NHS Constitution and By-Laws

CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The Woodlands High School

J.L. McCullough Chapter

Principal:  Dr. Ted Landry

Adviser:  Preston Balluck 

Article I -- Name and Purpose

Section 1.  The name of this chapter shall be the J.L. McCullough 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 National Secretary.

Section 2.  The object of the 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 all students of The Woodlands High School.

Article II -- Membership

Section 1.  Membership in this chapter shall be based upon scholarship, service, leadership, and character.  Students do not apply for NHS.  Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student. In the spring of the junior year, students who have a 4.2 G.P.A. or higher receive a notification letter inviting them to complete a "survey" form and an essay. Students who did not have a 4.2 G.P.A. at the end of the first semester their junior year and were not invited to complete the survey and essay in the spring of their junior year, but have a 4.2 cumulative average at the end of May/June the junior year will be invited to complete the survey and essay in the fall.*

*Beginning in the 24/25 school year: Student G.P.A. is determined based off their first four semesters of high school. Students who did not have a 4.2 G.P.A. at the end of their sophomore year and were not invited to complete the survey and essay in the spring of their junior year, but have a 4.2 cumulative average at the end of May/June the junior year will be invited to complete the survey and essay in the fall.

Section 2.  Membership of this chapter shall be known as active and graduate.  The graduate members have no vote.  Active members who earn three service credits and two donation credits become graduate members upon graduation. Inducted members who do not fulfill their service credits are no longer members at the time of graduation.  Non-members are not recognized in the graduation program, nor can they wear the N.H.S. stole upon graduation.  Not fulfilling the service requirement, poor leadership and character issues that require disciplinary action will result in dismissal.

Section 3.  To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period equivalent to one semester in this school.  Members who move into Conroe I.S.D. may transfer membership, but must fulfill the criteria of our chapter.

Section 4.  Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class.  Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have minimum scholarship average of 4.2 on a 5+ point scale.  This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed and shall be required minimum scholarship to or above such standard may be admitted to candidacy for selection to membership.  Their eligibility shall then be considered on their service, leadership, and character throughout all high school years. 

Section5.  All disciplinary measures shall be conducted in accordance with NHS handbook section 7, Discipline and Dismissal. 

Article III -- Selection of Members

Section 1.  The selection of members of this chapter of the National Honor Society shall be by a chapter council, consisting of faculty members (one from each academic discipline and one at-large) appointed by the principal. Each shall serve a term of one year.  A member may serve multiple terms.

Section 2.  Any member of the faculty may voice opinions of eligible students as to service, leadership, and character.  The final decision of membership is a majority decision of the 5 member, principal-appointed Faculty Council.  Council members shall read and review all candidate surveys and essays  before voting on membership. Then, the council shall meet together to discuss candidate credentials and vote on membership.  To fulfill the service component of NHS membership, the council shall determine whether or not the student reveals continuous community and school service throughout all high school years.  School service shall be defined, in part, as being active in school clubs and school extracurricular organizations.  The council shall consider the students survey page and submitted essay to determine leadership.  The council shall determine if the student has specified examples revealing leadership in the classroom, in the school, and in the community continuously throughout high school. The council may use notes and commendations from faculty members helping to determine in leadership. All the council’s decisions are final.

Section 3.  In case of non-selection, any candidate may inquire why membership was denied.  Students shall seek out the adviser for an explanation of the council's decision.  

Section 4.  Any member who falls below the standards which were the bases of his selection shall be promptly warned by the adviser.  The faculty council shall impose the conditions to remove the condition of probation caused by the warning. The council may also cite conditions under which the student would lose his membership, should the student fail to rectify the conditions of his probation.  Not fulfilling the service credit requirement is not a cause for probation nor can the student appeal.

Section 5.  An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will present the chapter adviser with a letter from their former principal indicating the status of their membership.  They will be automatically accepted into the chapter, but maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain his membership.

Section 6.  An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his membership and signed by the principal or adviser.

Article IV -- Officers

Section 1.  The officers of this chapter shall be a president, vice-president, community liaison, historian, and secretary.

Section 2.  The candidate with the most votes for each office will be elected.

Article V -- Supervision

Section 1.  The activities of this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the principal. The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.

Section 2.  The adviser shall be appointed by the principal to supervise chapter activities on a continuing basis. The chapter adviser shall be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the chapter and act as liaison between faculty, administration, students, and community.

Article VI -- Meetings

Section 1.  The officers of the chapter shall be elected late spring or the first meeting of the new school year.

Section 2.  Special meetings, approved by the executive committee, may be called by the president.

Section 3.  All meetings shall be open meetings and shall be under the sponsorship of the principal or some member of the faculty selected by him, known as the faculty adviser.

Article VII -- 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 withdraws or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem. (see Article III, Section 3)

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 of the emblem shall rest with the chapter of which he is a member.  The faculty council can, therefore, by a majority vote, request that any member return the emblem.  In the case where the emblem can be shown to have been the personal purchase of the member, the chapter shall reimburse the member the original cost of the emblem upon its surrender.  Each member agrees that his 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 (NASSP).  1904 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091.

Article VIII -- Dues

Section 1. The annual dues for each member will be decided by chapter vote. If a member is dismissed (becomes a non-member) for any reason the student does not receive a reimbursement of the dues, but the dismissed student can receive reimbursement for the stole if purchased.

Article IX -- Amendments

Section 1.  This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the chapter, provided that the proposed amendment has been approved by the executive committee of the chapter and the faculty council prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted on.

By-Laws

I.   Members must participate in activities of the chapter during the year.  Participation in two chapter-sponsored service activities is required as well as chapter sponsored donations.  Failure to comply will cause forfeit of recognition at graduation (wearing of the NHS stole, having the seal of NHS placed on the member’s diploma, and having NHS recognition in the graduation program).

II.  The major channel of communication for the chapter will be via GroupMe app.  Not receiving messages is no excuse or reason for being informed. All members will treat the official communications in a professional manner in keeping with the values of NHS and our chapter.

III. The official social media accounts are to be used by officers for promotion of events, as well as keeping parents and the community informed. All members are encouraged to follow, but will treat the official pages in a professional manner in keeping with the values of NHS and our chapter. 

April 2023