ARTICLE I:  NAME 

The name of this chapter shall be the Seymour High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this 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 students of Seymour High School.

ARTICLE III: POWERS

Section 1. This chapter at Seymour High School (SHS) operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the National Constitution of NHS. See www.nhs.us/constitutions. In addition, this chapter will maintain active affiliation with the national organization on an annual basis.

Section 2. Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the Principal per Article V, Section 1 of the National Constitution.  In addition, the Principal appoints the Chapter Advisor(s), who also act as ex-officio members of the Faculty Council. Chapter Advisor(s) and Faculty Council members may serve consecutive terms.

Section 3. The Chapter Advisor(s) shall be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the SHS chapter and act as liaisons among the faculty, administration, students, and community. The Chapter. Adviser(s) shall regularly review each student member for compliance with NHS standards and obligations.

Section 4. The Faculty Council shall consist of five voting faculty members appointed annually by the Principal. The Faculty Council shall meet at least once a year to review the procedure of the chapter, to select members, and to consider non-selection, dismissal, other disciplinary actions, and warning cases. The Faculty Council will develop and revise, when necessary, all chapter procedures for selection, discipline, and dismissal of members, all of which must remain in compliance with the national guidelines. 

Section 5. Nondiscrimination. 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, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation 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 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 and alumni.  Active members become alumni members at graduation. Alumni members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Section 3.  Eligibility:

Candidates shall have been enrolled at least one full semester at Seymour High School. 

Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be rising juniors or seniors.

Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of an unweighted 87. 

Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

Descriptors used to assess students’ qualification for NHS chapter membership are published and made available to faculty when they consider the students for selection. (SEE APPENDIX A) 

Section 4. Responsibility: Members are choosing to join an organization that provides service to SHS, the Seymour Public School district, and the local community. 

ARTICLE V:  SELECTION OF MEMBERS  

Selection Process 

Section 1. Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon a student: it is a privilege, not a right. The NHS National Constitution requires the election of society members by the Faculty Council to be based equally upon outstanding scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The Faculty Council's judgments are based on the information provided by the students as instructed in their candidate packet, and the Council’s knowledge of the candidate. The Council reserves the right to deny membership to candidates on the basis of major disciplinary infractions. No candidate will be eligible for membership unless all the required forms are submitted by the specifically posted date. Special circumstances may be considered by the Faculty Council at their discretion. Selection for membership is by a majority vote of the Faculty Council. Once selected, members are required to continue to demonstrate all qualities considered for their selection. 

Section 2. The Seymour High School Chapter of NHS will begin the annual selection process of new active members during the summer and hold the annual induction ceremony in the fall of each year. To initiate the selection process, the Advisor(s) will request an alphabetical list of candidates meeting the GPA requirement and in attendance for a minimum of one semester at SHS. 

Section 3. Students determined eligible for NHS membership will be notified via their school email (@students.seymourschools.org) inviting them to join the National Honor Society Selection Google Classroom. All information, which includes forms that the student must submit by specific dates in order to be considered for membership, will be found on the Classroom page. Students are encouraged to check with their counselors and an NHS Chapter Advisor if they feel that their names have been omitted from the list. Current candidate forms will also be posted on the Seymour Schools website and Seymour High School Student Handbook. 

Section 4. Candidates are required to access and read the National Constitution and the Seymour High School Chapter Bylaws on the Seymour Schools website and Seymour High School Student Handbook. Candidates may receive a printed copy upon request from a Chapter Advisor. 

Section 5. All rising juniors and seniors eligible for NHS membership based on their GPA will be notified during the summer that they have met the initial eligibility requirement to be considered for NHS. In the email, these students will be reminded to complete their Community Service Hour Form, which must be submitted by the end of the Friday after Labor Day. Candidates must have completed at least thirty (30) service hours that cannot be signed by a relative in the academic year prior to their application for membership. Students who have met the GPA and Community Service Hour thresholds will be given a Teacher Recommendation Form. They will have two weeks to obtain five (5) teacher recommendations and have the forms submitted to the NHS Advisor(s).  The recommendations must come from the students’ teachers from the previous two academic years. Students also have the option to obtain additional recommendation forms from up to three (3) outside adults, who are not related to the student.  These will allow students to showcase their leadership and character traits not observed in the classroom.  In addition, students will complete a student information form and submit it to the NHS Selection Google Classroom. Candidates are required to submit all candidate materials by the firm and posted deadlines (usually in the last two weeks of September). By completing, signing, and submitting the candidate forms, the candidate acknowledges and complies with the requirements outlined in the Bylaws.

Section 6. The Faculty Council shall review the candidates’ submissions and other relevant information to select the candidates that fully meet the selection criteria for membership. The Faculty Council shall consider activities and information that have occurred during the high school years of enrollment only. If any questions remain about a student, members of the committee may choose to ask the student’s past and present teachers, advisors, and/or coaches for more information. A vote of the Faculty Council will take place after all information has been reviewed. Candidates with a majority vote (three out of five) will be selected. All Faculty Council decisions will be FINAL.

Section 7. Both teacher and student submitted materials are shredded six weeks after the induction ceremony for which the selection process occurred.

Section 8. Students or parents having questions regarding the NHS selection process requirements are encouraged to contact the Chapter Advisor(s). 

Notification of Faculty Council Decisions 

Section 9. Prior to notification of any candidates, the Chapter Advisor(s) shall review with the Principal the results of the Faculty Council’s deliberations. Prior to mailing selection letters out, the Chapter Advisor(s) will meet individually with the non-selected students and explain the reasoning for the non-selection decision. The Chapter Advisors will explain how these non-selected students can improve their scholarship, character, leadership and/or service standing in order to make them a better candidate for the next selection process.

Section 10. After each non-accepted student has met with the Chapter Advisor(s), letters of invitation will be sent to each accepted student’s home. 

Induction Process 

Section 11. A proper and serious Induction Ceremony is held at SHS, during which students receive certificates, and are sworn in by the Principal and/or Chapter Advisor. The ceremony is performed by current members for the new members and their invited guests. Upon induction, candidates are NHS members. 

Section 12. An active member of the NHS who transfers from this school will be provided, upon request, an official letter indicating the status of his/her membership. 

Section 13. An active NHS member who transfers to SHS will automatically be accepted for membership in the Seymour High School Chapter upon documentation of membership in good standing from the previous school. A transfer member must meet and maintain the eligibility requirements within one semester. 

Appeals Process 

Section 14. If a student or parents/guardians have questions pertaining to non-selection, they must first contact the Chapter Advisor(s). Should students or parents still not be satisfied, the next level of discussion should take place with the Principal. Appeals of membership selection, if for valid reasons, must be taken to the NHS Advisor and the SHS Principal in writing within two weeks of the date of the letter of non-selection. The Principal will hear appeals on a case-by-case basis, and will make decisions as he or she sees fit. 

Section 15. Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership or benefits. Notice of dismissal will be indicated on the annual report submitted to the national organization at the end of the school year. 

ARTICLE VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS 

Section 1.  Annual dues for this chapter shall be $20 per member payable to the chapter treasurer thirty days after induction.  Membership will not be denied to anyone who is unable to pay dues.  Monies received from the collection of member dues shall be used for NHS business exclusively.

Section 2. Participation in fundraising projects necessary to raise funds for service projects, induction ceremony, NHS Scholarship, gifts to school and/or community, etc., is expected. 

Section 3. NHS members are required to maintain the same level of performance in all criteria that led to their selection, including scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Those members who fail to meet these requirements are notified with a probationary status letter and are expected to comply by a specified date. Members who fail to meet this deadline may be dismissed from NHS.

Section 4.  Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.

Section 5. The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner. 

Section 6. All members are actively and consistently performing community service. Active members are required to provide twenty  hours of service each academic year (five hours per quarter). 

Section 7. Members who fulfill all obligations of membership will be provided NHS stole for their SHS graduation ceremony.

ARTICLE VII:  OFFICERS

Section 1.  The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, media representative, and two junior representatives.

Section 2.  

Elections for the offices of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and media representative shall occur at the last meeting of each school year.  The meeting is run by the current senior officers.  All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer.  The member shall present a one-to-two-minute speech. Candidates must be present at the election meeting to run for office.  

Sometime after the induction ceremony, a meeting designated for election of the junior representative officers, as well as any vacant offices, is held. The meeting is run by the current senior officers.  Any active member can run for office. The member shall present a one-to-two-minute speech. Candidates must be present at the election meeting to run for office. 

Section 3.  Election is carried out by official secret ballot. The candidate receiving the most votes will serve the following academic year in that position. 

Section 4.  President shall include but are not limited to: 

• Organize, plan and lead to ensure the overall success of the chapter. 

• Plan regular meetings and prepare. 

• Post agendas for the officers and members. 

• Preside at all meetings of this chapter and represent the chapter at public occasions. 

• Appoint necessary committees and delegate responsibilities to members as necessary 

• Work with the chapter advisor(s) to plan a calendar of activities for the upcoming year. 

• Coordinate the planning & implementation of the induction ceremony and reception. 

• Meet with interested collaborators/sponsors. 

• Ensure that the chapter fulfills all chapter standards. 

• Ensure all officers’ tasks are conducted and complete. 

• Meet/Update/Present chapter status to advisor(s) monthly. 

• Share in the responsibilities of planning, informing, conducting, implementing all aspects, and coordinating service projects and record all N.H.S. members in attendance. 

• Participate in planning and implementing the induction ceremony and reception. 

• Presides over induction ceremonies.

• Coordinate the planning & implementation to effectively market national honor society by producing monthly correspondence highlighting at least 3 students in the community and or community service.

• Coordinate the planning & implementation to present at the board of education at least twice a year an outline of community service completed by National Honor Society members.

• Coordinate the planning & implementation to create at least 1 charity event a year run by National Honor Society as agreed upon with the National Honor Society advisor.

• Coordinate the planning & implementation of a peer tutoring program at SHS.

Section 5.  Vice President shall include but are not limited to: 

• Fulfill president’s duties in the absence of the president. 

• Help to determine the agenda for the meetings and assist the President in any executive actions. 

• Serve as the liaison for the tutoring program (working closely with the guidance department). 

• Keep attendance records at chapter meetings and record them on a spreadsheet. 

• Assist the president in coordinating activities to help the chapter fulfill all chapter standards. 

• Share in the responsibilities of planning, informing, conducting, implementing all aspects, and coordinating service projects and record all N.H.S. members in attendance. 

• Participate in planning and implementing the induction ceremony and reception. 

• Be the liaison for all at-large community service projects. 

• He or she will be the contact person for community organizations who are looking for volunteers, and will, in coordination with the President and the Chapter Advisor, arrange our chapter’s support for these events. 

• Assist in the coordination, planning & implementation to effectively market national honor society by producing monthly correspondence highlighting at least 3 students in the community and or community service.

• Assist in the coordination, planning & implementation to present at the board of education at least twice a year an outline of community service completed by National Honor Society members.

• Assist in the coordination, planning & implementation to create at least 1 charity event a year run by National Honor Society as agreed upon with the National Honor Society advisor.

• Assist in the coordination of the planning & implementation of a peer tutoring program at SHS.

Section 6.  Secretary shall include but are not limited to:

• Prepare an email list for correspondence with members. 

• Record and prepare the minutes of each executive committee and chapter meeting. 

• Minutes will be word-processed and sent to chapter advisor(s) in a timely fashion so that they can be posted on the chapter’s website. 

• Organize the binder/Google Drive for NHS to maintain order of attendance sheets, sign-up sheets, service project sheets, etc. Binder will be kept in the Chapter Advisor(s)’s room.

• Share in the responsibilities of planning, informing, conducting, implementing all aspects, and coordinating service projects and record all N.H.S. members in attendance Publicize service opportunities.

• Compose and send chapter correspondence as needed. 

• Prepare and submit announcements for all NHS activities and meetings. 

• Take attendance at all NHS meetings. 

• Maintain and update the NHS Bulletin Board on a weekly basis. 

• Record service activities of members. 

• Participate in planning and implementing the induction ceremony and reception. 

• Work with the historian to document yearly chapter events, projects, meeting agenda, etc keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence.

• Record, publish, and market national honor society by producing monthly correspondence highlighting at least 3 students in the community and or community service.

• Record, publish, and market national honor society peer tutoring.

Section 7.  The treasurer shall include but are not limited to:

• Assist in managing chapter funds with guidance from the Chapter Advisor(s). 

• Request and pick up treasurer’s report/account balance prior to each officers’ meeting 

• Keep the record of chapter expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter. 

• Submit monthly reports to the Chapter Advisor(s) including deposits, expenses, and a list of names of members who have not paid their dues. 

• Attend any event/meeting requiring money to be counted/sorted. 

• Receive chapter funds, maintain records, and submit funds to Chapter Advisor(s) for deposit into the NHS account. 

• Collect individual service hour records at chapter meetings. 

• Collect and record dues. 

• Maintain records of service projects on a spreadsheet and track member participation. 

• Share in the responsibilities of planning, informing, conducting, implementing all aspects, and coordinating service projects and record all N.H.S. members in attendance. 

• Participate in planning and implementing the induction ceremony and reception. 

Section 8. Historian shall include but are not limited to:

• Promote chapter activities in the SHS newspaper, as well as Principal’s Digest Website.

• Submit reports to the local media and school publications.

• Share in the responsibilities of planning, informing, conducting, implementing all aspects, and coordinating service projects and record all N.H.S. members in attendance.

• Keep the bulletin board current with activity information.

• Participate in planning and implementing the induction ceremony and reception.

• Keep a record (written, photographs, video, etc.) of all NHS activities and events. 

• Update members on chapter activities and inform the public of the chapter’s events.

• Work with the secretary to document yearly chapter events, projects, meeting agenda, etc.

Section 9. Junior Representatives shall include but are not limited to:

• Serve as a liaison for junior members, answering questions and encouraging participation in NHS activities.

• Assist the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian with tasks as needed, such as setting up for meetings, taking notes, or organizing materials.

• Shadow officers to gain insight into their responsibilities and develop leadership abilities for future roles.

• Assist in the planning and promoting service projects by gathering volunteers, setting up sign-up sheets, and assisting in event execution.

Section 10. Officers are under the supervision of the Chapter Advisor(s) and may be disciplined or dismissed from office for failure to perform the duties of the office or failing to remain in good standing. In the event of an office vacancy, the Faculty Council will appoint an officer for the remainder of the academic year. 

Section 11. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the chapter and the Chapter Advisor(s). NHS officers will meet at least once a month after school with the Chapter Advisor(s). The executive committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and 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.  In addition to elected positions, the Chapter Advisor(s) may appoint committee chairs or accept volunteers for the positions. Additional positions and committees may be created as the need arises. 

Section 12. The new officers together with the leadership team and new members plan the activities for the year. 

ARTICLE VIII:  MEETINGS

Section 1.  NHS members must attend advertised monthly chapter meetings. Meeting dates will be made available to chapter members at the start of the academic year.  A student will be marked “absent” for a meeting if he or she arrives more than five minutes late. 

Section 2:  Special committees may have meetings after school, where chapter members will be notified at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled meetings.

Section 3. When a member misses a meeting for any reason, including another school activity or sporting event, he or she is responsible for one additional service hour per meeting missed in that quarter. 

ARTICLE IX:  ACTIVITIES

Section 1. All members are REQUIRED to attend the annual NHS Induction Ceremonies held each fall. 

Section 2. Members of this chapter shall participate in school service projects each year. Such projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or larger community; have the support of the administration and the faculty; be appropriate and educationally defensible; and be well planned, organized and executed. 

Section 3. Each member shall have the responsibility to choose and to participate in an individual service project that reflects his or her particular talents and interest. This project is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.

Section 4. Each member is expected to complete five service hours per quarter. If service hours are incomplete, the member will make up those service hours in the next quarter. 

Section 5. Each member must participate in a minimum of one major fundraising activity per year. 

Section 6. NHS members may not receive payment, award, recognition, or earn a grade for service project hours. 

Section 7. If a member does not participate regularly in NHS sponsored activities and/or has poor attendance, he or she will be warned by written letter from the Executive Committee. If this problem should persist, the member shall then be declared inactive and the case will be sent to the Faculty Council for possible dismissal. 

Section 8. Students or parents having questions regarding the NHS membership requirements are encouraged to contact the Chapter Advisor(s). 

ARTICLE X:  DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL of MEMBERS

Section 1.  A member of NHS is expected to maintain his or her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership in his or her school and community. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service, which were the basis for their selection to the Seymour High School Chapter, shall be promptly warned in writing, placed on probation, and given one academic quarter to correct the deficiency. If the obligation remains unmet at the end of the probationary period, he or she will be issued another letter and his or her case shall be passed upon the Faculty Council, at which time the Council may decide to extend another academic quarter of probation or may decide to cancel the student’s membership.

Section 2.  Students are expected to maintain their academic honesty. Cheating is considered academic dishonesty, and may call into question a student’s continued membership in NHS. 

Section 3.  Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of a member (see Section 5 below).  These violations include, but are not limited to DWI, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities or in the community.

Section 4.  Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written warning notification.  A conference may be requested by either party (faculty council or student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal.

Section 5.  Chapter officers, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their positions as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the faculty council.

Section 6. In all cases of pending dismissal:

The member will receive written notification indicating the reason for possible dismissal from the Chapter Advisor(s) or Faculty Council. The member and the Chapter Advisor(s) will discuss the written notification in a conference. Situations that involve flagrant violations of school rules or the law can warrant disciplinary action without a written warning, although a hearing must still be held. 

The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge against him or her at a hearing before the Faculty Council prior to the vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution). The member may choose to present his or her case via a written statement in lieu of a face-to-face hearing. The Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member. 

The results of the Faculty Council vote will be reviewed by the Principal, and then, if confirmed, expressed in a letter sent to the student and parents/guardians. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the Chapter Advisor(s). 

The Faculty Council's decision may be appealed to the building Principal and afterwards through the school district discipline policy. 

When a student is dismissed or resigns, he or she is no longer a member and may not be reconsidered for membership in the same or any other Chapter of NHS. 

Section 7.  In lieu of dismissal, the faculty council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE XI: RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, and REVIEW

Section 1: 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. Each chapter shall write bylaws to amplify sections of the NHS National Constitution and to clarify operating procedures of the chapter. Bylaws do not need the approval of NASSP.

Section 2: These Bylaws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote of all active chapter members, a majority vote of all Faculty Council members, and approval by the administration. The exceptions are Articles V and X (selection and discipline), which are approved by a two-thirds vote of only the Faculty Council with the approval of the Principal. 

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Faculty Council, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to members at least one month prior to the vote. The exceptions are Articles V and X (selection and discipline), which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the Principal.