Chapter Bylaws of the Chartiers Valley High School Chapter of the National Honor Society

Chapter Bylaws of the Chartiers Valley High School Chapter of the National Honor Society

Adopted 4/29/14

ARTICLE 1: NAME

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

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 Chartiers Valley High School.

ARTICLE III: POWERS

Section 1: The chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the NHS National Constitution. See

Section 2: The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.

Section 3: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal. (See Article V, Section 1 of the National Constitution.)

Section 4: 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, sex (gender), 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, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Honorary members are selected at the discretion of the Faculty Council. Graduate and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Section 3: Eligibility

1. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior or senior class.
2. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Chartiers Valley High School.
3. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.8 on a 4.5/5.0/5.5 scale.
4. Candidates eligible for selection must also be enrolled in at least one class at the honors, CIHS or AP level.
5. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

ARTICLE V: SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1: The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council which consists of at least five voluntary faculty members and select administration. The chapter advisor(s) shall be nonvoting, exofficio member(s) of the Faculty Council.

Section 2: The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year.

Section 3: Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

1. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
2. All students who are eligible scholastically shall be notified and asked to complete and submit a signature page and an Application for Membership for further consideration.
3. Members of the faculty shall be selectedby the candidate to evaluate them via the Faculty Recommendation Forms provided to the candidates.
4. Applications will be assessed on a rubric to determine if the candidates qualify for membership. Students must score a minimum of 15 points in order to qualify for membership. The scoring rubric is available for viewing on the National Honor Society link on the Chartiers Valley High School web site.
5. All candidates’ names will be submitted to the Principals for review. The candidate may not have more than two minor disciplinary infractions during the current school year to be eligible for admission to the National Honor Society. Major infractions,such as but not limited to those resulting in out of school suspension (those resulting in documented disciplinary action such as plagiarism, cheating, stealing, academic dishonesty) are reason to be denied admission to the National Honor Society, regardless of the school year in which they occurred, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the faculty council.

Section 4:Candidates will be notified of acceptance via a posted list on the National Honor Society page on the Chartiers Valley High School web site. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.

Section 5: An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from 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 to this school will be automatically accepted for membership into this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, this member must maintain those requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.

ARTICLE VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Section 1: Annual dues requirement can be satisfied by either paying $20 or selling two boxes of candy selected by the advisors.

Section 2: Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be granted the privilege of wearing the emblem to the chapter.

Section 3: Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall not be granted the privilege of wearing the emblem of the chapter.

Section 4:Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honors cords at graduation.

Section 5: Chapter members must actively participate in one (1) chapter fundraiser for a minimum of $30 or five hours of participation, one individual philanthropy project of a minimum of 10 hours,and one (1) chapter initiated philanthropy project per academic school year to remain in good standing. In order to receive credit for the completion of the individual philanthropy project students must complete the record form posted on the NHS page of the high school web site. This obligation must be met by May 1 of each school year. Members who fail to meet this requirement will be removed from the National Honor Society. Senior chapter members who are removed from NHSwill not be granted honor cords in the spring of their graduating year.

Section 6: Attendance at all monthly membership meetings is expected. If a member is absent, a valid written excuse is needed and must be given to the chapter secretary. Excuses must be turned in within one week of the meeting absence or the absence will be considered unexcused. More than two (2) unexcused absences in a semester or three (3) in an academic year will constitute probationary measures to be in effect until the member fulfills his/her required discipline. A letter will be issued from the chapter president to members who are on probation with the assigned discipline recovery option. Members will have 15 days from the date they receive the discipline assignment or they will be removed from the National Honor Society. Senior chapter members who are removed from NHS will not be granted honor cords in the spring of their graduating year.

Section 7: Active members are required to attend the Induction ceremony each year of membership. If a member is unable to attend, a valid written excuse is needed and must be given to the chapter secretary prior to the event.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

Section 1: The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. All officers are required to speak at induction on one of the four pillars of the National Honor Society.

Section 2: Student officers shall be elected in the spring of the school year. All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer and must complete the officer interest form located on the NHS high school website then email and give a hard copy to an advisor by the required deadline. A probable candidate must be willing to give a 2-3 minute speech in front of the membership at the meeting on the day of elections. If a probable candidate is ill or absent, they may remain on the ballot, but will not be given an opportunity to issue a speech to the membership.

Section 3: Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote of 50% or more of the membership shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. Faculty council is also permitted to vote.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the president to preside and open the meetings of the chapter, and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions. He/ she will also be actively involved in membership requests and needs with the building principal(s) and faculty council.He/she will keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership. He/she will assist where needed with the obligations of the other executive council members.

Section 5: The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also organize and manage the chapter tutoring program. He/she will also assist the secretary with the management of membership attendance and any membership probation.

Section 6: The secretary shall keep the official record of minutes and attendance from each meeting. He/she will also be responsible for all official correspondence and posting of membership meetings in the bulletin and through signage, at least one week in advance of the membership meeting.

Section 7: The treasurer shall keep the official record of business expenses, dues and all other financial transactions of the chapter.He/she will also provide statements of account to the membership at all meetings. He/she will issue letters of obligation to those members who have not fulfilled their financial obligation to the chapter.

Section 8: Members of the Chapter Board will consist of non-elected candidates for the executive council, per their agreement, as well as three (3) underclassmen representatives. Board members will be entitled to participate in executive council discussion and voting for policy changes/modifications, fundraising and philanthropy events. Board members are expected to assist in facilitating various activities within the membership. They will also be appointed to chair committees as deemed necessary by the Board, including but not limited to the Scholarship Committee and as the Chapter Historian.

Section 9: If an officer is removed from the National Honor Society due to any chapter membership policy violations, the next runner up from the election will step in to the position, except in the case of President, in which the Vice President will become the President and the next runner up for President will assume the Vice President role.

Section 10: If a board member is failing to meet participation expectations, meeting attendance, and/or assigned tasks, they will be required to meet with the advisors and executive board to discuss the situation. The advisors and executive board will then meet with the whole board and vote whether or not the board member in question should be removed from the board. Removal requires a 2/3 majority vote from the officers and board members.

Section 11: Officers and faculty advisor(s) shall collectively be known as the chapter’s Executive Council.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

Section 1: Regular meetings of this chapter shall be monthly beginning in September of the school year. Special meetings can be called by the president with the approval of the advisor(s). Attendance will be taken at any non-regularly scheduled meeting, but will not count against a member if absent. However, it may be used to assist a probationary member to regain qualifying status.

Section 2: This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 3: Members are expected to attend all chapter meetings.

ARTICLE IX: ACTIVITIES

Section 1: The chapter shall determine two or more service projects for each year.

Section 2: All members are required to participate in at least one of 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: Members shall also complete one individual service project that includes a minimum of 10 hours of service.

Section 5: These projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community, be appropriate and educationally defensible, be completed in through a reputable agency, non-profit organization, religious institution, etc., and be well-planned, organized and executed.

Section 6: Members will receive credit for completion of this requirement upon completing the form posted on the NSH page on the High School web site and submitting it to the Chapter Board prior to May 1 of each school year.

Section 7:The chapter shall publicize and promote its projects in a positive manner. The Chapter Historian will facilitate the gathering of information and publicizing of these projects. Individual members may also submit information about their activities to be publicized by the Chapter.

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 Chartiers Valley 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 in his/her school and community.

Section 2: If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below the standard in effect when he/she was selected, which is a 3.8 as of the 2012-2013 school year, he/she will be given a written warning and one semester in order to improve. If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the warning period the student will be immediately dismissed from the chapter.

Section 3: Violations of the law or school regulations will result in immediate consideration of your dismissal from the CV National Honor Society Chapter. 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 and be assigned discipline by the NHS board.. A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council of student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member will be considered for dismissal.

Section 5: In all cases of pending dismissal:

1. The member will receive written notification from the advisor(s)/Faculty Council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.
2. The member has the right to request an opportunity 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 written statement presented in lieu of the face-to-face hearing. The member may waive the right to the hearing by submitting a letter with his/her signature and the signature of a parent or guardian. Following the hearing, the Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote is needed to dismiss any member.
3. 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. The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to administration.
4. 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 upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of the Executive Council, a majority vote of the Faculty Council, and approval by the administration.

Section 2: These bylaws shall be reviewed and if necessary revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document. They may be revised sooner if deemed necessary by the advisor(s) and/ or the Chapter Board.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Executive 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, which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal (selection and discipline).

Approved on:______