Prattville High School

Student Government Association

Constitution and Bylaws

Enacted June 19, 2015

Page 1

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Student Government Association of Prattville High School.

Article II: Organization

  1. The organization shall be composed of a unicameral legislature consisting of the following hierarchy
  2. The Executive Committee, “The Exec,” consists of the 4 Executive Officers, the Sponsors, and the Principal of Prattville High School. The Exec’s duties are outlined in section 2 of this article. All members will report to The Exec.
  3. Classes will be made up of a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Representatives. All meetings, ideas, etc. must go through the class officers and end with the President before being presented at General Assembly meetings. Only the Class President can call a class meeting. Class officers are expected to present at general assembly meetings when assigned.
  4. The Executive Committee
  1. Will plan the association’s activities, finances, and schedules.
  2. Will appoint committees as needed to carry out activities of the association.
  3. Can make emergency decisions.
  4. Will always prepare ideas for the General Assembly meetings.
  5. Will consist of the Executive President, Executive Vice President, Executive Treasurer, Executive Secretary, the advisors, and the Principal.
  1. General Assembly meetings will be conducted in accordance with Parliamentary Procedure.

Article III: Powers

  1. The association shall have the power to:
  2. Develop, adopt, and amend the constitution and bylaws as necessary.
  3. To manage the organization, promotion, and supervision of all class elections.
  4. To originate, formulate, and promote association policy.
  5. To create, authorize, and supervise specialized committees to carry out the programs and policies of the committees.
  6. To appoint such members of committees as deemed necessary to carry out the programs and policies of the committees.
  7. To publicize the association’s policies, programs, and activities.
  8. To pass such emergency measures as may be necessary.

Article IV: Executive Officers

  1. The entire student body shall elect the executive officers of the association. The student body will select a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
  2. The president shall be elected from the incoming senior class by the school as a whole. The president’s duties shall be:
  1. To preside at all general assemblies.
  2. To represent the organization at all school assemblies.
  3. To appoint all committee chairs with the approval of the advisor.
  4. To regularly call scheduled and special meetings, if necessary.
  5. To serve as chair of the executive committee.
  6. To represent the association at all community meetings and functions.
  1. The vice president shall be elected from the incoming junior class by the school as a whole. The vice president’s duties shall be:
  1. To assist in planning the meetings and activities of the organization.
  2. To perform duties of the president in the absence of the president.
  3. To preside over the all committees, appointing officers as he or she deems necessary; all appointments are subject to the approval of the association president and advisors.
  1. The secretary shall be elected from the incoming junior or senior classes by the school as a whole. The secretary’s duties shall be:
  1. To assist in planning and carrying out the activities of the association.
  2. To make and keep accurate records of all meetings and activities, including meeting minutes and attendance. If the executive secretary is not present to take attendance or minutes, the senior class secretary shall be in charge of said records.
  3. To read the minutes of the previous meeting.
  4. To receive, preserve, and carry on correspondence.
  5. To keep members informed of association meetings and activities.
  1. The treasurer shall be elected from the incoming junior or senior classes by the school as a whole. The treasurer’s duties shall be:
  1. To assist in planning and carrying out the activities of the association.
  2. To aid the advisor in the receipt and disbursement of all monies. Funds will be deposited in the Student Government Association account at Prattville High School and maintained by the Prattville High School accounting personnel.
  3. To aid the advisor in keeping accurate records of receipts and disbursements.
  4. To present a financial report at association meetings.
  5. To keep a record of each member’s number of service hours.

Article V: Elections

  1. Qualifications for Student Government Association executive officer positions:
  1. All candidates must have a 3.0 cumulative average or better which will include the previous year’s final GPA and the current years’fall semester 18-week grades.
  2. All candidates must have previous experience with the association.
  3. Executive officers must not have other offices, duties, or jobs that will interfere with the performance of association duties.
  4. All candidates must meet the attendance requirements outlined in Article VIII to be eligible to run.
  5. All candidates must have completed a minimum of forty service hours gained the prior year in the association.
  6. All candidates must have a clean discipline record for the year with no placement in the Second Change Program (Alternative School), placement in In-School Suspension (ISS)for Class II Offenses or higher (see PHS Code of Conduct), or more than one placement in ISS for Habitual Class I Offenses.
  1. Qualifications for class officers and representatives
  1. All candidates must have a 3.0 cumulative average or better which will include the previous year’s final GPA and the current year’s Fall semester 18-week grades.
  2. If a candidate has served on the student government association in years prior to the upcoming election, he or she must meet the attendance requirements outlined in Article VIII to be eligible to run.
  3. If a candidate has served on the student government association in years prior to the upcoming election, he or she must have completed a minimum of forty service hours gained the prior year in SGA.
  4. All candidates must have a clean discipline record for the year with no placement in the Second Change Program (Alternative School), placement in In-School Suspension (ISS)for Class II Offenses or higher (see PHS Code of Conduct), or more than one placement in ISS for Habitual Class I Offenses.
  5. Representatives will adhere to the following:
  6. All will be actively involved in any committee they are assigned to through their class or through SGA appointment.
  7. Executive officers, class officers, and representatives for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be elected in the spring of each year.
  8. In the event of a tie, there will be a runoff of the individuals involved.
  9. All votes will be done by scantron (purchased by SGA)and all votes will be tallied by advisors.

Article VI: Meeting Time and Place

  1. The executive board will arrange the time and place for the association meetings. General Assemblies will be held at least three times a semester.
  2. Most meetings will be held at either Prattville High School or City Hall.

Article VII: Open Positions within SGA

  1. If there are any positions open, SGA can elect a person within the organization to fulfill that spot.
  2. Chaplin, Historian, and Parliamentarian- All elected from within the organization during the first summit.
  1. Chaplin will be in charge of starting off every General Assembly meeting with a prayer as well as leading the organization in the pledge.
  2. Historian will be in charge of documenting all SGA events and creating a scrapbook of our activities throughout the year.
  3. Parliamentarian will be in charge of keeping all General Assembly meetings on task and making sure we are following parliamentary procedure.

Article VIII: Service Hours

  1. All association members must complete forty service hours as provided by the advisors by the next years’ elections. Only SGA designated service hours or hours approved by the Advisors. prior to the activity will count towards a student’s overall number of service hours.
  2. Failure to complete all forty hours by elections of each year will disqualify a candidate wishing to run for a position for the upcoming school year, and will cause immediate dismissal from the organization, disqualifying a member from attending the state competition.
  3. Seniors must also have these hours completed in order to be recognized at graduation.
  4. All members must have completed 18 hours by the end of first semester or they will be relieved of their membership. All members must have completed 12 hours during spring semester by elections. Both semesters must total 40 hours.
  5. The hour total will not be changed.

Article IX: Attendance

  1. A member will be removed from the association in the event of exceeding three excused absences or one unexcused absence per semester.
  2. Pre-approved school related absences (e.g., games, theatre rehearsal, and field trips), do not count towards a student’s overall absence tally, IF student has notified The Exec prior to their school event.
  3. If a member exceeds the number of excused or unexcused absences as outlined above, he or she will not be eligible to run for reelection to the association for the following school year. Student will also be relieved of membership.
  4. These absences include all general assembly meetings, assigned lunch sales, and other SGA events not designated as hour earning.
  5. Excused absences must be presented in a noteprior to noon the day before, unless there is an emergency, to either the executive secretary or an advisor prior to the absence. Absences not in writing will not be excused. Two unexcused tardies equal one excused absence. Excuses are subject to the approval of the executive officers and advisors.
  6. Class meetings may follow same rules as above as long as president designates meetings as mandatory.

Article X: Removal from Office

A member will be removed from the association for:

  1. exceeding the absence guidelines set above
  2. for academic failure in fall semester;
  3. for excessive failure to carry out his or her duties as an association member;
  4. for failure to represent his or her class in a fair, proper, and unbiased manner;
  5. for actions that contradict or challenge the principles set forth by this organization; for any other action viewed as detrimental to the welfare and best interests of this organization and our school;
  6. for actions that violate the County and School Code of Conduct;
  7. for actions that result in placement in the Second Chance Program (Alternative School);
  8. for actions that result in In-School Suspension due to a Class II Offense or higher (see PHS Code of Conduct); and for Habitual Class I Offenses that result in more than one placement in In-School Suspension.
  9. Unbecoming behavior or illegal activities off-campus can impact council positions/participation; for example, consumption of alcohol or drugs.
  1. Social Media:
  2. All members are recommended to represent themselves, Prattville High School, and SGA in a positive manner on social media.
  3. These sites include, but are not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc.
  4. In a case where a member fails to comply with representing the school in an appropriate manner, they can be removed from their position and removed from SGA.
  1. Prior to removal from office:
  2. Charges will be investigated by the Executive Board and brought forth to the advisors.
  3. Members facing dismissal will receive a letter outlining the reason for the possible dismissal, and he or she will be given a chance to present him or herself to the Executive Board and the advisor in an attempt to stop removal from office.
  4. Removal from office requires the approval of the Student Government Association, Advisors, and the Principal.

Article XI: Fundraising and Events

  1. Fundraisers will be approved by the members and then sent to the Prattville High Administration for approval.
  1. All members will participate in all fundraising
  2. All monies, 100% will be put in to the SGA Account, unless otherwise voted upon by the members of this club.
  3. Any monies not placed in the SGA Account can only go to a charity of choice, in adherence with the bylaws and rules of accounting for Prattville High School.
  4. All other events:
  1. Committees will be made at the choice of the Executive Committee to head all events.
  2. All members are expected to participate and promote events designated by the SGA.
  3. All members can earn some of their service hours in accordance with our bylaws for participation and planning.

Article XII: Leadership Course

  1. It is strongly encouraged that all members take the leadership course at PHS during their tenure.
  2. Any member can enroll with permission of the advisors.
  3. If a scheduling problem arises, advisors, along with the Principal, will work it out on a case-by-case basis.

Article XIII: Authority

  1. In recognition of the power and authority of the Prattville High School principal, and in understanding that all Student Government policies, regulations, and actions come under the direct control of the principal, he or she has the final power of veto over such regulations, rules, and actions that he or she may deem as detrimental to the welfare of the school.

Article XIV: Privileges

  1. Each junior elected to the Student Government Association is automatically a member of the Prom Committee; however, membership of any committee member can be terminated under the discretion of the junior class president or Student Government Association advisor.

Article XV: District, State, and National Student Government Organizations

  1. This association shall retain membership in all the above organizations and sponsor one charity from the State Association of Student Councils.
  2. SGA members will be expected to participate in at least the State Competition each year.

Article XVI: Amendments

  1. This constitution and bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the entire assembly (excluding members in absence).
  2. Or in emergency like cases, or cases deemed as needing immediate response, the executive committee may vote to change by unanimous vote.

Article XVII: Final Clause

  1. This constitution, set forth by the Prattville High School Student Government Association or any revision thereof, must be passed by the association as a whole, excluding those absent, at the start of each school year.