Williams Memorial Institute High School - Legenda Yearbook (New London, CT)

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TUDE GOVERNME Leaders of our democracy .... THE Better Yet Club, which is the student government organization of W. M. I., was organized about 1923 at the suggestion of Colin S. Buell, principal at that time. Upon entrance into W. M. I. all stu- dents and faculty members become mem- bers of the Better Yet Club. The aims of the club are to promote better citizen- ship both in and out of school, to estab- lish habits that will fit us for life in society when We leave school, and to make W. M. I. better yet. The governing body is the executive branch called the Cabinet. Comparable to the United States House of Repre- sentatives is the Better Yet Club Council which discusses and acts on certain problems of the school. The Honor Court tries violators of its rules and metes out suitable punishment for those found guilty. The Vigilance Depart- ment is that branch of the governing 21 body which enforces the rules and regula- tions of the Better Yet Club and of the school. Election of officers for the club is held toward the close of the school year. The president of the organization is elected from the incoming Senior Classy a vice- president is elected from and by the facultyg and a secretary-treasurer is elected from the incoming Junior Class. The executive branch of the Better Yet Club is called the Better Yet Club Cabinet. This branch determines the policies of the club and has the power to remove from oflice any oflicer who proves unworthy to hold her position. This year the Cabinet 'has assisted in the plans for Parents' Day. It has also tried to interest the girls in social service Work in our community. The first project in the latter connection was the collection and repair of toys for needy children at Christmas time. Uniform

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ACTIVITIES

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class constitutions have been drawn up by a special committee appointed by this year's Cabinet. The new consti- tutions will be helpful in regulating class elections and other class activities. The Better Yet Club Council, which was organized last year, is that division of the Better Yet Club which acts as a house of representatives. During the short time of its existence, it has become one of the more important branches of W. M. I. student government. At the beginning of the school year each home-room elects a representative to the Council, and an alternate to take the place of the regular member in her absence. The chairman of the Council, chosen from the Senior Class, was this year Juanita Baquero. The duties of the regular members are to receive suggestions from the home- rooms for consideration at the regular Council meetings which are held the second Tuesday of each month, and to conduct the home-room discussions. In addition to substituting for the regular member in her absence, the alternate assists in the home-room discus- sions by taking notes which later form the basis of a report to the Council. Topics for discussion are decided upon by the Council. They usually concern school problems or school needs. Of those discussions held this year, one was based on a list of miscellaneous questions, one on parliamentary procedure, and others on improving school work, courtesy in school relationships, qualities VV. IVI. I.'s Supreme Court .... necessary for leadership, and school spirit. Plans have been made for future discussions in the home-room. The Vigilance Department is the branch of the Better Yet Club which en- forces the rules and regulations of the Better Yet Club and of the school. The present Vigilance Department which was organized a year ago when the Constitution of the Better Yet Club was revised, now includes members from all Senior, Junior, and Sophomore home- rooms. There are two elected repre- sentatives from each Junior and Senior home-room and one elected representa- tive from each Sophomore home-room. The Vigilance Department takes care of all matters pertaining to the student use of the grounds and the cafeteria and is in charge of all traffic problems of the school. To distinguish members from other students, they are given blue and On duty .... white arm bands which display the letters MIN. M. I. The judicial power of the W. M. I. student government is vested in the Honor Court whose members consist of a Chief Justice and four Associate Justices -one chosen from each class. It is the duty of the Honor Court to try students who have violated the laws of the Better Yet Club. Punishment is meted out to the violators according to the nature of the infringement. All de- cisions of the Honor Court are subject to the approval of Mr. Burtt.