Longleaf School of the Arts

Student Government Constitution

ARTICLE I (Name)

Section 1. ​The name of the organization shall be “The Student Government Association
of Longleaf School of the Arts”. It may also be referred to as the “SGA”.

ARTICLE II (Purpose)

Section 1. ​The purpose of the SGA is to serve as an organization to hear students'

concerns and to mediate these concerns to the faculty and staff in an amicable,
respectful and tactful manner as well as to lead various projects and service work for
the betterment of Longleaf School of the Arts and the surrounding community.

ARTICLE III (Meetings)

Section 1. (Regular Meetings) ​Regular SGA meetings will be held after school ends
on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. These meetings will be held in an
orderly manner to discuss the business of the SGA and its ongoing projects. Meetings
will be held in a democratic manner. All regular meetings will be opened and closed by
the Student Body President or acting President at the time. All decisions made outside
of regular meetings are non-applicable. Time will be allotted at the end of each regular
meeting for the classes, committees, and officers to discuss any business pertaining only
to them.

Section 2. (Impromptu Meetings) ​Impromptu meetings, or meetings that happen

outside of regularly scheduled meetings, should be called by the Head Advisor or the
Student Body President. These meetings are held in order to discuss and finish any
unfinished business related to upcoming events. Impromptu Meetings will be held
before or after school or during lunch. All members of the SGA must be notified at
least three school days in advance of Impromptu Meetings. (Note: Impromptu officer,
committee, and class meetings must be approved by one of the SGA Advisors.)

Section 3. (Open Meetings) ​Open Meetings will be held at least once a quarter and
be open to the entire student body. The meeting will be carried out by addressing
business pertinent to the entire student body first then business pertaining to
committees then business pertinent to each class by seniority. At the end of each
portion, the floor will be open to questions from the student body. Open meetings will
be opened and closed by the Student Body President.

ARTICLE IV (Membership and Responsibilities)

Section 1. (Eligibility)​ To be eligible to be a part of the SGA all students must have a
minimum 2.5 unweighted GPA and cannot have more than one hour of service
detention accumulated within a year. Any SGA member that accumulates more than
two unexcused SGA meeting absences will not be allowed to run for office the next
year (unexcused is at the discretion of the Head Advisor). At every meeting, the
Secretary will take attendance. If a member is not present for at least half of the
meeting, they will be marked as absent for that day.

Section 2. (Event Attendance) ​All Student Government members must attend all
three of the events held by SGA. If there are extenuating circumstances it should be
discussed in advance with the head advisor. These events are the Lock In, Winter
Dance, and Spring Formal/Prom. The Lock-In must be attended from start to finish.
For dances, you must attend half of the event. All members are responsible for signing
up for set up or clean up shift.

ARTICLE V (Officer Duties and Responsibilities)

Section 1.​ ​(Teacher Advisors) ​There will be a Head Advisor and Class Advisors. The
Head Advisor should assist the officers in making meeting plans and agendas and the
entire SGA in planning and coordinating projects and activities. The Class Advisors
should assist the classes in planning and coordinating class projects and activities. The
presence of the Head Advisor and the Class Advisors is requested at all meetings. The
Advisors should be available and encouraging to all members of the SGA. The Advisors
should ensure proper adherence to the guidelines expressed in this Constitution.

Section 2. (Officers)

A. Student Body President

a. The Student Body President will lead SGA and work closely with advisors
and members.
b. The Student Body President will be expected to communicate with the
members of the SGA, lead regular meetings, and create meeting agendas.
 c. The Student Body President will lead fundraising initiatives and support
community events.
d. The Student Body President is responsible for reporting to PTSA, the
board, and the administration.
B. Student Body Vice-President
a. The Student Body Vice-President will work closely with the advisors and
members.
b. The Student Body Vice-President will assist in communication amongst
members of SGA, assist in leading regular meetings, and assist in creating
meeting agendas.
c. The Student Body Vice-President will participate and lead, if needed,
fundraising, school, and community events.
d. The Student Body Vice-President is responsible for reporting to PTSA, the
board, and administration along with the Student-Body President.
C. Secretary
a. The Secretary will keep meeting minutes during all meetings, with the
exception of impromptu meetings and committee meetings.
b. The Secretary will make sure that meeting minutes are posted for the
reference of SGA members and the student body. (Note: The minutes
must be shared in a shared Google Folder and posted on the SGA website.)
c. The Secretary will keep track of records and attendance, with assistance
from the Advisors.
D. Treasurer
a. The Treasurer will keep track of records and class funds, with guidance
from the Advisors.
b. The Treasurer will work closely with teacher advisors and administration
to help get SGA and the student body involved in the annual fund.

Section 3. (Class Chairs) ​There will be one Class Chair for each class which will act
as a liaison between the class representatives and the officers, reporting to their class
representatives about topics brought up during Officers Meetings and vice versa. They
will also lead class events and fundraisers with guidance from the Officers and
Advisors.

A. Twelfth Grade Chair

a. The Twelfth Grade Chair will act as a liaison between the Twelfth Grade
Representatives, the officers, and the twelfth-grade students.
b. The Twelfth Grade Chair will work with the Twelfth Grade
Representatives and Twelfth Grade Advisor to plan seniors events. (i.e.
 senior field trips, carnival, awards, etc.)
B. Eleventh Grade Chair
a. The Eleventh Grade Chair will act as a liaison between the Eleventh Grade
Representatives, the officers, and the eleventh-grade students.
b. The Eleventh Grade Chair will work with the Eleventh Grade
Representatives and Eleventh Grade Advisor to plan prom.
C. Tenth Grade Chair
a. The Tenth Grade Chair will act as a liaison between the Tenth Grade
Representatives, the officers, and the tenth-grade students.
b. The Tenth Grade Chair will work with the Tenth Grade Representatives
and Tenth Grade Advisor to plan the Winter Dance.
D. Ninth Grade Chair
a. The Ninth Grade Chair will act as a liaison between the Ninth Grade
Representatives, the officers, and ninth-grade students.
b. The Ninth Grade Chair will work with the Ninth Grade Representatives
and Ninth Grade Advisor to plan Candy Grams and Teacher Appreciation
Week.

Section 4. (Class Representatives)

The Class Representatives for each class will assist the officers and their class chair in
carrying out any projects that pertain to their class or the whole SGA.

ARTICLE VI (Impeachment)

Section 1. ​If any member of the SGA is not able to fulfill the duties set forth in this
Constitution, and at least three other members see fit to remove them, one or more of
them may bring the problem to the attention of the Officers and Advisors. The member
in question shall have a chance to explain their inadequacy and argue their case,
immediately followed by a vote by secret ballot. If a three quarters majority vote is
obtained against the member, they shall be removed. If an Advisor or administrator
requests the removal of a member, such action shall be taken without question.

ARTICLE VII (Code of Conduct)

Section 1. (Student Handbook) ​All members of SGA are expected to uphold the
LSA student handbook. This includes, but is not limited to, LSA’s Honor Code, LSA’s
Dress Code, all school policies outlined in the Student Handbook, and additionally,
those in this Constitution.

Section 2. (Expectations) ​Students in SGA are leaders of the school at all times,
regardless of whether they are physically on campus. As representatives, they are to
uphold these rules in classrooms, at extracurricular activities, and on social media. SGA
members are asked to help teachers, administration, and advisors by reporting anyone
violating a school policy.

Section 3. (Consequences) ​If at any point a member does not follow the student
handbook they will receive a warning cited by the secretary. If they do not follow the
student handbook a second time they will receive a suspension and won’t be allowed to
attend SGA meetings for 9 weeks. If they do not follow the student handbook a third
time they will be dismissed from SGA for the rest of the academic school year.

ARTICLE VIII (Committees)

Section​ ​1.​ Committees shall be made up of any SGA members, regardless of position.
These committees shall form to address the business of specific interests or tasks. Any
member who sees necessary to form a committee may bring the matter to the floor.

ARTICLE IX (Elections)

Section 1. (Officers’ Elections) ​Officers’ Elections will take place during the last
quarter of the school year. Candidates for Officers' Positions will be allowed to campaign
only in the two weeks prior to the election date.

Section 2. (Endorsements) ​The faculty, staff, and students of Longleaf School of the
Arts are allowed to endorse a candidate. All endorsements must be approved by the
head advisor before they are published.

Section 3. (Interviews) ​Each candidate will be interviewed by either the Student

Body President or Student Body Vice-President. The interview will be recorded. The
video will be sent to all the students who are voting on the officer so that they can make
an informed decision.
Section 4. (Election Results) ​The election will be held on a secret ballot. The
winners of the election will be announced by the teacher advisor. They will take office
at the first SGA meeting of the next school year.

Section 5. (Representatives) ​Representatives will be chosen by the current Class

Chair and Class Representatives. A ballot will go out to the current Class Chair and
Representatives with all of the names of the candidates and they must put a yes or a no
next to each name indicating whether or not they think that candidate is fit to be part of
the SGA. Each candidate must obtain a yes from at least 51% of the Class
Representatives in order to join the SGA.

Section 6. (Freshman Elections) ​Freshmen Elections for the Freshman Class Chair
will take place six weeks after the beginning of the school year. Freshman Class Chair
candidates will not be permitted to campaign prior to elections. Freshmen will vote for
their class chair by secret ballot. Freshmen Class Representatives will be agreed upon by
the Freshman Class Advisor and the Head Advisor. Winning freshman candidates will
take office at the next regular meeting. Current freshmen will not be eligible to run for
Officers' positions.

Section 7.​ ​(Application Process) ​During the election process, those wanting
to be in Student Government must fill out the application following these rules:
What is put on the application is final, nothing may be changed once turned in.
The application must be turned in by the time noted on the application. It can be
turned in manually or electronically. No exceptions will be given unless given by
the head advisor.

Section 8.​ ​(Campaigning)​ Students who wish to campaign are only allowed to
campaign during the approved dates. These will be determined during an SGA meeting
each spring. Students who wish to campaign are only allowed to campaign in the
approved areas within the school building. Campaigning can consist of using social
media, posters, buttons, etc. Campaigning may not interrupt instructional time, and
cannot exist in a form that targets other candidates. Candidates are not allowed to run
on false promises. If questions arise, contact the Head Advisor for clarification.

ARTICLE X (Amendments)
Section 1. ​As the Constitution of the Student Government Association of Longleaf
School of the Arts may need to be amended, an amendment may be made by the
following process:

1. The amendment should be proposed at a regularly scheduled SGA meeting.

2. The amendment must be typed, copied, and distributed to each member
present at the meeting.
3. The amendment will be put to a vote at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
(Note: A three quarter majority vote is required to pass an amendment.)
4. Once an amendment has passed, it must immediately be changed in the
constitution.

ARTICLE XI (Signatures)

We, the undersigned, do hereby enact and ratify this Constitution of the Student
Government Association of Longleaf School of the Arts. It shall, therefore, act as the
operational document of the organization. It shall also function as a contract
between the students and the administration giving fair and equitable
representation to the student body. This Constitution will remain in effect until such
time that it will be reviewed and amended in accordance with the guidelines set
herein.

Student Body President

Student Body Vice President

Secretary
Treasurer

Twelfth Grade Chair

Eleventh Grade Chair

Tenth Grade Chair

Ninth Grade Chair

Head Teacher Advisor

Twelfth Grade Advisor

Eleventh Grade Advisor

Tenth Grade Advisor

Ninth Grade Advisor