ASB Constitution
CONSTITUTION
of the Associated Student Body of Westminster High School
We, the Associated Student Body of Westminster High School, in order to promote academic and social excellence, to create a positive environment with an emphasis on recognition, achievement, and involvement, to commit to the betterment of each individual as well as the school as a whole, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article 1
Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Associated Student Body of Westminster High School.
Section 2. The mascot of Westminster High School shall be the Lion.
Section 3. Red, black, white, and grey shall be the official colors of Westminster High School.
Article 2
Membership
Section 1. All regularly enrolled students and all staff members of Westminster High School are members of the Associated Student Body.
Section 2. Honorary membership in the Associated Student Body of Westminster High School may be conferred by a two-thirds vote of the House of Lords.
Article 3
Authority
Section 1: The Associated Student Body (ASB) of Westminster High School shall operate under the authority of the school principal and the school board, in compliance with the California State Education Code. While administrative oversight is required, the ASB is encouraged to exercise autonomy in leadership, planning, and student engagement initiatives.
Article 4
Governing Body
Section 1. The governing body of the Associated Student Body shall be composed of one group entitled the House of Lords.
Section 2. The House of Lords shall include the following voting members:
- Prime Minister
- Chancellor
- Exchequer
- Minister of Records
- Class Presidents
- Class Vice Presidents
- Minister of the Arts
- Minister of Athletics
- Minister of Clubs
- Minister of Cultural Relations
- Minister of Dances
- Minister of Education
- Minister of Elections
- Minister of Pep
- Minister of Publicity
- Minister of Public Relations
- Minister of Rallies
- Minister of Spirit
- Minister of Technology
- Minister of Sustainability
- New positions as determined by the Executive Board.
Section 3. The order of succession to the office of Prime Minister shall be as follows:
Chancellor, Minister of Records, and Exchequer.
Section 4. There shall be no order of succession for the following positions: Class Presidents, Class Vice Presidents, Minister of the Arts, Minister of Athletics, Minister of Clubs, Minister of Cultural Relations, Minister of Commons, Minister of Dances, Minister of Education, Minister of Elections,, Minister of Pep, Minister of Public Relations, Minister of Publicity, Minister of Rallies, Minister of Spirit, Minister of Sustainability, or Minister of Technology.
Section 5. Anytime a list of the House of Lords is distributed, it shall be in alphabetical order by office, with the exception of the Prime Minister and the offices that succeed it.
Section 6. The cabinet shall be composed of the Prime Minister and the four class presidents.
Article 5
Meetings
Section 1. The meetings of the House of Lords shall be held during a specified leadership period. The meetings shall be called by the presiding officer of the House of Lords, respectively, with the consent of the Assistant Principal of Activities or a designated alternate.
Section 2. A quorum for all meetings of the House of Lords shall consist of two-thirds of its membership. Without a quorum, no business may be transacted.
Article 6
Officers
Section 1. The elected officers to the Associated Student Body shall be the Prime Minister, Chancellor, Exchequer, Minister of Records, and the Class Presidents and Vice Presidents of each class.
Section 2. All ASB and class elections shall be completed no later than the fourth week of the fourth quarter. Freshman class officers should be appointed during the fourth quarter.
Article 7
Inter-Class Assembly
Section 1. The Inter-Class Assembly (ICA) shall be a body composed of all the class officers from the various grade levels.
Section 2. The representatives will discuss and share ideas for the betterment of all the classes.
Section 3. The ICA shall meet at or when needed to conduct business.
Section 4. The Senior Class president shall call and preside over these meetings.
Article 8
House of Commons
Section 1. The House of Commons shall serve as a representative body of the student population, composed of appointed or elected delegates as determined by the Assistant Principal of Activities or ASB Advisor. Its purpose is to ensure students have a voice in student government decisions and campus-wide activities.
Section 2. Members of the House of Commons are responsible for both receiving and disseminating information. In addition to traditional in-class announcements, members shall utilize digital tools such as the school website, social media, and email to share ASB updates and gather feedback from their peers.
Section 3. House of Commons members shall serve as liaisons between their peers, ASB, and the administration. They are expected to engage their classmates through regular updates, informal check-ins, digital surveys or forms, etc. This ensures their feedback is collected, summarized, and shared with campus leadership in a timely and representative manner.
Article 9
Standing Committees
Section 1. To ensure that the Associated Student Body (ASB) of Westminster High School operates efficiently, equitably, and responsively, the following Standing Committees shall be established to carry out specific responsibilities that align with the goals and needs of the student body.
Section 2. Committee membership shall be appointed by the ASB Prime Minister and confirmed by a simple majority vote of the ASB House of Lords. Additional members from the student body may be invited to participate in a non-voting capacity.
Section 3. The following Standing Committees shall be established no later than seven calendar days prior to the first day of classes:
- Poster Committee
- Digital Media and Innovation Committee
- Spirit & Engagement Committee
- Environmental Sustainability Committee
Section 4. Each committee Chairperson shall be responsible for providing updates no less than once a month to the House of Lords during official meetings. Committees shall maintain written records of meetings, initiatives, and outcomes. Failure to report for two consecutive months may result in restructuring or reassignment of committee membership.
Section 5. At any time during the school year, the Prime Minister reserves the right to form additional ad hoc committees as needed, with a minimum two-thirds majority vote of the House of Lords. Ad hoc committees must have a clear written purpose and duration recorded in the minutes.
Article 10
Recall Procedure
Section 1. Upon the indictment, the office may be declared vacant by the Prime Minister or the Assistant Principal of Activities.
Section 2. In the event an office shall be declared vacant, the House of Lords may, within thirty days, call a special election to fill the said office if necessary, or the office may be filled by appointment by the cabinet.
Article 11
Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to this constitution may originate in the House of Lords or by a subcommittee and ratified by a majority vote of those members of the student body voting. All amendments shall be referred to the general elections assembly.
Amendments may also be proposed by a petition signed by no less than one-third of the ASB.
Article 12
Special Enactment
Section 1. This Constitution and bylaws shall be effective when ratified by the Westminster High School House of Lords. A majority vote of two-thirds is necessary for ratification.
Section 2. All rules and regulations that are contrary to this Constitution and bylaws are null and void.
Article 13
Removal From Office
Section 1. Removal: Upon approval from the Assistant Principal of Activities, any officer may be considered for removal from office for just reasons. A petitioning body of fifteen percent of the ASB may request the removal of an officer. The recommendation must be approved by two-thirds of the House of Lords and approved by the Assistant Principal of Activities or the Principal.
Section 2. Attendance: Any officer absent from twenty percent of the leadership classes and/or failure to participate in general House of Lords-related activities and work sessions may be subject to dismissal with a majority vote of the House of Lords, with the approval of the Assistant Principal of Activities Advisor or the Principal.
Section 3. Conduct: All members of the House of Lords shall adhere to the Code of Conduct as determined by the Assistant Principal of Activities or ASB Advisor. Any member of the House of Lords in violation of the established guidelines may be placed on probation or removed from office for the following grouped infractions:
Academic Violations:
- Failing to maintain a 2.5 GPA
- Having any Fs or more than one U on a report card
Behavioral Violations:
- Receiving a suspension or expulsion
- Academic dishonesty
- Theft, vandalism, or violation of civil/criminal law
Professional Conduct:
- Unexcused absences from required events or meetings
- Failure to fulfill assigned duties
- Insubordination or disrespect toward ASB members, advisors, or staff
In addition, all ASB students must adhere to the ASB Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct outlines expectations and responsibilities not explicitly mentioned in this Constitution. Any violation of the Code of Conduct may result in dismissal from any ASB elected or appointed office, as determined by the principal or assistant principal.
Section 4. Grades: Any House of Lords member whose grade point average falls below 2.5 (excluding P.E. classes) or receives an “F” on any semester grade report will be placed on probation in the following quarter. If deficiencies are not corrected, the House of Lords member will be removed from office at the probation quarter.
Section 5. Vacancy: See By-Laws Article 9: Recall Procedure.