• NHS By-Laws

     

    TIMBER CREEK REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

    BYLAWS

     

    As of September 2006

     

    ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

     

    The Timber Creek Regional High School National Honor Society members shall strive to demonstrate in their daily lives scholarship, leadership, strong character, and being of   service to both peers and the community at large.

     

    ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

     

    Section I. Invitation for NHS Membership Selection

     

    To be eligible for membership consideration the candidate must have been enrolled for a full semester prior to Junior or Senior year with a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.5000 or higher. The candidate should also demonstrate outstanding performance in leadership, service and character*.

     

    Section II. Selection Process

     

    Eligible students will receive an invitation to attend an informational meeting regarding membership for NHS. Interested candidates will submit their application (resume), which declares their intention to be considered for membership. The application (resume) must be turned in by the designated due date for membership consideration. All faculty/staff will have an opportunity to evaluate candidates in the area of character, leadership, and service. Once all information has been completed and collected, all forms including faculty evaluations will be presented to the Faculty Council. The Faculty Council will then vote on each candidate*#.

    *Local chapters may raise the cumulative GPA standard above the national minimum, or increase standards for the remaining selection criteria, apply them fairly and consistently, and include these standards in their locally published selection procedures.

    #Character: The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

     

    Section III. Notification

     

    The candidates will be notified in writing of their selection or non-selection. Candidates who are not selected may meet with the Adviser to gain insight as to why they were not selected.

     

    Section IV. Transfer NHS Members

     

    Transfer NHS students who wish to continue their membership at Timber Creek Regional High School must submit a letter (email) from the former Principal and/or NHS sponsor indicating their membership standing. All transfer students will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the Timber Creek Regional High School National Honor Society. Students who do not meet the requirements upon transfer will be on probation. To maintain membership, those on probation will have until the next semester’s grading period to meet eligibility requirements.

     

    Section V. Active Membership and Service

     

    Members become active at the Induction Ceremony, which marks his/her official membership in this NHS chapter. Members are encouraged to participate in all NHS sponsored activities throughout the school year.

     

    Section VI. Meetings

     

    All members are required to attend NHS meetings. Meetings shall be scheduled as necessary. In the case a member cannot attend a meeting; they are required to inform one of the Executive officers and/or the advisor preferably in writing. Members with excessive absences will be given a written letter explaining that their membership could be brought before the Faculty Council for a pre-dismissal hearing.

     

    Section VII. Attendance

     

    Attendance at all meetings is strongly encouraged. Students are allowed to miss up to 3 meetings per calendar year without penalty. Students with excessive absences will be given a warning letter explaining that their membership could be brought before the Faculty Council for a pre-dismissal hearing.

     

    Section VIII. Graduate Membership

     

    At graduation and upon completing all requirements, members will have a Graduate Membership status. Graduate members will no longer have a vote.

     

    Section IX. Probation, Dismissal, and Resignation

     

    Members who fail to maintain the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.50 will be placed on probation and will be given one semester to meet the requirement. Members who fail to meet the standards of leadership, service hours, membership responsibilities, and good character may be subject to warnings, probation and or other disciplinary actions which can lead up to dismissal. In cases of flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a warning is not required for dismissal. Members will be notified in writing of a dismissal meeting held by the Faculty Council. A member may attend the meeting in which his/her case will be discussed. Dismissed members must surrender any emblems of membership to the adviser. Members who wish to resign must submit their wishes in writing dated and signed by both student and parent. A student who is dismissed or who resigns is not eligible again for NHS membership.

     

    ARTICLE III. APPEAL PROCESS

     

    Section I. Non-Selected Students for NHS Membership

     

     Non-selected students should first meet with the Adviser to receive feed back on how the decision was made and provide direction to assist in reaching goals to be considered in the future. If the candidate or parent is not satisfied, the next level of discussion is with the Principal. If the Principal believes a technical or procedural mistake has been made, the Faculty Council may reconvene to review the situation.

     

    Section II. Dismissal Cases

     

    Students who have been dismissed from membership by the Faculty Council may appeal to the school Principal.

     

    ARTICLE IV. FACULTY COUNCIL

     

    The Faculty Council is composed of 5 voting faculty members appointed by the school Principal. The chapter adviser is a non-voting sixth member of the Faculty Council. Faculty members who have children in the classes of eligible candidates will not be eligible to serve on the council. The term is one year. Members may serve consecutive terms.

     

    ARTICLE V. OFFICERS

     

    Section I. Office Positions

     

    Officers will hold their offices for one year. The Executive Office positions will include: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. A majority vote by the Chapter’s members is necessary to elect any officer to the Executive Office. If the first vote does not yield a majority, a second vote shall be taken of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes

    A. President

    The President’s responsibilities include the following:

    • Set organizational goals for the year

    • Help to organize, speak, and oversee Induction Ceremony

    • Oversee all committees and attend the committee meetings

    • Encourage and inspire members to put forth their best efforts

    • Review meeting attendance and service hours of members

    • Meet with adviser regularly

    • Prepare typed meeting agendas and keep a filed copy in the NHS office

    • Run the meetings according to the agenda and help to keep everyone on

       task

    • Prepare and make announcements for meetings

    • Various other jobs as needed or requested by adviser

     

    B. Vice President

    The Vice President’s responsibilities include the following:

    • Works closely with the President

    • Assumes the president’s responsibilities when necessary

    • Help to organize, speak, and oversee Induction Ceremony

    • Assists the President in meeting agenda preparation

    • Work to establish peace among members

    • Prepare announcements for school and local newspapers of all activities

     

    C. Secretary

    The Secretary’s responsibilities include the following:

    • Takes attendance at all meetings.

    • Report member excuses for missed meetings and share with President

       and Vice Pres.

    • Take minutes of the proceeding of all meetings including the date and

       time of the meeting, who was present, and business conducted and by

       whom. Record the acceptance of the last meeting’s minutes

    • Set up a monthly tutoring schedule.

     

    D. Treasurer

    The Treasurer’s responsibilities include the following:

    • Record all expenses and revenues, document when, how much, and from

      who money has been collected and why.

    • Maintain an accurate and detailed financial record of all money collected

      and spent

    • Give advice on the raising of funds. Take into consideration the time

      spent raising money, the amount of money expected to raise, any cost

      affiliated with the project, etc.

    • Give advice on the spending of funds. Take into consideration the

      amount, other projects down the line that may require funds, other items

      we may need in the near future, if the item can be purchased cheaper

      elsewhere, or if there is a substitute.

    • Turns over any collected monies from fund raisers to Adviser

    • Make monthly financial reports to the membership and answer any

      questions

    • Work closely with the adviser

     

    Section II. Impeachment

     

    The Faculty Council may impeach any officer with a 4/5 vote with the approval of the adviser.

     

    ARTICLE VI. REVISION AND AMENDMENTS OF BY-LAWS

     

    Occasionally, the bylaws may have to be revised in which a committee must be formed to revise them. Only the Faculty Council may make revisions to the procedures for member selection, disciplining, and dismissal of members. (NHS Handbook page 15) Before revisions or amendments are voted upon, the entire chapter and Faculty Council shall

    review the proposed changes. Revisions and or amendments must pass a

    2/3 vote for acceptance.