National Honor Society
Potomac Falls Chapter By-laws
Article 1
Name and Purpose
Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Potomac Falls Chapter for the National Honor
Society of Secondary Schools.
Section 2. The object 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 Potomac Falls High School.
Article 2
Membership
Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be divided into three groups, active, honorary and
graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Graduate members have no
vote. Honorary members have all of the rights of active members but not all of the
responsibilities.
Section 2. Membership in this chapter shall be based upon Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and
Character.
Section 3. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have
been in attendance for a period of one semester at Potomac Falls High School.
Section 4. Candidates eligible for election into this chapter must be members of the junior, or
senior class. Candidates eligible for election into this chapter shall have a minimum cumulative
grade point average of 3.5 (out of 4.0; unweighted grade point average). This scholastic level of
achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the minimum scholastic level of achievement for
admission to candidacy for selection to membership. Their eligibility shall then be considered
service, leadership, and character.
Article 3
Selection of Members
Section 1. The final selection of members to this chapter shall be by majority vote of the Faculty
Council consisting of a minimum of five faculty members that represent various departments
within the school. The chapter advisor(s) shall be a non-voting, ex-officio member of the faculty
council.
Section 2. Prior to final selection, the following shall occur.
1. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
2. Students who are eligible scholastically shall be notified and asked to complete the
Student Activity Information Form for further consideration for selection.
3. The faculty shall be requested to comment on candidates determined to be
scholastically eligible.
4. The Student Activity Information Form and faculty comments shall be reviewed by
the faculty council.
Section 3. The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of
the school year.
Section 4. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will
be given a letter indicating the status of their membership and signed by the Principal.
Section 5. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be
automatically accepted for membership in this chapter with documentation from previous school
verifying membership. The transfer member will then attain within one semester and then
maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain their membership.
Article 4
Dismissal
Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or
service as outlined in the NHS National Handbook may be dismissed from the Potomac Falls
chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to
maintain an active role in service and leadership to their community.
Section 2. If a member's cumulative grade point average falls below the standard in effect when
they were selected (3.5), they will be given a written warning and a time period for improvement.
If the grade point average remains below 3.5 at the end of the warning period (concurrent with the
end of the semester), the student may be dismissed from the chapter.
Section 3. Violation of criminal law or school regulations can result in dismissal of the student.
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.
Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply,
unexcused absence, 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 dismissed.
Section 5. Any member whose personal conduct is questionable in accordance with the accepted
norms of student behavior may be dismissed by the Faculty Council.
Section 6: See Article 8 for Policy on meeting Attendance.
Section 7. In the case of pending dismissal:
1. The member will receive written notification of the reason for possible dismissal
from the advisor/Faculty Council. The member and the advisor will discuss the
written notification in a conference.
2. The member will be offered a hearing with the Faculty Council prior to dismissal (in
accordance with the due process identified in the National Constitution). The member
has the opportunity to present their defense. The Faculty Council will then vote on
whether to dismiss.
3. A letter of dismissal will be sent to the principal, students and parents if the student is
dismissed. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the
advisor.
4. The member may appeal the Faculty Council’s decision to the Principal.
5. When a student is dismissed, they are no longer a member and may never again be
considered for membership in the National Honor Society.
Article 5
Officers
Section 1. The officers of the chapter shall be the president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary,
and historian-parliamentarian to be elected by the juniors. Senior/Graduating members may not
vote for the following year’s officers.
Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the next-to-last meeting of the school year by
chapter members of the junior class. They shall hold office during their senior year. Newly
elected officers will be inducted during the last meeting.
Section 3. A quorum of ¾ of the eligible voters must be present to hold an election. A plurality of
votes will be sufficient to elect a member. Candidates may only run for one office.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings for this chapter.
Section 5. The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall keep a record
of the members’ contributions to leadership and service.
Section 6. The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and be responsible for
correspondence.
Section 7. The treasurer shall keep a record of business expenses, dues, etc…
Section 8. The Historian/Parliamentarian shall insure that parliamentary procedure is followed
and maintain a historical record of the chapter.
Section 9. If the office of president is vacated, the vice-president will assume the office and an
election will be held for a new vice-president. In the case that any other office vacated, elections
will be held to fill the position.
Article 6
Executive Committee
Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of the Faculty Advisor and the chapter officers.
Section 2. The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and the business of
the chapter, but any action of the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter
members.
Article 7
Activities
Section 1. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year.
Section 2. All members shall regularly participate in 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 faculty, be appropriate and
educationally defensible, and be well planned, organized, and executed.
Section 4. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in a service
project, which reflects their personal talents and interests. This is in addition to the chapter
projects to which all members contribute.
Section 5. The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.
Article 8
Meetings
Section 1. Meetings of this chapter shall be held monthly during the school year with a date/time
determined in accordance with the school activities calendar.
Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 3. Members who miss more than three meetings shall be subject to dismissal. It is the
duty of an absent member to check with the secretary for a copy of the minutes.
Section 4. ONE Excused absences will only be granted for the following reasons: Death in the
Family, Hospitalization, Religious Holidays, and School Obligations, which you are required to
attend.
Article 9
Emblem
Section 1. Each member of this chapter shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the
National Honor Society.
Section 2. Any member who withdraws or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem
to the chapter and may not reapply for membership the following year.
Article 10
Dues
Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter will be $15.00. Must be paid before the second meeting
of the year is concluded. Failure to pay dues can result in added service hours (1 hour per week
late) or dismissal.
Section 2. If you are unable to pay for financial reasons speak with the Advisor privately and
arrangements will be made for you.
Section 3. Dues will be payable to the chapter treasurer within 30 days of induction.
Article 11
Amendments
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 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 3 and 4, which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of
the principal.
Section 2. By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the Constitution of the National
Honor Society.