Student Council Elections Handbook
For
Freshmen
Timeline
September 1, 2006— Email application
packet to Ms. Walsh
September 6, 2006—Freshmen
leadership class presentations
September 1, 2006— Class leadership
elections
Be sure to read the St. Ursula Student
Council Constitution on the following pages—it will provide details and information that you will need to know and are
responsible for knowing
Important
Things to Know
All candidates run individually
All candidates must fill out election applications that will be available from Student Council Election Web page http://www.saintursula.org/freshmen
All PowerPoint presentations, self-evaluations,
signed and dated Student Council Handbook page x, must be emailed to Ms.
Walsh by Friday, September 1, 2006.
PowerPoint Presentations are not to exceed three minutes.
Class leadership candidates make speeches at their class meeting on September 6, 2006.
Election campaigns run for one week beginning on September 5, 2006.
Candidates meet with moderator for announcement of winners before the announcement to the school
Candidates are permitted to spend up to $20 of their own money for campaign materials (includes both donated and purchased materials)
Masking tape is the only permissible material for hanging materials & may not be hung on painted walls, glass windows, or in classrooms.
All posters and campaign material must be removed immediately after elections
Student Council meets on C-1days
Student Council officers may not hold office in other clubs or school organizations—it’s a full time job
Class officers meet with the Class Moderator during C-2 days
Class officers act as advisory board members and bring class issues and ideas to Student Council officers and the Administration
Class officers are expected to act with integrity,
enthusiasm, and to be supportive of all events at
All Student Council leaders are required to participate in Open House in November, Student Council dances and events, concerts, plays, athletic events, magazine drive, Victorian Christmas, etc.
Student council leaders are expected to be role models and to be in perfect uniform at all times
Students will be evaluated on their leadership performance
STUDENT COUNCIL CONSTITUTION
OF
ARTICLE
The name of this organization is STUDENT COUNCIL OF ST. URSULA ACADEMY.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
To provide for training and experience in the skills and techniques of good citizenship and leadership through democratic procedure.
To provide learning experiences through the solution of meaningful problems.
To develop positive attitudes regarding leadership and organization.
To promote good human relations in the school community by providing a forum for student opinion.
To provide organized services for students and faculty.
To promote harmonious student-faculty-school community relationship.
To coordinate student activities.
To develop school spirit, pride, and morale.
To organize and conduct school social and recreational activities.
To conduct student campaigns and elections.
To work with the faculty on school problems and projects.
To enhance the religious and spiritual growth of the school.
To lead by example with participation in school liturgies, school sponsored events both in and out of school.
ARTICLE III. JOB DESCRIPTION OF ALL OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Set agenda and calendar
Act as liaison to administration and community
Have power to initiate a committee
Work in cooperation with the moderators
Be committed to the philosophy and mission
statement of
Be Familiar with the teachings of ST. ANGELA MERICI.
Lead by example.
Be Responsible for opening day mass.
Support and attend all religious services.
Be Familiar with the Student Handbook.
Follow the uniform code.
Meet with drama coach on how to present yourself at meetings and in front of groups.
With the co-presidents and secretary help supervise clean up in the dining room
IV. MEMBERSHIP
1) MEMBERS
Student Council Co-Chairs
Secretary
Class Co-Chairs
Homeroom Representatives
2) QUALIFICATIONS
PARTICIPATION
All students are eligible for Student council Membership. However, participation is contingent upon a student maintaining a passing grade in all classes. After consultation with the club moderator and teachers, the principal may declare a student ineligible.
RULES FOR HOLDING OFFICE
In order to be elected to any of the student offices, a student must have a 2.5 GPA for the current school year (homeroom reps must have a 2.0 GPA). She must have a disciplinary record and attendance record acceptable to the Principal, Dean of Students, teachers, and guidance counselor and may not be on probation or suspension. If, after being elected, a student is placed on probation or incurs more than one demerit, she must relinquish the office. The office passes to the student with the next highest number of votes. No student may hold more than one major office in a given year.
Each organization keeps on file in the school office and with the student services moderators its goals and objectives, its main activities, and requirements for holding office. These are reviewed each year and updated when necessary. At the end of each school year, an activities calendar is planned for the following year by the principal, the club moderators, and the student representative. Check current year student handbook for updates on rules.
V. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLILITIES
STUDENT COUNCIL CO-PRESIDENTS
Call and conduct meetings.
Set agenda and calendar.
Act as liaison to administration and community.
Work in cooperation with moderators.
Responsible
for dividing duties in the beginning of the year and submitting this list to
the Moderators.
Submit to moderators written reports for all activities.
Organize student council leadership workshop with the student services moderator in late May or early June.
Co-ordinate, implement, complete process for school banner by August 15 of the coming year.
Work closely with
the campus minister for the liturgies. (This does not mean planning)
SECRETARY
Keeps attendance and writes and posts minutes—sending copies to Principal, Vice-Principal and Moderator
Works closely with the co-presidents and the moderator
Writes thank you notes and condolence cards, get-well cards for serious illnesses.
Types various requests from the moderator.
Is elected at the same election with the co-presidents.
Works closely with the campus minister for the liturgies. (This does not mean planning)
CLASS CO-PRESIDENTS
Represent class to Student Council and Student Council to class
Initiate projects within the class
Call, conduct, and set agenda for meeting
Appoint representatives for special duties and is responsible to oversee the completion of these duties.
Must call class officers’ meetings at least once a month
Work in cooperation with class moderators
Collect and turn in funds to class moderator raised by class
Post minutes for class activities and keep calendar up-to-date
Meet with the Principal and the Student Council Officers once a week
HOMEROOM REPRESENTATIVE
Represents homeroom to Student and Student council to homeroom
Initiates and conducts homeroom activities in cooperation with homeroom teacher
Responsible for giving and postinginformation to homeroom from Student Council meetings
MODERATORS
Guide and assist
Intermediaries for Student Council and administration
Deal with finances
COMMITTEE HEADS
Responsible for operation and duties of committee
Report back to Student Council
Submit to president written reports for all activities
INDIVIDUAL CLASSES
Certain activities will be assigned to individual classes at the discretion of the principal and the class moderator.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
Meetings will occur on Club Day 1, with morning meetings as needed.
1. Emergency meetings may be called.
2. All members should attend unless excused.
3. Two-thirds of the members must be present before voting on an issue
4. Discussion during the meeting should be followed according to the modified parliamentary procedures.
5. Meetings are open to the student body and faculty, they may speak but have no voting rights.
6. Board meetings consisting of Student Council Co-Presidents, Class Co-Presidents and advisor will be held as needs arise.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
A) Any proposed amendments must be submitted to the Student Council co-presidents with reason for the amendment
B) Any amendment must be written and approved by a two-thirds majority of the Student Council before it is put into the Constitution.
ARTICLE VIII. RATIFICATION
This Constitution shall go into effect when ratified by a two-thirds majority vote by the Student Council and approved by the advisor and principal.
ARTICLE IX. VETO POWER
A) Veto
power shall be held only by the principal of
B) The principal shall present a written statement of her objection to the Student Council Board and they in turn shall present it to Student Council.
ARTICLE X. PETITIONING THE ADMINISTRATION FOR PROPOSED CHANGES:
A) Students gather the petition that must be signed by two-thirds of the student body.
B) The petition is presented to the Student council who voted as to whether the proposal is valid and may be sent to the principal. Two-thirds of the Student Council must be in favor of the proposed idea.
C) The principal confers with Student council and concerned students and accepts the petition as presented or returns the petition to the Student council with a list of objections.
D) If the petition is returned, the Student council and concerned students attempt to meet the objections of the principal. This revised petition is then presented to the principal. This procedure should be completed within two weeks.
E) After the principal has received the revised petition, a meeting is called within two weeks. Attending the meeting are concerned students, the four Student Council officers, the Student Council moderators and the principal. The outcome of the meeting is the final decision. The principal can use veto power.
2006-2007
I have read the St. Ursula Academy Student Council Elections Handbook that includes the regulations, policies, and The Student Council Constitution and I agree to abide by the regulations and policies stated therein.
(Signature of Student)
Date:__________________________________
Grade: _________________________________
Homeroom Teacher: ______________________
Email this form in to Ms. Walsh by September 1, 2006