The Constitution for the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Student Council
ARTICLE I: Introduction
The Student Council shall consist of an Executive Board, Class Officers, and Members-at-Large. All participants in Student Council are to remain on their best behavior at all times. As representatives of GSMST, all members of Student Council are to achieve high academic standards and to exhibit exemplary behavior, both on campus and off campus, adhering to the Code of Integrity as delineated in Article VII. Any disciplinary action may result in possible probation and/or expulsion from the Council, as described in Article VIII.
ARTICLE II: Mission Statement
The mission of the GSMST Student Council is to promote the values of service, leadership, and spirit through student-led events in the student body and in the greater community.
ARTICLE III: The Executive Board
The Executive Board shall consist of four elected officers (Executive President, Executive Vice President, Executive Secretary, and Executive Parliamentarian), along with the Student Council Advisor(s), a current GSMST faculty member. All members of the Executive Board are to be current GSMST students and will be elected by the GSMST student body. Executive Board members are expected to meet with and work with Student Council Advisor(s) on a regular basis.
Section One- Executive President
The Executive President shall serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of the Student Council as well as the student body.
Roles of the President include, but are not limited to: acting on behalf of the student body; bearing primary responsibility for the execution of all Council activities; chairing and conducting all meetings of the Council; maintaining relationships with the faculty and administration; attending PTSA meetings and meetings with Student Council Advisor(s). The President is an ex-officio member of all Student Council committees. At the time of election, the President will be an incoming senior.
Section Two- Executive Vice President
The Vice-President will fulfill the duties of the President in his/her absence.
Roles of the Vice President include, but are not limited to: assisting the Executive President in the fulfillment of the duties of the Executive President; being responsible for communication between the student body and the Council; organizing and maintaining committees as needs arise. The Vice President will be an incoming junior or incoming senior at the time of election.
Section Three- Executive Secretary
The Executive Secretary will be in charge of organizing and documenting key ideas and events that the Student Council agrees upon.
Roles of the Executive Secretary include, but are not limited to: maintaining records of all actions taken by the Council; handling all official correspondence among members; recording, producing and distributing the minutes at both the Executive Board and the Student Council meetings; producing and distributing the meeting agendas as instructed by the President; maintaining and updating the Student Council official calendar; maintaining attendance and membership records as instructed by the Executive Board; maintaining electronic mailing lists; keeping record of any official communication among Student Council members; serving as an advisor on matters of parliamentary procedure, bylaws, or the constitution, when needed; providing inspiration at the beginning of each meeting; and maintaining the Student Council blog. The Executive Secretary will be an incoming junior or incoming senior at the time of election.
Section Four- Executive Parliamentarian
The Executive Parliamentarian will enforce the bylaws of Robert’s Rules of Order and ensure all meetings follow order as dictated by this Parliamentary Authority.
Roles of the Executive Parliamentarian include, but are not limited to: providing instructional support to new members regarding Parliamentary Procedure, chairing the initial Parliamentary Procedure meetings, leading meetings on a regular basis, ensuring Executive Board members follow a rotation of meeting leadership, moderating debates in Student Council meetings, and enforcing Parliamentary Procedure as outlined by Robert’s Rules of Order. The Executive Parliamentarian will be an incoming junior or senior at the time of election.
ARTICLE IV: Class Officers
The responsibilities of each class officer (president, vice president, and secretary) shall match those of the selfsame executive positions for their respective GSMST classes. These members shall be duly elected by their respective classes, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. There shall remain a Student Council Executive Board consisting of a parliamentarian, secretary, vice-president, and president, that manages and oversees the functions of the class officers.
ARTICLE V: Members-at-Large
Members-at-Large will act as a liaison between their respective class and the Student Council. These members shall be duly elected by their respective classes, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. Each class will elect one Member-at-Large.
Members-at-Large will be responsible for delivering key information on events that the Student Council plans. The Members-at-Large will also inform the Student Council of the concerns that their respective classes have, e.g. social media, signs, promotional planning.
ARTICLE VI: Cabinet
The Cabinet will perform activities and tasks that require specialized expertise that Student Council members may not have. The Executive Board will appoint a Webmaster, an Art Director, a Social Media Coordinator, and a Video Director via a blind application process no later than the end of the spring semester. Although the Cabinet positions are one year appointments, the tasks may be seasonal, periodic, or ongoing. Cabinet participants serve at the discretion of the Executive Board. Cabinet members have the same responsibilities as general members of the Student Council but may only vote in procedural matters and in committee.
ARTICLE VII: Ad Hoc Committees
Ad hoc committees are formed by members of the GSMST Student Council to faithfully and effectively execute Student Council plans and activities. Each committee should contain at least one of each of the following members: one Executive Board member (excluding the Executive President, as he/she is an ex officio member of all committees), one Member-at-Large, and one secretary. Cabinet participants can be asked to serve on a committee.
ARTICLE VIII: Election of Student Council Members
All members of Student Council are expected to remain a positive influence on the Student Body, and this should be conveyed in their actions in the school and community.
Section One- Election Procedures
The members of the Executive Board, Class Officers, and Members-at-Large are elected positions for a term of one year or until their successors are elected. In order to run for one of the elected positions, potential candidates must be in good academic standing at the time of the election (as denoted by having a minimum of an 80 GPA). Candidates need to fill out a Student Council application and acquire three faculty recommendations on the approved recommendation form prior to campaigning, except in the case of Executive Board candidates, who must acquire five faculty recommendations. Faculty recommendations will count for 25% of the election score. The remaining 75% of the election score will be determined by a school-wide election, in which all GSMST students will have the opportunity to vote for Student Council candidates. The Student Council Advisor(s) will announce the date and time that applications are due. No late applications will be considered.
Section Two- Timing of Elections
Each spring semester, rising 10th, rising 11th, and rising 12th graders will vote on the positions of the Student Council Executive Board, Class Officers, and Members-at-Large. Graduating 12th graders do not vote in Student Council elections. Elections for 9th grade Student Council Class Officers and Member-at-Large will be held during the subsequent fall semester; incoming freshmen do not vote for the Executive Board.
Section Three- Campaigning
An orientation will be provided by Advisor(s) and members of the Executive Board prior to elections. In order to run for a Student Council position, attendance at one of the orientation meetings is required of all potential candidates, including previous Student Council members. The Student Council Advisor(s) will announce the date and time that campaigning can begin. No candidate shall begin his/her campaigning before that date and time. Premature campaigning can result in disqualification from the Student Council elections and removal of the candidate’s name from the ballot. Prior to campaigning, candidates will be required to submit their campaigning materials, including videos and posters, to the Student Council Advisor(s). Campaign announcements that are considered inappropriate will not be displayed.
ARTICLE IX: Expectations and Responsibilities of Members
Section One- Academic Standing
All Student Council members are required to maintain a minimum 80 GPA (grade point average) throughout their tenure as Student Council officers. The Student Council Advisor(s) will verify grades at the end of the fall semester and at the time of elections. If a member is unable to maintain a B average, he/she will be placed on a six-week probation period. During this probation period, he/she will not be able to participate in Student Council activities and will need to bring their grade average back up to the minimum requirement before he/she is able to regain the Student Council position. However, a student on academic probation does not have to wait until the end of the semester to regain the position. As soon as the minimum GPA is regained, the probationary period is over and the student can return to Student Council activities. If the Student Council member continues to have less than the minimum GPA after the six week probation period, he/she will be permanently removed from office.
Section Two- The Code of Integrity
All members of Student Council are expected to act according to the following Code of Integrity:
Section Three- Participation
All members of the GSMST Student Council are expected to attend and participate in regular Student Council meetings, activities, and events. The Student Council Executive Secretary will be responsible for assuring that attendance is taken at Student Council meetings, activities, and events to verify participation by Student Council members.
The regular Student Council meetings will be held in room 5.053 after school the first Thursday of each month during the school academic year, unless otherwise noted. All meeting times and locations shall be set by the Student Council Advisor(s). Meeting times and locations can be changed by the Student Council Advisor(s) as necessary.
The Executive Board will meet regularly with the Student Council Advisor(s) at times and locations to be determined by the Student Council Advisor(s). These meetings will be included when taking into account the attendance of Executive Board members.
If a council member misses three monthly meetings, he or she shall be dismissed from the GSMST Student Council. Council members must also attend events that are set on the calendar from the beginning of the school year; these events are non-negotiable. Members are expected to participate in event preparation as determined by the Student Council Advisor(s).
ARTICLE X: Recall of Officers and Members
Any member or officer may be removed from the Student Council for repeated failure to attend meetings, failure to carry out his/her duties as an officer or representative, or for any action which is detrimental to the welfare of the school.
Any member of Student Council can be removed from office by the GSMST Administration or if the GSMST Student Council votes to replace a member due to disorderly conduct and/or failure to meet the requirements of their position. If an officer resigns or is removed from office, the Student Council shall be empowered to fill the vacancy except in the case of the president; in this case, the vice-president becomes president.
The removal of a Class Officer or Member-at-Large will ultimately be determined by ⅔ approval of the Student Council, upon being presented with the findings of the Investigative Committee, made up of Student Council Advisors and Student Council Executive Board members. Disciplinary issues, poor conduct, inappropriate behavior, and/or lack of participation can result in removal. If a student is removed from Student Council, the student will not be allowed to participate in Student Council activities for the remainder of that academic year.
ARTICLE XI: Administration and Student Council Advisor(s)
Section One- Administration
The Administration at The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology is the current GSMST principal. He/she shall have the power to veto any act legislated by the Student Council, and to disapprove and cancel any plans or acts the Student Council which in his/her judgment do not serve the best interests of the school or community.
Section Two- Faculty Advisor(s)
The Student Council Advisor(s) shall be current faculty member(s) approved by the Administration. The Advisor(s) shall have the power to veto any act legislated by the Student Council by formal explanation, subject to appeal to the Administration. The term of the Advisor(s) office will be left to the discretion of the Administration.
ARTICLE XII: Georgia Association of Student Councils - Executive Board Position
In the event of the council being elected or appointed for a position on the Executive Board for the Georgia Association of Student Councils (GASC), officers shall be nominated and elected from the sitting GSMST Student Council, by the members of said council, to the position of GASC State Leadership Officer, effective immediately in addition to their sitting titles. One officer shall be nominated and voted on to serve as Executive State Liaison for the GSMST Student Council Executive Board, in which they will update the Executive Board and advisors on matters concerning GASC. The position of Executive State Liaison is held in addition to the member’s role as GASC State Leadership Officer, with the same restrictions as a cabinet member. Only sitting Sophomores or Juniors are eligible for this position. Elections for GASC State Leadership Officers shall take place as soon as possible following the decision to run, which must be voted on by the entire GSMST Student Council. The GASC State Leadership Officers shall be in charge of all responsibilities related to GASC and the Executive Board. They shall be the primary authority within the GSMST Student Council on matters concerning GASC, working directly with GASC council and committees to faithfully execute the duties of the GASC council's elected position, and institute leadership transition training for the GASC State Leadership Officers of the following year’s GASC position, if needed.
ARTICLE XIII: Parliamentary Authority - Robert’s Rules of Order
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the GSMST Student Council in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the GSMST Student Council may adopt. The Executive Secretary will be responsible for ensuring that meetings follow order as dictated by this Parliamentary Authority.
ARTICLE XIV: Amendments
Amendments to the Constitution for the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Student Council Constitution shall become part of the constitution with an approval 2/3 vote of Student Council members. Any member of Student Council can propose the passing of an amendment. Any major changes also require an approval by the Administration and/or the Advisor(s) of Student Council.
ARTICLE XV: Constitutional Authority under Extenuating Circumstances
The Student Council Advisor(s) shall reserve the right to bypass any of the aforementioned bylaws under approval from school administration given extenuating circumstances that would otherwise impede the ability of the GSMST Student Council’s ability to execute its duties under such circumstances.
AMENDMENT 1: Withdrawal or Resignation of Officers and Members
Section One - Process of Resignation
In order for any officer or member to resign from GSMST’s Student Council, they must provide a formal letter of resignation at least 2 weeks prior to their planned official dismissal from Student Council. The formal letter of resignation must include:
Upon the reception of the letter of resignation, it shall be reviewed by the executive board. The full council will then begin discussing their opinions on the resignation.
Section Two - A Withdrawal from the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
In the case that any officer or member is withdrawing from the GSMST, it is requested, but not required that an advanced notice be given ahead of time indicating:
Section Three - Special Resolutions Clause
In the case of a unique circumstance of withdrawal or resignation, a special resolution may be suggested or implemented at the discretion of the advisors in place of the two prior clauses after being reviewed by the sponsors of GSMST Student Council.
Amended 11/29/2018
AMENDMENT 2: Expansion of Standing Committees
The previous limit of four (4) standing committees for the GSMST Student Council shall hereby be extended to a total of five (5) standing committees for the purpose of creating a “Sunshine Committee.” The responsibilities of the “Sunshine Committee” shall include: planning and coordinating Student Council get-togethers, organizing parties and celebrations within the Student Council, and to serve as a support system for the council. The committee will be made of a volunteer officer from each respective grade and the Executive Parliamentarian serving as the committee chair. The creation of this committee is solely to improve the quality of life of the Council.
Amended 11/29/2018
Amended 03/14/2020 to replace the Executive Board position of Treasurer with Executive Parliamentarian, to change language in Amendment 2: Expansion of Standing Committees, and to increase the requisite number of faculty recommendations for Executive Board candidates to five from three.
Amended 02/04/2021 to a) change language in Article XII: Georgia Association of Student Councils - Executive Board Position to create the position of Executive State Liaison on the GSMST Student Council Executive Board; b) remove Article VII: Culture Committee from the Constitution due to obsolescence; c) create Article II: Mission Statement to more clearly define the role of the GSMST Student Council in the school and provide a framework for future councils; and d) change language in Article V: Cabinet to more clearly define the roles and responsibilities of cabinet members and cement the positions selected by the executive board.
Amended 03/04/2021 to clarify language regarding the nature of the Executive State Liaison in Article XII: Georgia Association of Student Councils - Executive Board Position.
Adopted 2/2017