ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this chapter shall be the Dr. Phillip Heery Chapter of the National Honor Society at Egg Harbor Township High School.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to initiate a desire to render service, to promote the importance and value of character, and to encourage the development of qualities relative to those of leadership in students of Egg Harbor Township High School.
ARTICLE III: POWERS
Section 1: This chapter operates under the direction of and is in full compliance with the National Constitution of NHS. See www.nhs.us/constitutions
Section 2. The chapter adviser, under the delegation of the school principal, is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities.
Section 3: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal. [For reference, see Article V, Section 1 of the National Constitution.]
Section 4: Non-discrimination. 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), social background, 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 and shall be based on the criteria of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.
Section 2. Eligibility: a. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class. b. To be eligible for selection in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at the Egg Harbor Township High School. c. Eligible candidates MUST have a cumulative GPA of 96.000 or higher (no rounding) in order to meet the initial academic criteria for eligibility. d. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service to school, service to the community, and character in a holistic manner. The community service and school participation aspects of a candidate’s prospective eligibility will not be reviewed unless the required grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards are met.
ARTICLE V: SELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be decided by the chapter adviser and a Faculty Council (if necessary). The decision will be based on completion of the requirements set forth on this website.
Section 2. The selection of active members shall be held once a year.
Section 3. Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
a. Students’ academic records and discipline records shall be reviewed to determine eligibility.
b. Students who are eligible for membership shall be notified and asked to complete and submit a resume for further consideration. This resume must include everything outlined on "Applying" page of this website.
Section 4. Candidates become members upon a ceremonial induction.
Section 5. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers out of this school will be given an official letter indicating the status of his/her membership.
Section 6. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers into this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter if they meet the eligibility criteria. Thereafter, this member must maintain the academic, service and participation requirements for the chapter in order to retain his/her membership.
ARTICLE VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be entitled to wear a white gown and honor cord at the graduation ceremony.
Section 2. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall lose these privileges.
ARTICLE VII: Executive Council
Section 1. The Executive Council shall include four active members that are in good standing and do not currently hold an officer/leadership position in another school sanctioned program. This is subject to change. Students must email the Adviser and express interest. The Adviser reserves the right to appoint members to the Executive Council. Those seeking to be on the Executive Council will have to go through an interview process.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be scheduled on an as needed basis. Correspondence by the adviser or any officer shall be made through Google Classroom.
Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its scheduled meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 3. Members are expected to attend ALL chapter meetings when scheduled. Failure to attend without advance notice will result in a letter of direction and a community service penalty. Continued absences from membership meetings may lead to probation and possible removal from NHS.
ARTICLE IX: ACTIVITIES
Section 1. Community service events shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community, have unanimous support from the administration and the faculty and be well-planned, organized, and executed.
Section 2. The aforementioned event(s) must meet a number of requirements in order to qualify as an adequate contribution for the betterment of the school and/or the community. These requirements include but are not limited to: proper documentation of service, verification as to the non-profit nature of the service, permission of the Chapter Adviser as to the execution and completion of the service, etc. (These requirements are subject to change at the Chapter Adviser's request).
Section 3. The chapter shall publicize and promote its event(s) 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 Egg Harbor Township High School Chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community.
Section 2. If a member’s grade point average falls below the standard in effect when he/she was selected, he/she will be given a probationary letter from the Chapter Adviser and a time period for improvement. The duration of the time period, moreover, is typically one semester. If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the warning period the student will be dismissed from the chapter.
Section 3. Violations of the law or school regulations, as outlined by the student handbook of the Egg Harbor Township High School, can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of a member. Such violations shall be evaluated relatively; that is, the violations shall be compared to those that typically warrant disciplinary action such as Saturday Detention or Out-of-School Suspension. These violations include, but are not limited to stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities or in the community, plagiarism or academic dishonesty.
Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive notification that their membership is no longer in good standing. They will then be placed on probation for the duration of their membership. A conference may be requested. If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal.
Section 5. Executive Council Members, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their positions as a consequence of disciplinary action.
Section 6. In all cases of pending dismissal:
a. The member will receive written notification from the Adviser indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.
b. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the infraction(s) against him/her prior to dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution).
c. The final decision will be presented to the principal for review, and then stated in a letter sent to the student and parents.
d. 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 by the Adviser, the Director of Guidance, and the School Principal.
Section 2: These bylaws shall be reviewed and revised when necessary.
ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended with approval of the Adviser, the Principal and the Director of Guidance.
*All information provided is subject to change.