Selection

In order to gain admission to NHS, invited students must submit an application to the Faculty Council.  The Faculty Council is a five member committee, selected by the school principal, who will evaluate each application to ensure students meet the standards of the National Honor Society as defined by the national organization and revised by the Council to meet the needs of Bridgewater-Raritan HS.

BRHS NHS BY-LAWS

National Honor Society

Bridgewater-Raritan High School

 By-Laws

I.  Membership-  Selection for membership in the National Honor Society shall be based upon the following four characteristics:

SCHOLARSHIP

A.   The Student who demonstrates scholarship must be a junior or senior and have achieved and maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 after the completion of sophomore or junior year.

 LEADERSHIP

B.   The student who demonstrates leadership:

1.   Demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities.

2.   Exercises influence on peers in encouraging school spirit.

3.   Is resourceful in contributing ideas that improve school life.

4.   Is able to delegate responsibilities.

5.   Exemplifies positive attitudes.

6.   Inspires positive behavior in others.

7.   Demonstrates academic initiative in classroom activities.

8.   Successfully holds positions of responsibility, conducts business efficiently and effectively, and is reliable and dependable.

SERVICE

C.  The student who serves:

1.   Maintains a loyal school attitude.

2.   Participates in some outside activity: scouts; 4-H; volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged.

3.   Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance.

4.   Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult responsibilities.

5.   Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders service to the school.

6.   Does committee or staff work without complaint.

7.   Do not count one-time efforts; service, to us, requires consistent effort.

 CHARACTER

D.   The student of character:

1.   Takes criticism willingly and will consider recommendations.

2.   Exemplifies desirable qualities of personality (cheerful, friendly, poised, stable).

3.    Upholds principles of morality and ethics.

4.   Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.

5.   Recognizes harmful influences in the school and assists in improving the school atmosphere

In order to be considered for membership, students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above must submit a candidate packet in which they demonstrate how they embody the characteristics of leadership, service, and character. Transfer students who have not yet accumulated such activities at BRHS and wish to apply for membership must include a letter of sponsorship from a faculty member of their former school.  Based on the adjusted mid-year GPA, the Guidance Office will furnish a list of all scholastically eligible. The adviser will meet with all eligible candidates in January, after mid year GPAs have been adjusted, to review the process of selection procedures. Applications then will be reviewed during the months of March and April in an anonymous manner by a council of faculty members that shall not include the adviser of the society. This committee will then extend invitations for membership that must be accepted by the candidates in order to be inducted in April or May. Decisions by the faculty council shall be considered final and cannot be changed by the faculty adviser to the society. The principal reserves the right to overturn the decisions made by the faculty council.

In order to maintain membership in the National Honor Society, members must continue to uphold the standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character as outlined above. If any member proves him or herself to no longer exemplify the characteristics of scholarship, leadership, service, and/or character, his or her membership shall be revoked.

Members who fall below the scholastic standard shall be notified in writing, and will have until the end of the marking period to raise the cumulative grade point average to at least a 3.5. When a member is dismissed, he/she must be notified in writing.

Members are required to participate in National Honor Society-sponsored activities, attend membership meetings unless excused by a teacher, and attend the Induction Ceremony during each year of membership. They must also document a minimum of ten hours of adviser-approved school or community service per semester.

Members who fail to document or satisfy the minimum ten hours of service during a semester will be placed on probation, in writing, and will be given one marking period to complete ten hours of service, which shall not be counted towards the current semester’s 10 hour minimum. Failure to complete the ten hours will result in dismissal from the National Honor Society.

Students who fail to uphold the character or leadership criteria shall be removed from the organization immediately. Students who are caught cheating, violating the drug and alcohol, or weapons policies, will be removed immediately.

II.          Dues

Students will be responsible for payment of the Student Activity Fee to the district.  Cords may be purchased at the end of the year if the student is still a member in good standing.

III.         Awards

Upon induction, members will be awarded certificates of membership.  Graduating seniors may wear special cords at the commencement exercises. Officers will wear NHS stoles.

IV.         Amending the by-laws

The by-laws and constitution of the National Honor Society may be changed by the adviser and/or the principal, as long as the other party is aware of the amendments, and the proposed amendments do not conflict with the national standards. National recommendations are meant to be followed as closely as possible, though the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAASP) recognizes that individual schools may have extenuating circumstances that may dictate larger degrees of variance from the standards.

The membership may propose an amendment to the by-laws, and if approved by 2/3 of the membership, may present the amendment to the adviser and/or principal. The adviser and/or principal reserve the right to include the amendment.

V.          Voting procedures

Each NHS member has an equal vote. When voting is required, there must be 4/5 of the membership present. Members not in attendance, for any reason, forfeit their votes on any matters discussed or decided at that meeting. There are no proxy votes in the National Honor Society. In order to pass a resolution, a simple majority of students present will secure the passage.

VI.         Officers

The officers of this chapter shall consist of seven individuals. There will be seven selected positions (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, sergeant-at-arms, administrative liaison and media manager). The officers must be selected by advisors of this chapter. Officer candidates must fill out an officer application for review of advisor and members of  the Faculty Council. References may be contacted to vouch for statements in application.

National Honor Society officers may be removed from their positions if two of the following three agree that the person is not completing their pre-assigned duties: the other five members of the Board, the adviser, and/or the principal.

The officers of the National Honor Society may not serve on the Student Council Board. A student elected to the National Honor Society Board may run, or apply, for a Student Council officer position, but may opt for only one of the positions. In the event that an NHS officer is removed from the Board or the organization, the adviser will select a replacement for the position. The replacement may be chosen of all eligible NHS members.

VII.   Duties of the officers

1. Media Manager

a. Works with officers to create advertising campaigns for service projects.

b. Creates, schedules, and manages content for NHS social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

c. Develop and implement social media campaigns to engage members and promote NHS events and initiatives. Monitor and respond to comments and messages on social media to maintain a positive online community.

c. Design and produce graphics, images, and videos for social media and other platforms.

                                Write and publish blog posts, articles, or newsletters highlighting events, accomplishments, or news         about the NHS chapter.   Develop visual content, such as flyers, posters, and digital ads, to promote

           events and activities.

d. Attends monthly meetings

2.   Administrative Liaison

a.    Coordinates NHS collaborating with other student groups

b.   Gets all administrative tasks accomplished – forms for announcements, approvals, etc. (with advisors’ approval beforehand)

c.    Assists with correspondence and mailing as needed

d.   Attends monthly meetings

3.   Sergeant at Arms

a.    Facilitates all PR through drafting and planning PR with administrative liaison

b.   Assists with correspondence and mailing as needed

c.    Attends monthly meetings

4.   Treasurer

a.    Counts and logs all fundraising monies

b.   Maintains an accurate listing of current NHS funds

c.    Prepares donations and budgets with advisors

d.   Assists with correspondence and mailing as needed

e.    Attends monthly meetings

5.   Secretary

a.    Takes minutes of all meetings and submits copies to all officers and advisor promptly

b.   Keeps membership contact list up to date

c.    Communicates with general membership through e-blasts and Facebook page

d.   Assists with correspondence and mailing as needed

e.    Attends monthly meetings

6.   Vice President

a.    Oversees service hours logs and notifies advisors of members not in good standing

b.   Communicates and coordinates volunteer opportunities within the district, including the tutoring program

c.    Assists with correspondence and mailing as needed

d.   Attends monthly meetings

t.   President

a.    Plans and delegates responsibilities for all major events

b.   Plans and delegates responsibilities during all meetings – runs monthly officer meetings

c.    Follows-up with all delegated tasks to ensure completion

d.   In the summer, schedules with advisors all meetings and events

e.    Assists with correspondence and mailing as needed

f.     Attends/runs monthly meetings