Constitution

The Ohio Association of Student Leaders (formerly the Ohio Association of Student Councils) has some exciting new organizational changes! We are in the process of making these updates to our constitution.

  • Adopted: April 1974

  • Revised: May 1981

  • Revised: April 1983

  • Revised: April 1988

  • Revised: April 1994

  • Revised: April 2014

  • Revised: May 2020 (updates coming soon!)

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Ohio Association of Student Councils of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA). Hereafter, this organization shall be referred to as the OASC in this constitution.

Article II: Purposes

The Purposes of OASC shall be:

  • To promote the concept of the modern student council movement;

  • To provide opportunities for the training of leaders, the practice of good citizenship, and the promotion of democracy as a way of life;

  • To provide a medium of exchange for ideas, activities, and problems;

  • To assist individual schools in matters directly related to student council organizations

This association is organized exclusively for educational purposes as defined by section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Code.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: Membership in OASC shall be open to all public, private, or parochial schools included in the list of approved schools issued by the Ohio Department of Education. Membership shall also be extended to Area, County, District, or Intra-City Councils. Upon approval of the Executive Board, membership may also be extended to organizations other than school organizations whose goals are compatible with those of this association, and who have youth leadership training as a major part of their objectives. Hereafter, all members, whether individual schools or organizations, shall be referred to as member schools.

Section 2: To become a member of the OASC, or to renew annual membership in OASC, the Student Council shall submit to the Executive Director the on-line Membership Registration form, followed by the payment of annual dues.

Section 3: Councils which fail to pay annual dues may re-establish their membership by paying dues for the current year. Councils whose membership has lapsed by up to three (3) years may regain consecutive year status by paying back dues for the years missed.

Section 4: The organization shall include in its policies guidelines governing voting procedures at the annual Conference. Only member schools present at the annual Conference may vote.

Article IV: Executive Board

Section 1: The Executive Board shall consist of the Executive Director, the Senior High Coordinator, the Middle Level Coordinator, six elected student representatives, five adult members elected by faculty advisers, and a representative of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators appointed by that Association.

Section 2: Voting power on the Executive Board shall be given to the six student representatives, the five elected adult members and the OASSA Representative. The Executive Director shall have the power to vote in case of a tie.

Section 3: The term of office for each elected adult member shall be four years. The term of office shall begin immediately following election at the annual Conference. In the event there are not enough candidates to fill the number of adult positions on the Executive Board, the Executive Board shall appoint adults to fill the vacancies.

Section 4: There is no limit to the number of terms each adult member may serve. No adult member may serve more than two terms consecutively. Filling a vacant position will not be considered part of the two consecutive terms.

Section 5: There shall be six elected student representatives. Four shall be Senior High students and two shall be Middle-Level School students.

Section 6: The student representatives’ terms shall extend from one Annual Conference installation to the next. In the event there are not enough candidates to fill the number of student positions on the Executive Board, the Executive Board shall appoint students to fill the vacancies.

Section 7: An elected member may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board for any of the following reasons:

  • Failure to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position held in OASC;

  • Any action which is detrimental to the welfare of OASC.

Section 8: The Executive Board shall:

  • Review and provide feedback for the curriculum and plans for all OASC activities.

  • Establish Policies for governing the Association.

  • Adopt a budget annually for the Association.

  • Legislate any business of the Association not otherwise delegated in this Constitution.

  • Determine, initiate, and develop activities and procedures which are in the best interests of the Association

Article V: The Executive Director

Section 1: The Executive Director shall be appointed by the Executive Board of the OASSA upon recommendation of the Executive Board of the OASC.

Section 2: The Executive Director shall be the chief administrative officer of the OASC. S/he shall be subject to the authority of the Executive Board. The Executive Director shall have general charge of the business affairs of the Association, conduct all affairs of the organization between the meetings of the Executive Board, and shall perform all of the duties described in the Statements of Policy or assigned by the Executive Board of the OASC.

Section 3: The Executive Board may, by 2/3 vote, recommend to the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators the removal of the Executive Director.

Section 4: The Executive Director may also be employed as either the Senior High Coordinator or the Middle Level Coordinator.

Article VI: The Senior High Coordinator

Section 1: The Senior High Coordinator shall be appointed by the Executive Board with recommendation from the Executive Director.

Section 2: The Senior High Coordinator shall be an administrative officer of the OASC. The Senior High Coordinator shall be in charge of the Senior High Program, and shall perform all of the duties described in the Statements of Policy or assigned by the Executive Director of the OASC. The Senior High Coordinator shall be subject to the authority of the Executive Director.

Section 3: The Senior High Coordinator may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board of the OASC.

Article VII: The Middle Level Coordinator

Section 1: The Middle Level Coordinator shall be appointed by the Executive Board with recommendation from the Executive Director.

Section 2: The Middle Level Coordinator shall be an administrative officer of the OASC. The Middle Level Coordinator shall be in charge of the Middle Level Program, and shall perform all of the duties described in the Statements of Policy or assigned by the Executive Director of the OASC. The Middle Level Coordinator shall be subject to the authority of the Executive Director.

Section 3: The Middle Level Coordinator may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the Executive Board of the OASC.

Article VIII: Vacancies

Section 1: Vacancies occurring in the elective offices of student representatives shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board according to the policy on the election of State Representatives.

Section 2: Vacancies in the position of an elected adult member of the Executive Board shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board according to the policy on the election of Adult Board Members.

Section 3: Vacancies in the Office of President of the Executive Board, Executive Director, Senior High Coordinator, or Middle Level Coordinator shall be filled in the same manner as provided for in the initial appointment or election. In the event the office of Executive Director becomes vacant, the Coordinator with the greater seniority as a Coordinator shall have the power to perform all the duties and assume all the responsibilities of the Office of Executive Director.

Article IX: Annual Conference

An annual meeting of the Association shall be held at a time and place determined by the OASC Executive Board, based on all bids submitted by interested schools.

Article X: Finances

Section 1: The annual membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Board.

Section 2: Each member school sending delegates to any general meetings of OASC shall pay a registration fee as determined by the Executive Board.

Section 3: Funds acquired by OASC shall be used to pay all routine and promotional expenses of the Association.

Article XI: Rules of Order

All matters of procedure not specifically covered by this Constitution shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Article XII: Dissolution

Upon dissolution of the Association, the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Association, dispose of all assets of the Association in such a manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Executive Board shall determine.

Article XIII: Amendments

Section 1: Notice of proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted to the Executive Director by January 15th.

Section 2: The Executive Board shall present the proposed amendments to member schools prior to the annual business meeting of the Association.

Section 3: Ratification of proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be by a 2/3 vote of the member schools at the annual meeting.

Section 4: Each member school in attendance at the annual meeting shall be entitled to one vote.