ARTICLE ONE

The name of this organization shall be the Glen Este Middle School Student Council (GEMSSC).

ARTICLE TWO

The purpose of the GEMSSC shall be to:

Create an avenue for students to voice and deal with student concerns and issues.
Empower students with voice and responsibility in their school lives.
Include students in the processes, which influence their academic lives.
Give students practice in democracy and leadership.
To develop leadership qualities of Middle School students by way of service to the school and community.
Assist in peer conflict resolution.
Provide for an exchange of ideas among the student body.
To plan and organize activities and projects which advance the social and civic development of the student body.
To promote school spirit and an attitude of cooperation between the faculty, administration, and school body.

ARTICLE THREE

Section 1: All students in Grades Six, Seven, and Eight shall have the opportunity to be nominated, to vote, and to offer ideas for GEMSSC action.

Section 2: The members of the GEMSSC shall be representatives elected by their peers.

Section 3: The GEMSSC members elect President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Activities Coordinators.

Section 4: The Student Council Advisor (Mrs. Leazer) shall be the final authority over all actions of the GEMSSC.

ARTICLE FOUR

Section 1: A student who wishes to be a candidate for the GEMSSC shall:

Be a good citizen.
Be a hard-working and diligent student.
Relate well to other students and adults.
Be interested in being a GEMSSC representative.
Obtain two teacher recommendations (one can be from previous school year).

Section 2: Each team in Grades Six, Seven, and Eight shall nominate three or more students to be candidates for election.

Section 3: Election of GEMSSC representatives shall take place during Team Forum time by the 26th of September of each school year. The students receiving the majority of votes shall be declared the representatives. Three students shall be elected from each Grade Team.

Section 4: The term of office shall be for one school year, beginning on October Three and ending in the first week of June.

ARTICLE FIVE

Section 1: The officers shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and three Activities Coordinators.

Section 2: Two or more candidates for the office of President shall be nominated from GEMSSC representative in Grade Eight only. Two or more candidates shall be nominated for Vice-President from GEMSSC representatives in Grades Six, Seven, or Eight. Two or more candidates shall be nominated for both Secretary and Treasurer from GEMSSC representatives in Grades Six or Seven. Two or more candidates shall be nominated for the Activities Coordinators from the GEMSSC representatives in Grades Six, Seven, and Eight. One representative from each grade will be elected Activities Coordinator.

Section 3: The election of officers shall take place no later than October Fifteen of each school year and shall follow procedures approved by the Assistant Principal.

Section 4: The officers shall have the powers and duties listed for each office; the assistant principal may assign other powers and duties.

Section 5: The term of office for all officers shall be one calendar year, beginning October Fifteen and ending June Ten.

ARTICLE SIX

Any officer or representative may be removed from office by a majority vote of the GEMSSC membership for poor attendance at GEMSSC meetings, failure to perform required/requested duties, or failure to follow school or class rules. (See Removal Policy)

ARTICLE SEVEN

Section 1: GEMSSC meetings shall take place at least twice monthly. The Student Council membership will decide each year the appropriate meeting dates and times. An agenda shall be prepared and handed out to each member of the GEMSSC at least one day before each meeting. GEMSSC members may initiate agenda items. All items for agenda must be submitted to Assistant Principal or GEMSSC President two days before a meeting. Additional agenda items may be added at the beginning of each GEMSSC meeting by a majority vote of GEMSSC members. If a quorum (half of council members plus one) is not present for a meeting, no GEMSSC action may be voted upon.

Section 2: Each Representative shall conduct Class meetings at least one-day before and at least two days after each GEMSSC meeting. The meeting may consist of a written communiqué of GEMSSC agenda items. This type of communication may be needed when GEMSSC is being in-serviced with rules, regulations, and procedures.

Representative Breakdown:

Sixth Grade - Three elected representatives per Team, twelve total.
Seventh Grade - Three elected representatives per Team, nine total.
Eighth Grade - Three elected representatives per Team, nine total

Officer Breakdown:

President = Grade Eight
Vice-President = Grades Six, Seven, and Eight
Secretary = Grades Six and Seven
Treasurer = Grades Six and Seven
Activities Coordinators = One from Grades Six, Seven, and Eight

Timeline:

First week of September - Begin discussing GEMSSC within classrooms.
Second week of September - Students interested in running for GEMSSC begin campaigning.
Fourth week of September – Elect GEMSSC representatives.
October Fifteen – GEMSSC elect GEMSSC officers.
First week in June – End term of office.