ASB-constitution

Terrace Park School
Associated Student Body

CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE: We the students of Terrace Park School, in order to develop democratic ideals, teach respect for law and order, express ideas, govern ourselves, ensure safety and promote positive attitudes toward others and to the association, do hereby establish this Constitution of the Associated Student Body.

ARTICLE I: Purpose

The purpose of the ASB shall be to encourage respectful relationships between students and staff and to make a more positive school environment. We shall also support positive forms of student activity and work towards a better Terrace Park School.

ARTICLE II: The ASB Council of Representatives and Alternates

Section 1. ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS

All students, as members of the Terrace Park Student Body, are eligible to serve as Representatives or Alternates on the ASB Council. The Representatives or Alternate must be a member of the class from which they are elected. The Representatives or Alternate must attend school on a regular basis. The Representatives or Alternate must maintain a 3.00 GPA. If the member's grades drop below this requirement, the student will meet with ASB advisor(s) and be granted a two-week grace period to improve his/her GPA.

Section 2. RESPONSIBILITIES

Attend all meetings in person or arrange to have the Alternate present to represent the class. Gather information from students regarding issues being discussed in the ASB Council and represent students' voices in all major decisions. This objective will be accomplished whereby Representatives report back to the class and gather feedback and input. Plan, organize and promote student activities. Be sensitive to, and aware of, the needs of all students and staff. Work hard and have a positive attitude. Learn and practice leadership and group cooperation skills by attending a Leadership Workshop during the year they serve on the Council. Serve on a specific committee as an actively participating member. All Representatives (and Alternates) have one vote.

Section 3. ELECTIONS AND TERMS

Representatives and Alternates shall represent a designated class period. Elections are to be held within each class no later than the fourth week of the first trimester. All class members should participate in the nomination process as well as the selection vote. The entire process shall be completed in confidentiality. Simple majority determines the individuals who will serve as Representative and Alternate with the Representative receiving the most votes and Alternate the second most votes. The term for Council membership in the position of a Representative and Alternate is one school year.

Section 4. ALTERNATES

Alternates shall fill in for their room Representatives upon absence or request. Alternates shall participate in all Council activities, uphold all of the required responsibilities, including committees. If the room Representative position is terminated, the Alternate will take over completely to become the recognized room Representative and another Alternate will be elected by the class.

Section 5. TERMINATION OF POSITION

If the students in a particular class feel that their Representative is not fulfilling their responsibilities, they may vote by two-thirds majority to replace the Representative with the Alternate. The new Alternate would be the runner up from the beginning of the year elections or a new election could be held at the discretion of the class. Officers may decide to recommend termination of a member for disorderly conduct or extensive absence. A two-thirds majority vote by the Council approves this recommendation. Representatives or Alternates may be removed according to serious faculty concerns or requests. Any criminal activity and/or suspension during the year of service will result in relinquishing the position. A written excuse from a parent is required if absent. Must have Alternate.

ARTICLE III: ASB Officers

Section 1. OFFICERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

In total, all of the four elected individuals to represent the Associated Student Body will work together as leaders and role models throughout the school and in the community, attend all meetings, act as a liaison with faculty, communicate with other middle schools in and out of the district and represent Terrace Park School at conferences and workshops.

President and Vice President—There will be two students holding this position. Each will equally share the responsibility of planning meeting agendas, residing over meetings and scheduling special meetings as necessary. They will function as the primary link between the Council and ASB Advisor(s). The President and Vice President will come up with project ideas to promote school spirit and assist the other officers and Council in achieving their goals in any way necessary.
Treasurer—This individual will work with the ASB office manager to approve all spending from the ASB fund, assist in fund raising events, and regularly update the council regarding the status of the ASB budget, especially when decisions regarding budget are being considered.
Secretary—This individual will keep a detailed and complete written record of all Council actions through meeting minutes. The Secretary will also distribute the minutes (no later than two days following each primary weekly Council meeting) to all room Representatives, Officers and ASB Advisor(s) as well as the ASB office manager and school Principal. Accurate attendance records are also the responsibility of this individual.

Section 2. ELIGIBILITY AND TERM

All students, as members of the Terrace Park Student Body, are eligible to serve as ASB officers. Maintain a 3.00 GPA. If an officers grades drop below this requirement, the student will meet with the ASB Advisor(s) and be granted a two week grace period in order to improve their overall GPA. Officers will hold office for a complete school year or as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

Section 3. ELECTIONS

School wide elections will take place within four weeks of the beginning of the school year in the fall. Candidates will present an application and a petition with at least twenty-five student signatures and three Terrace Park School faculty or staff signatures. Upon approval by the ASB Advisor(s), all applications will be posted during campaign week. Candidates must present an official campaign speech to the entire student body. Method of presentation—whether video monitors or assembly format—will be determined by the ASB Advisor(s). All speeches should be run by ASB Advisor(s) no later than 2 days prior to the speech. A school-wide secret ballot following the presentation of speeches will determine which candidates will serve as officers according to simple majority. Simple majority of votes designate a winner for the offices of Treasurer and Secretary. The President will be the candidate with the most votes and the Vice President will be the Presidential candidate with the second most votes.

Section 4. RESIGNATION

Any criminal activity and/or suspension during term of office will result in losing office through the process of resignation. Concerns or problems regarding an officer will be presented to the ASB Advisor(s) who will then discuss the situation with the officer before resignation procedures begin. If the student chooses to resign, they will write a resignation letter and present it to the ASB Representatives.

Section 5. IMPEACHMENT

Any criminal activity and/or suspension during term in office will result in losing that office through the process of impeachment. Two-thirds of the student body must sign a petition in order to impeach an officer for not meeting the expectations of the voters and/or failing to comply with the eligibility and responsibility requirements. The entire student body will vote by secret ballot. Majority rules as in the case of the original election.

ARTICLE IV: Meetings

Section 1. THE ASB COUNCIL

The Council will meet on a regular basis and no less than once every other week. Minutes will be publicly posted and distributed.

Section 2. OFFICER MEETINGS

Officers will meet regularly, separate from the Council, once every other week. The four officers and the ASB Advisor(s) will agree upon a specific schedule for such meetings.

Section 3. ATTENDANCE AND TARDY POLICY

Attendance at all meetings is an important responsibility for Council members. No more than three unexcused absences will be permitted per year for all Representatives and Officers. The tardy policy allows only three unexcused tardies as a Representative or Officer. If you are absent, you must have an Alternate.

Section 4. LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

During each trimester, a special extended period meeting will be held for all Representatives and Alternates. At this meeting the ASB officers will teach the Council members a variety of lessons including general leadership skills. The Council will also conduct the initial planning of activities for the trimester. Committee selection will also occur at this time.

ARTICLE V: Amendments

Section 1. CIRCUMSTANCES AND INTRODUCTION

Amendments shall be made to this Constitution whenever deemed necessary. An amendment can be introduced by any member of the Terrace Park Student Body. A petition to the ASB Council signed by ten percent of the Terrace Park Student Body will initiate the process.

Section 2. APPROVAL

An amendment will become part of the Constitution when approved by two-thirds vote of the ASB Council. And granted approval by the ASB Advisor(s) and school Principal.

ARTICLE VI: Ratification

This Constitution becomes binding and effective upon attaining the signatures of approval from the 1996-1997 Officers, ASB Advisors as well as the Edmonds School Board and the Terrace Park School Administration.

9/98 Revision #1: To have the President be the candidate with the most votes and Vice President be the Presidential candidate with the second most votes.

2/3/99 Revision #2: To have Representatives and Alternates serve for one whole school year instead of only one trimester in order to have more continuity, prevent the need for continuous training, and facilitate getting more done. 67 names were submitted on a petition and the revision passed by a 2/3rds majority vote.