NHS Constitution
Bylaws of the Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Chapter of the National Honor Society
Updated April 2020
Article I - Name and Purpose
Section 1
· The name of this organization shall be the Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.
Section 2
· The purpose of this organization 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 the student members.
Section 3
· The Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Chapter of the National Honor Society shall be under the sponsorship and supervision of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Article II - Membership
Section 1
· Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
Section 2
· Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Graduate and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
Section 3 - Eligibility
A. Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class.
B. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance equivalent to one full semester (18 weeks) at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, except in the case of students transferring from another NEISD school, in which case this requirement may be waived.
C. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative GPA of an unweighted 90% or higher.
D. Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and GPA standard requirements, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character and must display an ongoing participation in school and community activities. Candidates who have been referred for disciplinary action and/or sent to an alternative campus setting (i.e. AHS) will not be eligible for membership within that school year.
Article III - Selection of Members
Section 1
· The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council consisting of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, nonvoting, ex officio member of the Faculty Council.
Section 2
· The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year.
Section 3 - Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
A. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
B. Students who are eligible scholastically (“candidates”) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Student Activity Information Form for further consideration for selection. This will be a “fillable” form available on the Johnson NHS website and must be printed upon completion, all necessary signatures acquired, and submitted to the NHS adviser for final review by the Faculty Council. The candidates shall provide the necessary information regarding his or her school and community activities, leadership, work experience, and awards/honors received.
C. The faculty staff at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter adviser. Faculty members of Claudia Taylor Johnson High School will be asked to submit comments regarding students’ qualifications for membership for any rating below a 3. All comments will be confidential for Faculty Council use only. To be considered, comments must be submitted in writing to the adviser.
D. The Faculty Council shall review the Student Activity Information Form and faculty evaluations in order to determine membership. The final selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council consisting of representative faculty members from the core disciplines as well as elective classes. The chapter adviser(s) shall be nonvoting member(s) of the Faculty Council.
Section 4
· The selection of new active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony. (Alternative or additional selection periods may be added if a special need or circumstance arises.)
Section 5
· First-time eligible Seniors at Johnson High School may be selected in the fall as new members and their official induction will take place in the first semester along with the other student inductees.
Section 6
· An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers out of Claudia Taylor Johnson High School will be given a letter indicating the status of his or her membership and signed by the principal or chapter adviser upon request of the member.
Section 7
· An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers into Claudia Taylor Johnson High School from another school and brings either a letter from the principal or chapter adviser or a copy of his/her NHS Certificate or membership card to Claudia Taylor Johnson’s NHS adviser will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements of the new chapter’s standards and GPA, thereafter, this member must maintain those requirements for this chapter in order to retain his or her membership. If the transfer student does not meet the grade point average (GPA) requirement for the Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Chapter, the student will have the same probationary rights as other members. (Inclusive of dues paid.)
Section 8
· Students not selected for membership are still eligible for consideration each time a selection process occurs as long as the candidate still has a grade point average of an unweighted 90 percent or higher. The complete process will be repeated each time.
ARTICLE IV: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 1
· Annual dues for this chapter shall be $20. Dues will be payable to the chapter within 14 days of acceptance in the chapter, or within 30 days after the start of school for returning members.
Section 2
· Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.
Section 3
· Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.
Section 4
· Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor stole at graduation.
Section 5 - Membership status
A. A member in good standing shall be a member who has satisfied and who continues to meet all requirements of the society.
i. A member in good standing shall maintain at least the minimum unweighted cumulative grade point average of a 90 or above.
ii. A member’s conduct shall be satisfactory both on and off the school campus.
iii. Members shall attend and be on time to all meetings. If attendance is not possible, a written explanation of non-attendance must be given to a chapter adviser within one week of the meeting time or it will be recorded as an “unexcused” absence. The adviser(s) make the final decision regarding whether the member is excused from the meeting.
iv. All members shall perform a minimum of six (6) individual community service hours each semester and provide proper documentation of community service on the official form. All members are expected to participate in group projects per semester (4 hours per semester and 8 for the year) obtaining no less than 10 hours of service per semester (20 per year), dedicated to NHS beginning at the start of School (August) until the end of School (May). Members must turn in their community service hour forms to an Adviser within ten (10) school days from which the community service was performed. Non-NHS community service must be pre-approved. Community service hours performed during the summer before the upcoming school year must be turned in by the end of August to an Adviser.
B. A member on probation shall be a member who has not satisfied all the requirements of the society. Following the receipt of written notification/email of probationary status, a member will be put on probation until the next semester deadline. A member will be given a grace period to complete all of his/her unmet requirements. If a member completes his/her unmet requirements by the end of the grace period, while also completing his/her current requirements, then he/she will be taken off probation, and good-standing status shall be reinstated.
i. If a member’s cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) falls below the standard in effect when he/she was selected, he/she shall be given written notification/email of probationary status and a grace period for improvement. If a member improves his/her cumulative grade point average to meet or exceed the standard in effect when he/she was selected by the end of the grace period, then GPA Probation shall be lifted.
ii. Offenders of the school conduct code may be placed on Conduct Probation.
iii. A member who has accumulated two unexcused absences (as described in Section 5.a.iii) from meetings shall receive written notification of probationary status. If a member does not accumulate another unexcused absence during the remaining of the school year, then Attendance Probation shall be lifted. Signing in tardy (within five meetings of the start) to a meeting will count as half credit towards meeting attendance. Two tardies will be equivalent to one “unexcused” absence. More than five minutes tardy will count as an unexcused absence.
iv. Members who have failed to perform and submit their community service hours by the service hour deadline shall receive written notification/email of probationary status and a grace period for improvement. If a member performs and submits his/her unmet community service hours by the end of the grace period, while also completing and submitting his/her current community service hour requirements on time, then Community Service Hour Probation shall be lifted.
Article V – Discipline and Dismissal
Section 1
· Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be considered for dismissal from the Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his or her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to his or her school or community.
Section 2 - Scholarship
· Membership will be maintained by sustaining the terms of membership as outlined in the National Honor Society handbook and the chapter bylaws as follows:
· A cumulative unweighted GPA of 90 percent or higher must be maintained. If a student’s GPA drops below a 90 percent at any given semester, the student will be given a written warning and considered on probation for one semester to bring the average up to the required 90 percent.
· If the GPA remains below a 90 percent at the end of the warning period, the student may be dismissed from the chapter.
· Grades will be checked at the end of the first quarter of each semester and warnings will be issued; official grade check will occur at the end of the semester.
Section 3 - Leadership
· Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absence, excessive tardiness, ISS, etc.) will receive written warning notification. A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council, student or parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal.
· The members will take and pass the district hazing test and have their parents sign the “Student/Parent Agreement” form. Students will be on probation until the hazing test is passed and parent signature form is turned in.
Section 4 - Character
· Flagrant violation of criminal law or school regulations can result in dismissal of a member. These violations include, but are not limited to: DWI, stealing, assault/fighting, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, smoking, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities.
Section 5 - Service
· All members shall perform a minimum of six (6) individual community service hours each semester and provide proper documentation of community service on the official form. All members are expected to participate in group projects per semester (4 hours per semester and 8 for the year) obtaining no less than 10 hours of service per semester (20 per year), dedicated to NHS beginning at the start of School (August) until the end of School (May).
· Members are expected to attend all meetings. After two (2) unexcused absences, members are issued a probationary status warning.
Section 6 - In all cases of pending dismissal:
A. The member will receive written notification/email from the adviser/faculty council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.
B. The member has the right to respond to the charge(s) against him/her at a hearing before the faculty council prior to any vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution). The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense either in person or via a written statement presented in lieu of the face-to-face hearing. Following the hearing, the faculty council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote of the faculty council is needed to dismiss any member.
C. The results of the faculty council vote will be presented to the principal for review, and then stated in a letter sent to the student and parents. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser.
D. The faculty council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards according to provisions of the school district discipline policies.
E. A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.
Section 7
· In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.
Article VI - Officers
Section 1
· The Executive Board of this chapter shall include the positions of president, vice president, community service chair, secretary, historian, publicity officer, and chapter Adviser(s).
Section 2
All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer. Officers shall be self-nominated juniors who have been members for one semester and have consistently maintained the requirements for good-standing membership. Nominees shall be interviewed by the Adviser(s) and be voted upon by active members of the chapter. All active members are eligible to give input. All nominees require positive teacher recommendations upon applying for officer positions. Members will receive the final approval of the sponsors to be elected to office.
Section 3
· Member input will take place by secret ballot.
Section 4
· Each nominee will describe his or her qualifications as to why he or she should be elected as an officer in an interview with the chapter Adviser(s).
Section 5 - The duties of the Executive Board shall be as follows:
A. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of the chapter and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions. The president shall also keep record of community service hours and communicate with members using Remind or other means of technology.
B. The first vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service, as well as facilitate the election of the officers.
C. The second vice president shall facilitate in the new member application process, assist the first vice president in the election of officers, as well as preside in the absence of the first vice president.
D. The community service chair shall facilitate in obtaining new service opportunities as well as organize and file community service hour forms.
E. The secretary shall keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence, including but not limited to PowerPoint presentations.
F. The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter, as well as organize and file community service hour forms.
G. The historian shall assist the vice president with the election of new officers, create monthly video scrapbooks of pictures and articles of NHS activities, as well as collect and take pictures of NHS members doing community service activities.
H. The parliamentarian shall ensure all meetings are run by the parliamentary procedure as well as organize and file community service hour forms.
I. The publicity officer shall publicize meeting dates and activities in the announcements and on the website, oversee the production and display of posters publicizing NHS functions, as well as submit announcements for the school overhead/Jag News and Remind.
Section 6
· An officer who fails to meet the condition of office may be asked by the adviser(s) to resign. Officers must be aware of the responsibilities to uphold the requirements of membership at all times. The explicit duties of the officers will be attached yearly to the bylaws.
Section 7
· Any officer who fails to perform the duties described in these by-laws may be removed from the Executive Board. Parliamentary procedure will be used at dismissal hearings of officers to be removed from office but only at officer meetings or at another time scheduled with the Adviser(s). Causes for removal and/or expulsion include, but are not limited to, failure to perform required duties, failure to maintain the standards establish for induction, failure to earn enough participation points, conduct that impugns the reputation of the National Honor Society or Claudia Taylor Johnson High School.
Section 8
· If the Executive Board ever falls below five active members in good standing, the adviser(s) will appoint the next candidate with the highest number of votes. If no candidates remain, an interview will be held with interested candidates to decide who will fill those vacancies. The adviser(s) have the final decision when filling Executive Board vacancies.
Article VII – Executive Committee
Section 1
The executive committee shall consist of the faculty adviser(s) and the chapter officers.
Section 2
The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter, but any action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.
Article VIII - Meetings
Section 1
A. Meetings of the Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Chapter will be held monthly. Special meetings can be called by the president with approval of the adviser.
B. Meeting times will be scheduled in a manner such that a member can opt to attend either a morning or an afternoon meeting.
C. No chapter business shall be in conflict with the National Honor Society Constitution, school regulations, local, or federal law.
Section 2
A. Attendance at monthly meetings is mandatory. All chapter members are expected to attend all regularly scheduled chapter meetings.
B. Excused absences will include but may not be limited to the following: absence from school on that day, whether it is due to a medical reason, school-sponsored trip, or family trip/emergency, or by a written note from a staff member. All absences must be cleared with one of the advisers beforehand, otherwise the absence will be considered unexcused within seven (7) days.
C. After two (2) unexcused absences, members will receive probationary status. After the third unexcused absence a meeting with the Faculty Council will take place, and dismissal will be considered at that time.
D. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be dismissed from the Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.
Article VIII - Activities
Section 1
· The chapter shall carry out at least two service projects annually.
Section 2
· All members shall regularly participate in these projects.
Section 3
· These projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community; have the support of the administration and the faculty; be appropriate and educationally defensible; and be well planned, organized, and executed.
Section 4
· Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project that reflects his or her particular talents and interests and as approved by the chapter adviser(s). This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.
· A total of at least 10 individual service hours per semester must be completed by each member.
Section 5
· The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.
Article IX – Emblem
Section 1
· Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall have the privilege of wearing the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.
Section 2
· Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter. (The chapter will reimburse NHS expenses incurred by the student).
Section 3
· Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the collar-style stole bearing the National Honor Society insignia at graduation.
The purchase of this stole shall incur an additional expense to each member, and is therefore, optional.
Article X - Scholarship Nomination Procedures
Section 1
· The faculty council will meet to discuss nomination of two seniors who exhibit outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character to compete in the National Honor Society Scholarship Awards Program.
· Each nominee will complete the Scholarship Selection Questionnaire.
· Nominees are also expected to write an essay on a topic assigned by the Scholarship Board.
· Teacher recommendations and the principal’s evaluation of the student are another part of the application.
Article XI – Powers
Section 1
· The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of the chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.
Section 2
· The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.
Section 3
· These bylaws are designed to amplify provisions of the national constitution and cannot contradict any components thereof. The chapter is obligated to adhere to the provisions of the national constitution in all activities it undertakes.
Article XII - Amendments
Section 1
· The adviser (s) and Faculty Council shall review the bylaws once annually to ensure that they are still suitable for chapter business.
· Bylaws may be amended at any time by the majority of the Faculty Council. To amend the bylaws, two-thirds of the chapter must vote in favor of the amendment. The exceptions are Articles III and IV (selection and discipline), which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal.
· All members will be informed of the bylaws and be responsible for upholding these in accordance with the National Honor Society rules. Copies are available from the adviser(s) upon request.
Section 2
· Bylaws and amendments must be consistent with the constitution of the National Honor Society.
AMENDMENTS:
Article VI Sections 1-8:
Addition of three officer roles – Parliamentarian, Community Service Chair, Publicity Officer to better serve the organization with specified roles.
Officer responsibilities amended and updated
Procedures for filling officer vacancies
Article VIII Section 2:
Executive Board changed to reflect the term “Faculty Council” with whom the members meet with upon dismissal hearings
Number 5 changed to 3 to reflect accurate number of unexcused absences members may have before a dismissal hearing is held
Revised: April 2020