Established 2011-12 Approved 6/15/12, Revised 4/12/13
Vision: Student Council (SC) is the collective student voice at Chariho Middle School. (CMS)
Mission: Student Council (SC) will provide every student the opportunity to be involved in school governance through an established process that is based on democratic principles and reflective of the Friends of Rachel initiative.
I. MEMBERSHIP
A. The CMS SC consists of Team Senators and four Executive Committee member, each elected for a term of one school year.
II. MEMBER SELECTION PROCEDURE
A. By the end of October, each 5th-8th grade Social Studies class will elect one Senator to serve on Student Council. B. By the end of November, four officers, President, Vice President, Secretary, Parliamentarian will be elected by the CMS student body. Polling places will be Social Studies classrooms. Ballots from the election will be counted by an Election Committee of volunteer Senators, who are not running for office.
III. QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP ON CMS STUDENT COUNCIL
Students who serve on the Student Council must observe the following conditions:
A. Have no M’s (missing work).
B. Must be passing all subjects.
C. No disciplinary referrals. (white cards)
D. Be able and willing to speak in public.
E. Enjoy working with others and in groups.
F. Follow Robert's Rules of Order
IV. MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
A. Meetings are held after school on Monday from 2:15PM to 3:30 PM. Parent pickups must be arranged.
B. A meeting schedule will be set by the SC advisors each year. C. The business of each meeting will be determined by an agenda set by the Executive Committee. Student Council Advisors will assist with setting the SC agenda.
E. A simplified form of Robert’s Rules of Order will used for decision making in all meetings.
F. A majority vote of those present will rule.
V. RESPONSIBILITIES of ELECTED MEMBERS
PRESIDENT
A. Lead Student Council Senate meetings.
B. Prepare agenda with other elected leaders and SC advisors.
C. Use parliamentary procedure to conduct meetings.
D. Work with other Student Council officers and advisors.
E. Notify the Vice-President to lead at a meeting if unable to attend.
F. Serve as official speaker on behalf of CMS students.
VICE PRESIDENT
A. Lead a meeting, if the President is absent.
B. Use parliamentary procedure to conduct meetings, when leading.
C. Assume all the duties of the President listed above, if the President is absent.
D. Work closely with the President and advisors at all times.
SECRETARY
A. Keep minutes of all Student Council Senate Meetings.
B. Read the minutes at each meeting or provides a copy of them for members to read.
C. Write letters or requests as directed by the Student Council Senate.
F. Work with the President and Student Council advisors to accomplish the duties of Secretary.
PARLIAMENTARIAN
A. Serve as the time keeper to keep meetings on track.
B. Keep attendance
C. Makes motions at meetings to model Parliamentary Procedure.
D. Becomes an expert in Parliamentary Procedure.
TEAM SENATOR
A. Know and support the officers.
B. Communicate ideas back and forth from Social Studies classes and friends to Student Council.
C. Support Student Council meetings and activities by being there – first Monday of every month.
D. Cooperate with other Senators from all teams.
E. Be aware of school goals, activities, issues, and problems and think of possible solutions.
VI. BY-LAWS
A. The CMS Student Council By-Laws shall be drafted initially by the Student Council Executive Committee, facilitated by the SC Advisors.
B. They shall be approved by the CMS principal.
C. Changes to the By-Laws can be made by the current SC Executive Committee at any time and must be approved by the principal.
D. Each time the By-Laws are revised, the date is noted under the title of this document.