ASB By-Laws

House of Lords

Section 1.

All governmental power shall be vested in the House of Lords of the Associated Student Body.

Section 2. The duties of the House of Lords shall be to organize, coordinate, and supervise committees for special activities or services; to develop a sound financial policy and procedures; to provide an adequate number and variety of student assemblies; to administer the awards as outlined in the by-laws; to appoint standing committees; to schedule general elections. To recommend action to the administration and faculty in areas outside its jurisdiction; to publicize all school activities within the school and community; to investigate matters referred to the House by faculty, community, or body and any other student body business; to work directly with the administration on improving Student/Administration relationships; to represent the entire school.

Section 3. Oath of Office: Upon installation for any newly elected or appointed officers, the inductee shall take the following oath of office:

House of Lords Oath of Office

“I do hereby solemnly pledge myself faithfully to discharge the duties of my office. I give my pledge that I will do everything in my power to uphold the Constitution and to promote the general welfare of the Student Body of Westminster High School.” 

Article 2

House of Lords Duties and Responsibilities 

Section 1. The Prime Minister shall:

1. Preside all meetings of the House of Lords.
2. Represent the students of Westminster High School as the student body president at off-campus events.
3. Be responsible for the proper arrangement and conduct of the assembly.
4. Hold power to call special meetings of the House of Lords.
5. Be an ex-officio member of all boards and committees.
6. Have the power to appoint all committees not otherwise provided.
7. Perform such other duties as shall be customary to the office.
8. Prepare an agenda for all House of Lords meetings.
9. Oversee all committees.

Section 2. The Chancellor shall:

1. Preside at all meetings in the absence of the Prime Minister.
2. Perform the duties of the Prime Minister during the Prime Minister’s absence, disabilities, disqualification, or upon the resignation of the Prime Minister.
3. Act as parliamentarian.
4. Be in charge of and responsible for the Communications Team.
5. Be the student store manager.

Section 3. The Exchequer shall:

1. Compose a block motion at least twice a week to be approved by the House of Lords.
2. Send out financial statements to all club and activity advisors.
3. Work in the financial office as requested by the office.
4. Chair all House of Lords fundraisers.
5. Provide reports of financial standings to the House of Lords monthly. 

Section 4. The Minister of Records shall:

1. Record all proceedings of the House of Lords
2. Keep a file of these recordings.
3. Keep a file of the policies established by the House of Lords.
4. Perform other duties as made by the Prime Minister.
5. Handle all correspondence of the Associated Students.
6. Keep a file of all correspondence.
7. Keep a record of all standing and special committees.

Section 5. The Class Presidents shall:

1. Relay information between the House of Lords and the class committee.
2. Lead class committee meetings at least once a month with supervision by the class advisor. 
3. Hold events (i.e. fundraisers or bondings) that directly benefit the class.
4. Work in any capacity as appointed by the Prime Minister.
5. Be assigned to committees as either a member or chair.

Section 6. The Class Vice Presidents shall:

1. Work in any capacity as appointed by the class president.
2. Assist the president in class committee duties. 
3. Be assigned to committees as either a member or chairman.
4. Perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President.

Section 7. Minister of the Arts: Serves as the primary liaison between ASB and the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) programs. This minister is responsible for:

1. Promoting and supporting visual and performing arts events, including concerts, plays, exhibitions, and showcases.
2. Collaborating with VAPA teachers, student artists, musicians, dancers, and actors to amplify student creativity.
3. Coordinating ASB recognition of artistic achievements through social media, awards, and school announcements.
4. Assisting with logistics and promotion of arts-related events and fundraisers.
5. Encouraging student participation in arts-related clubs and classes.
6. Advising ASB on integrating artistic elements into rallies, dances, and campus activities.

Section 8. The Minister of Athletics shall:

1. Publicize all team standings on the public announcements.
2. Work in the finance office weekly to clear athletes.
3. Collaborate with the Director of Athletics to recognize and distribute outstanding athlete awards in all sports.
4. Create all sports certificates as requested by the Director of Athletics.
5. Organize sports schedules for use by the House of Lords.
6. Schedule, organize, and execute Game of the Week recognitions.

Section 9. The Minister of Clubs shall:

1. Assist in the coordination of club and group rush week.
2. Keep an accurate file of all active clubs on campus.
3. Help students become acquainted with the Westminster High School Club Program.
4. Convene regular, and chair all Inter-Club Council meetings.
5. Supervise all fundraising by clubs.

Section 10. The Minister of Cultural Relations shall: 

1. Handle all community service-related activities. Act as a liaison to all outside organizations.
2. Collaborate and serve as a liaison between ASB and the campus groups and organizations that promote culture on our campus, including but not limited to VACC, Club de Español, Link Crew, and Unified Leadership.
3. Serve on various committees as appointed by the executive board.

Section 11. The Minister of Commons shall:

1. Organize and chair the House of Commons meeting once a month.
2. Inform students of upcoming activities and events.
3. Report student feedback from the House of Commons meeting to the House of Lords.

Section 12. The Minister of Dances shall:

1. Create and present dance proposals.
2. Establishes budgets for dances.
3. Oversees all distribution of dance tickets and sales.
4. Coordinate all House of Lords dances.

Section 13. The Minister of Education shall:

1. Be responsible for recognizing outstanding achievement, including students and staff of the month.
2. Motivate academic excellence.
3. Serve as ASB liaison to teachers and staff. 
4. Supply the staff with gifts of appreciation on various holidays.
5. Plan the events for Staff Appreciation Week. 

Section 14. The Minister of Elections shall:

1. Be responsible for organizing and conducting all elections.
2. Enforce and issue all election guidelines.

Section 15. The Minister of Pep shall:

1. Organize lunchtime pep rallies and activities.
2. Lead the organization of at least one schoolwide spirit initiative per month (e.g., theme days, competitions, recognitions).
3. Prepare and order “Game of the Week” promotional supplies.
4. Organize activities as required for pep rallies.
5. Organize spirit weeks.
6. Be responsible for daily announcements. 

Section 16. The Minister of Public Relations shall:

1. Be in charge of all inter-district student exchanges.
2. Chair and coordinate International Week.
3. Be responsible for organizing fundraisers for the House of Lords.
4. Be a part of the Bridges Program.
5. Act as liaison for the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).
6. Oversees external communications, including community outreach, press releases, and stakeholder engagement.

Section 17. The Minister of Publicity shall:

1. Be responsible for designing and distributing visual promotional materials, including but not limited to flyers and posters, for all school events. 

Section 18. The Minister of Rallies shall:

1. Be responsible for organizing all pep rallies and assemblies not already chaired.
2. Shall issue a minute-by-minute plan to all involved parties.

Section 19. The Minister of Spirit: 

1. Leads efforts to promote school pride and spirit across campus. 
2. Shall be responsible for creating, recruiting, and maintaining the "Mane Crew," the designated student cheering section for athletic contests and other campus events. Coordinate themed spirit days in collaboration with the Ministers of Dance, Pep, Rallies, and Athletics.
3. Develop, maintain, and distribute a Monthly Spirit Calendar in collaboration with the Ministers of Dance, Pep, Rallies, and Athletics.
4. Ensure inclusive student participation in spirit activities.
5. Collect and present data on student engagement (e.g., participation rates, survey results, spirit point contests) to the ASB Council each quarter.

Section 20. The Minister of Sustainability:

1. Responsible for promoting environmental stewardship on campus. 
2. Shall initiate and maintain campus beautification projects, organize recycling programs, and collaborate with willing departments, student clubs, and faculty to implement sustainable practices. 
3. Advocate for eco-conscious behaviors and serve as a liaison between ASB and relevant environmental initiatives.

Section 21. The Minister of Technology shall:

1. Manage ASB’s online presence, including social media, livestreaming events, and digital archiving.
2. Maintain and update ASB-related content on the school website.
3. Develop protocols for responsible digital citizenship.
4. Coordinate tech-based spirit initiatives (e.g., virtual rallies, polls, and QR code scavenger hunts).
5. Be a liaison to the yearbook staff.
6. Create and publish all videos for student body-related events.
7. Be responsible for posting content to social media outlets.

Section 22. Communications Team: The Ministers of Publicity, Public Relations, and Technology shall collectively constitute the Communications Team. In their respective capacities—designing and distributing visual promotional materials; managing external communications and community outreach; and overseeing digital platforms including the ASB website, social media, and event presentations—they shall work in unison to implement innovative outreach initiatives that foster a positive and engaged campus culture. The team is charged with ensuring consistent and strategic messaging, and the effective use of all communication channels in support of ASB’s mission.

Article 3

Standing Committees

Section 1. Appointment.

1. The Prime Minister, with advisement from the ASB Advisor and/or the Assistant Principal of Activities, shall select members to standing committees. 
2. Committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the Prime Minister, with advisement from the ASB Advisor, unless otherwise specified within the By-Laws.
3. Both the committee chairpersons and members shall be approved by a simple majority vote of the House of Lords.
4. Final committee rosters shall be submitted to the ASB Advisor and officially recorded in the ASB minutes no later than seven calendar days prior to the first day of classes.
5. Vacant positions may be filled on a rolling basis with approval from the ASB Prime Minister and Advisor, but all committees must remain active and functional throughout the academic year.

Section 2. Poster Committee

1. The Minister of Publicity shall serve as the Chairperson of this committee.
2. Complete and organize all poster requests submitted through the official Poster Request Form.
3. Maintain a production timeline and ensure timely completion of all posters based on event deadlines.
4. Oversee the delegation of individual poster assignments to ASB members and ensure they are completed with quality and on time.
5. Uphold school-wide visibility standards and ensure posters are appropriate, legible, and displayed in approved locations, including removal of posters that have become unsightly and/or irrelevant.
6. Monitor poster inventory (paper, markers, paint, etc.) and request resupplies as needed from the ASB Treasurer or Advisor.
7. Collaborate with other committees to ensure consistent visual messaging and branding for events.

Section 2. Digital Media & Innovation Committee

1. The Minister of Technology shall serve as the Chairperson of this committee
2. Collaborate regularly with the HBUHSD Public Information Coordinator or designee
3. Manage ASB’s online presence, including social media content, digital newsletters, and live-streamed events.
4. Develop digital strategies for increasing student engagement through polls, QR code activities, and multimedia campaigns.
5. Ensure content aligns with school policies and reflects inclusivity and positive representation of the student body.

Section 3. Spirit & Engagement Committee

1. The Minister of Spirit shall serve as the Chairperson of this committee
2. Coordinate with athletic teams, cheer, the Entertainment Unit, and other spirit-affiliated groups to promote student attendance and engagement at school events.
3. Plan and implement strategies for increasing school spirit, including theme days, rallies, and recognition of student-athletes.
4. Track and evaluate spirit participation through data (e.g., attendance, surveys, social media interaction).

Section 4. Environmental Sustainability Committee

1. The Minister of Sustainability shall serve as the Chairperson of this committee.
2. Promote sustainable practices within ASB operations and school events.
3. Advise on environmentally conscious materials, waste reduction, and eco-friendly fundraising.
4. Lead campus-wide initiatives such as campus beautification, recycling drives, green pledges, and Earth Day events.
5. Collaborate with all campus groups and organizations interested in sustainability efforts.

Article 4

Qualifications and Elections Procedures of Officers

Section 1. A student who runs for a student body office can have no more than one U in

citizenship, verified by the signature of their present teachers; have had a 2.5 grade point average or better at the end of the last grading period or progress report.

Section 2. Any student found in violation of the school Honor Code will be disqualified and/or removed from office. Final judgment will be up to the Assistant Principal of Activities or the Principal.

Section 3.  ASB officer elections will be conducted annually during the spring semester. Campaign guidelines, candidate eligibility, and voting procedures shall be reviewed and updated each year by the ASB Advisor and Election Committee. Elections shall be decided by a plurality of votes cast by secret ballot. If the candidates are separated by 25 votes or less, a run-off will be held within 3 school days. In the case of a run-off election, the candidate with the most votes shall win.

Section 4. The results of the election shall be filed in the Activities Office and the names of the winning candidates posted.

Section 5. Any student running for student body office may not have a record of truancies, suspensions, or infractions of any school laws of the Honor Code for the previous grading term. The final judgment shall be made by the School Principal or Assistant Principal of Activities. A student body officer must maintain a 2.5 grade point average during their term in office and as an officer-elect at every grading period or progress report and must have at least five classes. 

Section 6. All students seeking the office of Prime Minister, Chancellor, Minister of Records, or Exchequer must have at least one year of experience in the House of Lords prior to the election.

Article 5

Student Body General Fund

Section 1. There shall be a student body general fund established. This fund shall be created through the sale of student body cards, money received from admissions, and other fundraising procedures.

Section 2. The cost of a student body card shall be determined by the House of Lords and/or Activities Director each year.

Section 3. Only students who possess a Westminster High School student identification card will be eligible to participate in any activity sponsored by Westminster High School.

Section 4. Funds remaining from the graduating class shall be transferred to the General Student Account if not already allocated to another fund.

Section 5. Club funds shall remain with the clubs from year to year. The funds from any club that becomes inactive will be transferred to the student body account within a year of inactivity.

Article 6

Collection and Payment of Moneys

Section 1. All money collected or used at any Westminster High School ASB event and money from other student activities shall be accounted for by the Exchequer/Minister of Records.

Section 2. Student funds shall be handled through the Financial Office in a general account called “Student Body Activities Fund.” All receipts from student activities must be deposited with the Financial Office. All disbursements from the fund must be made by check. Cash withdrawals may be made up to $50 with proper approval and a receipt

must be turned in to the Financial Office within one week.

Section 3. No purchases involving the disbursement of “Student Body Activities Funds” may be made before a purchase order has been approved by the House of Lords. Purchase orders will be issued at the request of the proper sponsor and Activities Director.

Section 4. A check for payment of services will be issued upon receipt of a “Request for Payment” signed by the faculty advisor and the Assistant Principal of Activities.

Article 7

Athletic Awards

Section 1. Westminster High School will give recognition to all sports groups.

Section 2. Athletes at Westminster High School may earn a letter. In lieu of additionally earned letter awards and/or emblems, a certificate will be issued.

Section 3. All athletic awards, letters, emblems, and certificates shall be officially granted by the House of Lords.

Section 4. Participation requirements for qualifications for letters shall be found in the

Westminster Goldenwest League Handbook.

Section 5. All athletic awards shall be withheld until the athlete has been cleared by the Finance Office.

Article 8

Parliamentary Authority

Section 1. In all cases, the House of Lords shall adhere to the procedures as set down in Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article 9

Clubs

Section 1. A club shall be recognized by the House of Lords and the curriculum committee when its standards are in keeping with the curriculum of Westminster High School

Section 2. An organization wishing to be recognized as a school club will be granted a charter by the Minister of Clubs with the approval of the House of Lords when the following requirements have been fulfilled:

1. Obtain a faculty advisor, a constitution, and present sufficient reason for the formation of the club.
2. Agree to have its president or representative attend all meetings of the Inter-club council and abide by the Inter-club constitution.
3. Must give the Minister of Clubs a list of all officers and members yearly.
4. Must have at least 10 members who attend meetings on a regular basis.

Section 3. Any club may seek recognition by the House of Lords as a club for the use of school facilities by making an application for a charter. An application can be made to the House of Lords through the Minister of Clubs

Section 4. Clubs that fail to obtain charters or that have had their charters suspended or revoked:

1. Will not be entitled to deposit or withdraw money from the WHS Activity Fund
2. May not use school materials or meet on school property
3. May not place announcements in school bulletins, or use any other club service provided by the school administration or the ASB, and will not be entitled to a yearbook photo.

Section 5. The Minister of Clubs may suspend the charter of any club for a period of no more than three weeks pending an investigation and judgment by the House of Lords and the ASB Advisor/Assistant Principal of Activities.

Section 6. Any group not meeting the district guidelines and criteria will be referred to as an Equal Access Group. These groups are limited to only the privileges outlined by the

district.

Article 10

Revision of By-Laws

Section 1. The By-Laws of this Constitution may be revised by the majority vote of the student body voting at the general election.