Bylaws

Maine South High School National Honor Society (NHS)

Maine South Chapter By-Laws

Scholarship, Leadership, Character, and Service

Members of the National Honor Society excel in the areas of scholarship, leadership, character, and service. All students are also expected to follow school codes relating to academic honesty, social integrity, and acceptable behavior. Any member who violates these rules and standards (including—but not limited to—cutting class, 24/7 rule violations, possession of banned substances, behavior resulting in disciplinary action by Maine South High School or District 207, or academic dishonesty) is subject to removal from the Maine South Chapter of the National Honor Society.  These matters will be handled by the NHS Faculty Advisory Committee and the NHS advisor, the student’s Associate Principal, and school and district administration if appropriate.

Scholarship

In order to be admitted into NHS at Maine South, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.50.

 Once inducted, an NHS student must maintain a semester average of 3.50 GPA during all semesters in which he or she is a member of NHS at Maine South. Failure to maintain the aforementioned GPA will result in that student being placed on probation and being inactive. To be reinstated in the club, the probationary student must earn at least a 3.50 GPA in the subsequent semester. If this standard is not met, the student will face dismissal from the Maine South chapter of NHS.

Leadership

Students who meet the requirements for the pillar of leadership must:

 Successfully hold offices or positions of responsibility and or demonstrate active leadership in school or the community. (Note: Solely being a member of a club or participant in a sport or activity does not constitute leadership.)

• Demonstrate leadership in the classroom and in school activities.

• Display influence on peers in upholding school ideals and rules.

• Exhibit positive attitudes and inspire positive behavior in others.

• Contribute ideas that improve the civic life of the school.

 Leadership positions need not be in school-sponsored activities, and may include church groups, community service organizations, local advisory boards, and other similar activities.  However, in all cases, it is important to remember that “membership” does not constitute “leadership.”  Leadership roles must be documented by non-family members.

Character

Students who meet the requirements for the pillar of character must:

•  Demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and reliability

• Observe instructions and school rules both inside and outside of the classroom. (Members reported for cheating or academic dishonesty, plagiarism, lying, or other inappropriate actions including, but not limited to, violations of school or district policies on alcohol or controlled substances, are subject to removal from NHS.)

• Manifest truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules. This includes guidelines concerning property, behavior, social conduct, and similar ideals.

• Look out for the good of their classmates.

• Show courtesy, concern, empathy, and respect for others and consistently act with appropriate behavior.

• Graciously accept constructive criticism.

Further guidelines on how students are expected to conduct themselves in school can be found in the red student planner given to all Maine South students, and on the school website.  Failure to maintain high standards of character can be cause for probation or removal from NHS.

Service

Students who meet the requirements for the pillar of service must: 

• Complete the required amount of service hours for induction and while members of Maine South NHS. (See next section for service hour requirements.)

• Document all service hours via service hour forms available on Maine South’s NHS website or from the club sponsor.

• Participate in service groups outside of schools. (Ex. Boy Scouts, church groups, animal hospitals, homeless shelters, etc.)

• Be willing and able to offer assistance when help is needed.

• Must eagerly represent a class or the school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition.

• Readily assist in any requested service to the school

• Complete service work without complaint.

• Collaborate with fellow volunteers no matter how difficult the task

Minimum Service Requirements

Inducted members must complete a minimum of ten hours of community service every six months, beginning with induction.  These ten hours must may be volunteering out of school or with other (non-NHS) school organizations. Creditable hours include unpaid tutoring outside of Maine South, community volunteering, and other forms of service done without pay; for other basic requirements see the NHS application instructions . If you are unsure whether a certain task fits the criteria for service, see an officer or the club adviser  for approval ahead of time.   In addition, at least some of the service must be done outside of Maine South High School.

Service (for active members, not new candidates) must include participation in NHS chapter projects.  All members are required to volunteer for ONE chapter project each school year.  NHS chapter actvities are tracked through a POINT system.

Inducted members from the class of 2019 and afterward must complete a minimum of ten hours of community service every six months, beginning with induction, with volunteer programs outside of school.  Members must also maintain a minimum number of points through participation in in-school, NHS approved activities.  For details see the NHS POINT REQUIREMENT page.

Documentation of Service

All service hours must be documented on official service forms.  "Official service forms" includes the NHS volunteering verification form (which can be printed from "Forms for Current Members"), records from Key Club, Hawkettes, or any school club, printouts from volunteer organizations, or offical letters.  Service hours must be documented in half-hour and hour increments, not minutes.  Service must be signed-off on by non-family members.

Each member must have all of their service forms filled out and submitted to the club secretary by the end of September (for spring/summer service hours) and by approximately April 15 (for fall/winter service hours) to be credited. If service hours are submitted after the deadline, they may not be counted as service hours for that semester.  

Junior-class members who are deficient in credited service after the deadline may have their membership reviewed and possibly removed by the Faculty Advisory Committee in May.  Seniors who are deficient may have commencement honors withheld.

Officers

Each new class of inducted members will elect officers within two weeks of their induction.  Class officers will serve until the class graduates, unless they resign or are removed from office.

Each class will have three officers:

PRESIDENT: The President will plan and conduct the monthly NHS meetings, and any additional meetings as necessary.  The president will maintain regular communication and coordination with the Adviser and the other officers. The NHS president will be expected to plan and lead at least two service projects during the school year, and to assist the sponsor with the logging in of applications in September, and to serve as an active member of the activities Leadership Council if asked.  He/she will take a lead role in helping the other officers keep up to date with their duties, including assisting in creating and utilizing digital records for NHS.   He/she will also give an address at the induction ceremony for new members in October. 

VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice President will coordinate the NHS in-organization service.  The Vice President will serve as a member of the Leadership Council, assist the president in planning and conducting NHS meetings, and must be available to meet with the advisor as necessary.  He/she will assist the President in coordinating service activities, assist in logging applications in September, and will participate in the induction ceremony for new members in March.

SECRETARY: The secretary will assist with the planning and conducting of NHS Meetings, handle attendance, records of service hours and activity points for continued membership, correspondence with NHS members when requested or required, and assist with other NHS communications as needed.  The secretary will organize publicity committees and develop and maintain media and social media visibility for NHS with the assistance of the other officers.  The secretary is expected to play a strong role in NHS service projects, serve as an active member of the Leadership Council, and will participate in logging applications for new members in September and the induction ceremony for new members in October.  The secretary is also responsible for the staffing and inventory of the NHS balloon shop.

The Senior class officers will be the 'senior' officers of the Chapter; the junior officers, once selected, will serve alongside them and take over when their class advances.

The Officers and the Chapter Adviser may create additional temporary positions such as committees and committee chairs as-needed.

Chapter Meetings

There will be Chapter meetings on a monthly basis.  All regular monthly meetings are mandatory; members of NHS are expected to attend all mandatory chapter meetings. If a student is unable to attend a meeting, he or she must contact an officer or the club sponsor prior to the meeting and collect any missed information or handouts. Unexcused absences may result in dismissal from NHS.

Junior-class inductees are expected to attend one election meeting to meet and hear from the new officer candidates for their class.

Other meetings may be called by the adviser and officers as-needed.

Dues

Dues for membership are $45 per member, whether inducted as a junior or senior, payable in the Maine South bookstore.  Dues are paid only one time by each inductee.

Service Projects

As directed by the NHS national constitution, the Chapter will conduct at least one large-group service project each year.  All members are expected to willingly and cheerfully give their time and service to official Chapter service activities.   Participation records will be kept by the NHS Secretary for each class.

Tutoring

All members of NHS at Maine South are expected to make themselves available as tutors for other students, free of charge.  Members are responsible for carefully reviewing and following the tutoring policy and guidelines for NHS, which are distributed to members each year and posted on the NHS web page.

Points

Consequences

Failure to adhere to these requirements may lead to removal from Maine South’s chapter of NHS. Seniors who violate these requirements will not receive recognition as being members of NHS at graduation, and when appropriate colleges may be notified of revocation of membership. Determination of student status is determined by the Faculty Advisory Committee, using Maine South and nation NHS bylaws as guidelines.  Students may present their case to the Faculty Avisory committee, if they choose, in writing or in person.  Any appeals of a decision by the Faculty Advisory Committee should be directed to the Assistant Principal for Student Experiences, and copied to the chapter adviser.  

Questions/Comments

Prospective or current members with questions regarding the chapter bylaws or concerns dealing with possible violations are urged to seek the help of the NHS officers or the club sponsor immediately.