South Haven High School
National Honor Society Constitution/Bylaws
Chapter Bylaws of the National Honor Society, Chapter of the National Honor Society of South Haven High School
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this chapter shall be the National Honor Society, Chapter of the National Honor Society of South Haven High School.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in students of South Haven High School.
ARTICLE III: POWERS
Section 1: This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the NHS National Constitution.
Section 2: The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by school principal.
Section 3: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal.
Section 4: Nondiscrimination. 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), sexual orientation, 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 of 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 the chapter affairs.
Section 3: Eligibility
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 chapter adviser. The chapter adviser will be the sixth, non voting member.
Section 2: The selection of active members shall be held once a year.
Section 3: Prior to final selection, the following shall occur:
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 or her membership.
Section 6: An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will automatically be accepted in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, the member must maintain those requirements for this chapter to retain his or her membership.
ARTICLE VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 1: Each member of this chapter is expected to uphold the academic requirements as stated in article IV.
Section 2: Each member of this chapter must attend a minimum of 2 events, or fundraisers that this chapter, at South Haven High School, holds each year.
Section 3: Each member is expected to acquire a minimum of 10 hours community service each year of membership. If a member is a RAM student leader and tutors during their lunch, that student can only count 2 hours of their tutoring time towards NHS Service Hours.
Section 4: Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the NHS stole at graduation.
ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS
Section 1: The officers of this chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2: Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year. All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer. Any active member can nominate an eligible member as a candidate for office.
Section 3: Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter.
Section 4: It shall be the duty of the president at the meetings of the chapter, and serve as the official representatives 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 members’ 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 record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS
Section 1: Regular meetings of this chapter shall be monthly.
Section 2: Members are expected to miss no more than 2 meetings. If they do fail to meet this requirement, their membership will be up for discussion with the possibility of removal from the chapter.
ARTICLE IX: ACTIVITIES
Section 1: This chapter shall determine several service projects for the year.
Section 2: All members shall regularly participate in these projects.
Section 3: This 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.
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 South Haven High School chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his or her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership in his or her school and community.
Section 2: If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.5 on a 4.0 scales, he or she will be given a written warning and a reasonable time period for improvement. If the cumulative grade point average remains below the standard at the end of the warning period the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that can include consideration of dismissal from the chapter.
Section 3: Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of the 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 or student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member will be considered for dismissal.
Section 5: Chapter officers, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their positions as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the faculty council.
Section 6: In all cases of pending dismissal:
ARTICLE XI: RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, AND REVIEW
Section 1: These bylaws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active members of the chapter, a majority affirmative vote by the faculty council, and approval by the administration.
Section 2: These bylaws shall be reviewed if necessary, revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document.
ARTICLE XII: 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 Articles V and X, which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal.
National Honor Society Constitution/Bylaws
Chapter Bylaws of the National Honor Society, Chapter of the National Honor Society of South Haven High School
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this chapter shall be the National Honor Society, Chapter of the National Honor Society of South Haven High School.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in students of South Haven High School.
ARTICLE III: POWERS
Section 1: This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the NHS National Constitution.
Section 2: The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by school principal.
Section 3: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal.
Section 4: Nondiscrimination. 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), sexual orientation, 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 of 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 the chapter affairs.
Section 3: Eligibility
- Candidates eligible to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.
- To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at South Haven High School.
- Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. (Members elected into the chapter prior to the 2014-2015 school year that are below a 3.5 are grandfathered-in due to a change in by-laws. They may not fall below a 3.0, however, or they may be brought in front of the faculty committee to discuss his or her removal from the chapter).
- 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 chapter adviser. The chapter adviser will be the sixth, non voting member.
Section 2: The selection of active members shall be held once a year.
Section 3: Prior to final selection, the following shall occur:
- Students’ academic records shall be reviewed.
- All eligible students shall complete a Candidates Form for consideration.
- All eligible students shall turn in 3 teacher recommendations and 2 community recommendations. The community recommendations may not be a family member.
- All eligible students shall write a one page essay explaining what character and leadership mean to them.
- The Faculty Council shall review the criteria listed above and determine who meets the selection criteria for membership.
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 or her membership.
Section 6: An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will automatically be accepted in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, the member must maintain those requirements for this chapter to retain his or her membership.
ARTICLE VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 1: Each member of this chapter is expected to uphold the academic requirements as stated in article IV.
Section 2: Each member of this chapter must attend a minimum of 2 events, or fundraisers that this chapter, at South Haven High School, holds each year.
Section 3: Each member is expected to acquire a minimum of 10 hours community service each year of membership. If a member is a RAM student leader and tutors during their lunch, that student can only count 2 hours of their tutoring time towards NHS Service Hours.
Section 4: Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the NHS stole at graduation.
ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS
Section 1: The officers of this chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2: Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year. All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer. Any active member can nominate an eligible member as a candidate for office.
Section 3: Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter.
Section 4: It shall be the duty of the president at the meetings of the chapter, and serve as the official representatives 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 members’ 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 record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS
Section 1: Regular meetings of this chapter shall be monthly.
Section 2: Members are expected to miss no more than 2 meetings. If they do fail to meet this requirement, their membership will be up for discussion with the possibility of removal from the chapter.
ARTICLE IX: ACTIVITIES
Section 1: This chapter shall determine several service projects for the year.
Section 2: All members shall regularly participate in these projects.
Section 3: This 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.
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 South Haven High School chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his or her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership in his or her school and community.
Section 2: If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.5 on a 4.0 scales, he or she will be given a written warning and a reasonable time period for improvement. If the cumulative grade point average remains below the standard at the end of the warning period the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that can include consideration of dismissal from the chapter.
Section 3: Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of the 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 or student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member will be considered for dismissal.
Section 5: Chapter officers, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their positions as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the faculty council.
Section 6: In all cases of pending dismissal:
- The member will receive written notifications from the adviser/faculty council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal. The member’s parents will also be notified through written and telephone notification.
- The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge(s) against him or her at a hearing before the faculty council prior to any vote on dismissal. The member has the opportunity to present his or her defense either in person or via a written statement presented in lieu of the face to face hearing. 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.
- 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 and parents.
- A member who is dismissed or resigns, may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.
ARTICLE XI: RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, AND REVIEW
Section 1: These bylaws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active members of the chapter, a majority affirmative vote by the faculty council, and approval by the administration.
Section 2: These bylaws shall be reviewed if necessary, revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document.
ARTICLE XII: 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 Articles V and X, which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal.