Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park High School



Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park High School

Community Government Constitution

Section 1. Community Government Members

Article A. Executive Committee

Section i Premier shall:

1. Call and chair Executive meetings

2. Call House of Commons meetings in accordance with Section III, Community Government Role.

3. Call any emergency meetings of the House of Commons and/or of the Executive meetings.

4. Prepare agendas and propose legislation for the House of Commons and Executive meetings.

5. Assume responsibility as Head of the House of Commons.

6. Be an ex-officio member of all committees and clubs recognized by the Community Government.

7. Receive and present to the House all requests for the establishment of ad hoc committees.

8. Be responsible for the fulfillment of the duties of the other member of the Executive and Ministers in accordance with the Constitution.

9. Act as the student representative on the PTA with full voting power.

10. Compile a summation of her duties during the year along with a series of recommendations for the newly elected Premier.

11. Assist the newly elected Executive members during the transition period of approximately one month, by chairing the first meeting and observing a second meeting chaired by the incoming Executive members.

Section ii Deputy Premier shall:

1. Assist the Premier.

2. In addition to her own responsibilities assume those of the Premier in the event of her absence.

3. Be an ex-officio member of all committees.

4. Be responsible for the organization of all school elections. (Strike a committee)

5. Be responsible for the organization of the inaugural ceremonies for the subsequent Executive members.

6. Compile a summation of her duties during the year along with a series of recommendations for the newly elected Deputy Premier.

7. Assist the newly elected Executive, during the transition period, in a manner similar to that set out in ARTICLE A, Section I, #10. (Duties of the Premier)

Section 1. Community Government Members (Continued)

Article A. Executive Committee (Continued)

Section iii Secretary shall:

1. Take the minutes and attendance at all Executive and House meetings.

2. In addition to the maintaining file copies of all minutes, distribute copies to all members of the House and the Principal.

3. Handle correspondence for Executive members and for the Ministers of all Standing Committees.

4. Post or make available agendas for Executive and House meetings.

5. Have copies of the current Constitution on hand and available for student or staff reference.

6. Collect and organize reports prepared by the Executive members and Ministers of all Standing Committees at the end of their term of office.

7. Compile a summation of her duties during the year along with a series of recommendations for the newly elected Secretary.

8. Assist the newly elected Executive, during the transition period, in a manner similar to that set out in ARTICLE A, section i, #10. (Duties of the Premier)

9. Distribute a school calendar of events to all surrounding schools.

Section iv Treasurer shall:

1. Collect Community Government fees and money.

2. Deposit all fees and money received in a back account under the name of Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park Community Government.

3. Maintain a detailed record of all monetary transactions.

4. Prepare a financial statement every 2 months audited by the Executive Staff Advisor.

5. Pay by cheque, co-signed by the Executive Staff Advisor, all legitimate expenses incurred by the community Government members.

6. Before year and examinations, collect a financial statement from each club and/or committee.

7. Collect projected budgets for all clubs and/or committees by the second Friday of October.

8. Establish and maintain a petty cash fund.

9. Prepare a complete financial statement for the end of her term of office.

10. Compile a summation of her duties during the year along with a series of recommendations for the newly elected Treasurer.

11. Assist the newly elected Executive, during the transition period, in a manner similar to that set out in ARTICLE A, Section i, #10. (Duties of the Premier)

Section v Executive Staff Advisor shall:

1. Act as a resource person for the Executive members.

2. Be present, and have voting power, at Executive and House meetings.

Section 1. Community Government Members (Continued)

Article A. Executive Committee (Continued)

Section v Executive Staff Advisor (continued)

3. Audit monthly financial statements submitted by the Treasurer.

4. Co-sign cheques.

5. Compile a summation of duties during the year along with a series of recommendations for the new Staff Advisor.

Article B. House of Commons

Section i Speaker Of The House shall:

1. Chair all House meetings.

2. Endure that all parliamentary procedure is followed and maintain order in the House.

Section ii Elected Representatives shall:

1. Facilitate participation of homeroom students in all school and class activities.

2. Represent the interest of her homeroom in the House.

3. Attend all House meetings.

4. Inform her homeroom of all House minutes for reference with the homeroom.

5. In addition to the four stated duties, are a participant and representative in the committees from all grades.

6. The runner up in homeroom elections will be the Dep Representative.

7. The Dep Rep. will assume the responsibility of the Homeroom Rep. in her absence.

8. In the event that a Homeroom Rep. is impeached, the Dep Rep. will assume the position of the Homeroom Rep.

Section iii Each Minister shall:

1. Keep an accurate account of her committee’s research and projects.

2. Present the House with a brief by detailed report at least once a month.

3. Call and chair all committee meetings.

4. Appoint a committee secretary.

5. Determine the frequency of committee meetings.

6. Determine attendance regulations for her committee.

7. Prepare her committee agendas.

8. Compile a summation of her duties during the year along with a series of recommendations for the new Minister.

9. Assist the newly appointed minister during the transition period of approximately one month

10. Draw up a calendar of events and submit it to the Executive.

Section 1. Community Government Members (Continued)

Article C. Standing Committees (Continued)

Section vii External Affairs Committee (continue).

2. Encourage student volunteer work throughout the community.

3. Promote Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park idea and activities in the neighbouring community and in other schools.

4. Act as liaison between Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park Community Government and that of other high schools.

5. Assist administration in the planning and organizing of school trips.

6. Promotes the concerns of Catholic education through membership in such organizations as OCSCF.

7. Compile a detailed outline on the organization of each activity.

Section viii Leadership Committee

This Committee shall:

1. Promote pride and co-operation in the school community.

2. Inspire a sense of pride in the wearing of the school uniform, appearance of the school property, and the image projected by the school community.

3. Launch spirited campaigns at various class levels to instill school pride and spirit.

4. Organize an annual celebration day to enhance school pride and spirit.

5. Participate in a leadership workshop.

6. Compile a detailed outline on the organization of each activity.

Section ix Peer Relations Committee

This Committee shall:

1. In conjunction with the Guidance Department organize a career program, tutoring system, and Orientation Night.

2. Establish and maintain positive staff-student relations through various activities.

3. Participate in a leadership workshop.

4. Have clubs such as peer helpers, peer tutors, and conflict mediation under their auspices.

5. Promote school pride and togetherness through an annual event as well as on a small scale basis.

6. Compile a detailed outline on the organization of each activity.

Section x Multi-cultural Committee

This Committee shall:

1. Have clubs such as Race Relations and the Chinese Students Association under their auspices.

2. Promote racial harmony throughout the Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park Community.

3. Prepare a Cultural history month during February to educate the Staff and students of Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park on Black History and

Section 1. Community Government Members (Continued)

Article C. Standing Committees (Continued)

Section x Multi-cultural Committee

This Committee shall:

1. Have clubs such as the Race and Ethnic Relations Club and the Chinese Students Association under their auspices.

2. Promote racial harmony throughout the Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park Community.

3. Prepare Black History Month in February and a cultural month in April to educate the Staff and students of St. Joseph’s Morrow Park on Black History and on the history of any nationalities that is not regularly taught or is misrepresented in the regular history classes.

4. Organize in conjunction with the Assemblies Committee an assembly during one or both of the above mentioned months.

5. Compile a detailed outline on the organization or each activity.

Section xi Music/Arts Committee

This Committee shall:

1. Be responsible for the organization of all school concerts/art shows throughout the year.

2. Insure that each event is well advertised throughout the school and in the surrounding community.

3. Be responsible for the organization and running of all fund-raising plans for the Music/Arts department.

4. Organize an annual event to promote the talents not normally seen in regular concerts, such as a talent night, fashion show etc.

5. Assist the Staff Advisor(s) in the following areas:

i. To increase awareness of the music and art program throughout the school.

ii. To increase interest and participation in extracurricular ensembles.

iii. To help promote the performing arts.

6. Compile a detailed outline on the organization of each activity.

Section xii Yearbook Committee

This Committee shall:

1. Consist of all yearbook editors.

2. Be responsible to the Student Body for the prompt arrival of yearbooks.

3. Keep the Student Body informed of their progress.

4. Promote the yearbook throughout the school so that interested students may become involved with the making of the yearbook.

Section xiv Ad Hoc Committee

1. Anyone wishing to strike an Ad Hoc Committee must obtain ten signatures on a petition and present that petition to the Premier who shall include it on her agenda for the next House meeting. An

Section 1. Community Government Members (Continued)

Article C. Standing Committees (Continued)

Emergency meeting may be called at the discretion of the Premier.

2. The duration of an Ad Hoc Committee will be determine by the House and based on recommendations included in the initial petition.

3. The chairperson of each AD Hoc committee will be accountable to the House and it will be the privilege of each chairperson, with the approval of the Executive Committee, to address the House.

Section II. Election Or Appointment Of Members

Article A. Eligibility

Section i General Requirements

1. There will be no discrimination based on race, colour, creed or nationality.

2. All prospective candidates for the Community Government must have attainted an average of no less than 70% with no failures in the first semester. These courses must have been taken at Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park.

3. Each Prospective candidate must have had no failures at mid-semester in the second semester.

4. All prospective candidates must not be involved in a co-op program.

Section ii Executive Committee Members

1. The office of Premier shall be open to any student from grades 11 or 12 who meets the general requirements.

2. The office of Deputy Premier shall be open to any student form grades 11 or 12 who meets the general requirements.

3. The office of Secretary shall be open to any student from grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 who meets the general requirements.

4. The office of Treasurer shall be open to any student form grades 10, 11, or 12 who meets the general requirements.

Section iii Election Representatives

Any students who meet the general requirements may seek office as a homeroom representative.

Section iv Speaker of the House

1. The appointment of the Speaker of the House shall be subject to ratification by the House.

2. The speaker of the House shall be a student from grade 11, 12, or 13 who meets the general requirements.

Section v Ministers of Standing Committee

The position of Minister of a Committee shall be open to any student

Section II. Election Or Appointment Of Members (Continued)

Article A. Eligibility (Continued)

Section v Ministers of Standing Committees (Continued) attending Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park and who meets the general requirements.

Section vii Executive Staff Advisor

This position shall be open to any consenting member of the teaching staff.

Section viii Staff Representatives in the House of Commons

There shall be three representatives from the teaching staff.

1. One member shall be elected by the teaching staff.

2. One representative from the members of the Administration.

3. The Executive Staff Advisor.

Section ix Staff Advisors to the standing Committees

The position of staff Advisor to a Standing Committees shall be open to any consenting member of the teaching staff.

Article B. Term of office.

To insure the continuity of Community Government:

1. The term of office for the Executive Committee shall be from the end of Semester 2 (June) to the end of the following Semester 2 (June)

2. The term of office of the elected Homeroom Representative, Ministers, and members of Committees shall be for the academic year (i.e. September to September).

3. The Executive Staff Advisor would hold office from June to June.

4. The elected Staff Representative and the Administrative Representative would hold office form September to June.

5. The Speaker of the House and Ministers shall be appointed in September and hold office until June.

Article C. Election Procedures

Section i. Executive Procedures

1. Elections for the Executive Officers shall be held in May. The dates will be chosen by the Deputy Premier.

2. The election proceedings shall, be regulated by the Deputy Premier and her election committee.

3. The Deputy Premier shall inform the students through the Homeroom Representatives, about the upcoming elections no less than one week in advance of the beginning of the campaign.

Section II. Election Or Appointment Of Members (Continued)

Article C. Election Procedures

Section i. Executive Officers (continued)

4. The Executive Officers to be elected are: Premier, Deputy Premier, Secretary, and Treasurer,

5. To be eligible, each candidate must secure the signatures of ten students (at least 2 from each grade), her parents’/guardians’ permission to run, and the recommendations of four teachers on an election form and submit this form to the Deputy Premier on the requested date.

6. During the campaigning period, and assembly shall be held during which each candidate shall address the entire student body.

7. Each office shall be sought on an individual basis.

8. The public address system shall not be used for any personal campaigning.

9. All students of Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park (grades 9-OAC) and each member of the teaching staff may cast a vote for the executive officers if they are returning for at least one semester in the following year.

10. All polling shall take place during the lunch periods with the exception of voting by proxy which takes place after-school.

11. Voting shall be done in booths and by secret Ballot.

12. All candidates for Executive positions will be listed on one ballot.

13. To be valid, Ballots must be properly marked.

14. All campaigning posters must be removed and all campaigning must cease by 3:15 p.m. on the day prior to the elections.

15. The results of the election shall be announced on the P.A. on voting day.

Section ii Homeroom Representatives

1. Within the second week of school, each homeroom from grades 9-OAC shall elect a House Representative and deputy representative by simple majority vote.

2. Elections for these offices shall take place during the chosen homeroom period.

3. The name of Homeroom and deputy representatives shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary.

Section iii Staff Representatives

1. One staff representative shall be elected in June by the teaching staff and on the basis of a simple majority vote. (See Section II, Article A, Section viii.)

2. The Administration shall appoint one representative to the House.

3. The Executive Staff Advisor shall automatically be considered a voting member of the House.

Section II. Election or Appointment of Member (Continued)

Article D. Appointments

Section i Ministers

1. Application to be a minister must be made in writing to the Executive Student Council within three days of the first sitting of the House in September.

2. Candidates shall be interviewed and appointed by the Executive Student Council.

3. Appointments shall be announced at the second sitting of the house.

Article E. Impeachment

Section i

1. It is solely within the power of the House of Commons to impeach any Executive member of the House on the basis of a 2/3 majority vote.

2. Any Homeroom Representative or Minister who meets the grounds for impeachment shall be brought the Executive and Staff Advisor for an interview. She will be given the option to resign from her position, but if she refuses, she will be presented before the House and maybe impeached on the basis of a 2/3 majority vote.

Section ii Grounds for impeachment shall include any, or all, of the following:

1. Habitual absence from House. Committee or Executive meeting.

Any elected member of the House of Commons absent for

three consecutive meetings will, expect in special circumstances

be replaced through bi-election.

2. Ground for impeachment shall include any or all of the following:

i. Habitual absence from the House, Committee, or Executive meetings.

ii. Misappropriation of Community Government funds.

iii. General disregard for the Community Government Constitution and/or Parliamentary procedures.

iv. Flagrant and public contempt for the basic standards of Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park Community.

v. Negligence in the performance of the prescribed duties of her office.

3. In the event that the Premier is impeached, the Deputy Premier shall assume her position and a bi-election shall be held to fill the vacancy left by the Deputy Premier.

4. In the event that any Executive member, other than the Premier, is impeached, a bi-election shall be held to fill the vacancy.

5. In the event that a Homeroom Representative is impeached, a bi-election shall be held within her homeroom.

Article F. Resignations

A member of the Executive Committee may tender her resignation on the basis of any of the following:

Section II. Election Or Appointment Of Members (Continued)

Article F. Resignations (continued)

1. To continue her position poses a threat to her physical, or emotional well being.

2. To continue in her position poses a serious threat to her academic success.

3. It is necessary for her to transfer to another school.

4. At the request of the Executive Committee.

Article G. Bi-elections

Bi-elections shall be called in the event that a seat becomes vacant in the House of Commons.

1. Should and Executive position become vacant, a school wide bi-election, regulated by the Deputy Premier of other member of the Executive Committee, shall be held within two weeks.

2. Should a Homeroom Representative position become vacant, a homeroom bi-election, regulated by the Homeroom Teacher, Shall be held within one week

Section III. Community Government Role

Article A. Meetings

Section i The Community government shall meet every second Wednesday to debate over important issues in the school. The following will attend these meetings:

1. The Speaker of the House

2. The Premier, the Deputy Premier, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.

3. The three staff representatives

4. All elected Homeroom representatives.

5. The deputy homeroom representatives when the Homeroom representatives are unable to attend.

6. All appointed ministers.

Section ii On every odd Wednesday the Premier shall hold a meeting with her ministers. At this meeting:

1. All ministers shall he in attendance.

2. Each minister shall give a brief report on what events they have recently held or what events are soon coming.

3. The Student Council Executive shall present the ministers with any important concerns in regards to their specific ministry or in general.

Section iii The Executive Committee shall meet with their Staff Supervisor at least once a week to discuss important matters and arrange agendas for House of Commons and Minister meetings.

Section III. Community Government Role

Article B House Commons Procedures

Section i The Premier shall call regular House of Commons meetings as well as any necessary emergency sessions.

Section ii The Speaker of the House will ensure that proper Parliamentary procedures and conduct shall be maintained while the meetings are in session. The Speaker, Premier, and staff advisor maintain the right to remove any person from these meetings if deemed necessary.

Section iii The following procedures shall be used in a House of Commons:

1. “Point of personal privilege” in instances where the comfort or well- being of an individual is in jeopardy.

2. “Point of Information” When addressing a question to either the Chair or the speaker.

3. Point of Order” when making a formal motion.

Article C House Of Commons Agenda

Section i The House of Commons Agenda shall be divided into Old Business, New Business, Question Period, and Announcements.

Section ii Any student wishing to be placed on the Agendas as a speaker for a specific topic shall inform the Secretary three times, the last being at least three days prior to the House of Commons meeting.

Section iii In order to make an announcement one must inform the Premier and Speaker of the House prior to the meeting.

Article D. Conferences

Preamble As the Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park Community Government supports the development of creative and critical judgment, student leadership, and group action, it is strongly in support of students attending at our school conferences. In order to maximize student participation in such conferences, it will grant subsidizations to students attending such conferences at the discretion of the House.

Section I The following items are to be considered when determining the amount of subsidization to be granted.

1. Is the conference attended by a club or a committee in the school so that its benefits will reach the school community?

2. Have students from Saint Joseph’s Morrow Park attended this conferences in the past with successful results?

3. Does this conference last for more than two full days?

4. Must students provide their own meals and transportation?

5. Have the students searched through various options in attending

Section III Community Government Role (Continued)

Article D (Continued)

Section i (Continued)

5. Conferences?

Section ii If the criteria set in Section I is completely fulfilled then a maximum amount may be granted, funds permitting. The Executive is required to remind the House of the criteria for subsidization.

Section iii For conferences under $100, a maximum subsidization of $50 may be awarded to students who have proven to be worthy by a majority vote in the House of Commons.

Section iv For conferences under $50, the Executive Student Council will decide on whether or not a subsidization will be granted.

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