The National Honor Society - Established in 1921

The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS. NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION

In 1921, the NASSP officially established the National Honor Society. Though many local and regional honor societies existed prior to 1921, no nationwide organization had been founded. Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School, Pittsburgh, PA., the organization grew from the original Alpha Chapter at the Fifth Avenue School to more than 1, 000 chapters by 1930. Equipped with a constitution, an emblem and motto, and a group of dedicated principals as coordinators, the new NHS organization quickly developed into one of the country’s leading education groups.

Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: "To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools"(from the NHS Constitution). These purposes translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.

Taken in part from The National Honor Society history web page www.nhs.org.

WestminsterChristian SchoolNational Honor Society Constitution

ARTICLE 1: NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1 The name of this chapter shall be the Westminster Christian School Chapter of 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 Westminster Christian School National Honor Society.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1  Membership in this chapter shall be known as active and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. The graduate members have no vote.

Section 2  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 3  To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a minimum period of one semester at Westminster Christian School.

Section 4  Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (out of 4.0). This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum scholastic level of achievement for admission to candidacy. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard may be admitted to candidacy for selection to membership. Candidates are required to have completed 10 hours of Community/Volunteer service above Westminster Christian School’s volunteer requirements for eligibility for election to this chapter. Candidates must also submit character evaluations filled out by several teachers and complete a personal essay.  Eligibility shall be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

ARTICLE III: SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1  The final selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty council consisting of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex-officio member of the Faculty Council.

Section 2  Prior to the 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 Application Form to be considered 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 quarter of the school year.  Information forms will be distributed to the eligible students upon the completion of the academic review.  Alternative or additional selection periods may be added as designated the faculty committee. The Induction Ceremony will be held upon the designation of the Faculty Committee and in compliance of the school calendar.

Section 4  An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her 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. This transfer member will attain within one semester and then maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.

ARTICLE IV: DISMISSAL

Section 1  Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be dismissed from the Westminster Christian School National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community. Attendance at ALL meetings is required. Three unexcused absences per semester will be grounds for dismissal from the chapter. Written notification of the absence infraction will be made to the student based on the chapter’s attendance records.

Section 2  If a member’s cumulative grade point average or community service hours fall below the standard in effect when he/she was selected (3.5 cumulative GPA, 10 hours of community service per semester), he/ she will be given a warning and a time period for improvement.  If the cumulative grade point average remains below 3.3 at the end of the warning period or community service is not completed, the student may be dismissed from the chapter.

Section 3  Violation of criminal law or school regulations can result in dismissal of a member. 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 any time.

Section 4  Offenders of the school conduct code will receive a 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  In the case of pending dismissal:

1.       The member will receive written notification of the reason for possible dismissal from the adviser/Faculty Council. The member and adviser 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 due process identified in the National Constitution). The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense. The Faculty council will then vote on whether to dismiss.

3.      A letter of dismissal will be sent to the principal, student, and parents if the student is dismissed. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser.

4.      The member may appeal the Faculty Council’s decision to the Principal.

5.      When a student is dismissed or resigns, he/she is no longer a member and may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.

Section 6.In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE V: 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 designated meeting each school year. All returning members are eligible to run for a position as officer, with the exception of President, which will be filled with a senior class member.

Section 3  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 for this chapter.

Section 5  The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service.

Section 6  The secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings and be responsible for correspondence.

Section 7  The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, etc.

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1  The executive committee shall consist of the faculty adviser and the chapter officers.

Section 2  The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and business of the chapter, but any action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section 1  Meetings of this chapter shall be held in a designated location by the chapter and charter advisor.

Section 2  This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE VIII: 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 the faculty, be appropriate and educationally defensible, and be well planned, organized, and executed.

Section 4  Each member is required to complete 10 community service hours per semester according to the requirements of the chapter.  The members have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project which reflects his or her particular talents and interests and is approved by the chapter adviser. 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 IX: EMBLEM

Section 1  Each member of this chapter shall be entitled to wear or display 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.

ARTICLE X: DUES

Section 1  Annual dues for this chapter shall be $20.00 and may be changed by a vote of the Executive Committee and/or Faculty Council.

Section 2  Dues will be payable to the chapter treasurer when a candidate submits his/her membership application.

ARTICLE XI: 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 III and IV, 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.