Brantley County High School
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Brantley County High School |
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National Honor Society By-laws
R. D. Thomas Chapter
Of the
National Honor Society
The R. D. Thomas Chapter of the National Honor Society is for the recognition of students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of academics, character, leadership and service.
Selection Procedure
Membership
Membership in the National Honor Society is not a right, but a privilege. Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student because he has demonstrated qualities of excellence in the areas of leadership, service, character, and scholarship. A member must continue to demonstrate the qualities for which he was selected.
Members must continue to maintain at least a 90 cumulative GPA. Grade averages are monitored every semester to determine that this requirement is met. If a student’s GPA falls below the required 90, he will be placed on probation and give a period of one semester to restore the cumulative GPA to a 90. Failure to maintain this standard will result in dismissal. Graduating seniors will have their GPA evaluated at the end of the third nine weeks rather than at the end of the semester. Those seniors in good standing at the end of the graduating semester will have earned the right to wear the honor cords of the National Honor Society.
Members must continue to demonstrate excellence in character. Should a student’s character become questionable due to disciplinary problems, reports of poor attitude, or honesty problems such as cheating, that student will be placed on probation. Should the student fail to correct the behavior and continue to manifest the problem, the student will be recommended for dismissal to the Faculty Council.
Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership. A failure to pay dues by the due date will be considered a resignation unless a valid excuse is given and accepted by the Faculty Council.
Members are expected to participate in all National Honor Society meetings and activities. Realizing that conflicts arise, members may be excused from meetings with a valid excuse, but must attend a majority of the meetings, and are required to participate in at least 75% of the activities each year. Members fulfilling these responsibilities will be considered in good standing. Sophomores and juniors in good standing will earn National Honor Society pins or patches that will be awarded in the spring. Seniors in good standing will earn the right to wear the National Honor Society honor cords during commencement exercises.
Members are expected to keep a community service log to keep track of the service projects completed outside of National Honor Society. Students should complete at least 30 hours of community service a year on their own in addition to what is completed by National Honor Society (revised 4/2005---in 2006-07 40 hours will be required, in 2007-2008 50 hours will be required).
Probation
A student who has not maintained the described membership requirements or who has failed to maintain the standards of excellence for which he was selected will be placed on probation.
Probation is a warning given by the sponsor that the student’s membership is in jeopardy. The warning is written and must be signed by the student and a parent or guardian to insure that both are aware of the possibility of dismissal.
The intention of the probation notice is to enable the student to make up the deficiency for which he was placed on probation. The student will be given a reasonable amount of time to improve his performance to the required standard. For example, if a student’s GPA falls below the required 90, the student will have one semester t bring the average up to the required standard.
In the case of disciplinary referrals or behavioral problems, the student will be given a warning by the sponsor. The Faculty Council will review the student’s records on the second occurrence. The student will face the possibility of dismissal from the organization.
The exception to probation may occur in the case of flagrant violation of school, civil or criminal law. The National Constitution of National Honor Society states that in such cases the student does not necessarily have to be warned before dismissal occurs. This would be decided by the Faculty Council.
Dismissal
A student who has not maintained the NHS membership requirements will be promptly warned and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency and to complot the probation period. An exception to this rule may occur in the case of flagrant violation of school, civil, or criminal law. In such a case, the student does not necessarily have to be warned.
In all cases of impending dismissal, the student has the right to a hearing before the Faculty Council. The parent of a student recommended for dismissal will be notified when the recommendation for dismissal is made by the sponsor to the Faculty Council.
Members who are dismissed are never again eligible for membership. The membership card, certificate, pin or patch must be returned to the sponsor upon dismissal.
Dues
Dues are ten dollars and are payable to the treasure or sponsor and must be paid by the second meeting of the year. Dues go toward chapter expenses such as pins, ribbons, induction supplies, graduation cords, and expenses of various service projects.
Membership Awards
Sophomore or junior members in good standing will be awards NHS membership pins or patches in the spring. A member will be considered in good standing if dues have been paid, membership requirements have been met, and they are not on probation.
Graduation Cords
Members in good standing at the time of graduation will receive NHS honor cords to wear over their graduation gown. A member will be considered in good standing if dues have been paid, membership requirements have been met, and they are not on probation.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OFFICERS
Officers are elected in the spring semester and installed in the fall. All officers are expected to:
1) attend all meetings—executive and general;
2) participate in the induction of new members;
3) oversee and assist projects; and
4) notify the sponsor should problems occur.
The President must be a senior with a minimum of one year of membership. The President will:
1) oversee, direct, organize, and represent the chapter;
2) call meetings;
3) direct the induction ceremony;
4) meet with the sponsor weekly.
The Vice-President must be a senior with a minimum of one year of membership. The Vice-President will:
1) act in the President’s absence;
2) perform specific duties delegated by the president;
3) administer the election of officers in the spring.
The Secretary must have at least one year prior membership. The Secretary will:
1) take minutes;
2) conduct correspondence, such as induction invitations and thank you notes;
3) help maintain attendance records.
The Treasurer must have at least one year prior membership. The Treasurer will:
1) collect, record and turn monies into the sponsor for deposit;
2) help maintain attendance records;
The Reporter must have at least one year prior membership. The Reporter will:
1) write articles for the school and local newspapers to inform the school and community of chapter activities;
2) publicize service projects.
Any officer who does not perform his duties will be removed from that office, and an acting officer will be named.
NHS Scholarship
Each year two seniors are selected by the membership to apply for the National Honor Society Scholarship sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. These are $1,000 scholarships awarded to over 250 NHS Seniors nationwide. Each school is allowed to nominate only two people. The applications are forwarded to the National Selection Committee for consideration.