NHS Tutoring Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Bylaws for the Hingham High School Chapter of the National Honor Society

ARTICLE I: NAME

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

ARTICLE III: POWERS

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

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), sexual orientation, gender identity, 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: a. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class.

b. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Hingham High School.

c. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale.

d. 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 five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, nonvoting, ex officio member 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. A second selection period will take place for seniors only during first term each year.

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

a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility. The academic records considered reflect students’ work from grades 9, 10, and 11.

b. All students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Candidate’s Form for further consideration.

c. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible in the areas of leadership, scholarship, service, and character.

d. The Faculty Council shall review the Candidate Forms, faculty evaluations and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership. Candidates will also complete at least two written statements as part of the Candidate Forms, with the third written statement being optional.

Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.  At that time, they assume all membership honors and responsibilities.

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 in 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 for this chapter shall be five ($5) dollars. Dues will be payable to the chapter within 30 days of induction.

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 to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.

Section 3. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter forfeits the privilege of wearing the emblem to the chapter, wearing honor stoles at graduation, and may not list NHS membership on any college applications.

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

Section 5. Each member inducted during his or her junior year is expected to complete six hours of community service during the summer between junior and senior year.  Each member inducted either junior year or senior year is expected to complete at least six hours of community service and at least six hours of peer tutoring during the academic year.  The period during which these services should be completed begins on the first day of school senior year and ends on the date of the induction ceremony for new members in the spring.  If a member does not fulfill his or her obligations by the time of the induction ceremony in the spring, he or she forfeits the privilege of wearing the emblem to the chapter, wearing honor stoles at graduation, and may not list NHS membership on any college applications.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the penultimate meeting of each school year. All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer. Any active member can nominate him or herself as a candidate for office.

Section 3. Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. 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.

Section 4. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of the chapter, and serve as the

official representative of the chapter at school and community functions.  The president shall also coordinate and organize the peer tutoring program.

Section 5. The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also inform all members of community service opportunities and upcoming events.

Section 6. The secretary shall keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence.  The secretary shall also keep a record of all members’ community service and tutoring hours.

Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter.  The treasurer shall also organize all fundraising efforts for the chapter.

Section 8. If an officer is unable to continue in his or her position, a special election will be held among the remaining members.  Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. 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.

Section 9.  An officer may be removed from his or her position if he or she does not fulfill any of the member or officer responsibilities.  This decision will be made by the Faculty Council.

Section 10. Officers and the faculty adviser(s) shall collectively be known as the chapter’s Executive Committee. The executive committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter. Any action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be at least once per term.   Special meetings can be called by the president with approval of the adviser.

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. All members shall regularly participate in community service projects and peer tutoring.

Section 2. 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 3. The chapter shall publicize and promote its projects in a positive manner.

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 Hingham High School chapter of the

National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing, demonstrate good character, 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 (3.7 cumulative G.P.A.), he /she will be given a written warning and a reasonable time period for improvement. If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the warning period the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that can include consideration of dismissal from the chapter.  Members’ G.P.A. will be checked periodically by the chapter adviser to make sure scholarship standards are maintained.

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:

a. The member will receive written notification from the adviser/Faculty Council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.

b. The member will be given the 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 a written statement presented in lieu of the face-to-face hearing. Following the hearing, the Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member.

c. 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. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser, are not recognized as NHS members at graduation, and may not list NHS membership on any college applications.

d. The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal, who will have final say on the matter.

e. A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.

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 will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active members of the chapter, a majority affirmative 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.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the chapter, 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: _____________________________

_____________________________________

President

_____________________________________

Secretary

_____________________________________

Adviser

_____________________________________

Principal