NORTHERN BEDFORD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Article I - Name and Purpose
Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Northern Bedford County High School
Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools, which appears on the charter granted by
the National Council of the National Honor Society duly signed by the National Secretary.
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 all students of Northern Bedford County High School.
Article II - Membership
Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be based upon scholarship, character, service, and
leadership.
Section 2. Membership shall be known as active and graduate. Active members shall become
graduate members at graduation. Graduate members shall have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
Section 3. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
Section 4. Active members of the Northern Bedford County High School who transfer from
this school will have a letter signed by the principal sent to the receiving school indicating the status of
their membership.
Section 5. Active members of the National Honor Society who transfer to this school will be
automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. Transfer members must maintain the
membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain membership.
Section 6. To maintain membership in the National Honor Society members may have no more
than three unexcused absences a year from chapter meetings.
Section 7. Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership or
benefits.
Article III - Selection of Members
Section 1. Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be members of the sophomore,
junior, or senior class.
Section 2. Students will first be considered as candidates for membership after the completion
of the first semester of the sophomore year. Students, who are in the junior or senior year, will be
considered as candidates for membership after the completion of the first semester of the current
school year. Also, candidates for membership must have been in attendance for a period equivalent to
one semester in this school.
Section 3. Candidates eligible for election to this chapter shall have a minimum cumulative
grade point average of 94%. This average shall be based on grades from the freshman year and above.
This scholastic level of achievement shall be based on the cumulative grade point average, remain
fixed, and shall be the required minimum scholastic level of achievement to retain membership in the
chapter. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard may be considered for
membership.
Note: raise the GPA requirement to a 94% and above effective with inductees for the 2007-08 school
year. Members already in will stay in based on the standards for which they were approved.@
Section 4. Students meeting the scholastic requirement, will then be evaluated on character
traits as outlined in the National NHS Handbook (refer to Appendix A). Information on the character
traits of each potential member will be gathered from the high school faculty and evaluated and voted
on by the NHS Faculty Council. Students receiving two or more unsatisfactory evaluations could be
denied membership.
Section 5. Students meeting scholastic and character requirements will be asked to submit
information to determine their qualifications under the requirements of service and leadership (refer to
Appendix A). Students will also be required to include a one-page typed statement addressing how
they meet the criteria of scholarship, character, service, and leadership.
Section 6. Students will be given a deadline date for all required forms to be submitted to the
NHS advisor. Late information forms will not be accepted. Students not meeting the deadline date
may be eligible to join the next school year if they continue to meet all other requirements, deadlines,
and have not graduated.
Section 7 . Completed information forms will be reviewed by the faculty council. The faculty
council will then vote on each student for membership. The election of members to this chapter of the
National Honor Society shall be by majority vote of the faculty council.
Section 8. Students selected for membership will be notified by letter and in person by the
NHS officers and the NHS adviser. The candidate for membership will then return a statement of
acceptance to the NHS adviser.
Article IV - Dismissal
Section 1. Members who at the end of a semester fall below the standards which were the basis
of their selection shall be promptly warned in writing by the faculty council and be given one semester
to resolve the deficiency. National Honor Society members must maintain the standards for
membership in order to retain their membership. Members will be allowed only one warning period,
except in the event of unexcused absences from meetings. Upon the second unexcused absence from a
meeting, members will receive a written warning. If during the next semester of school the members
fail to meet the standards used as the basis for their election to the Society or the members have a third
unexcused absence from a meeting, their case shall be reviewed by the faculty council and a dismissal
letter will be given to such members.
A senior member who is placed on probation at the end of the first semester of the senior year,
will have until the end of the fifth marking period to meet the standards which served as the basis for
their election to the Society. If these standards are not met, each case will be reviewed by the faculty
council and a dismissal letter will be given to such members.
Section 2. In all cases of impending dismissal, a member shall have a right to be notified in
writing of the offenses and to a hearing before the faculty council.
Section 3. When members are dismissed, they will be notified in writing. Dismissed members
must return any emblems to the chapter adviser. Notice of any dismissals must be indicated on the
annual report submitted to the national secretary at the end of the school year.
Article V - Officers
Section 1. The officers of this chapter shall be a president, vice-president, secretary, and
treasurer.
Section 2. A majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect any chapter officer.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of this chapter.
Section 4. The vice-president shall fill the chair of the president in his absence.
Section 5. The chapter secretary shall keep the minutes of meeting, a record of all business,
and all records on file. They shall, with the approval of the principal or adviser, certify to the national
secretary of the National Council the names of all members for the current school year on the annual
report submitted to National headquarters.
Section 6. The treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the chapter and shall keep an
accurate account of receipts and disbursements in accordance with school regulations.
Article VI - Faculty Council
Section 1. The faculty council shall consist of five voting faculty members appointed by the
principal. The principal or assistant principal may not be included on the faculty council.
Section 2. The chapter adviser shall be an ex-officer, non-voting, sixth-member of the faculty
council.
Section 3. The faculty council shall meet at least once a year to select members and to consider
non-selection, warning cases, dismissal, and other disciplinary actions.
Article VII - Executive Committee
Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of the officers of the chapter and the faculty
council.
Section 2. The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and business of
the chapter, but any action on the part of the executive committee may be subject to the review of the
chapter.
Section 3. All accounts of the treasurer must be audited annually by an auditing committee
appointed by the executive committee of the chapter.
Article VIII - Supervision
Section 1. The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the
chapter.
Article IX - Meetings
Section 1. The regular meetings of the chapter shall be held approximately nine times during
the school year, one per month, on days designated by the executive committee and approved by the
principal.
Section 2. Mandatory attendance is a requirement for all chapter members. Members who are
unable to attend a meeting must inform the chapter adviser prior to the scheduled meeting.
Section 3. The officers of the chapter shall be elected at the last regular meeting of the year and
must be members in good standing.
Section 4. Special meetings approved by the executive committee may be called by the
president with the approval of the adviser.
Section 5. All meetings shall be open meetings and shall be held under the sponsorship of the
principal or the advisor.
Section 6. This chapter shall conduct its meeting according to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly
Revised in all points not expressly provided for in the constitution of this chapter.
Article X - Activities
Section 1. The chapter will determine two or more service activities for each school year.
Section 2. Members are required to participate in a minimum of two service activities each
school year. The chapter adviser is responsible for maintaining the records of participation in service
activities. Students not meeting the requirement may be considered for dismissal (refer to Article IV Dismissal).
Section 3. The service 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.
Article XI - Emblem
Section 1. Each member of this chapter shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the
National Honor Society of Secondary Schools.
Section 2. Any member who withdraws or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the
emblem. (See Article IV, Section 3).
Section 3. Members agree that, whether the emblem comes to them as a gift, a personal
purchase, an award, or from whatever source, the title of the emblem shall rest with the chapter of
which they are members. The faculty committee can, therefore, by a majority vote, request that
members return their emblems. Members upon dismissal shall return the emblem to the adviser.
Members agree that acceptance of the emblem shall be considered affirmation of this stipulation in
regard to the title of the emblem.
Section 4. All insignia must be procured from the national secretary of the National Honor
Society, 1904 Association Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091.
Article XII - Dues
Section 1. The annual dues for each member shall be subject to the approval of the executive
committee of the chapter.
Article XIII - Graduation
Section 1. All senior members of the National Honor Society in good standing at the end of
the fifth marking period of the senior year will receive a gold stole and a National Honor Society pin to
be worn as part of the graduation outfit.
Any senior member failing to maintain the standards for which they were elected to the
Society, including at the end or beyond the fifth marking period, will not have the right to wear a gold
stole and a National Honor Society pin as part of the graduation outfit.
Article XIV - Bylaws
Section 1. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the chapter, provided that
the proposed amendment has been approved by the executive committee of the chapter and that the
notice to member has been given at least one month prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted on.
(Rev. 2/24/03)
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY CONSTITUTION -- APPENDIX A
GUIDELINES FOR MEMBERSHIP
Scholarship:
Candidates eligible for election to this chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average
of 94%. This average shall be based on grades from the freshman year and above. This scholastic
level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum scholastic level of
achievement to retain membership in the chapter.
Character:
1. Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendation graciously.
2. Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
3. Upholds principles of morality and ethics.
4. Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
5. Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty (ie. completes one=s own work) and reliability.
6. Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
7. Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom.
8. Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and
application to studies.
9. Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and
showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.
10. Actively helps rid the school of bad influence or environment.
Service:
1. Volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is
willing to sacrifice to offer assistance.
2. Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities.
3. Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school.
4. Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition.
5. Does committee and staff work without complaint.
6.
Participates in some activity outside the school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church
groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged.
7. Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools.
8. Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.
Leadership:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals.
Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
Is able to delegate responsibility.
Exemplifies positive attitudes.
Inspires positive behavior in others.
Demonstrates academic initiative.
Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and
efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability.
10. Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities.
11. Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
12. Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.
(Rev. 6/2007)