Bylaws

To maintain your membership in the NHS, you must adhere to the requirements of our chapter and National bylaws.  Failure to comply with these requirements will result in dismissal from the NHS.  

Bylaws

The following F. A. Verplanck Chapter of the National Honor Society bylaws are used in conjunction with the guidelines found in the NHS Constitution, Version 7.1.08.  A copy can be obtained at http://www.nhs.us/.

Article 1: Mission Statement

The Manchester High School chapter of the National Honor Society  seeks to inspire its members to do their best in all areas of life. We seek to strengthen the four pillars of the National Honor Society by exemplifying  scholarship and leadership, exhibiting strong character and being of service to  our peers and the community at large. We not only strive to honor our own, but  to be a positive role model for other individuals and provide civic service to the community.

Article 2: Service 

For each school quarter, members are required to perfom three hours of chapter sponsored activities and three hours of community service of their own choice for a total of six hours.   Service hours must be recorded by members and verified by an adult's signature.  Quarterly reports of community service are due to the advisor no than the day grades close (refer to the MHS Student Handbook for specific dates).   

- If hours are not submitted, then a written warning will  be issued.

- If a member fails to hand in hours at any other time during the  year the member's name and his/her offense will be forwarded to the faculty council to discuss continue membership in the NHS.

Article 3: Leadership

Members are also encouraged to participate in at least one leadership development experience. Members will be notified of potential leadership events and be given several opportunities to take part.  Leadership activities can be recorded along with their quarterly service hours.

Article 4: Scholarship

Members are obligated to maintain an excellent academic record  including an 8.0 GPA throughout the year. If the GPA drops below 8.0 during the year, the member in question will receive a notification. The member will be given a semester to reach the minimum GPA of 8.0. If the member fails to reach 8.0, he or she will get a written warning. This warning is similar to the warning received when hours are not handed in and may lead to the member's name and his/her offense being forwarded to the faculty council to discuss continued membership in the NHS.

Article 5: Character

Members not only represent the National Honor Society but also  Manchester High School, therefore all members are required to uphold the name of both organizations and display exemplary citizenship.  If your behavior in school requires disciplinary action, your membership may be revoked.

Article 6: Attendance

Members are expected to attend all meetings, which will be held  on the first Wednesday of every month.  The last meeting for seniors will be held in May.   There will be a June meeting for all juniors and NHS officers to discuss the upcoming year and elect new officers. If a member misses three meetings a warning will be issued on the third absence. The warning is similar to the warning received when hours are not handed in and may lead to the member's name and his/her offense being forwarded to the faculty council to discuss continued membership in the NHS.

Article 7: Dues

Annual dues for this chapter shall not exceed $10.00 per year.  Membership will not be denied due to a member's inability to pay.

Article 8: Discipline and Dismissal

Members who fall below the standards that were the basis for their selection shall be promptly warned in writing by the chapter advisers and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency, except that in the case of fragrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a member does not necessarily have to be warned (Article X, Section 2, National NHS Constitution).  Students who fail to meet the expectations stated in the above articles may be  asked to relinquish their membership in the Verplanck Chapter of the NHS.

Written warnings whether for lack of participation, attendance, missing  community service hours, or any other offense will be given to the member and the member's parents or guardians.  Reasonable time will be given to members to correct their infractions. Upon issuing of the second warning, a member's name and offenses will be forwarded to the Faculty Council for consideration of dismissal.  For seniors, all obligations much be completed by the May meeting.  In all cases of pending dismissal, a member shall have a right to a  hearing before the Faculty Council.  For purposes of dismissal, a majority vote of the Faculty Council is required.

A member who has been dismissed may appeal the decision of the Faculty Council to the principal and therefore under the same rules for disciplinary appeals in the school district.  The National Council and NASSP shall hear no appeals in dismissal cases. Students will be allowed to appeal these actions, and should the Faculty Council agree to maintain membership any additional offense will result in immediate dismissal from the NHS. No warning will be issued. Once a member is dismissed, he/she is never again eligible for membership in the NHS. All decisions of the Faculty Council and Advisors are final.

Article  9: Conclusion

Decisions of the NHS advisors and Faculty Council are final. Any situations not included  in these bylaws that are still deemed harmful or negative in any way will be brought before these groups and discussed.

Rev. 2020