caney High School Student Council Dues

    Section 4: Each member will receive points for participating in Student Council events.  The number of points per event will be determined by the Student Council Advisor or Elected Officers.  Members will be required to reach a minimum point requirement in order to obtain and maintain their voting status, students who do not meet the point requirement will lose their voting privileges until the point requirements are met.  

    Section 5: General Student Council Member Expectations

    1. All New Caney High School Student Council events and members shall follow the NCHS Student Code of Conduct regarding illegal substances, weapons and safety, and dress code. 
    2. All New Caney High School Student Council members are expected to maintain appropriate social media accounts
    3. All New Caney High School Student Council members are expected to attend general council meetings.  If a member is unable to attend they shall contact the Student Council Advisor prior to the meeting. 
    4. Every active member must serve as a representative on at least one standing committee.  

    Section 6: Penalties for inappropriate behavior

    1. TLC or DAEP placement will result in removal from the New Caney High School Student Council for the remainder of the school year, removal from office if applicable and inability to run for office for 2 school years.
    2. Suspension will result in loss of voting privileges for the remainder of the school year, removal from office if applicable.
    3. ISS
      1. 1st offense: Warning
      2. 2nd offense: Loss of voting privileges for 6 weeks
      3. 3rd offense: Loss of Active Member status for 6 weeks (only allowed to attend council meetings, no other events)
      4. Any conduct deemed to be “unbecoming of a member of NCHS Student Council.

    Section 7: No person, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, or disability shall be excluded from or denied the benefits of membership in the New Caney High School Student Council. 

     

    Article 4: Officers

    Section 1:  The New Caney High School Student Council will elect six active members to officer positions annually.  Officer positions include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Historian.  

    Section 2: The six elected Student Council Officers and the four Class Presidents will comprise the Executive Board or Board.  The Executive Board, Committee Chairs and the Class Officers will comprise the Leadership Team.

    Section 3: Officer Responsibilities 

    1. President: Preside over meetings, act as a tie-breaking vote and perform other duties as required by the council. 
    2. Vice President: communicate with the general council, preside over meetings and fulfill the duties of the office of president in the case of the president’s  in the absence and perform other duties as required by the council 
    3. Secretary: take meeting minutes, prepare meeting agendas, and perform other duties as required by the council. 
    4. Treasurer: keep track of Student Council Funds and perform other duties as required by the council. 
    5. Parliamentarian: ensure the council follows parliamentary procedures and perform other duties as required by the council
    6. Historian: maintain a scrapbook of events, promote student council events, and perform other duties as required by the council

    Section 4: Replacement of Officers

    1. Any vacancy that occurs will be filled by an alternate list based on the runners up from the previous election.  In the event that an alternate is unable to fulfill the duties of that office a student may be nominated for the position by the general council and appointed by the Advisor.  If multiple students are nominated, and accept the nomination a vote will be held at the nomination meeting.  
    2. The exception will be for the President’s position which will be first filled by the Vice President, then the position of Vice President will be filled based on the procedure outlined in Article 4 Section 4.A
    3. The Student Council Advisor in conjunction with the Principal reserves the right to remove an officer who is not performing the duties of their office.  

     

    Article 5: Elections

    Section 1: Candidates for Student Council Officers positions must meet UIL eligibility requirements.  Only Juniors and Seniors may run for the office of President and Vice President.  Sophomores, Junior and Seniors may run for Secretary, Treasurer and Parliamentarian.  Freshmen may run for Historian.  Candidates who wish to run for office must have 5 signatures from the student population by November 4, 2020.

    Section 2: Elections will be held annually

    Section 3: Students running for Student Council Officer positions will present a speech to the council prior to the election.  

    Section 4: Elections for student council officer positions will be held by secret ballot at a general meeting. 

    Section 5: Each student running for office with the council will be provided a copy of the campaign procedures of  New Caney High School.

    Section 6: Students eligible to vote for student council officer must have attended at least one student council meeting either in person or via Zoom for the 2020/21 school year. 



    Article 6:  Committees

    Section 1: The standing committees shall consist of the following: 

    1. Special Events Committee 
    2. Safety and Health Committee
    3. Pride and Patriotism Committee
    4. Energy and Environment
    5. Community Service
    6. President's Committee

    Section 2:  Ad hoc committees may be created by the Student Council Officers. The duties and duration of these committees shall be stated by the Student Council Officers upon establishment of the committee.

    Section 3: Committee Chair Selection 

    1. Committee Chairs will be appointed by the Student Council Advisors with input from the Student Council Officers. 
    2. Active Voting Members may apply to be Committee Chairs
    3. Every Active Voting Member will be provided with a copy of the New Caney High School Student Council Committee Chair application and selection procedures.
    4. In the event that there are not enough Voting members available the Student Council Advisor may appoint a non voting member to a committee chair position. 

     

    Article 7: Meetings and Procedures

    Section 1: The New Caney High School Student Council shall meet on a schedule determined by the Executive Board.  The President may call a special meeting with the approval of the Advisor. 

    Section 2:  The Student Council President shall preside over all meetings.   In the event of the President’s absence the following chain of command will be followed: Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Historian

    Section 3: Each voting member will receive one vote.  In the event of a tie, the President will abstain from voting and only vote in order to break the tie. 

    Section 4:  25% of Active Voting Members shall constitute a quorum to transact any business that requires voting.  A simple majority of those voting  shall constitute an affirmative vote. 

    Section 5: A two-thirds presence of the Board shall constitute a quorum to transact any business.  A simple majority of those voting shall constitute an affirmative vote of the Board. 

    Section 6: All New Caney High School Student Council meetings shall be held according to the constitution and Robert’s Rules of Order Revised. 

    Section 7: The Principal and Advisor shall have veto power. 

     

    Article 8: Bylaws

    Section 1: By-laws shall be established and amended by a majority vote. 

     

    Article 9: Amendments and Revisions

    Section 1: An amendment may be proposed by any advisor or active voting member and approved by a majority plus one of votes submitted by voting members.  In the event of a tie, the president, who shall abstain from voting otherwise shall cast the deciding vote.  

     

    Article 10: Ratification and Effective Constitution Date

    Section 1: This constitution shall be ratified and go into effect when passed by a majority vote and will expire on April 1, 2021 or when a new constitution has been ratified.

    Class Officer Bylaws

    Section 1: Function

    1. Organize class specific events and fundraisers
    2. Serve as representatives for their class on the New Caney High School Student Council.
    3. Senior Class Officers shall be responsible for at least: 
      1. Designing and selling class shirts
      2. Organizing end of year events (Prom, Senior Trip/Picnic)
      3. Organizing Homecoming 
      4. Fundraising for Prom
      5. Organizing a Battle Line hallway
      6. Serve as student representatives on Student Council Committees
      7. Class Presidents shall serve on the Student Council Executive Board.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall attend Board Meetings.
    1. Junior Class officers shall be responsible for at least
      1. Organizing and participating in at least 2 class fundraisers
      2. Organizing a Battle Line hallway
      3. Serve as student representatives on Student Council Committees
      4. Class Presidents shall serve on the Student Council Executive Board.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall attend Board Meetings.
    1. Sophomore Class officers shall be responsible for at least
      1. Organizing and participating in at least 2 class fundraisers
      2. Organizing a Battle Line hallway
      3. Serve as student representatives on Student Council Committees
      4. Class Presidents shall serve on the Student Council Executive Board.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall attend Board Meetings.
    1. Freshman Class officers shall be responsible for at least
      1. Organizing and participating in at least 2 class fundraisers
      2. Organizing a Battle Line hallway
      3. Serve as student representatives on Student Council Committees
      4. Class Presidents shall serve on the Student Council Executive Board.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall attend Board Meetings.

     

    Section 2: Membership

    1. Every class shall be represented by five elected officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Historian.  
    2. Each set of officers shall be members of their respective class. 

     

    Section 3: Duties of Officers

    1. President
      1. Preside over Class Officer meetings
      2. Create agendas for Class Officer Meetings
      3. Act as spokesperson for Class
      4. Serve as a member of the executive board of the Student Council
    2. Vice President
      1. Assume the duties of the President in event of absence
      2. Maintain communication with the class
      3. Oversee PR (announcements, social media etc.)
    3. Secretary
      1. Take meeting minutes at all Class officer meetings
      2. Provide completed minutes to the class officers and sponsor
    4. Treasurer
      1. Oversee class funds
      2. Keep class officers updated regularly with the budget
    5. Historian
      1. Maintain a record of events
      2. Work with Class Vice President to ensure positive and comprehensive PR

     

    Section 4: Class Officer Elections

    1. Class Officers shall be elected by their class. 
    2. Students running for Class officers will record a speech that will be played for their entire class. 
    3. Class Officer Candidates must meet the following requirements: 
      1. Must submit a completed Candidate Packet by the deadline set by the Student Council Advisor
      2. Candidates for Senior Class Officers must have run for or held an office as a Class Officer or Student Council Officer for at least one year or been an active voting member for one year
      3. Candidates must be a member of the class they are running to represent and be enrolled full-time at New Caney High School and UIL eligible.
      4. Candidates for Senior Class Officers must provide proof of graduation eligibility in May of the upcoming academic year.
      5. At the time of the election all candidates must have at least one year of experience of active involvement in a student organization or sport. 
    4. Class Officer elections for Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores shall be held in the spring each year, run by the class sponsors.  Class officer elections for Freshmen will be held in the fall, run by the class sponsors. 
    5.  Each student running for a Class Office will be provided a copy of the Constitution, By-laws and election policies and procedures of the New Caney High School Class Officers.
    6. Students may only run for one office. 
    7. Candidates  for Class officers will record a speech that will be played for their entire class. 
    8. Candidates can submit one post for social media and the school televisions to the class sponsor for approval and to have it posted.  
    9. Negative campaigning will not be tolerated.  Candidates directly or indirectly allegedly involved may immediately be disqualified.  If supporters take part in negative campaigning the candidate may be disqualified.  
    10. Officers will be elected via popular vote using Google Forms.  In the event of a tie between two or more candidates the following will occur: 
      1. Candidates in the tie will be contacted to see if they would like to remain in the election or if they would like to withdraw
      2. A new vote will occur if needed to break the tie. 

     

    Section 5: Voting Eligibility

    • All New Caney High School students are eligible to vote for their Class Officers. 

     

    Section 6: Expectations

    1. All Class Officers must become Active Voting Members of the New Caney High School Student Council.
    2. Class Officers are expected to abide by the expectations set forth in the New Caney High School Student Council Constitution.
      1. All Class officers and class events shall follow the NCHS Student Code of Conduct regarding illegal substances, weapons and safety, and dress code. 
      2. All New Caney High School Student Council members are expected to maintain appropriate social media accounts
      3. Attend class officer meetings, general council meetings and executive board meetings as needed.  If a member is unable to attend they shall contact the Class Sponsor or Student Council Advisor prior to the meeting. 
      4. Positively (or constructively) contribute to the appointed committee. 

     

    Section 7: Penalties for inappropriate behavior

    1. TLC or DAEP placement will result in removal from office if inability to run for office for 2 school years.
    2. Suspension will result in loss of voting privileges for the remainder of the school year and removal from office.
    3. ISS
      1. 1st offense: Warning
      2. 2nd offense: Loss of voting privileges for 6 weeks
      3. 3rd offense: Removal from office

     

    Section 8: Vacancies

    1. In the event of a Class Officer opening the following will occur: 
      1. The position will first be offered to the runner-up from the original election
      2. If the runner up is unable to fill the position a new, special election will be held following the same guides as a normal election. 
      3. The only exception is a vacancy in a Class President position which will be filled by the Vice President then the Vice President's position will be filled by a runner up or special election.