National English Honors Society Bylaws
Glen Ridge High School
Sans Everything Chapter
Statement of the organization's name and the chapter's name (Article 1)
The name of this organization shall be the National English Honor Society, hereafter known as NEHS. The name of our chapter shall be Sans Everything.
General purpose of the group (Article 2)
Purpose:
The mission and purpose of this organization will be literary and educational. NEHS will strive to do the following:
Confer distinction upon Glen Ridge High School students for achievement in language arts.
Provide cultural activities related to language arts for members and the community.
Encourage interest in language arts, engendering a love of reading and writing.
Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members who will act as ambassadors for NEHS and GRHS.
Serve society by fostering literacy.
Constitution purpose:
“Encourage High School students to find their voices as writers, and gain recognition for their high achievement in English Language Arts.
Expose students to cultural stimulation in High School Environments.
Encourage interest in English Language Arts for members and nonmembers through community enthusiasm in English Language Arts.
Serve as an example of good character and collective effort.
Improve society by way of the study and exploration of literature.”
Powers vested in the organization: Rights of the Chapter Advisor and the Faculty Advisory Council (Article 3)
The Principal (or principal's designee) will...
Solicit for volunteers one or more members of the English department faculty to serve as chapter advisors.
Reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.
Receive appeals in cases of non-selection of member candidates or the dismissal of members after that individual has appealed the decision, in writing, to the advisors and the advisory council.
The Chapter Advisor will...
Be a member of the English faculty who volunteers to lead the chapter and, by their example, demonstrates enthusiasm for language arts and education.
Be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the chapter and act as liaison among students, faculty, administration, and community.
Maintain files on membership, chapter history, activities, financial transactions, and the chapter bylaws.
Regularly review each member for compliance with society standards and obligations.
Help the chapter officers understand and carry out their duties.
Act as a voting member of the Faculty Advisory Council.
Be designated a NEHS honorary member.
Serve as the major liaison between the local chapter and the National Office, submitting the membership information and fees and any other items requested by the National Advisory Council and receiving items pertaining to membership sent by the National Office.
Faculty Advisory Council will...
Consist of no fewer than three English faculty members identified by, and including, the chapter advisor.
Meet each March to review the procedures of the chapter, select members, consider dismissals, and/or discuss other related matters.
Develop and revise, when necessary, all chapter procedures for the selection and dismissal of members.
The Chapter Officers
Chapter officers are elected within the first month after acceptances have been distributed. As elected leaders of a chapter, officers are a key to its success. They should be chosen for dependability, enthusiasm, and vision. The officers should seek to lead the other members rather than do all the work themselves. One goal should be to involve every member, either as an officer or committee member. Members wishing to run for an officer position must not be on NEHS probation at the time of elections.
PRESIDENT:
The president is the liaison between the adviser, the members, and the chapter officers. The president’s duty is to be present for all events and to be the face of NEHS with the administration. It is the president’s responsibility to make sure that each event is planned and held and that the officers are completing their agreed upon responsibilities. If the officers are dysfunctional, it’s the president’s duty to step in and figure out what needs to improve.
Maintains a calendar or spreadsheet of activities.
The president is responsible for all of the data and reporting for the new NEHS badging program, looking toward earning “Distinguished NEHS Chapter by May 1. This initiative has many criteria, and the president should be actively working toward achievement with each event. (This badging program is new, and we are waiting for the national NEHS to give us more guidance.)
The president is authorized to use Google Classroom as a "teacher," the NEHS Instagram and should promote news frequently.
The president will run the meetings as well as oversee and initiate activities. They will ensure the smooth running of the club and the organization of member positions. They are responsible for chapter funds as well as keeping the other officers informed of said funds. The president should be someone who is aware of the importance of teamwork and the position should not be treated lightly.
VICE PRESIDENT:
The Vice President Membership maintains NEHS enrollment records and tracks completed membership activities.
Using a spreadsheet, the vice president will record when students participate in events and for how long.
The vice president will notify students who are not completing their requirements on time.
The vice president will coordinate all of the tutoring activities.
At the end of the year, this officer will coordinate the distribution of the honor cords.
Completes the badging requirements for the Active Membership national microcredential.
Criteria for Chapter Membership (Article 4)
Membership in the Glen Ridge High School chapter is an honor bestowed on a student. Selection for membership is based both on academic accomplishment in English courses, as well as on overall academic achievement and reputation. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate high standards, including the maintenance of grades. Failure to do so will result in removal from membership.
Any NEHS member who transfers from another school and brings a letter of verification from the former principal or chapter advisor to the Glen Ridge NEHS chapter advisor will be automatically accepted as a member of the Glen Ridge High School chapter. Membership may not be determined, in any way, based on race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical (dis)ability. Establishment of the methods and procedures for the selection of members (must be consistent with national guidelines and is not subject to member approval) (Article 11)
Candidacy Requirements (Article 5)
Be rising juniors or seniors.
Candidates in a College Preparatory level English course must have achieved a grade point average of 3.75 (on a 4.0 scale) prior to induction as members.
Candidates in a Honors level English course must have achieved a weighted grade point average of 4.25 (on a 4.0 scale) prior to induction as members.
Candidates in an AP level English course must have achieved a weighted grade point average of 4.75 (on a 4.0 scale) prior to induction as members.
Essentially, you must have an A- in your respective English courses for acceptance.
*Applicants without a qualifying GPA cannot be considered.
Have a clean high school disciplinary record, including no plagiarism violations.
Demonstrate an enthusiasm for language arts. (In the application process this is a short essay that articulates involvement in past activities that promote reading, writing, and literacy.)
Procedures Following Acceptance (Article 6)
After receiving a letter of acceptance, to join the chapter, students are required to sign and submit a statement of commitment and pay their registration dues. This is a one-time membership fee that covers the national registration fee, honor cord, t-shirt, and/or chapter fees. Any student who has demonstrated financial need can ask for a waiver.
Junior applicants who receive letters of rejection can participate in many activities that improve their demonstration of enthusiasm for language arts and may choose to re-apply in their senior year.
An Induction Ceremony will take place each May.
Once students have been accepted and are inducted into the chapter, members must participate to maintain annual membership.
Annually, members must (Article 7)
Maintain A- grades in English classes, including college level courses (designated with AP or college course numbers.)
Participate in monthly NEHS meetings and events.
(NEHS events might include but are not limited to: Readings/Open Mics, Fundraising, Community Service, Donation Drives, Montclair Literary Festival Volunteerism, Lectures, Member Recruitment, Formal Ceremonies etc.)
*Understand that NEHS meetings are mandatory, and that failure to attend meetings can terminate membership (3 absences = probation, beyond 3 absences = membership terminated).
Submit three formal pieces of original writing to a contest, magazine, or scholarship per year of membership. This writing requirement may not be part of a regular college application and may not be a graded assignment recycled from a class. The advisor may ask the member to revise their work if the submission is not a reflection of quality and scholarship.
Maintain a clear disciplinary record, including plagiarism violations.
Document participation in NEHS by keeping a record of activities and writing submission.
Frequency of meetings and provisions for special sessions (Article 8)
Each chapter will have regular monthly meetings during the school year, on days designated by the executive committee and in accordance with school policy and regulations
The chapter president or other designated student leader may call special meetings of the chapter
Procedures for election and removal of officers and for filling vacancies (Article 9)
Election
Elections will be held in January each year. In order to run for office any member must have been nominated for a specific position by another Honor Society member.
Removal
Filling Vacancies
Method and procedure for ratification and amendment of the Bylaws (Article 10)
The Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the faculty advisory council or by mail (electronic or otherwise) by a majority affirmative vote of the faculty advisory council.