Conservation & Raptor Constitution

Article I: Executive Department

Section I: Requirements for office of President and Vice-President

The President and Vice-President of the Conservation Club must have had one year of science at the high school and be enrolled in the second year of science. They are required to have a minimum "B" average in all courses being taken. The President and Vice-President must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death or work. In order to qualify for the position of President, he or she must be an active member for at least two previous years. In order to qualify for the position of Vice-President, he or she must be an active member for at least one previous year.

Section II: Duties of the President

The President shall conduct all club meetings according to a systematic plan set forth by sponsors. It is the President's duty to appoint whatever committees he or she deems necessary in order for the club to function at the highest level. The President shall set the agenda for each club meeting and operate that meeting according to the agenda. A copy of this agenda will be given to the Principal. The President may also call emergency meetings of the executive board whenever he or she feels it is appropriate. The President shall appoint a member in good standing to serve the term of an office that becomes vacant due to an event in which the elected officer cannot fulfill the duties of his or her office.

Section III: Duties of the Vice-President

The Vice-President shall assist the President in conducting orderly meetings. He or she will fulfill the duties of the President in the event that the elected President cannot do so or is absent. The Vice-President will introduce guest speakers of programs presented during club meetings. It is also the duty of the Vice-President to schedule guest speakers for each club meeting or when appropriate at club meetings.

Article II: Executive Board

The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Photographer, Reporter, Videographer, Committee Chairpersons, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Sponsors, and a Recycling Manager. On top of the elected officers and sponsors, the Executive Board will include at least two representatives from each grade level.

Section I: Requirements for Executive Board

The Executive Board members must have had one year of science or be enrolled in their first year of a science class at Southwestern High School. They are required to have a minimum of a "B" average in all courses in which they are enrolled. The representatives (not the elected officers) from each grade must, furthermore, have volunteered at least 8 hours with the Conservation Club.

Section II: Duties of Secretary

The Secretary shall keep accurate records of all club meetings including committee meetings. A typed copy of these records must be submitted by the Secretary to the Principal. The Secretary will do all correspondence work. The Secretary must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death or work.

Section III: Duties of Treasurer

The Treasurer is to keep accurate records of all club money. He or she must give a treasurer's report at every meeting so club members will be aware of the club's finances. The Treasurer must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death, or work.

Section IV: Duties of the Photographer

The Photographer shall take photographs of all club events and activities. The Photographer must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death, or work.

Section V: Duties of the Historian

The Historian shall keep a scrapbook of all news articles related to club activities. He or she will also be in charge of all photographs and keeping them in club albums/scrapbooks. The Historian must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death, or work.

Section VI: Duties of the Reporter

The Reporter shall publicize all club activities and inform all news media of club events. The Reporter must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death, or work.

Section VII: Duties of the Videographer

The Videographer shall videotape all club events. He or she shall make presentations tapes and other necessary videotapes that support the program. The Videographer must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death, or work.

Section VIII: Duties of other Executive Board Member

The Newsletter Editor must create a quarterly newsletter concerning club events. The Webmaster must create a web page for the Conservation and update it accordingly. The Recycling Manager is in charge of the recycling team every Friday during club meetings. They are also in charge of getting the recycling bins put in the building and unloaded every Thursday. The Committee Chairpersons, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Recycling Manager and "per grade" representatives must be present at all club meetings except in the case of illness, death, or work.

All Executive Board Members must attend at least two after school days a month to be considered an officer.

Article III: Committees

Section I: Standing Committees

The newly elected President should appoint the following committees at the beginning of his or her term: Fund-rising, Membership, Open House, Earth Week, and Grant Writing. There also may be special committees designated by the president at any time as needed. Committees can or will be added when the President deems necessary. Committees must meet once every month. The committee chairperson will decide the date for these meeting. At the committee meeting, minutes must be taken and turned into the President. There will also be a Business Liaison appointed by the president.

Article IV: Membership

Section I: Requirement of a Member

He or she must have paid dues of $15.00 by the second club meeting of the first semester. He or she must participate in the Conservation Club activities. ANY member missing 3 consecutive meeting will be brought before the Executive Board unless their absences were unavoidable. A written notice will be given to the member about his or her absence. The Executive Board will rule on all expulsions. Expulsions may also take place due to unacceptable behavior or lack of participation. All members must participate in conservation of wildlife and the environment, as well as at least 50% of all club fund raisers throughout the year.

Section II: Requirements for Presentations

Any member of the Conservation Club may qualify to participate in club presentations. However in order to be key presenter (hold a Bird, etc.) he or she must have volunteered at least 8 hours after school with the club. All members must pass a competency test given by the President and Mrs. Carter. This test will show how well each person interacts with the birds, and weather or not that person is at the skill level to do presentations. A certain level of maturity must also be displayed to the sponsor before anyone is allowed to be part of any presentation. All presentation precipitants must be in complete "uniform" which consists of blue or tan Presentation shirts and khakis or black pants unless specifically informed jeans are allowed. Shorts are permitted if the length is deemed appropriate. To leave school for a presentation you must:

 a) Have passing grade in ALL four classes

b) Have the presentation request form signed

c) Be missing material in class that can be made up (ex. No tests, quizzes, labs, or presentations in class)

Section III: Requirements to Possess a Key to the Cages

Any member of the Conservation Club may be appointed by the Executive Council to hold a key to the mews, greenhouse, storage buildings, etc. If a member holds a key, he/she must meet all of the following requirements or he/she will be forced to relinquish his/her key:

1.) Key holder must feed on regular bases.

2.) Key holder must attend two after school sessions (particularly on Thursdays) at the birdcages each month. a. If a conflict arises, contact Mrs. Carter or the President.

3.) Seniors must turn in keys by the end of the year unless they intend to feed during that summer.

4.) You are responsible for calling the person who feeds the week after you.

 5.) Must be open to inspection of your feeding at any time by the President or any of the sponsors.

Section IV: Requirements to receive a Senior Gift

To receive a Senior gift all seniors must meet the following guidelines:

1) Be a member of the club for two consecutive year and meet all requirements of membership as explained in Article IV Section one.

2) You must have been present at 17 after school activities (Mainly on Thursdays) and participate in 50% of all fundraisers.

In the case a student moves to Southwestern, the guidelines for a senior gift are as follows:

1) Membership in the club for at lest six months.

2) Attendance at after school events (Mainly on Thursdays) at least nine times every six months. In the case you are enrolled at Southwestern for an entire year, the full 17 Thursdays will be required as well as participation in 50% of all Fundraisers while a member of the club.