Iroquois West
National Honor Society
By-laws
Article I. Statement of Name
A. The name of this organization shall be the National Honor Society of Iroquois West High School.
Article II. Statement of Purpose
A. The purpose of this organization shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students.
Article III. Powers of the Organization
A. This chapter shall be under the sponsorship and supervision of the National Honor Society sponsor and the high school Principal.
B. The high school principal shall have the right to veto any amendments to the IW NHS by-laws or decisions of the organization that involve the spending of funds or decisions that impact school environment and the education process.
Article IV. Definition of Membership
A. Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student. Selection for membership is by a faculty council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities by maintaining their GPA at or above 3.25, by abiding by all district rules and regulations, and by adhering to the criteria listed below the qualities of leadership, character and service.
1. Scholarship:
a. To be considered for membership, students must have a GPA at or above 3.25 and rank in the upper 20% of their class.
b. Depending on their GPA, students will receive the following points
3.25 – 1 3.475 – 4 3.775 – 8
3.325 – 2 3.55 – 5 3.85 – 9
3.40 – 3 3.625 – 6 3.925 – 10
3.70 – 7 4.00 – 11
2. Leadership:
a. Demonstrates leadership in classroom or organization work
b. Demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities
c. Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility he/she accepts
d. Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility
e. Exemplifies the qualities and attitudes, which are a silent, positive influence on others
3. Character:
a. Meets pledges and responsibilities to school and teacher promptly
b. Demonstrates highest standards of honesty and reliability
c. Cooperates by complying with school regulations
d. Upholds principles of morality and ethics
4. Service:
a. Willingness to render any service to the school and community when called upon
b. Willingness to do committee or staff work
c. Readiness to show courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, or students
B. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
C. Only juniors and seniors are eligible for membership.
D. Students transferring during their junior or senior year who were members at their previous school and have a letter from their former principal or chapter advisor will be automatically accepted for membership. However, they must meet the IWHS’ chapter’s standards within one semester.
Article V. Establishment of Time, Methods, & Procedures for Nomination and Selection of
Members
A. A faculty council shall select members from all qualified juniors and seniors by using information from each student’s activity information form. The faculty council shall remain anonymous to avoid undue influence prior to student selection and repercussions following student selection.
1. The forms will be handed out, after five semesters, to students who meet the scholarship portion of the four criteria.
2. Input from staff members and information from discipline records will be provided for the council.
3. After the selection process is complete, all students who qualified for selection can pick up a sealed envelope containing their individual results in the high school office.
4. Membership is not guaranteed to anyone, and the final decision for membership rests with the faculty council.
B. The faculty council shall be comprised of five faculty members.
1. The principal shall choose members of the faculty committee annually. Three of the five faculty council members will be rotated each year.
Article VI. Frequency of Meetings and Provisions for Special Sessions
A. The members and the advisor shall set regularity of meetings at the beginning of the year.
B. Meetings shall be held monthly.
C. Special meetings may be called when necessary by the president or the advisor. The advisor or principal appointee must be in attendance at all meetings of the IW NHS.
Article VII. Duties and Responsibilities
A. Members must attend all meetings unless they have a valid excuse.
B. All NHS projects must:
1. fulfill a need within the community or school
2. have the support of the administration and faculty
3. be appropriate and educationally defensible, and not in conflict with the activities of other school organizations
4. be well planned, organized and executed
Article VIII. Procedures for Election of Officers, Removal from Office, & Filling Vacancies
A. There will be an elected president, vice-president, and a secretary/treasurer.
B. Officers shall be nominated and then a majority vote shall be taken.
C. Officer’s Duties
1. President: shall call to order, conduct, and adjourn meetings.
2. Vice-president: shall rule in president’s stead when president is absent
3. Secretary/treasurer: shall take all notes during meetings, read minutes from previous meeting, announce current balance at each meeting
D. Officers may be removed from office. Disciplinary protocol of the National Organization shall be adhered if/when an officer is to be considered for removal from office.
E. If disciplinary measures require a member to be removed from office or a member resigns an office, a new election will be held to fill the vacancy.
Article IX. Definition of Rules of Order & References for Conducting Society Business
A. All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised
Article X. Method & Procedure for Ratification of the By-laws
A. Members, the advisor, or the principal may submit By-Law modifications for membership review and consideration.
B. A motion to ratify must be made and seconded before taking a vote.
C. An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members present is required to ratify the by-laws.
Article XI. Provisions for Amending the By-laws
A. This chapter’s by-laws may be amended by an affirmative vote of the majority of the faculty council.
Article XII. Discipline
A. Members of the National Honor Society may be disciplined when their conduct is in conflict with the standards, which were the basis for their selection.
B. When discipline is deemed necessary, the member will be promptly warned in writing by the chapter advisor. The warning will include the nature of the violation, the time period allowed to rectify the situation, and the possible consequences of non-improvement.
C. The goal of the disciplinary action will be to correct the identified situation.
D. If the member fails to meet the conditions set forth in the warning(s), they will be subject to further disciplinary measures, including dismissal, by the advisor or the faculty council.
E. In discipline cases involving flagrant violations of school rules or civil laws, members do not have to be warned and can be subject to dismissal by the faculty council.
F. A member who has been disciplined can appeal the decision under the same rules and procedures for disciplinary appeals in the school district.
Article XIII. Dismissal
A. The faculty council in compliance with the rules and regulations of the National Honor Society shall determine the procedure for dismissal. A written description of the dismissal procedure shall be available to interested parties.
B. In the case of flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a member does not necessarily have to be warned and dismissal proceedings could take place.
C. The faculty council shall determine when an individual has exceeded a reasonable number of warnings.
D. Only in cases of impending dismissal, shall a member have a right to a hearing before the faculty council.
E. A member who has been dismissed may appeal the decision of the faculty council under the same rules and procedures for disciplinary appeals in the school district.
F. Members will be subject to dismissal from this organization if they are found to be in violation of the extra-curricular policy. Details on this policy can be found in the student handbook. Members who use alcohol, drugs, or tobacco or who are charged with theft, battery, assault, felonies, or a violation that involves the potential of serious harm to another person or property will also be subject to dismissal.