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(PDF file of MCR Constitution and Bylaws)
We, the high school students of Montgomery County, in order to initiate
educational reform, promote good relations among Montgomery County high
schools, provide a forum for the students of those schools to express
their opinions, act on directives of those students, and express the
collective opinions of Montgomery County high school students to the
schools, the Montgomery County Board of Education, County Council, and
the general community, do ordain and establish this Constitution for
the Montgomery County Region of the Maryland Association of Student
Councils.
The name of this organization shall be the Montgomery County Region
of the Maryland Association of Student Councils, hereafter referred
to as MCR.
Section
1. Sponsorship - MCR shall be under the sponsorship
of Montgomery County Public Schools, hereafter referred
to as MCPS.
Section 2. Advisor - The
Advisor to MCR shall be selected by the superintendent
of MCPS by a process agreed upon by MCR.
Section 1. Affiliations
- MCR shall maintain affiliations with the Maryland
Association of Student Councils, hereafter referred
to as MASC; and with such organizations as may be specified
in the Bylaws.
Section 2. Associations
- MCR shall maintain associations with the Montgomery
County Junior Councils, hereafter referred to as MCJC;
and with such organizations as may be specified in the
Bylaws.
MCJC shall be a constitutionally independent and separate
entity to MCR and will be represented in the Executive Committee by
one voting representative and four voting representatives in the General
Assembly. Additionally, MCR shall maintain a close relationship with
MCJC.
Section 1. Affiliates
- Any high school student government organization in
Montgomery County shall be eligible for affiliate membership
in MCR and shall become an affiliate upon payment of
dues such as are specified in the Bylaws.
Section 2.
Executive Membership - Any student who shall be enrolled
in senior high school in Montgomery County during the
year of service shall be eligible for executive membership
in MCR.
Section 3.
Associates - Other groups or individuals residing in
Montgomery County and having an interest in the welfare
of its youth, not eligible for executive or affiliate
membership, shall be eligible for associate membership
in MCR upon approval by the Executive Committee and
shall become an associate upon payment of dues such
as are specified in the Bylaws.
Section 1. Membership
- Membership in the General Assembly shall be limited
to the elected officers of MCR, executive committee
members, and to those delegates selected from and by
the student bodies of the schools the affiliates represent.
The number of delegates shall be determined, as specified
in the bylaws, by affiliate enrollment.
Section 2. Meetings
Clause 1. Except as provided for this Constitution or
in the Bylaws, all meetings of the General Assembly
shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly
Revised.
Clause 2. The General
Assembly shall meet a minimum of 8 times per school
year at times and places to be determined by the Executive
Committee or the General Assembly. The Executive Committee
or the General Assembly shall be empowered to reschedule
meetings as well as call additional ones.
Clause 3. All members
of MCR shall be provided with notice of a meeting of
the General Assembly at least 9 school days prior to
the meeting.
Clause 4. All meetings
of the General Assembly shall be chaired by the President,
Vice President, or Treasurer, in that order, each successive
officer assuming the chair should the preceding one
be unable to do so. Should all 3 officers be unable
to assume the chair, the Secretary shall convene the
meeting and preside until the General Assembly elects
a temporary chair.
Clause 5. Each member
of the General Assembly shall be allowed one and only
one vote in the General Assembly, with the exception
of the chair who shall vote only at such times as his/her
vote will affect the outcome of a vote.
Clause 6. Non-delegates
from affiliates, associates and delegates of associates,
and others, by permission of the chair, shall be entitled
to be observers of the General Assembly and shall be
accorded all privileges of members save that of suffrage.
Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities
- The General Assembly shall regulate its membership
and that of MCR; hear the recommendations of its various
committees; regulate its own affairs; legislate as it
deems necessary; direct the Executive Committee and
the President in such matters over which it is not specifically
denied jurisdiction by this constitution; and serve
to elect the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and
Secretary of MCR.
Section
1. Elected
Officers - The elected officers of MCR shall be the
President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Clause 1. The elected
officers of MCR shall have attended at least 4 meetings
of the General Assembly and 1 meeting of the executive
board prior to assuming office and shall be eligible
for executive membership in MCR. Elected officers must
also meet all academic requirements as set forth in
policy and regulations by the Montgomery County Board
of Education.
Clause 2. The elected
officers shall have those voting rights accorded to
them in this Constitution.
Clause 3. The elected
officers shall take office prior to the close of the
last regular meeting of the General Assembly of the
school year, and shall serve until the completion of
their terms, which shall be defined as the last regular
meeting of the General Assembly in the year of service.
Section 2.
General Elections
Clause 1. The general elections of officers shall occur at the
next-to last regular meeting of the General Assembly in that school
year.
Clause 2. The Executive
Committee shall be notified of all nominations at a
meeting of that body prior to the elections meeting
of the General Assembly. Nominating shall be formally
presented to the General Assembly on the day of the
elections meeting.
Clause 3. The procedures
and rules governing the election of officers shall be
specified in the Bylaws and shall be reviewed by the
Executive Committee prior to an election.
Section 3. Duties and Responsibilities
Clause 1. The President
shall:
• Chair all meetings of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee,
and the regional caucus at MASC functions;
• Represent MCR at meetings of the MASC Executive Board; In case
the president is absent, a representative, may take his/her place at
the meeting, with full voting privileges.
• Represent the viewpoint of MCR to the community-at-large;
• Appoint eligible people to fill positions such as are specified
in the Bylaws, subject to approval of the Executive Committee;
• Be an ex-officio member of all committees;
• Carry out directives of the General Assembly or the Executive
Committee; and
• Perform all other functions devolving upon the office.
Clause 2. The Vice
President shall:
• Assume the duties which the President is unable to fulfill;
• Act as student advisor to MCJC and attend meetings of the Executive
Committee of the organization;
• Be an ex-officio member of all committees;
• Carry out directives of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee,
or the President; and
• Assume the presidency should the office be vacated.
Clause 3. The Treasurer
shall:
• Prepare a budget proposal for the fiscal year, which shall be
defined as July 1 through June 30;
• Supervise the collection of dues and maintain records of membership
status;
• Maintain complete and accurate financial records for MCR;
• Handle all monetary matters;
• Supervise any role call vote taken at meetings of the General
Assembly and the Executive Committee;
• Assume the duties which the Vice President is unable to fulfill;
• Carry out directives of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee,
or the President; and
• Become acting vice-president should the office be vacated until
such time as a special election shall be held to fill the office.
Clause 4. The Secretary
shall:
• Take complete and accurate minutes of all meetings and publish
those minutes;
• Handle all matters of correspondence for MCR and maintain records
of that correspondence;
• Oversee all information dissemination activities of MCR;
• Publicize scheduled MCR meetings and activities;
• Carry out directives of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee,
or the President;
• Maintain the roll of all meetings of the General Assembly and
Executive Committees;
• Supervise any roll call vote taken at meetings of the General
Assembly and Executive Committee.
Section 4.
Standing Committees - The standing committees of MCR
which are specified in the Bylaws shall exist.
The Executive Committee shall be composed of all executive members of
MCR and shall embody all authority such as is delegated it by this Constitution,
the Bylaws, and the General Assembly.
Section 1. Membership
Clause 1. All elected
officers of MCR, presidents of affiliate organizations,
and the Vice President of MCJC or their representatives
shall become executive members upon filing their respective
positions.
Clause 2. All chairs
of standing committees and those staff members whose
positions are specified in the Bylaws shall become executive
members upon appointment by the President and approval
of the Executive Committee.
Section 2.
Meetings
Clause 1. Except
for as provided for in this Constitution or the Bylaws,
all meetings of the Executive Committee shall be governed
by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
Clause 2. The Executive
Committee shall meet not less than once each month during
the school year at a time and place to be determined
by the President or the Executive Committee. The President
or the Executive Committee shall be empowered to reschedule
meetings as well as to call additional ones.
Clause 3. All executive
members shall be provided with notice of all meetings
of the Executive Committee at least 5 school days prior
to the meeting.
Clause 4. All meetings
of the Executive Committee shall be chaired by the President,
Vice President, or Treasurer; in that order, each successive
officer assuming the chair should the preceding one
be unable to do so. Should all 3 officers be unable
to assume the chair, the Secretary shall convene the
meeting and preside until the Executive Committee elects
a temporary chairs.
Clause 5. Each executive
member shall be allowed one and only one vote in the
Executive Committee with the exception of the chair,
who shall vote only at such times as his/her vote will
affect the outcome of the vote.
Clause 6. Those who
are not executive members of MCR shall by permission
of the chair, be entitled to be observers of the Executive
Committee and shall be accorded all privileges of executive
members save that of suffrage.
Section
1. Powers - If a power is not specifically denied
the General Assembly or defined by this Constitution,
and the same power is specifically granted the President
or the Executive Committee or both; the General Assembly
shall be empowered by a simple majority, to prevent
either the President or the Executive Committee from
considering a question devolving from that power; and
likewise the Executive Committee shall be empowered
by a 2/3 vote, to prevent the President from considering
a question devolving from that power.
Section 2.
Impeachment and Removal - Procedures for the impeachment
and removal of all members and officers of MCR, other
than chairs of standing committees and staff members
whose positions are specified in the bylaws, shall be
the same.
Clause 1. The impeachment
of a member of MCR shall occur when a petition stating
the charges against the member is approved by a majority
of the affiliate members and is filed with the Executive
Committee.
Clause 2. Upon receipt
of the petition, the Executive Committee shall investigate
the charges.
Clause 3. Not more
than 28 school days following the receipt of the petition
the Executive Committee shall convene a hearing on the
impeachment.
Clause 4. After the
hearing, the Executive Committee shall vote on removal
of the member, which shall require a vote of 2/3 of
the entire Executive Committee.
Section
3. Impeachment and Removal of Committee Chairs
and Appointed Staff Members- Procedures for the impeachment
and removal of all chairs of standing committees and
staff members whose positions are specified in the Bylaws
shall be the same. These members of MCR may be removed
by 2/3 of the Executive Committee if all members of
the Executive Committee are informed of the proposed
removal at least 9 school days prior to the vote; otherwise,
these members may be removed by 4/5 of the total membership
of the Executive Committee.
Section 4.
Succession and Replacement
Clause 1. Any position
in MCR that does not require an election by the General
Assembly shall be filled according to procedures as
outlined elsewhere in this Constitution.
Clause 2. If the
office of President is vacated, its duties and responsibilities
shall be filled by the Vice President. The Vice President
shall appoint a person to replace him/her by a majority
vote of approval by the Executive Committee; this person
shall be know as the "Acting Vice President"
until a special election is held to fill the vacancy.
Should the office of Treasurer, or Secretary be vacated,
said replacement procedure shall be the same as prescribed
for the replacement of the Vice President.
Clause 3. Any elected
position vacated before the term of office has expired
shall be filed by a special election in the General
Assembly no more than 40 school days following the vacating
of said office, only if the said special election occurs
60 school days prior to the general election for the
following year. The election shall be conducted according
to the procedures and rules specified in the Bylaws
for general elections.
There shall exist a set of governing rules and policies of MCR, separate
from this Constitution, to be know as the Bylaws.
Section 1.
Contents - The Bylaws shall contain:
• The terms and details of any affiliations or associations not
provided for in the Constitution;
• All policies regarding annual dues and delegate representation
scheduled for affiliate and associate members;
• All policies regarding standing committees;
• The duties and responsibilities of any staff member not provided
for in the Constitution;
• The rules and procedures guiding election of officers; and
• Any further rules guiding the operation of the Executive Committee
and the General Assembly such as are deemed necessary.
Section 2.
Annual Review - Each incoming President shall review
the Bylaws and submit his/her proposal to the Executive
Committee prior to the convening of the first meeting
of the General Assembly.
Section 3. Amendments
Clause 1. The Bylaws
may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Committee.
Clause 2. The Bylaws
may be amended by a majority vote of the General Assembly.
This Constitution may be amended
by 2/3 of the General Assembly if all members of MCR
are informed of the proposed amendment at least 9 school
days prior to the vote; otherwise, it may be amended
by 4/5 of the total membership of the General Assembly.
This constitution shall take effect as the MCR Constitution when approved
as an amendment to the standing MCR Constitution.
Ratified: October 21, 1982
Amended: May 20, 1985; May 1995; November 16, 2000;
February 2002: September 2004, February 2005, February
23, 2007
MCR shall be affiliated or associated with those groups as defined by
the MCR Constitution.
Section
1. Individual
associations shall pay $5.00 in annual dues.
Section 2.
Affiliates shall be allotted a number of select delegates
to the General Assembly based on total enrollment. Affiliates
are encouraged to select two permanent delegates to
attend the General Assembly for a year.
| Enrollment |
Voting Delegates |
Dues |
| 000-199 |
3 |
$33 |
| 200-399 |
4 |
$36 |
| 400-599 |
5 |
$39 |
| 600-799 |
6 |
$42 |
| 800-999 |
7 |
$45 |
| 1000-1199 |
8 |
$48 |
| 1200-1399 |
9 |
$51 |
| 1400-1599 |
10 |
$54 |
| 1600-1799 |
11 |
$57 |
| 1800-1999 |
12 |
$60 |
| 2000-2199 |
13 |
$63 |
| 2200-2399 |
14 |
$66 |
| 2400-2599 |
15 |
$69 |
| 2600-2799 |
16 |
$72 |
| 2800-2999 |
17 |
$75 |
| 3000-3199 |
18 |
$78 |
| 3200-3399 |
19 |
$81 |
Section
3. All
affiliates shall pay annual dues by the third regularly
scheduled General Assembly. Failure to pay dues shall
result in the loss of General Assembly voting privileges
until such time as said dues are paid.
Section 4: Schools joining
both MCR and MASC on or before November 1st shall receive
a $5.00 refund.
Section 1. The
Special Election Committee shall be a countywide committee
comprised of students from grades 6-12. The MCR Special
Elections Administrator shall chair this committee.
This committee shall be responsible for administering
the annual election of the Student Member of the Board
of Education. Every High School within Montgomery County
is encouraged to send one student delegate to serve
as a liaison on the Special Elections Committee for
the election of the Student Member of the Board of Education.
Section 2. Other standing
committees of MCR shall be as listed in Article IV.
Section 1. The
Special Elections Administrator and Deputy Special Elections
Administrator shall: organize and monitor the annual
elections of the Student Member of the Board of Education;
evaluate the election and prepare a report that shall
be submitted to the Executive Committee of the Board
of Education; chair the Special Elections Committee.
Section 2. The Parliamentarian
shall: advise the president on procedural matters; offer
parliamentary procedure workshops; review the Constitution
every five years, beginning in 1985, facilitate the
revision of the platform every two years, and recommend
changes to the Constitution; aid all members of the
General Assembly in understanding matters of procedure.
Section 3.
The Student Advocacy Coordinator shall: promote an understanding
among MCPS students of their rights, responsibilities,
and avenues of appeal; plan and execute advocate training
workshops; coordinate a cohesive student advocate network;
and serve as chair of the Student Advocacy Committee.
Section 4.
The Lobbying Coordinators (state/county) shall: (County)
monitor the development of legislation related to education
and youth issues under consideration by the Board of
Education and County Council; propose positions on said
issues; draft testimony on said issues for presentation
in the appropriate forums; coordinate MCR lobbying efforts.
The State Lobbying Coordinator shall execute the same
duties with respect to the Maryland General Assembly.
The Lobbying Coordinators shall chair their respective
committees.
Section 5.
The Evaluator shall conduct routine evaluations of all
MCR activities including executive committee meetings
and general assemblies.
Section 6. The Special
Programs Coordinator shall: organize and coordinate
the delegate breakout sessions at the General Assembly;
assist MCR with the development of supplemental programs
as may be appropriate; chair the Special Programs Committee.
Section 7.
The Public Relations Coordinators shall: promote awareness
and understanding about MCR throughout the county’s
high schools and community media outlets, prepare press
releases, and publish a MCR newsletter. Additionally,
the MCR Public Relations Coordinators shall act as liaisons
to the schools of Montgomery County, contacting and
updating SGA Presidents and advisors at the chair’s
discretion.
Section 8.
The Webmaster shall work with the Student Affairs Office
to maintain the MCR website.
Section 9.
The Historians shall: design and maintain the MCR scrapbook.
They must have access and ability to print digital pictures
for the MCR scrapbook. The Student Affairs Office provides
the digital camera for all MCR/MASC functions. The Historians
shall also facilitate a MCR alumni program in which
they maintain contact with MCR alumni, encourage alumni
to visit MCR meetings, and report to the MCR Executive
Committee as to the current occupations of the alumni.
Section 10. The Chief of
Staff shall: ensure that all members of the Executive
Committee are completing their duties. He/she will maintain
a chart that indicates what each staff member has achieved
each month. If any staff members do not appear to be
fulfilling their responsibilities, the Chief of Staff
will call them and make sure that they increase their
efforts.
Section 11. The Voter Registration
Coordinators shall: maintain communication with SGA
Advisors and presidents to act as advisors to voter
registration initiative at their respective high schools.
Section 12. The Environmental
Affairs Coordinator shall: ensure recycling is practiced
at all meetings, advise the President on environmentally-friendly
alternative resources; and promote environmental awareness
among the Executive Board and General Assembly attendants.
Section 13. The MCJC Liaison
shall: assist the Vice President in supporting and advising
the MCJC staff on projects and initiatives and prepare
presentations about MCR to MCJC members.
Section 14. All staff members
shall: attend all Executive Committee and General Assembly
Meetings; actively participate in MCR activities; maintain
regular communication with officers, other staff members,
and the advisor, give monthly progress reports on committee
activities, and submit a year end report relating to
the actions of the committee during that year. Additionally,
the Executive Committee members are to serve as liaisons
to MCPS High Schools, ensuring full participation and
consistent communication.
Section
1. Project
Managers shall be appointed to organize and coordinate
specific tasks. These individuals shall have the status
of staff members and shall assume all rights and responsibilities
thereto. Project Managers shall serve at the discretion
of the President.
Section 1. The
Executive Committee shall establish and approve rules
and procedures, in a timely manner, that shall govern
the election of officers, special elections, referenda,
and other events that require a systematic and precise
reporting of the intent or wishes of the General Assembly
or member schools. Said rules and procedures shall be
made known to the membership no less than 14 days prior
to said special event.
Section 2. In February
of each year, the Executive Committee shall review and
approve the rules and procedures that shall govern the
election of officers in the spring of that year.
Section 3.
Rules and procedures governing elections, special elections,
referenda, and other special events shall be maintained
in a file in the Student Affairs Office.
Section 1.
Each school that is a member of the MCR shall be strongly
encouraged to have at least one student actively serving
on each of the MCR committees.
Section 2.
Each school that is a member of MCR shall be strongly
encouraged to nominate an individual as its school’s
MCR liaison. The MCR Executive Committee shall confirm
with a majority vote only those liaisons present at
the meeting. The liaison shall, as a member of the Executive
Committee, serve as a link between MCR and his/her school,
coordinate the school’s delegates to General Assemblies,
become a voting member of the Executive Committee and
receive one vote to be added to his/her school’s
number of voting delegates as specified in Article 2,
Section 2 of the Bylaws.
Section 3.
In the event that the President of a school is also
an elected member of MCR or confirmed as a staff member,
then he/she may, with the consent of his/her school’s
student government, appoint a representative from his/her
school to serve as his/her school’s presidential
representative vote on the MCR Executive Committee.
Section 4. Following the
absence of an MCR staff member from three consecutive
meetings, the MCR Advisor and President shall begin
investigating their absence and, if necessary, make
recommendations for impeachment.
Section 1.
This document shall be appended to the Constitution
for the duration of its authorization, but shall be
superseded by the Constitution in any conflicts.
Section
1. This
document shall take effect upon its approval by two-thirds
vote of the Executive Board and shall expire 45 days
following the election of the 2006-2007 President.
Adopted: June 1, 2006
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