Home	About us	Calendars	Staff & Teachers	Handbook & Policies	Departments & Courses
HomeLogic	Library	Career Centre	Support Services	Grad Information	Awards

Teachers' Links

Students' Links

What's Happening

Constitution

Vincent Massey Parent Advisory Council

Brandon, Manitoba

passed February 27,1996

Revised and passed November 18,2003

PREAMBLE

The Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Education and Training, has established a policy under Renewing Education: New Directions -- A Blueprint for Action and Guidelines: Advisory Councils for School Leadership which requires at parents request, the school to establish a local Advisory Council for School Leadership. ACSL
In order to provide a continuing organization through which opinions, concerns, and proposals of electors, parents, lawful guardians, and student may be shared between the school, the Board and the community, an ACSL may be formed.
The parents of Vincent Massey High School wish to establish such a council whose role will be to advise the principal consistent with School Board Policy and administrative procedures, and as set forth by Manitoba Education and Training, Province of Manitoba.

Philosophy:

Vincent Massey Parent Advisory Council believes that children, parents and schools benefit when parents are active partners in the educational process and that it is reasonable to look for ways for parents, guardians and the community to strengthen their role in their children's education.

Mission Statement:

The Vincent Massey Parent Advisory Council exists to foster communication between all parents, students and the community with the goal of improving the education of our students.

ARTICLE 1 -- NAME

The name of this organization shall be Vincent Massey Parent Advisory Council, hereinafter called --the Advisory Council--.

ARTICLE 2 -- MANDATE OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Advisory Council will work in cooperation with school staff, school board, senior administration, parents, students and members of the community in the following ways:

As an advisory structure to principal and staff, presenting parental and community concerns and perspectives on issues related to programs, school planning, budgeting, and the management of the school.
As a means of disseminating information about the school and about parental priorities and of promoting community.
As a liaison among the school, parents, community and other school support organizations for the purpose of information sharing and cooperation.
As an important partner in the development of the annual school plan.

ARTICLE III -- MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the Advisory Council shall be open to:

Parent or lawful guardian of any student attending Vincent Massey
Students and staff of Vincent Massey
Any other interested member of the community

MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE AND VOTING PRIVILEGES

At least 2/3 of the Advisory Council shall be parents or lawful guardians of the Vincent Massey students.
Up to 1/3 may be community members and may include students and staff of Vincent Massey.
The president of the student council and/or a representative of the student body will automatically become a member(s) of the Advisory Committee with full voting privileges

Note: the principal and one staff member are to be ex-officio and will not hold executive positions.

ARTICLE IV -- MEETINGS

The Advisory Council shall have no fewer than two public meetings per year, including the Annual General Meeting.
The Advisory Council shall have an Annual Membership meeting between September 1^st and September 30^theach year.
A Special General meeting will be called if requested by council or at the call of the chairperson.

ARTICLE V -- OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

The organizational meeting shall be held as suggested by Renewing Education: New Directions -- A Blueprint for Action, 1994.
The election and general procedures of the organizational meeting and subsequent meetings will follow parliamentary procedure as described in Roberts Rules of order.
The Executive Officers of the Advisory Council shall consist of a chairperson, secretary and treasurer as elected.
Election of executive officers will take place at an advertised meeting.
Members of the Advisory Council shall remain in office until the next Annual General Meeting unless the position is vacated.
Vacancies in the Advisory Council should be filled prior to the next VMPAC meeting.

ARTICLE VI -- RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Responsibilities of the Advisory Council may include but are not restricted to:

To advise the principal on school matters as they pertain to school improvement, policies, organization and activities, including the following:
1. Curriculum and programs
2. Cultural and extra-curricular activities
3. Student discipline and behaviour management policies
4. Transportation
5. Fund raising
6. School closures
To provide recommendations to the school board relating to criteria with respect to the process of hiring and assigning principals at the request of the Board.
To participate in the development of the annual school plan.
To be aware of the school budget proposal prior to submission to the school board.
To participate in school reviews and to receive feedback on actions taken.
To promote community interest, understanding and involvement in the school and in the governance of the school.
To establish ongoing communication with all parents of the children enrolled in the school and with community members. The Advisory Council is representative of their priorities and concerns.
To establish a means of regular accountability to the school and community for involvement, activities, expenditures and recommendations.

ARTICLE VII -- DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE

Chairperson

To call and conduct meetings of Advisory Council.
To represent VMPAC at public functions.
To familiarize themselves thoroughly with VMPAC Constitution.

Treasurer

To handle the financial business of VMPAC.
To deposit all monies in VMPAC account.
To keep accurate and up-to-date records of all financial transactions.
To disperse monies on authority of VMPAC ( in the form of a motion).
Give an audited financial statement at the Annual Membership Meeting.

Secretary

To keep accurate and up-to-date minutes of all VMPAC meetings.
To be responsible for correspondence.
To keep attendance record of all meetings.
To make sure all motions are passed in proper Parliamentary order.
To prepare minutes and have them ready to distribute at the meeting.
To file all minutes and records, correspondence or information in an appropriate manner.

ARTICLE VIII -- QUORUM

The quorum for any meeting of the Advisory Council shall be 5 voting members.

ARTICLE 1X -- RESOLUTIONS

Any member may propose resolutions at a committee meeting.
Passing of a resolution will be simple majority at an Advisory Council meeting.
Any resolution passed by the Advisory Council that requires Board action must be forwarded, in writing, to the Board.

ARTICLE X -- AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION

Any member may propose amendments to this constitution by serving a notice of motion of this intent to the chairperson in writing at least thirty days in advance of the Annual General Meeting.
An amendment must receive at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by the voting membership.

ARTICLE XI -- DISSOLUTION

The Advisory Council may be dissolved by the Minister of Manitoba Education & Training or by a resolution of the Advisory Council.
Any assets of the Advisory Council, at the time of dissolution, shall be signed over to Vincent Massey School.

ARTICLE XII -- FINANCES

The Advisory Council may raise funds to carry out its duties in accordance with its constitution.
The Treasurer and one other designated officer of the Council shall be authorized to sign all cheques or voucher for cash disbursed.
A record of all receipts and expenditures shall be kept and recorded in a book specifically for that purpose.
The Treasurer shall file a report of finances with the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
All books and accounts are to be audited and then filed with the School Administration yearly prior to September 1^st.