The constitution of the Student Administrative Council of
Grey Highlands Secondary School

Article I

The incoming Executive Council must ratify this Constitution by a two-thirds majority vote by the General Council members to be adhered to for the complete year or amend this Constitution so that it is suitable to them  The Principal shall approve any amendments.  This shall be done before the first school day.  This Constitution may, however, be amended as provided for in Article XII at any other time throughout the course of the school year.

Article II: Name

This organization shall be called the Student Administrative Council [SAC] of Grey Highlands Secondary School.

Article III: Objects

Only one such organization shall exist and it is established for the following purposes:
1.  To foster and control extracurricular activities for the school.
2. 	To promote and protect the interests of the school body.
3. 	To provide a responsible organization to represent the school body and act on its behalf.
4. 	To receive and administer all funds from student fees, school constituted clubs and any other sources.

Article IV: Jurisdiction and Powers

The jurisdiction and powers assumed by the SAC in this constitution and any amendments made to it are granted by the principal.  All actions and decisions of the SAC are subject to the veto of the Principal.

Article V: Members of the SAC

1. 	The following shall constitute the members of the SAC Executive Council:
a. 	The Co-Presidents will equally share responsibilities, tasks and duties throughout the year.

Note: one original constitution, there is a quantum leap from C to F in the list of executive.
b. 	Public Relations
c. 	Student Trustee
d. 	OSSSA
e. 	Treasurer
f. 	Secretary
g. 	Social Convenors
h. 	Fundraising Chairperson
i. 	Athletic Representatives
j. 	Staff Advisors
k. 	Any former executive SAC member is able to be on the current executive committee as a student advisor.
2. 	Duties of members and heads of standing committees of the SAC shall be as defined in the by-laws.
3. 	If any position on the SAC is vacated, replacement shall be by the appointment of the Co-Presidents, subject to the 2/3 majority vote of the SAC Executive Council.

Article VI: Procedure for Appointment or Election of SAC Members

1. 	Co-Presidents

The abovementioned shall be a student with one year of experience on SAC.  In order to qualify, they shall have at least a sixty percent average (60%) on the report issued immediately prior to the nominations.

All students and staff of the school will vote for the candidates by secret ballot.

The nominations shall be held in the last week of April and the first weeks of May, or shortly thereafter.  The elections shall take  place during the campaign week, within a week of the final nomination day on a special election day.

2. 	Fundraising Chairperson, Athletic Representatives, Social Convenors, Secretary.

Will be elected by the school body (teachers included), and will assume office the first day of official summer vacation.

These positions are made available to any student of the school.

Article VII: Voting Privilages of SAC Members

All members of the SAC have voting privileges with the exception of the Chairperson.  In the case of a tie, re-discussion and a second vote.

Article VIII: Meetings
1. 	Any member of the school’s student body may attend any regular meeting of the SAC.
2. 	Regular meetings shall be called by the executive council no less than every two weeks.
3. 	Special meetings shall be called by the Co-Presidents at any time.
4. 	The Co-Presidents shall act as the Chairpersons at the SAC meetings.
5. 	Parlimentary procedures shall  follow “Parlimentary Practices”
6. 	Minutes of the last meeting will be read aloud by the secretary at the following meeting.
7. 	An agenda will be presented to each attending member at the commencement of the meeting.
 
Article IX: Finances

1. 	The SAC will control the finances  of all SAC activities unless the SAC directs otherwise.
2. 	An annual fee may be collected from each student so desiring, the amount of which is to be collected annually by the SAC.   For any student involved in any extracurricular activity of the school, the fee is compulsory.  Each club and activity shall publish a list of members of that club or activity and present it to the Treasurer and Athletic Representatives.
3. 	All such money shall be outgoing to the treasurer and deposited in the SAC bank account.
4. 	Each SAC constituted organization must present a detailed budget of proposed income and expenditure which must be reviewed and validated at the SAC’s special budget meeting before responsiblity will be taken for any expenditure incurred by that group.
5. 	Budgets will be distributed to the members of the executive council prior to the special budget meeting.
6. 	After approval, the Treasurer shall see that these estimates are not exceeded and shall keep vigilant watch over expenditures.
7. 	The student or teacher in charge of events shall be responsible for collections of all receipts and see that all bills are remitted to the Treasurer.
8. 	To obtain money for payment of bills not covered by the budget, the teacher in charge shall:
a. 	Send a request to the Treasurer, who, in the instance of emergency, may call a meeting of the executive council
b. 	For items which are not urgent, send a request to the Executive Council for approval.
c. 	If it is a loan to pay advance bills, send a request to the Treasurer, who may advance such funds at her/his discretion
9. 	Unless correct procedures for finances are followed, the SAC will not assume any responsibility for the obligations incurred
10. 	The books of the SAC shall be audited annually, not later than September of the following year, by auditors appointed by the executive council
11. 	The financial committee shall consist of the executive council members
12. 	All cheques shall be signed by the Treasurer and one Staff Advisor
	
Article X: By-Laws

The SAC shall be empowered to legislate by-laws
	
1. 	Such by-laws shall take the form of rules and regulations extending in greater detail and more effectively applying the provisions of this Constitution, while not contrary to it.
2. 	To become effective, a by-law shall be approved by a majority vote of the voting members of the Executive Council, then the SAC.  A by-law may be amended or repealed in the same manner.
3. 	All by-laws must be approved by the Principal.

Article XI: Amendments

1. 	This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the voting members of the SAC.
2. 	Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed only by members of the SAC.
3. 	The Constitution and all amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Principal for approval
4. 	Introduction of  amendments:

a. 	The main amending motion shall be introduced by being read at a regular meeting of the SAC prior to that meeting at which ratification is to be moved.
b. 	The interval between the first introduction and the motion for ratification shall never be less than one (1) calendar week.

By-Law 1:

A by-law to define the arrangement of the by-laws of the SAC wheras the SAC is empowered by Article X of its Constitution to legislate by-laws: be it therefore enacted by the SAC that:

1. 	All by-laws shall be numbered consecutively, from this by-law, and shall be drawn up in a similar form.
2. 	By-laws shall be printed with the minutes of the SAC meeting at which they are passed or repealed.
3. 	By-laws to amend by-laws shall be printed in the minutes.  Amendment shall be by fifty percent (50%) of the voting membership of the SAC.
4. 	A book of by-laws shall be maintained by the Secretary of the SAC containing a copy of each by-law in the correct order, with signature of the Co-Presidents as evidence of their passage.

By-Law 2:

A by-law to outline the duties of the Co-Presidents, who:
	
1. 	Shall be the official representatives of this student body.
2. 	a. shall at her/his discretion be an exoffico member of all committees.
b. 	shall have the power to create special committees consisteing of members of the SAC and/or members of the student body, at her/his discretion.
3. 	Shall call meetings of the SAC as often as he/she deems necessary, in accordance with the provisions in the Constitution.
4. 	Shall chair meetings of the Executive Council, and General Council which shall be categorized as the SAC.
5. 	In the event that there is a dispute over the meaning of this Constitution and its by-laws, the Co-Presidents shall have the responsibility of concluding that dispute.  Failure by the Co-Presidents to resolve the dispute will necessitate 
6. 	The Co-Presidents  shall represent the school at all GHSS Staff Advisor arbitration committee meetings and inter-school council meetings. 

By-Law 3:

A by-law to outline the duties of the Treasurer, who:

1. 	Shall have general supervision of the finances of the SAC.
2. 	Shall have custody of and be reponsible for all moneys and investments of the SAC and therby he/she shall:
a. 	Deposit in the name of the SAC all moneys that may come into her/his possession for the SAC’s account.
b. 	Endorse for collections or deposit, all bills, notes and cheques.
3. 	a. Shall keep full and accurate records and accounts in the books belonging to the SAC which:
i. 	Shall show the transactions of the SAC (i.e. its accounts, liabilities and financial condition.)
ii. 	Shall be available for inspection by any member of the SAC.
iii. 	Shall be audited annually by September of the following school year by auditors appointed by the SAC, copies of which shall be issued to the Principal, and Co-Presidents.   (Note:  This information shall include payment, revenue and budgets to date.)
b. 	Shall present in person a bi-monthly report of the financial conditions of the SAC at a regular SAC meeting.
4. 	Shall have jurisdiction over the finances of all SAC affiliated organizations.
5. 	Shall be a member of the Executive Council, and present a financial report to this committee bi-monthly.
6. 	Shall ensure that all cheques issued are counter-signed by the Staff Advisors.
7. 	Shall oversee the return of student fees.
8. 	Shall be chief returning officer which will include over-seeing nominations and elections to all elected offices of the SAC.

By-Law 4:

A by-law to specify the duties of the Secretary, who:

1. 	Shall scribe minutes and take attendance for every SAC meeting.
2. 	Shall file minutes chronologically in a three-ring binder as well as retaining extra copies of minutes of each meeting.
3. 	Shall post minutes after each meeting in a central area of the school.
4. 	Shall exercise all secretarial duties for the SAC, including: typing letters; issuing correspondence; issuing memoranda etc.

By-Law 5:

A by-law to outline the duties of the Staff Advisors who:

1. 	Shall be two teachers chosen by the SAC.
2. 	Shall represent the attitudes of the staff and administration on the issues involved in the school body.
3. 	Shall sit on the Executive Council in the same capacity as the preceding item of this by-law indicates.
4. 	Shall be a liaison between the SAC and the Principal, making sure that the Principal receives accounts of minutes, financial reports, by-laws and articles of this Constitution.
5. 	He/She shall report any irregularities to the Executive Council immediately.
6. 	He/She shall also assist the Treasurer with her/his duties.

By-Law 6:  

A by-law to outline the duties of the Assembly Committee Chairperson, who:
1. 	Shall form an assembly of not less than four (4) persons from the school to plan all assemblies.  The Principal and Vice Principal are consultants for this committee.  A written agenda or proposal must be completed and submitted for approval to the Principal or Vise Principal, Staff Advisors and Co-Presidents.
2. 	Shall organize material for assemblies and contact the necessary persons or clubs, e.g. band, phys-ed. Staff, to plan their assemblies.  Technical aspects, such as sound systems should be coordinated with the Sound and Light crew.  Letters, phone calls, etc., should be designated among committee members.
3. 	Shall present a report at SAC meetings or Executive meetings when called upon.  This report shall consist of future assemblies, comments on recent assemblies and financial expenditures of the committee.
4. 	Shall schedule short days requested by staff and/or council to be presented to the Principal and SAC for approval.  The Principal shall have the final approval.

By-Law 7:

A by-law to outline the duties of the two (2) social convenors.

1. 	Shall be head dance official and shall be present at each school dance.
2. 	Shall head the school dance committee.
3. 	Shall organize decorations for any dances as requested by the SAC.
4. 	Shall report to Principal or chaperones any occurrences or violations of the dance rules.
5. 	Shall meet in September with the Executive Council and establish a possible list of dance dates.
6. 	Shall organize the SAC dances, organize workers, schedule bands/disk jockeys, arrange for chaperones, arrange school rental, contracts, etc.
By-Law 8:

A by-law to specify the duties of the Fundraising Chairperson who:

1. 	All SAC fundraising will be the Fundraising Chairpersons responsibility.

By-Law 9:

A by-law to outline the duties of the Public Relations Chairperson, who:
1. 	Shall appoint a working committee of at least four (4) students to carry out the advertising for SAC coordinated activities and events.
2. 	Shall ensure that those persons hired by the local radio stations and newspapers carry out complete and accurate coverage of school activities, events and policies.
3. 	Shall ensure that all necessary advertising is carried out, as desired by the Chairperson of the activity involved, including announcements, posters, radio and newspaper coverage.
4. 	Shall communicate regularly with the other committee chairpeople and ensure that all activities are being related to the school body and the community in a regular and accurate manner.
5. 	Shall report  the activities of her/his committee to the SAC and the Executive Council.
6. 	Shall organize a group within her/his committee to:
a. 	Maintain the bulletin boards in the corridors and in the main foyer; post all information involving student activities.
b. 	Ensure the maintenance of showcases regularly by installing new displays, with items for advertising, educational and interest purposes.
c. 	Compile a complete resume of all news coverage concerning the school body, to be collected in book form and submitted to the SAC Secretary at the end of the school year.

By-Law 10:

A by-law to outline disciplinary procedures of the SAC:

1. 	If a member of he SAC is absent from three (3) meetings or only two (2) in sequence, he/she will be summoned before the Co-Presidents and Staff Advisors to explain the absences.  If he/she cannot reasonably justify the absences, he/she will be asked to resign from the SAC.
2. 	A member who is unable to attend should arrange to have another SAC member act as proxy.
3. 	The motion to impeach a member will be given at any SAC meeting.  The motion will be voted upon no later than fourteen (14) days following the first reading.
4. 	In the event of resignation that must be submitted in writing outlining the reasons for resignation.  That position will be appointed by the Co-Presidents and Staff Advisors.

By-Law 11:

A by-law outlining the Temporary committees of the SAC.  They:

1. 	Shall be formed by a motion in the SAC.
2. 	Shall report to the SAC as required in the motion of their creation.
3. 	Shall be in existence for the time specified in the motion of their creation.

By-Law 12:

A by-law to outline restrictions and control of school activities by the SAC:

1. 	No club, group or society using the school name may organize without the consent of the SAC.
2. 	If there is a need for a club to have a constitution, then there shall be one and if a conflict arises between the club’s constitution and the SAC, the SAC shall have precedence.
3. 	The teacher in charge of any new school activity shall with a student representative of her/his group, be asked to draw up a general program of the year’ work and present it to the SAC for discussion and approval.
4. 	Before making arrangements for a public entertainment or fundraising function, which will affect the school at large, the student or teacher in charge will be asked to lay the essential features of this plan before the SAC in an agenda for approval (on an event proposal form).
By-Law 13:

A by-law to outline the election campaign:

1. 	There will be an assembly during the one week of the campaign at which each candidate will speak and outline her/his policies concerning the position they seek.