Grady Student Government Association (SGA)
The Grady Student Government Association serves as the official medium through which students' ideas and opinions are presented for faculty and administrative actions. It is the governing body for the development, promotion and administration of student affairs. The organization also serves to improve student participation in school activities and promote school spirit and morale. The Association acts as the ultimate representative of the views of the student population by instituting and pursuing policies of interest to the student body.
The SGA holds elections in early September for both grade-level and school-wide officers. Both the school and each grade level elects a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and parliamentarian.
BYLAWS OF THE
HENRY W. GRADY HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Henry W. Grady High School Student
Government Association. (GHSSGA)
Article II: Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to serve as an official medium through which
students’ ideas and opinions may be presented for faculty and administrative actions; to serve as
a governing body (with faculty supervision) for the development, promotion, and administration
of student affairs; to give organized student support to educational, recreational, social, and
charitable activities initiated and sponsored by the school, and thus form a closer relationship
between the students, faculty, and administration.
This organization shall also serve to further and improve student participation in school
activities and promote school spirit and morale. The Association shall act as the ultimate
representative of the views of the student population by instituting and pursuing policies of
interest to the student body.
Article III: Membership
The Student Government shall consist of an Executive Council, including a President,
Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. The 11th and 12th grades shall elect a
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. The 9th and 10th grades
shall elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer and Parliamentarian. There shall also
be a representative elected from each respective homeroom. The Association will not
discriminate on the basis of age, color, gender, disability status, national origin, political
persuasion, sexual orientation, race, or religion.
Article IV: Nominations and Elections
All elections shall be supervised by the Executive Council. The new Student Government
Association will be installed after the election of the freshman officers.
Nominations for members of the Executive Council (President, Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and Parliamentarian) shall consist of a petition signed by 50 students from any grade,
a copy of the student’s most recent report card on which they maintained an 85 GPA or a
cumulative 85 GPA, an overall A conduct average, three teacher recommendations, signatures
from homeroom and classroom teachers, as well as the requirement of serving at least one
previous year on the Student Government Association. Only rising seniors may run for a position
on the Executive Council. Graduating seniors may not sign the petitions. These officers will be
elected on a school-wide basis.
Nominations for grade officers shall consist of a petition signed by 25 students in their
respective grades, a copy of the student’s most recent report card on which they maintained an
80 GPA or a cumulative 80 GPA, a B conduct average, signatures from homeroom and
classroom teachers, as well as two teacher recommendations. These officers will be elected on a
grade-level basis. One suspension will result in automatic loss of office for officers on any level.
Elections will be held in the spring of the school year previous to the year in which the
elected officials will serve, except for incoming freshman, who will elect their officers in
September, at the beginning of the school year. Students shall cast their secret ballots following
the procedure indicated by the Executive Council and approved by the Association. In these
elections, the candidate who receives the greatest percent of the vote shall be elected. If there is a
tie, all candidates with the tying percentage shall participate in a run-off election. The candidate
with the highest percentage in the run-off election shall be the elected officer.
In case of resignation, impeachment, or removal of a Student Government Officer, the
Vice-President shall replace the President, followed in line of succession by the Secretary,
Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. All other office vacancies will be filled by the Executive
Council, subject to two-thirds vote of approval by the Student Council.
Article V: Duties
The duties and responsibilities for the following offices include:
President: The President shall serve as primary spokesperson for and representative of the
Association as well as the student body; to act on behalf of the student body; bear primary
responsibility for the execution of all Association directives, chair and conduct all meetings of
the Association; maintain relationships with the faculty, administration, and Board of Education;
have the power to call emergency meetings; and have the power to delegate authority and
appoint committees as the need arises.
Vice-President: The Vice-President will fulfill the duties of the President in his/her absence;
assist the president in the fulfillment of the duties of President; shall be responsible for
communication between the student body and the Association.
Secretary: The Secretary shall be the primary administrator of the Association, keep records of
all actions taken by the Association; maintain and promulgate minutes and update the calendar,
as well as maintain a record of attendance for all meetings. They shall maintain electronic
mailing lists, compile agendas, and distribute and keep a copy of the Bylaws throughout the
academic year, and serve as advisor to the President regarding the Association’s communication
with media publications. The secretary shall also address all student correspondence.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall implement procedure, which ensures fair and timely funding of
student activities; administer and monitor the budget of the Association, be the primary financial
officer of the Association, and provide financial reports at every meeting.
Parliamentarian: The Parliamentarian shall advise the Association as to the requirements of the
Bylaws and ensure that parliamentary procedure is followed at all meetings.
Article VI: Meetings
The Student Government Association shall meet as a full body on at least five occasions
throughout the academic year; September, November, January, March, and May. Each grade
level with officers shall meet on at least a monthly basis.
The Executive Council and all 10th, 11th, and 12th grade officers shall comprise the SGA
homeroom. This will enable orders of business to be addressed at the earliest possible time.
All meetings are open to attendance by interested parties with previous approval.
Spectators must be acknowledged by the President in order to address the Association.
Article VII: Committees
There shall be five permanent committees. A member of the Executive Council shall
chair each committee:
Executive Council: The Executive Council shall be chaired by the President of the Executive
Council and consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian
elected school-wide. This committee will have the ability to meet every morning to finalize
Association initiatives. The Executive Council will be responsible for interpreting the bylaws
when questions arise.
President’s Committee: The President’s Committee shall be chaired by the Executive Council’s
President and consist of all grade-level Presidents. The committee will be responsible for the
daily operations of the Association and all actions taken by the Association.
Finance Committee: The Finance Committee will be chaired by the Executive Council’s
Treasurer and consist of the President of the Executive Council and all grade-level treasurers and
secretary/treasurers. This committee will make recommendations to the Association regarding
financial issues such as fundraisers, expenditures, etc. This committee is responsible for the
overall financial well being of the Association.
Public Relations Committee: The Public Relations Committee shall be chaired by the Executive
Council’s Secretary and consist of the President of the Executive Council and all grade-level
secretaries and secretary/treasurers. The committee will be responsible for notifying the student
body and community about upcoming events. This committee will also make recommendations
on projects sponsored by the Association.
Special Events: The Special Events Committee shall be chaired by the Executive Council’s Vice-
President and consist of the President of the Executive Council and all grade-level vicepresidents.
The committee will be responsible for working with school administration and the
Association in organizing events. The committee may be divided into subcommittees as
necessary.
Student Issues: The Student Issues Committee shall be chaired by the Executive Council’s
Parliamentarian and will consist of the President of the Executive Council and all grade-level
Parliamentarians. The committee will be responsible for identifying and recommending the
suggestions for addressing social and political issues that directly affect the student body.
Temporary committees may be created to address issues, solve problems, and make
recommendations to the Association. The President of the Executive Council will determine
membership and chairmanship of these committees.
Article VIII: Cabinet Members
The cabinet will be composed of those students who run for a grade level position
or for the Executive Council but do not win the election. The cabinet will serve as an
internal council that will oversee the enforcement of the Bylaws. The cabinet will also be
the primary body that will handle the impeachment process and provide a
recommendation to the Association. This section of the Association will be led by the
“joint chief,” elected by the cabinet members during a vote at the initial Association
meeting in September.
Article IX: Attendance
As elected officials to the Student Government, it is paramount that the Association have
as many members present at each meeting as possible. However, it is understood that
circumstances out of members’ control do warrant an occasional absence that shall be dealt with
in the following manner. If an elected member knows that he or she shall be absent at a majority
of the meetings in a semester, it is recommended that he or she resign his or her post or not seek
the office.
If a member is going to be absent at any meetings, he or she shall send a replacement/
substitute to the meeting. If one meeting is missed without legitimate excuse within a semester,
the member shall be warned by the sponsor. If an additional two unexcused meetings are missed,
the member shall be removed from the council without further warning.
Article X: Impeachment or Removal
If a member of the Association feels that a member has not fulfilled his or her
responsibilities, impeachment proceedings may be initiated against the member. The accuser
must bring the expulsion recommendation from the Cabinet as well as evidence. The accused
may defend him or herself, and a two-thirds vote shall be required for impeachment.
In addition to the methods of impeachment, a student may be removed from office by a
four-fifths vote of the Association.
Article XI: Amendments
The bylaws may be amended if the amendment is passed by a three-fourths vote in favor.
Article XII: Advisors
Each meeting of the Association shall be supervised by the advisor to the Student
Government Association or another adult instituted by the advisor due to extenuating purposes.
Article XIII: Vetoes
The advisor and high school principal shall have the power to veto any amendment or
any bill or recommendation passed by the Association. In this event, the vetoing party must
submit the reasons in writing to the Executive Council President.
Article XIV: Voting
In order to pass an issue through the Association, it must be voted upon, and a majority of
the voting members must be in favor of it. In order for a vote to occur, it must be called either by
the President or by a motion by voting members of the Association.
Article XV: Terms
The term of office for all members and officers shall be one year.
