James Madison Memorial High School
Student Government Constitution

Constitution

Article I. NAME

SECTION I. This document is the Constitution for the student government of James Madison Memorial High School.

SECTION II. We affirm that we are a part of James Madison Memorial High School and the Madison Metropolitan School District, as well as citizens of the City of Madison, the State of Wisconsin, and the United States of America.

SECTION I. The purposes of the student government are: to insure the student voice at Memorial; to encourage students to participate in decision-making processes; to increase the diversity of student participation; and to encourage leadership development among all student government participants.

SECTION I. These are the official, recognized bodies of the student government:

1. the All-Neighborhoods Council;
2. the four Neighborhood Circles;
3. the twenty Block Councils;
4. the one hundred Backyard Groups

SECTION I. In order to serve as a Neighborhood Circle or All-Neighborhoods Council representative, a student must:

1. be enrolled at James Madison Memorial High School;
2. be elected by peers;
3. attend all meetings unless excused.

SECTION II. Since Block Council participation is voluntary and non-elected, any student member of a given Block may participate in all activities, projects, and meetings of his/her respective Block Council.

SECTION III. Any student enrolled at chool or any adult may attend any meeting hosted by a student government body.

SECTION IV. Any elected representative of the All-Neighborhoods Council or of a Neighborhood Circle shall be entitled to one (1) vote on any motion in question at their respective meetings, unless he/she is absent.

SECTION V. Any valid member of a Block or a Backyard shall be entitled to one (1) vote on any motion in question at their respective meetings, unless he/she is absent.

SECTION VI. All valid representatives or members of a given body shall be equal as far as membership rights and obligations are concerned.

SECTION I. The officers of the All-Neighborhoods Council shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and a Recorder. They shall serve one-year terms with no term limits. They shall be elected according to the processes outlined in the By-Laws (Article V, Section II).

SECTION II. The officers of a Neighborhood Circle shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and a Recorder. They shall serve one-year terms with no term limits. They shall be elected according to the processes outlined in the By-Laws (Article V, Section I).

SECTION III. The officers of a Block Council shall be a Chair and a Recorder. They shall serve on an ad-hoc basis. They shall be chosen by any process the Block Council decides to use at their meetings.

SECTION IV. There are no recognized officers for Backyard Groups. These bodies may organize as they so desire.

SECTION I. The duties and responsibilities of the All-Neighborhoods Council shall extend to matters that concern the entire student body. The duties of the officers shall be to facilitate the meetings and business of the All-Neighborhoods Council as well as to delegate the communication and publication of relevant minutes and information.

SECTION II. The duties and responsibilities of a Neighborhood Circle shall extend to matters that concern the entire Neighborhood. The duties of the officers shall be to facilitate the meetings and business of a Neighborhood Circle as well as to delegate the communication and publication of relevant minutes and information.

SECTION III. The duties and responsibilities of a Block Council shall extend to matters that concern the entire Neighborhood Block. The duties of the officers shall be to facilitate the meetings and business of a Block Council as well as to delegate communication and publication of relevant minutes and information.

SECTION IV. The duties and responsibilities of a Backyard Group shall extend to matters that concern that particular Backyard Group. Each Backyard Group shall communicate and publish relevant minutes and information.

SECTION I. Interpretation of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be decided by a Constitutional Interpretation Committee consisting of the chair of the All-Neighborhoods Council, the four chairs of the Neighborhood Circles and the principal of Memorial for a total of 6 members. This committee shall serve on an ad hoc basis when appeals for interpretation of this Constitution and By-Laws are brought to the committee’s attention.

SECTION I. This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the student body during a period of time specified by the All-Neighborhoods Council.

SECTION I. We, the signatories of the reconstituted student government of James Madison Memorial High School, who have had authority to do so vested in us, hereby write and enact this new Constitution, thus dissolving the former Student Council and officially commencing the new student government on Monday, August 27, 2001.

By-Laws

ARTICLE I . RULES OF ORDER

SECTION I. All meetings of the student government shall be conducted in accordance with customary parliamentary procedure. Any rules and/or processes not outlined in this Constitution can be found in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised or Parliamentary Procedure Without Stress. These shall be acceptable references when procedure is unclear.

ARTICLE II. DUTIES OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES

SECTION I. (Regular Members)

All participants in the government must be familiar with all rules set forth by this Constitution and their particular student government body. All elected representatives must attend all meetings of their body, unless excused. All regular members of a given body who are not officers are expected to apply themselves to the business of the group, serve on committees and vote on motions with respect to the common good.

SECTION II. (The Chair)

The chair shall be the impartial facilitator of all discussions. While he/she may vote, the chair cannot participate in the discussions, unless stating facts, as he/she must remain impartial. If the chair deems it absolutely necessary to participate, he/she will switch positions with the vice-chair for the remainder of the time spent discussing and voting on that motion.

SECTION III. (The Vice-Chair)

The vice-chair shall act as chair during the chair’s absence or participation in discussion. He/she will act as recorder during the recorder’s absence. In the event that both the chair and recorder are absent, the vice-chair shall act as chair and a "regular member" shall be appointed recorder pro tem.

SECTION IV. (The Recorder)

The recorder will keep minutes of every meeting and publish them as well as keep records of all correspondence.

SECTION V. (Choosing Of Officers)

Each elected body shall choose a chair, a vice-chair, and a recorder. Self-nomination may be used for this process. All members of the body can and will be expected to vote for one (1) candidate for each position. The candidate with the most votes will be chosen for that particular position. In a tie vote situation, refer to Article V, Section VI. These members shall be subject to all duties of the "regular members", as well as additional duties and/or limitations.

ARTICLE III . DUTIES OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT BODIES

SECTION I. (All-Neighborhoods Council)

The All-Neighborhoods Council will be responsible for matters that concern the entire student body. These include, but are not limited to:

1. hosting visitors of the high school;
2. maintaining public relations about the student government with outside bodies;
3. planning interscholastic or intra-scholastic conferences and meetings;
4. assisting with faculty, student, volunteer, and parent orientations;
5. meeting regularly with the principal, the Instructional Cabinet and the Neighborhoods Steering Team;
6. organizing Spring Week of the Arts;
7. coordinating student government elections;
8. authorizing the use of funds for activities, projects and events, using funds dedicated solely to the All-Neighborhoods Council by the principal;
9. auditing the financial statements of the Neighborhood Circles;
10. overseeing the revision of the Constitution and By-Laws (see Article VII).

SECTION II. (Size Of The All-Neighborhoods Council)

The All-Neighborhoods Council shall have eight members. The Neighborhood Circles shall each elect one member to the All-Neighborhoods Council. The other four members shall be the class presidents.

SECTION III. (Neighborhood Circles)

Each Neighborhood Circle will be responsible for matters that concern the entire Neighborhood. These include, but are not limited to:

1. stewardship of the Neighborhood Centers and outdoor green spaces,
2. publication and communication to members and to the wider public audience,
3. organization of Activity Periods,
4. coordination of intramural programs,
5. scheduling use of the Neighborhood Centers,
6. authorization of funding for Neighborhood-related expenses and projects, including Mini-Grant applications from Block Councils.

SECTION IV. (Size of Neighborhood Circles)

Each Neighborhood Circle shall have twenty-four members. Each Backyard Group shall elect one student to serve as a representative in a Neighborhood Circle (with the twenty-fifth representative serving on the All-Neighborhoods Council).

SECTION V. (Block Councils)

Each Block Council will be responsible for matters that concern the entire Block. These include, but are not limited to:

1. planning activities, events and projects organized around the themes of service and learning;
2. applying for Mini-Grant funds to finance activities, events and projects;
3. publication and communication to members and to the wider public audience

SECTION VI. (Backyard Groups)

Each Backyard Group will be responsible for matters that concern each particular group. Although not an elected or voluntary group of the student government, Backyard Groups will have many opportunities to participate in student life and government. Voting on issues related to the Blocks, Neighborhood Circles and the All-Neighborhoods Council will occur during Backyard meetings. Backyard Groups may petition their Neighborhood Circles or the All-Neighborhoods Council for funding of projects, events and activities.

SECTION I. (Of The All-Neighborhoods Council)

The permanent, standing committees of the All-Neighborhoods Council shall be:

1. Finance Committee;
2. Constitution and Elections Committee;
3. Visitation and Orientation Committee;
4. Spring Week of the Arts Committee;
5. Public Relations and Communications Committee

SECTION II. (Of The Neighborhood Circles)

The permanent, standing committees of the Neighborhood Circles shall be:

1. Furniture and Decor Committee,
2. Center Usage and Scheduling Committee,
3. Public Relations and Communications Committee,
4. Finance Committee,
5. Activities Committee
6. Intramurals Planning Committee.

SECTION III. (Of Block Councils and Backyard Groups)

Block Councils and Backyard Groups may freely create and dissolve committees according to the needs of each group.

SECTION IV. (Committee Assignments)

Each member of the All-Neighborhoods Council or Neighborhood Circles will serve on at least one but no more than three permanent committees, along with any other duties or ad-hoc committee assignments decided by the particular body.

SECTION V. (Choosing Committee Members)

At their first meetings after elections, the All-Neighborhoods Council and the Neighborhood Circles will choose members for their committees, using their own discretion as far as how many people are needed on each committee. Each committee will choose a chair and a recorder. No member may serve as chair of more than one committee at a time.

ARTICLE V . ELECTIONS

SECTION I. (For Neighborhood Circles)

The election process for a Neighborhood Circle shall proceed as follows. One (1) representative shall be elected from each Backyard of twenty (20) students to the appropriate Neighborhood Circle, which shall have twenty-four (24) seats. There are no nomination restrictions. The process of self-nomination may be used. All members of a Backyard can and will be expected to vote for one (1) candidate. The candidate with the most votes will be elected. In a tie vote situation, refer to the By-Laws, Article V, Section VI. Until a Neighborhood Circle elects officers, each new representative’s status shall be "regular member".

SECTION II. (For The All-Neighborhoods Council)

The election process for the All-Neighborhoods Council shall be as follows. Since twenty-five (25) students will be elected to a Neighborhood Circle with twenty-four (24) seats, one (1) will be elected to the All-Neighborhoods Council, which will have eight (8) seats. There are no nomination restrictions. The process of self-nomination may be used. All members of a Neighborhood Circle can and will be expected to vote for one (1) candidate. The candidate with the most votes will be elected. In a tie vote situation, refer to the By-Laws, Article V, Section VI. Until the All-Neighborhoods Council elects officers, each new representative’s status shall be "regular member".

SECTION III. (For Class Presidents)

Each grade level of students is responsible for the election of class officers. The class presidents of each grade-level will fill the four (4) remaining seats in the All-Neighborhoods Council.

SECTION IV. (Terms Of Elections)

Terms of elections shall last for approximately one (1) year, until the next scheduled elections. At the each regular fall election, all positions are open to election.

SECTION V. (Timing of Neighborhood Circle Elections)

Elections for the Neighborhood Circles shall occur one (1) month after the beginning of the school year, specifically the Backyard meeting before the first (1^st) Activity Period. Each Neighborhood Circle will hold its first meeting during the first (1^st) Activity Period, where it will elect an All-Neighborhoods Council representative, elect officers, and form committees (see Section IX).

SECTION VI. (Election Day Process)

An election shall proceed as follows. All candidates shall announce their candidacy to the rest of the group. Each candidate will be given a short period of time to explain why they would be qualified for the position. Elections will be held by a secret ballot. Each member of the group, including the candidates, will then receive a blank slip of paper, on which he/she will write the name of the candidate for whom they are voting. A blank ballot or a ballot with too many names will be thrown out. A candidate may vote for him/herself. The completed ballots will be handed to a non-candidate/adult supervisor and tallied. Should a tie for the lead occur between candidates and there are more candidates not involved in the tie, another vote shall occur, but only those candidates that tied are eligible for election. If there is still a tie, the candidates will be expected to work out a solution where someone concedes, for the sake of efficiency. If no one will concede, a random process such as flipping a coin or picking numbers will be used.

SECTION VII. (Election Limitations)

One person may only hold one (1) elected position in the student government. However, a person may hold an elected position and participate in their Block Council and Backyard. A Class President is considered a member of the All-Neighborhoods Council, and therefore may not hold another elected position in the government.

ARTICLE VI . STUDENT GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

SECTION I. (Length And Frequency Of Meetings)

All elected student government bodies shall meet for at least 40 minutes per month, preferably with 40 minutes per session. For the Neighborhood Circles, this will occur during Activity Periods. For the All-Neighborhoods Council, its members may decide when and how often meetings will be held. Block Councils are encouraged to meet monthly or more often even though they are non-elected groups. Backyards are scheduled to meet 2-3 times each month on Fridays between the second and third class periods.

SECTION II. (Speaking At A Meeting)

Any enrolled student or any adult may attend any meeting of a Neighborhood Circle as an audience member. Should the Neighborhood Circle grant permission, any student or adult may speak at the meeting. However, only elected representatives may vote.

SECTION III. (Recall Process)

Should a representative have more than one (1) unexcused absence from student government meetings, he/she will be forced into an immediate recall election. He/she and any other candidates from the particular Backyard may run for election to the Neighborhood Circle. If the representative belongs to the All-Neighborhoods Council, the respective Neighborhood Circle will elect one (1) person to the All-Neighborhoods Council. Any Neighborhood Circle representative will be eligible for this election. Any student government bodies that have representatives promoted will immediately elect replacements.

SECTION IV. (Motions At Meetings)

A motion may be introduced by any representative or, if applicable, audience member. Discussion, facilitated by the chair, will ensue, closing with a vote for it, against it, or to table it to allow for further deliberation. All decision-making voting will use a visual open vote, such as the raising of hands. The chair shall facilitate the voting, assisted by the recorder and the vice-chair. Voting on a motion may occur only if a quorum of the representatives is present. A tie in voting is considered a vote against the motion.

SECTION V. (Block Council Meetings)

The first (1^st) full-length Backyard meeting after the elections process will be called a Block meeting. The entire block will meet together and the Neighborhood Circle representatives will present the concept of the Block Council to the group. Anybody interested in being a part of the Block Council will be asked to give information to a representative concerning times he/she would be able to meet. The Neighborhood Circle representatives will then schedule the first Block Council meeting at a time when everyone interested can attend. If no such time exists, it will be scheduled for the second (2^nd) Activity Period. All Block Council meetings times are open to any student in the block. Block Council meeting times shall be published in advance.

ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE

SECTION I. (Alterations To The Text)

The text of the Constitution should not be altered. Any amendments shall be attached, but the original text shall not be revised, unless an amendment to revise the original text is passed. Once an amendment is passed, it is considered part of the original text, and therefore should not be revised either.

SECTION II. (Repeal Of An Amendment)

To repeal an amendment, another amendment doing so must be passed. The repealing amendment should be added to the text, as any normal amendment would be. The repealed amendment may not be removed as it is considered part of the original text.

SECTION III. (Process For Amendment)

This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by the entire student body during the Backyard meeting after the eighth (8^th) Activity Period of a school year. Before the eighth (8^th) Activity Period, each body may create a list of proposed amendments to the Constitution and submit a written list to the All-Neighborhoods Council in order to be condensed into one list and published by the Monday before the eighth (8^th) Activity Period. During the eighth (8^th) Activity Period, students may elect to attend an Open Forum, organized by the All-Neighborhoods Council, at which the proposed amendments shall be discussed. The chair of the All-Neighborhoods Council shall facilitate the meeting and try to get as many issues and people in as possible. At the Backyard meeting following the eighth (8^th) Activity Period, the entire student body shall vote on the amendments. Voting shall proceed as follows: an adult facilitator will read the amendment, ask that all those in favor raise their hand, and record whether or not the Backyard approved the amendment. These records shall be given to the All-Neighborhoods Council, which shall tally up the results and publish all approved amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws.

SECTION IV. (Requirements For Amendment)

In order for an amendment to pass, a two-thirds majority of the Backyards must approve it. In order for a Backyard to approve an amendment, a two-thirds majority of the Backyard must vote in favor of it.

ARTICLE VIII . THE ORDER OF BUSINESS

SECTION I. (Agenda Items)

The usual agenda or order of business for the All-Neighborhoods Council and the Neighborhood Circles shall have the following headings:

Call to Order

Minutes

Financial Report

Correspondence

Report of Elected Officers

Reports of Standing Committees

Reports of Special Committees

Unfinished Business

New Business

Announcements

Adjournment

ARTICLE IX . THE QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER

SECTION I. (For The All-Neighborhoods Council)

A quorum for the All-Neighborhoods Council shall be six of eight members. The determination of a quorum shall take place during the Call to Order.

SECTION II. (For A Neighborhood Circle)

A quorum for a Neighborhood Circle shall be thirteen of twenty-four members. The determination of a quorum shall take place during the Call to Order.

SECTION III. (For Block Councils And Backyard Groups)

Block Councils and Backyard Groups may meet without a quorum of members.

ARTICLE X .UNSPECIFIED MATTERS

ARTICLE I. The Constitution Interpretation Committee is fully empowered to decide all matters not specifically provided for in the Constitution, By-Laws, policies and procedures of the student government of James Madison Memorial High School.