CONSTITUTION

of the

Eagle Chapter

of the

National Honor Society

of

Saydel High School

ARTICLE I

Name and Purpose

Section 1:

The name of this chapter shall be the Eagle Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools, which appears on the charter granted by the National Council of the National Honor Society, duly signed by the members of the National Council.

Section 2:

The object of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render services, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in students of Saydel High School.

ARTICLE II

Membership

Section 1:

All members of the Eagle Chapter of NHS will uphold the standards of Leadership, Character, Service, and Scholarship for which NHS stands and upon which each member was selected for membership.

Section 2:

Membership of this chapter shall be known as probationary, active, and graduate. The graduate members have no vote. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Probationary members, if they maintain high standards, may become active members in their junior year.

Section 3:

Members of the sophomore class may be chosen as probationary members of the chapter of the National Honor Society if they satisfy all corresponding requirements placed upon candidates from the junior and senior classes. Such probationary members shall have voice and vote in the chapter but may not hold office.

Section 4:

Candidates shall have spent at least one semester in Saydel High School, and shall be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class. To be eligible for selection to membership to the Eagle Chapter of the National Honor Society must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25. This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be for this chapter the required scholastic achievement for admission to candidacy for membership in this chapter. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard level shall be admitted to candidacy for election to membership. Their eligibility shall then be considered on their service, leadership, and character.

Section 5:

Members of the Eagle Chapter of NHS must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 to maintain membership. Failure to do so will result in actions as described in Article III, Section 5. Current members must comply with the requirements in place as of their induction.

Section 6:

A National Honor Society member who transfers from another school to Saydel High School shall be admitted to membership in the Eagle Chapter provided:

1. Student presents a letter of recommendation from the principal and NHS advisor of their former school.
2. Student must meet the standards of the Eagle Chapter throughout one semester of probationary membership
3. Following the completion of the probationary semester, assuming all standards are upheld, the member will be admitted as an active member.

ARTICLE III

Election of Members

Section 1:

The election of members to this chapter of the National Honor Society shall be a chapter council, consisting of the principal and members of the faculty; the selection of members shall be performed by a council of faculty members chosen by the principal. The principal may direct the faculty sponsor of the Eagle Chapter to selected members to the council. The size of the council shall consist of five to ten faculty members. A full faculty vote is not allowed by the National Constitution of NHS.

Section 2:

Any academically eligible student shall complete a Student Activity Information Sheet to indicate interest, which may include a brief explanation of why he/she should be considered for membership. This provision does not constitute an application but is a tool to aid the selection council in the selection process.

Section 3:

All faculty members are welcome to give to the selection council any information they deem pertinent to the selection process.

Section 4:

Election to NHS shall be determined by a majority vote of the selection council.

Section 5:

A member must maintain an accumulated grade point average of 3.25 in order to continue membership in the Honor Society. If the grade point average drops below this level, the student and his/her parents will be notified in writing to the effect that the student is on a probationary basis for one semester. If the grade point average does not rise to 3.25 during the probationary semester, the student will be dropped from membership. A student will be allowed one academic probation. Members who resign or are dropped are never again eligible for membership or its benefits.

Section 6:

If so dropped, the student´s emblem shall be returned to the sponsor of the chapter or the principal of the school. Notice of such action must be reported to the national secretary of the National Honor Society.

ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 1:

The officers of this chapter shall be president, vice-president, secretary, historian, and parliamentarian.

Section 2:

A majority of votes cast shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter.

Section 3:

It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of this chapter.

Section 4:

The vice-president shall fill the chair of the president in their absence.

Section 5:

The chapter secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings, a record of all business, and all records on file.

Section 6:

In the event an officer is placed on probationary membership, they must forfeit their position.

ARTICLE V

Executive Committee

Section 1:

The executive committee shall consist of the five officers of the chapter and the sponsor(s) of the chapter.

Section 2:

The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and business of the chapter, but any action on the part of the executive committee may be subject to the review of the chapter.

ARTICLE VI

Supervision

Section 1:

The activities of this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the principal.

ARTICLE VII

Meetings

Section 1:

The regular meetings of this chapter shall be held as decided by a majority vote of the chapter.

Section 2:

The officers of the chapter shall be elected prior to the last regular meeting of each year.

Section 3:

Special meetings, approved by the executive committee, may be called by the president.

Section 4:

All meetings shall be open meetings and shall be held under the sponsorship of the faculty advisor.

Section 5:

This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rule of Order, in all points not expressly provided for in the constitution of this chapter.

Section 6:

On the second missed meeting, there will be a written warning putting the student on probation. If another meeting is missed, the student will be dismissed from the Saydel Eagle Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Two tardies are equivalent to one absence. When four tardies are achieved, there will be a written warning putting the student on probation. On the sixth tardy, the student will be dismissed from the Saydel Eagle Chapter of the National Honor Society.

ARTICLE VIII

Violation of Standards

Section 1:

In the event it is brought to the attention of the Chapter Sponsors that any NHS member has violated the standards for which NHS stands the following disciplinary process will be followed:

1. The principal shall appoint five to ten faculty members to a Faculty Hearing Panel.
2. The student in question will have an opportunity to present their case in writing before the Faculty Hearing Panel.
3. The Faculty Hearing Panel shall have the following options:
4. Issuance of a letter of reprimand as a warning against any future behavior that may be considered contrary to the principles of NHS.
5. Place the student in question on probation for a length of time to be determined by the Faculty Hearing Panel.
6. Recommend to the principal that the student in question be suspended or dismissed from NHS.

d. The principal may then direct the Faculty Hearing Panel to vote on the recommended dismissal, at which time such an action will require a unanimous vote by the Faculty Hearing Panel in favor of dismissal.

Section 2:

Any disciplinary action taken by the Faculty Hearing Panel will be recorded in appropriate files kept by the principal.

Section 3:

In the event a student’s membership is revoked from NHS, any and all records of the student’s membership will be deleted.

ARTICLE IX

Emblem

Section 1:

Each member of this chapter shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools.

Section 2:

Any member who withdrawals or is dropped from the chapter shall return the emblem. [See Article III, Section 6.]

Section 3:

Each member agrees that, whether the emblem comes to him as a gift, a personal purchase, an award, or from whatever source, the title to the emblem shall rest with the chapter of which he is a member; and, therefore, the emblem, can, on motion of the council be commandeered. Furthermore, each member agrees that their acceptance of the emblem shall be considered affirmation of this stipulation in regard to the title of the emblem.

Section 4:

All insignia must be procured from the national secretary of the National Honor Society, 1201 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington 6, DC.

ARTICLE X

Dues

Section 1:

In lieu of annual dues, members shall be asked to contribute funds as needed to support chapter activities.

ARTICLE XI

Activities

Section 1:

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

Section 2:

All members of the Eagle Chapter of the National Honor Society shall be responsible for earning five [5] points per semester through participation in service projects. One [1] point shall equal volunteering for a service activity. Member shall earn three [3] points for organizing and directing a project. No more than two [2] points may be earned for the donation of funds or supplies to the chapter. Failure to participate in service projects will result in probationary status.

Section 3:

These projects shall have the following characteristics:

1. Fulfill a need within the school or community
2. Have the support of the administration and the faculty
3. Be appropriately and educationally defensible
4. Be well planned, organized, and executed

Section 4:

Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in service projects that reflect their particular tastes and interests. Some projects may be made required for member’s participation at the discretion of the faculty advisor. Points earned for required projects will be determined by the faculty advisor.

Section 5:

Each chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.

ARTICLE XII

Amendments

Section 1:

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds [2/3] vote of the chapter.