Velma-Alma High School National Honor Society

By-Laws

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this chapter shall be the Velma-Alma High School National Honor Society.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in students of Velma-Alma High School.

ARTICLE III: POWERS

Section 1         This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the NHS                 National Constitution.  See www.nhs.us/constitutions

Section 2         The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.

Section 3         Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal. (See Article V, Section 1 of the National Constitution.)

Section 4         Our chapter of NHS maintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified candidate or member on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex (gender), and disability.  This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all practices, including the chapter administration and the selection, discipline, and dismissal of members.

ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1         Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

Section 2         Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate.  Active members become graduate members at graduation.  Honorary members are selected at the discretion of the Faculty Council.  Graduate and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Section 3         Eligibility:

                        a. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.

b. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Velma-Alma High School.

                        c. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. 

                        d. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

ARTICLE V:  SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1         The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council which consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal.  The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, nonvoting, exofficio member of the Faculty Council.

Section 2         The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year. 

Section 3         Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

                        a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.

                        b. All Students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Candidate’s Form for further consideration. 

                        c. The Faculty Council shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter advisor.

d. The Faculty Advisor shall review the Candidate Forms, service points and the Faculty Council’s evaluations to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership.

Section 4         Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony and pay the one time induction fee of $20.00 to the NHS advisor. 

Section 5         An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given an official letter indicating the status of his/her membership.

Section 6         An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter.  The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, this member must maintain those requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.

ARTICLE VI:  OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Section 1         Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be granted the privilege to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.

Section 2         Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor cords (or other insignia adopted by the school) at graduation.

Section 3         Each member of this chapter must participate in the service project for each year they are an active member.

ARTICLE VII:  OFFICERS

Section 1         The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and reporter.

Section 2         Student officers shall be elected at the start of each school year.  All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer.  

Section 3         Voting shall be by secret ballot.  A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter.  If the first vote does not yield a majority, a second vote shall be taken of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

Section 4         It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of the chapter, and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions.

Section 5         The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of member’s contributions to leadership and service.

Section 6         The secretary shall keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence.

Section 7         The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses and all other financial transactions of the chapter.

Section 8         The reporter shall be responsible for writing announcements for the yearbook / school newspaper and the local newspaper after receiving approval by the chapter advisor. 

Section 9         Officers and the faculty adviser(s) shall collectively be known as the chapter’s Executive Committee.  The executive committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter.  Any action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members. 

Section 10       In the event that an elected officer is dismissed from the NHS chapter a new election will be held immediately to fill the position.  Any member in good standing with the chapter may run for the open position.

ARTICLE VIII:  MEETINGS

Section 1         Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held monthly. Special meetings can be called by the president with approval of the adviser.

Section 2         This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 3         Members are expected to attend all chapter meetings.

ARTICLE IX:  ACTIVITIES

Section 1         The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year.

Section 2         All members shall regularly participate in these projects.

Section 3         These projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community, have the support of the administration and the faculty, be appropriate and educationally defensible, and be well-planned, organized, and executed.

Section 4         Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project which reflects his or her particular talents and interests and is approved by the chapter adviser.  This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.

Section 5         The chapter shall publicize and promote its projects in a positive manner.

ARTICLE X:  DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL of MEMBERS

Section 1         Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be considered for discipline or dismissal from the Velma-Alma High School chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership in his/her school and community.

Section 2         If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.5 on a scale of 4.0, he/she will be given a written warning and a have one semester to improve.  If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the following semester the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that can include consideration of dismissal from the chapter.

Section 3         Violation of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of a member.  These violations include, but are not limited to DWI, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities or in the community.

Section 4         Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written warning notification.  A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council or student/parent).  If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal.

Section 5         Chapter officers, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their position as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the Faculty Council.

Section 6         In all cases of pending dismissal:

                        a. The member will receive written notification from the advisor/Faculty Council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.

                        b. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge(s) against him/her in writing to the Faculty Council prior to any vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution). Following the hearing, the Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss.  A majority vote of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member.

                        c. The results of the Faculty Council vote will be presented to the principal for review, and then stated in a letter sent to the student.  Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the advisor.

                        d. The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards according to the provisions of the school district discipline policies.

                        e. A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.

Section 7         In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE XI:  SCHOLARSHIP SELECTION

The selection of the two members that may be nominated for the NHS scholarship will be

determined by a majority vote of the Faculty Council. The list of criteria for their decision will

be influenced by a student’s service, scholarship, and character.  Therefore, each member will be

evaluated as follows:

1. Number of service hours 
2. Highest grade point average
3. Courses selected by the student during 10^th– 12^thgrades

ARTICLE XII:  RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, and REVIEW

Section1          These bylaws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active members of the chapter, a majority affirmative vote of the Faculty Council, and approval by the administration.

Section 2         These bylaws shall be reviewed and if necessary revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document. 

ARTICLE XIII:  AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the chapter, provided notice of the 

proposed amendment has been given to members at least one month prior to the vote. The

exceptions are Article V and X, which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of

the principal (selection and discipline).

                                      Duties of National Honor Society Officers

President

1. Preside over all meetings.
2. Serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions.
3. Explain individual service projects to members each spring and fall.
4. Assume leadership role in organizing g fundraisers and service projects.

5.) Organize Induction Ceremony.

6.) Research possible service projects and activities for chapter.

7.) Read and become familiar with the NHS handbook and constitution and be able to     inform members of its contents.

Vice President

1.) Preside over all meetings in absence of President.

2.) Keep a record of member’s contributions to leadership and service.

3.) Assume leadership role in organizing fundraisers and service projects.

Secretary

1.) Take minutes at all meetings-copy and give to advisor.

2.) Read back minutes from previous meetings.

3.) Keep accurate attendance and contact members who have missed meetings

4.) Distribute all information and materials for fundraisers and service projects.

5.) Assume leadership role in organizing fundraisers and service projects.

Treasurer

1.) Get current copy of NHS account balance and transactions from NHS advisor.

2.) Keep ledger/updated record of all transactions.

3.) Take accurate inventory of all needed supplies and make order.

4.) Fill our NHS chapter information for the following year.

Reporter

1. Write announcements and have them approved by advisor for the yearbook / school newspaper and the local newspaper if possible.

2.)  Assume leadership role in organizing fundraisers and service projects.

3.) Organize members to generate flyers/poster and press opportunities for service          

      projects.