Constitution Review

For a better Ware Tomorrow!

Major Points and GoalsChange the structure of the Parliament to best suit the needs of the House

Election of “cabinet” members comes from those who know best

Emphasize the importance of involvement among Parliament members

Increase the number of Voting members on Parliament

Better define the roles of the Parliament Members

Fix Elections process

Define term limits/ election cycles

Iron out inconsistencies

Make our Constitution the model the best that the College House system has to offer

Create a system that works for us, and for the House system at the same time

Review TimelineDate Objective

October 2010

Reviewed our own Constitution for what we do well/ what could be done better

November/

December

Visited Brooks, Bonchek, Schnader House meetings to see what worked/ didn’t work

for them

DecemberSelection of Review Committee Members/

Creation of Houses Comparison Chart

JanuaryPreliminary Constitution Review (reading

over, answering question sheet)

FebruaryCompiling ideas, submitting questions,

writing amendments

Parliament 2005-2009

-Traditions-Events

-Communications

Parliament 2010-2011 House

Members

President

Treasurer

Social Chair

Secretary

Chair

House Life

ChairOperati

ons Chair

Freshman Rep

Freshman Rep

Freshman Rep

Sophomore Rep

Sophomore Rep

Sophomore Rep

Junior Rep

Junior Rep

Junior Rep

Senior Rep

Senior Rep

Senior Rep

Elect

Social

Operations

House

Life

Volunteer

Parl

iam

ent

(18

)

Justices (7)House Directors (3)

Constables (8-9)

Approves

Don/PrefectNominate

We Want To Prevent This...

Examples of emails from people applying for chair positions, without ever

having sat on the committees themselves/never having any experience with the group

they are applying to be in charge of.

Parliament Plan House

Members

Prime Minister

Deputy Prime

Minister

Social Chair

Secretary

Chair

House Life

Chair

Operations

Chair

Freshman Rep

Freshman Rep

Freshman Rep

Sophomore Rep

Sophomore Rep

Sophomore Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Elect

Social

Operations

House

Life

VolunteerParl

iam

ent

(20

)

Freshman Rep

Sophomore Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Elect Chairs

from So, Jr, Sr reps

Treasurer Chair

Executive Board

Elect

Committee Chairs

Chair

Freshman Rep

Sophomore Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Jr/Sr Rep

Cabinet

Justices (7)House

Directors (3)Constables (7)

Approve

ElectElectElectElect

NominatePrefect & Don

Reasons for Changes

ElectElectElectElect

Change Reason(s)-3 Reps Per Class-->5 reps per

class

-More opportunities to for House Members to be involved

-Gives more manpower to Parliament

-Creation of Jr/Sr Rep seats-Ensures a full Parliament regardless of

upperclassman involvement

-”Cabinet” positions (Committee Chairs, PM, DPM, Treasurer, Secretary) elected by

Parliament

-Parliament knows who is most qualified-No longer a “popularity contest”-Not based upon who is the best

campaigner

-PM Election Cycle Spring/ Fall (from Fall/Spring)

-Allows period of transition between old/ new PM

-Allows for better coordination with other House election cycles

-Increased qualifications for “Cabinet Positions”

-Means the best people will be elected to the highest positions

- Directorate term until graduation

-Prevents from re-training of Directorate Members

-Prevents having to re-appoint members every year/ allows for continuity

- Increased requirement for level of involvement among members

-Requires Parliament members to do their best work for the House

-Recognition of Ware in the World/ Sustainability/ Other Subcommittees

-Rewards creativity/ initiative taken by House Members

-House Court Responsible for Elections-Impartial/ Responsible House members

prevent election disputes

President v. Prime MinisterPresident n.

The chief executive or head of state of a republic.

Republic: A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president, rather than a monarch.

Prime Minister n. abbr. PM

The head of the cabinet and most often the executive of a parliamentary democracy.

Ex: Westminster System.