General Info


	General Info Constitution Events Calendar Service Hours Home

Tremper Student Government Constitution

Established May 2001

Created 5-1-01 Revised 5-6-02

PREAMBLE

We, the students and faculty of George Nelson Tremper High School, in order to establish better student-faculty relationships, promote internal and external welfare, provide for expression of convictions and social opinion, and maintain a high ideal for senior high school academic, athletic, moral and social development, do ordain and establish this constitution.

ARTICLE I: Name

Section 1 The name of this organization shall be the Tremper High School Student Government.

Section 2 This organization shall hereafter be referred to in this constitution and by-laws as the student government.

ARTICLE II: Purpose

To best serve the multiple leadership needs of Tremper High School’s student body, a formal structure will exist to maximize involvement, diversify skills, and provide a connection between students and school direction-setting decisions.

Students need to have formal leadership roles and opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills.
Students need training in effective leadership strategies.
Students need an opportunity to become part of a peer group that contributes to our school effectiveness.
Students need to be part of setting direction for school policy, procedures, and programs.
Students need to set themselves apart as leaders among their peers and within the school community.

ARTICLE III: Powers and Limitations

Section 1 The student government shall have the power to…

Ratify and amend this constitution.
Establish, ratify, amend and repeal by-laws.
Establish an Executive Board.
Hold elections for Executive Board members and other essential leadership positions.
Establish qualifications and requirements for members and Executive Board members.
Assign specific duties to members.
Hold general and committee meetings.
Call special meetings.
Recommend to the administration members to be suspended or dismissed.
Coordinate and conduct student activities as deemed necessary by the student government.
Raise funds within the school and the community.
Communicate with other student councils.
Work and cooperate with organizations within the school.
Work and cooperate with agencies outside the school.
Act in an advisory capacity in the making of school policies, programs and decisions that affect the future plans at our school.
Govern the student aspects of the student activities program.

Section 2 A quorum must be present in order to conduct official student government business. Quorum is established with attendance of 50 members.

Section 3 The student government shall have the following limitations…

All powers shall be subject to the limitations set forth by this section and by other articles of the constitution and by-laws.
All actions of the student government may be vetoed with reason by the school administration through the advisor(s) after consultation first with the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IV: Structure

The Student Government will have three main branches…

1) Executive Board

a) Officers…

i) Student Body President…our representative of the Tremper student body.

ii) Executive Vice President…coordinates member leadership development.

iii) Secretary…tracks membership responsibilities and meeting minutes.

iv) Treasurer…tracks finances of all student activities and leads fundraising.

b) Cabinet…

i) Vice President of Academic Affairs…leads instruction and curriculum help.

ii) Vice President of Community Relations…leads community activities.

iii) Vice President of Diversity Awareness…promotes respectful school climate.

iv) Vice President of Freshmen Transition…leads the freshmen transition program.

v) Vice President of Government Relations…leads efficiency of our organization.

vi) Vice President of Special Events…leads special events.

vii) Vice President of Student Services…leads support programs for students.

2) Congress

a) Representatives

i) Each Representative will connect with one advisory based upon assignment by the House Chairperson.

ii) Representatives will meet at General Assemblies each Monday to gather information for their advisory and share concerns from their advisory.

b) Legislative members

i) All members who applied to be on a student government committee and were accepted comprise this group.

ii) The scope of work will focus on committee membership and activity execution for each of the seven committees.

3) Judicial System

a) Reviews infractions of guilty Tremper students who are referred by the Student Management Office and assigns consequences.

b) Manages a peer mediation program for the school, supporting the Student Management leadership of the school.

ARTICLE V: Membership

Section 1 All Executive Board members, peer mediators, Freshmen Transition Coaches, and judges shall be called student government members.

Section 2 Each student government member shall hold office for one school year. Members may reapply to student government again in succeeding years.

Section 3 Any member of this student government not fulfilling the duties and expectations described in the constitution and by-laws shall be warned and may be suspended and/or dismissed.

Section 4 Suspension and Dismissal

The Executive Board and/or the advisor(s) may dismiss no student government member from student government unless they have had some previous warning. The exception is when members have violated a school rule and punishment comes from school administration.
Suspension shall last for a period of one month, during which time the suspended member shall not take part in any student government activities.
Dismissal will mean that the member is removed from student government for the remainder of that term of office.
A two-thirds vote of the student government shall be required to recommend to the school administration the removal of members from their officer position under Article V, Section 3.
Charges can be filed against a student government member:
1. If any student government member does not appear to be fulfilling assigned duties, specific charges must be brought before the Executive Board for consideration.
2. Any student government member may bring charges against any other member.
The Vice President of Government Operations shall determine which charges are valid with the agreement from the Executive Board.
1. If charges are found to be invalid, the Executive Board shall take no further action.
2. If charges are found to be valid, a formal investigation will commence before the Vice President of Government Operations and the Internal Judge. The outcome of the investigation may result in a recommendation to the Executive Board for action.
A member in question cannot sit as a member of the Executive Board or any other office while the charges are being reviewed and/or investigated.

ARTICLE VI: Duties, Expectations and Role Descriptions

Section 1 The duties and expectations of members shall be to:

Attend all General Assemblies each Monday unless excused beforehand in writing.
Act as a committee member of an established committee and attend meetings each Tuesday and Thursday.
Commit to a total of 15 community service hours, completing two in quarter 4, five in quarter 1, five in quarter 2, and three in quarter 3.
Contribute to our annual Blood Drive as follows…
- All members of the Community Relations and Special Events Committees must each obtain 20 blood donors.
- All Freshmen Transition Coaches will be responsible for a minimum of 30 blood donors per freshmen advisory. Financial incentives will be provided to encourage freshmen participation.
Assume any additional duties assigned by an Executive Board member.

Section 2 The duties and expectations of Representatives shall be to:

Attend all General Assemblies each Monday.

Record information to share with their advisory.
Bring comments, suggestions, and requests to the House from their advisory.

Section 3 The duties and expectations of the Judges shall be to:

Conduct hearings and investigations regarding student misbehavior as deemed guilty by the Office of Student Management.
Assign consequences for students after conducting a hearing.
Ensure students follow through with the consequences and report violators to school administration.

Section 4 The expectations of the Executive Board are outlined as follows:

Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or greater.
Refrain from disciplinary actions taken by the school, including referrals and suspensions.
Follow through diligently with all the duties assigned to this position.
Accept responsibility for your actions, both as a leader and as a student of Tremper High School. Understand that a greater level of responsibility and behavior expectation exists for student leaders.
Complete a Leadership Growth Plan form for yourself as a leader. This document will be kept on file with the Student Government advisor.
Attend all Tremper Site Council meetings as a student delegate or appoint a proxy.

There are four Executive Officers and seven Executive Cabinet leaders for each of the seven committees that comprise student government. The duties of each Executive Board position are as follows:

Student Body President

Overview: This person serves as the leader of the Tremper High School student body. He/she will be the chief decision-maker regarding student government and will represent the student body at official business for the school. The student body looks to the Student Body President as a role model and an accurate representative for the school.

Duties:

Preside at all Executive Board meetings.
Act as a non-official member of all committees.
Assign special duties to members.
Cast a tie-breaking vote in any matter in which Congress is equally divided.
Represent the student body at school or community activities or appoint a proxy.
Present a proposed Student Government Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of Congress.
Represent the student body at the weekly administration meetings.
Authorizes and approves all functions of the student government.

Executive Vice President

Overview: This person coordinates the leadership development efforts for all members of student government. The primary role of this position is to organize leadership training when necessary and support the duties of the president. The scope of responsibilities includes setting up guest speakers, coordinating teambuilding efforts, arranging leadership workshops, and connecting with student governments throughout the state. The student body looks to the Executive Vice President as one who will support the duties of the president and build new leadership skills in others.

Duties:

Serve as back-up support to the president.
Maintain close connections with school leaders and staff members who influence your scope of responsibilities…
1. Renaissance Coordinator
2. Activities Director
3. Assistant Principal of Instruction
Present a proposed Leadership Development Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Plan, organize, and conduct leadership training workshops, especially for Executive Board members.
Arrange for motivational speakers and teambuilding events for the entire student government membership.

Secretary

Overview: This person establishes the written communication system of Congress. The primary role of this position is to communicate information and status of individual responsibilities to the entire population of our student government. The scope of responsibilities includes publishing agendas, tracking follow up status for action steps, and communicating membership duty status. The student body looks to the Secretary as one who is a thorough and reliable communicator.

Duties:

Take notes at all Executive Board and general Congress meetings.
Distribute agendas to all members for General Assemblies.
Track follow-up taken as a result of actions set forth from meetings.
Create and maintain an updated bulletin board of Student Government.
Track attendance and service hours requirements for all members.

Treasurer

Overview: This person coordinates the fund management and raising for the student government. The primary role of this position is to track fundraising efforts and determine new fundraising opportunities. The scope of responsibilities includes recording funds spent and revenues, leading fundraising initiatives, and establishing a system to allocate budgets to the student organizations at Tremper High School. The student body looks to the Treasurer as one who meticulously tracks data and holds accountability toward procedures.

Duties:

Track monies of the student government, including a thorough account of expenditures and revenues in an accounting log.
Create and manage a budget review system for all student organizations in the school.
Create and manage a reimbursement system for student government activities.
Present a proposed Student Government Budget for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Lead new fundraising pursuits, including the purchase of items, assigning fundraiser duties, tracking revenue and paying bills.

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Overview: This person leads the Academic Affairs Committee. The primary role of this position is to determine necessary improvements and maintenance of our academic program. The scope of responsibilities includes input to teaching and instruction strategies, student support programs, scheduling of classes, and coordinating a peer tutoring program. The student body looks to the Vice President of Academic Affairs as one who accurately negotiates for improved student achievement here at Tremper High School.

Duties:

Preside at all Academic Affairs Committee meetings.
Assign special duties to your committee members.
Lead all student input to running the Renaissance Program.
Organize Staff Appreciation and Recognition events.
Maintain close connections with school leaders and staff members who influence your scope of responsibilities…
1. Assistant Principal of Programming
2. Assistant Principal of Instruction
3. Guidance Counselors
4. Department Chairpersons
5. Honor Society Advisors
Present a proposed Academic Affairs Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Represent the student body at the weekly Department Chairpersons meetings.

Vice President of Community Relations

Overview: This person leads the Community Relations Committee. The primary role of this position is to provide a connection between the community and Tremper High School. The scope of responsibilities includes providing a connection to our school parents, leading the annual Blood Drive, and determining potential community service initiatives. The student body looks to the Vice President of Community Relations as one who promotes positive relationships and a welcoming image to our community.

Duties:

Preside at all Community Relations Committee meetings.
Assign special duties to your committee members.
Publicize a community service calendar for all students to access and provide opportunities for student government members to obtain community service hours.
Maintain close connections with school leaders and staff members who influence your scope of responsibilities…
1. Principal
2. School Nurse
3. Student Assistance In Life (SAIL) Coordinator
4. Parent-Teacher-Student-Association (PTSA) Club members
Present a proposed Community Relations Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Generate proposals for new endeavors the student government may pursue in the future based on approval by Congress.

Vice President of Diversity Awareness

Overview: This person leads the Diversity Awareness Committee. The primary role of this position is to promote diversity and respectful behaviors among the student body. The scope of responsibilities includes running the Diversity Circles discussion program, organizing diversity assemblies, and upgrading school facilities to reflect our diverse population. The student body looks to the Vice President of Diversity Awareness as one who promotes positive relationships among all students of every background.

Duties:

1. Preside at all Diversity Awareness Committee meetings.

2. Assign special duties to your committee members.

3. Maintain close connections with school leaders and staff members who influence your scope of responsibilities…

Principal

CALC Advisor

Present a proposed Diversity Awareness Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Arrange for full student access to Diversity Circles through staff and student facilitators.

Vice President of Freshmen Transition

Overview: This person leads the Freshmen Transition Coaches. The primary role of this position is to provide a connection to Tremper High School for the incoming freshmen class each year. The scope of responsibilities includes visiting incoming eighth graders each spring, organizing a welcome event on the first day of school, and arranging for regular meetings of FTC’s with the freshmen advisories. The student body looks to the Vice President of Freshmen Transition as one who has solid coaching skills and works well with guiding others through activity leadership.

Vice President of Government Operations

Overview: This person leads the Government Relations Committee. The primary role of this position is to manage the information flow among and from the student government. The scope of responsibilities includes holding student government members accountable to expectations, linking our work with school publications, and establishing an internal communication system. The student body looks to the Vice President of Government Operations as one who communicates well and holds a high standard of professional behavior.

This committee contains the four Executive Officers, and this committee supports the work described by the role descriptions of these Officers. Additional offices within this committee include:

Historian…manages documentation and display of Tremper history.
Internal Judge…conducts reviews of members not fulfilling their duties.
House Chairperson…ensures every advisory is represented at General Assemblies.

Duties:

Preside at all Government Relations Committee meetings.
Assign special duties to your committee members.
Maintain close connections with school leaders and staff members who influence your scope of responsibilities…
1. Student Government advisor
2. Deans at each grade level
3. Student Government Secretary
4. Yearbook Editor and Advisor
5. Newspaper Editor and Advisor
Present a proposed Government Relations Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Establish a clear tracking system of all student government members to confirm expectations are met with attendance, committee membership, and volunteer hours.

Vice President of Special Events

Overview: This person leads the Special Events Committee. The primary role of this position is to organize and lead the school spirit related activities sponsored by student government. The scope of responsibilities includes planning resources to run our current activities, including Homecoming and Mr. Tremper. In addition, new ideas we pursue are coordinated through this committee. The student body looks to the Vice President of Special Events as one who manages multiple tasks efficiently and promotes school spirit here at Tremper High School.

Duties:

Preside at all Special Events Committee meetings.
Assign special duties to your committee members.
Maintain close connections with school leaders and staff members who influence your scope of responsibilities…
1. Activities Director
2. Deans at each grade level
3. Athletic Director
4. Principal’s Secretary
Present a proposed Special Events Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Generate proposals for new endeavors the student government may pursue in the future based on approval by Congress.

Vice President of Student Services

Overview: This person leads the Student Services Committee. The primary role of this position is to determine necessary improvements and maintenance of our student’s quality of life while in school. The scope of responsibilities includes student discipline, food services, peer mediation, athletic codes of conduct, student activities and organizations, and quality of student life. The student body looks to the Vice President of Student Services as one who accurately negotiates for improved student services here at Tremper High School.

Duties:

Preside at all Student Services Committee meetings.
Assign special duties to your committee members.
Coordinate a Peer Mediation Program.
Runs all procedures associated with Teen Court.
Maintain close connections with school leaders and staff members who influence your scope of responsibilities…
1. Assistant Principal of Student Management
2. Deans at each grade level
3. Kitchen Manager
4. Attendance Officer
5. Athletic Director
6. Activities Director
Present a proposed Student Services Action Plan for the year at initial meetings of the Executive Board.
Represent the student body at the weekly Deans meetings and work closely with the Assistant Principal of Student Management.

Section 5 The duties and expectations of the Student Government Advisor(s) shall be to:

Provide adult leadership to the student government.
Attend all general meetings of the student government.
Attend committee meetings on request of the committee chairperson or President.
Act as a liaison between the student government, the school staff, and the school administration.
Act as the instructor for days of student government instruction.
Arrange leadership training as necessary for student government members.

Section 6 The duties and expectations of the school administration in regards to our student government shall be to:

Appoint an advisor.
Veto any student government action that is not in the best interest of the student government and the student body.
Provide reason to the student government for any veto.
Provide support to the student government.

ARTICLE VII: Election

Section 1 The Government Operations Committee will form an election staff at least four weeks prior to the election. They will be responsible for any assemblies, the distribution and collection of applications, and conducting the election. Elections will occur in the month of April, and will precede the general membership drive.

Section 2 The outgoing Committee VP’s will help identify new Executive Cabinet members through an application process. Applications will be made available at the beginning of April. The final decision will be made by the Advisor.

Section 3 The number of selected Representatives will cover the number of Advisories established for the next school year. There will be a selection process during the month of May to determine the Representatives through the Government Operations Committee and all advisory teachers.

Section 4 An application process will be instituted immediately following Executive Officer elections and Executive Cabinet selections, with final approval of new members made by the Advisor(s), the Student Body President elect, and the appropriate Committee VP. Each applicant will need to obtain one staff endorsement signature.

Section 5 The Judges will be selected by the Advisor(s), the Police Liaison Officer, the Attendance Officer, and the Vice President of Student Services. A balance of male/female Judges and various grade levels will be pursued. No freshmen will serve as a Judge.

Section 6 Selection of freshmen membership will be conducted by September 15 of each year. The VP of Freshmen Transition and the Student Body President are responsible for recruiting freshmen via the summer registration process or other necessary meetings.

Section 7 Replacement of student government members

If there is a vacancy in any Executive Board position, a special election will be conducted among the Congress within one week.
There will be no filling of vacancies among general membership.

ARTICLE VIII: Meetings

Section 1 The student government shall hold General Assemblies, Executive Board meetings, and committee meetings.

A. General Assemblies

1. Will include all members of student government.

2. Shall be held once per week, usually on Monday.

3. An agenda will be provided for the meeting.

4. A modified Roberts Rules of Order will be used to conduct the meeting.

B. Executive Board Meetings

1. Will include only Executive Board officers.

2. Shall be held once per week, usually on Friday.

C. Committee Meetings

1. Will include committee membership and committee leaders.

2. Shall be held twice per week, usually on Tuesday and Thursday.

Section 2 Meetings will be conducted during advisory time. The auditorium will be the usual site for General Assemblies. Committee meetings will be held in assigned areas throughout the school.

Section 3 The following sequence will take place on normal weeks…

Monday…General Assembly (Information Sharing)

Tuesday…Committee Meeting (Working Meeting)

WEDNESDAY…NO MEETINGS

Thursday…Committee Meeting (Working Meeting)

Friday…Executive Board Meeting (Direction Setting)

Section 4 Additional meetings may be held as needed at the request of the Executive Board. Such meetings shall be held at an appropriate time, and may include before or after school commitments.

Section 5 The first two weeks of school will be devoted to the explanation of the constitution, the by-laws, the rules of order, and the sharing of plans for the school year.

Section 6 Student representation is a critical component on the direction-setting committee at Tremper High School known as the Site Council. The Tremper Student Government will take responsibility for ensuring students participate with the Site Council. Each of the Executives will be part of the Site Council information and included on the mailing distribution lists for all correspondence. The seven committees led by the Executive Cabinet contain the full spectrum of student activities, programs, and events conducted at Tremper. Consequently, accessing each committee is most important regardless of the student’s grade level.

Since the typical student leader is involved in numerous activities and athletics, not all eleven Executives will be able to attend every Site Council meeting. Each of the seven committees that comprise Student Government will ensure a representative communicates with the Site Council and provides updates back to the committee from the Site Council.

In addition to the eleven officers, the general membership will be invited to join the Site Council. A separate list of these individuals will be submitted each spring to the Site Council chairpersons. This list will include the regular student members of the Site Council with the following expectations:

Student members attend each Site Council meeting to provide updates representing the student body and actions of the Student Government.
Student members will notify Site Council chairpersons and the Student Government advisor in advance when attendance is not possible.
Student members will be expected to report back to the committee on which they serve within Student Government.
Student members will notify Executive Officers and/or Cabinet members when it is necessary for one of these student leaders to attend an upcoming Site Council meeting.

ARTICLE IX: Ratification

Section 1 This constitution and by-laws shall be in effect upon a three-fourths vote of the student government and approval of the Advisor(s) and school administration.

Section 2 This constitution may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the student government. Proposed amendments shall be presented verbally to the Government Operations Committee, and final proposals will be addressed through this committee.

ARTICLE X: By-Laws

The creation and approval of by-laws will be through the Government Operations Committee. Any by-laws that may be adopted to develop a smooth operation of the student government shall not be in conflict with this constitution. Should such a conflict exist, this constitution shall take precedent.