Hinsdale Central National Honor Society Chapter By-Laws
Article I
Section 1
Name and Purpose
The name of this organization is the Hinsdale Central Chapter of the National Honor Society.
Section 2
The purpose of this organization is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to
render service, to promote leadership and to develop character.
Article II
Section 1
Definition of Membership for the Organization
Criteria established and outlined on the website serve as guidelines for the selection of members.
Section 2
Those students selected by the Faculty Council under the process described in Article III are,
upon induction, members of the local chapter.
Section 3
Membership in the NHS is both an honor and responsibility. Members selected for membership
are expected to demonstrate qualities of scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Article III
Section 1
Nomination and Selection of Members
Students with a cumulative GPA of 4.50 and above, based on the weighted GPA through five
semesters, are eligible for selection in the NHS.
Section 2
All eligible students are notified of the selection process and invited to participate realizing that
participating in the process does not guarantee selection.
Section 3
All eligible students are evaluated by the faculty through the completion and submission of a
confidential ballot assessing students’ character, specifically respect, responsibility and integrity.
Section 4
All eligible students complete and submit a personal statement, a Community Service Form and
a Leadership Form.
Section 5
Final selection is determined by an evaluation of the above criteria (GPA, Community Service
Form, Leadership Form, personal statement and faculty ballots) by the Faculty Council.
Section 6
The selection process will be completed by the end of April and new members will be inducted
in May.
Article IV
Section 1
Discipline and Dismissal of Members
Members with a GPA that falls below 4.5 will be suspended from participating in NHS meetings
and events for one semester. During that time they will not be able to accumulate points.
Section 2
Members falling below the standards by which the member was selected will be informed by the
advisor of the nature of the violation, the time period given for improvement and possible
consequences of non-improvement.
Section 3
Certain chapter privileges may be suspended for minor offenses.
Section 4
A written notification and pre-dismissal hearing must be conducted by the Faculty Council to
dismiss a member.
Section 5
In the case of a flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a warning is not required for
dismissal but a hearing will still be held.
Article V
Section 1
Meetings
Meetings for members will commence in May after induction at which time nomination for and
election of officers may take place.
Section 2
During the academic year, meetings are scheduled each month on Thursday before or after
school.
Section 3
As necessary, special meetings will be called to help organize special activities.
Section 4
Members are expected to attend all meetings. Non-attendance will be recorded and students will
be informed of penalties for non-attendance.
Article VI
Section 1
Duties of the Organization
Activities for the academic year will be determined by the Executive Board consisting of the
President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Pod Leaders and presented to the membership for
approval.
Section 2
Traditional activities of the chapter have included but are not limited to the following: Turkey
Bowl, Charity Drive, Valentine’s Day Sale, Date Auction and Spring Outing. These events may
change based on member choice.
Section 3
All funds raised are either given to charity, used to provide scholarships for students at Hinsdale
Central, or used to help fund NHS events.
Article VII
Section 1
Duties of the Officers
The President is expected to:
 contact other officers if necessary in terms of informational or organization matters.
 conduct all meetings with board members.
 conduct all general meetings.
 prepare an agenda for all meetings with advisers.
Section 2
The Vice-President is expected to:
 fill-in in the president’s absence.
 work with the president regarding above stated president’s jobs.
 organize publicity activities with board members.
Section 3
The Secretary is expected to:
 take attendance at all meetings.
 keep membership informed via Sharepoint or other electronic method.
 take minutes at the meeting
 maintain the point tally
Section 5
The Pod Leaders are expected to:
 keep their pod informed of NHS events
 give input at leadership meetings.
 help organize NHS sponsored events.