The information in this handbook is considered to be the by-laws of this chapter of the National Honor Society. It is the responsibility of the members and their parents to familiarize themselves with the contents of this handbook.

Constitution for the National Honor Society

Silver Lake Regional High School
2009-2010

Principal:  Mr. Richard Kelley

Adviser:
          Mrs. Frances Pruyn

Faculty Council:
          Mr. Sean Lyman
          Ms. Tracy MacDonald
          Ms. Jane McIntire
          Ms. Megan Roberts
          Mr. John Towner

Table of Contents

Chapter By-Laws and Procedures
            Faculty Council
            Function of the Executive Committee
            NHS Officer Elections
            Function of the Officers
            Membership
            Leadership
            Service
Academics
Character
            Interview
            Induction
            Three Levels of Discipline
            NHS Meetings

National Honor Society Service Activities
            Tutorial Program
            Teacher Appreciation Luncheons
            Service Projects

Dues
Requirements as Members
Scholarships
NHS File
Amendments

NHS Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Silver Lake National Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service to school and community, to promote leadership, and to encourage the development of character in the students of Silver Lake Regional High School.

Chapter By-Laws and Procedures

Faculty Council

            The Faculty Council consists of five members and the faculty advisers. The advisers chair meetings, and collect and present information at these meetings. The advisers, functioning as student advocates, do not vote on the issues presented to the council.
            The five faculty members are responsible for the decision making process. The Council elects National Honor Society members, approves the by-laws and establishes the policies under which the Honor Society members must function. They also award the National Honor Society scholarships and select honorary members to the chapter.
            This council may occasionally meet with the officers to establish rapport between the two groups as well as to receive the officers input on matters of policy.

Function of the Executive Committee

            The Executive Committee consists of the officers and the chapter adviser. Periodically the Executive Committee will meet. These meetings provide the officers with an opportunity to discuss on-going projects and upcoming events, and to update the adviser on current activities. Members will be informed during regular meetings of all duties and activities.

Membership

Criteria for membership:

• sophomore, junior or senior
• 3.7 GPA on our 5.3 scale or better at the end of either your freshman, sophomore, or junior year
• membership in one school organization for a full year (and currently in one)
• at least three distinct service projects (must be at least 20 hours total)
• leadership
• interview
• favorable vote by the Faculty Council

Leadership

To have exhibited leadership, students must have demonstrated that they have been elected to some position of authority in a club, organization and/or activity; or that they have demonstrated that they have taken the initiative to lead others, to direct an activity or program, to innovate some idea or concept either in school or with the community since the start of the freshman year. The student must be able to show that he/she has been a strong role model in setting an example for others.

Service

To have fulfilled the service requirement, a student should have participated in some activity or organization (on a strictly volunteer basis) which promotes the ideas of improving the quality of life for others with no direct gain to the person providing the service.

Academics

You must have a G.P.A. of at least a 3.7 on our 5.3 scale to be eligible for NHS. Once you are a member of NHS, your G.P.A. cannot drop below a 3.7 at any time during the year. The adviser will give you an update at the end of each term with your current G.P.A. Invitations are sent out each fall to the people who have the appropriate GPA.

Character

To fulfill the character requirement a candidate should demonstrate on a consistent basis maturity, sensitivity, high ethical/moral values, good sportsmanship, and above all – honesty in all situations. Each year teachers and coaches will receive a list of all NHS candidates and members and will be given the opportunity to rate and comment on each member’s character.

Interview

The interview will be with the five members of the Faculty Council and the adviser after school at a time and date determined by the adviser.

Induction

            The fall induction rehearsal and ceremony are mandatory for all members. Those who have an unavoidable conflict must see the advisor prior to the date in conflict. Should the conflict be deemed necessary, the member must present a written explanation, dated and signed, to the advisor so that a written record of the excused absence is on file. The ceremony is formal. Members are expected to dress appropriately. Current members are asked to bring refreshments. The ceremony begins at 7:00, but members and inductees report at 6:00 to walk through the ceremony before parents arrive. Guests should arrive between 6:45 and 7:00 and be seated in the auditorium.

            A keynote speaker will be selected by the adviser and/or the president to share his/her ideas on scholarship, leadership, service and character. After the ceremony, a reception is held in the cafeteria for all members, their families and friends.

Three Levels of Discipline

Based on ARTICLE X section 2 of the National Constitution for National Honor Society:
“Members who fall below the standards that were the basis for their selection shall be promptly warned in writing by the chapter adviser and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency, except that in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law, a member does not have to be warned.”

First Level:

• The adviser is notified of an incident by the student /or the adviser becomes aware of the incident  
• The incident is written in the student’s NHS record and the student is informed of the notation
• No formal meeting is deemed needed by the adviser

Second Level:

• A meeting is held between the adviser and the student. The student explains his/her account of the incident.
• A record of the meeting will be filed. A copy will be given to the student and the parents. The maximum penalty for this level of discipline is a 7-day suspension or academic probation for one quarter.  Members on academic probation will still be allowed full participation in NHS.

Third Level:

• A letter is sent to the student’s parents or guardian and the faculty council indicating that this is a level three action and that dismissal is a possibility. 
• A meeting is held between the faculty council and the student to determine if further action is necessary.
• The student’s parents or guardian may attend.  Parents are allowed to add their thoughts, but the meeting is between the faculty council and the member.

Dismissal means permanent removal from the National Honor Society.  Additional discipline for level three actions may include probation or suspension.  Students on probation will still be allowed full participation in NHS.  Suspended members will not be allowed to participate in NHS activities until the end of the suspension period determined by the Faculty Council.

NHS Meetings

           The mandatory regularly scheduled meetings will be held on Mondays. Members are expected to attend a minimun of 60% of meetings during each school year. Members who are not in attendance must keep informed through contact with the adviser and the chapter president.

Service Activities

Tutorial Program

The tutorial program is an on-going activity for National Honor Society members. Members may tutor fellow students after school in the library. This program is a service activity for the school and an opportunity for a member to earn a NHS service activity throughout the school year. If the parents and the tutored student feel an extended tutorial program is necessary, the member may terminate the voluntary service and arrange part-time employment with the parents. This will count as a service activity as long as the member is not compensated for the time. Each member is required to tutor at least one student a year.

Teacher Appreciation Luncheons

Students will have the opportunity to bring in food for Teacher Appreciation Luncheons. These will be held in the principal’s office and will be available throughout the day. There will also be a raffle item.

Service Projects

Each officer and service project leader will run a service project. There will be a minimum of six service projects available for members to be involved in each year.

Dues

The cost of dues will be $10 for each member. They are due by November 30. Members who are late with dues payments may be subject to discipline.

Requirements as Members:

All members must:

• Attend the Induction
• Be active in NHS activities(minimum of 3 service projects each year)
• Attend General Membership Meetings(minimum of 60%)
• Maintain the qualities of service, character, leadership and academics

Members who fail to fulfill these obligations will be subject to discipline.

Scholarships

When funds allow, scholarships will be available to the graduating seniors who apply for them. The Faculty Council will vote on these. The criteria for selection of the recipient will be involvement in the NHS activities and need.

NHS File

Each member of the NHS will have a file, which includes complete documentation of all service activities and involvement in NHS activities. Any member may look at their file at a time that is convenient to the adviser and the member. At the end of each year each student will complete a summary sheet of his or her involvement in NHS during the year. Which will be placed in his or her file.

Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote of a quorum, which is 2/3 of the membership of this chapter.