National Honor Society

The following information is the pertinent information regarding nomination and acceptance into the National Honor Society. The requirements of the Stafford Chapter of the National Honor Society follow or exceed the standards set forth by the National Chapter of National Honor Society. 

• Only Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are eligible for membership into the National Honor Society. 
• All Stafford Students have a maximum of four opportunities to join the National Honor Society. 
• All members must achieve and maintain a 3.5 weighted grade point average.
• Grades alone do not guarantee acceptance into the National Honor Society. In accordance to the pillars of National Honor Society we take into account scholarship, service, leadership, and character. All four are taken into account equally. 
• The membership process is done in three steps and they are as follows:

1. Potential members are given a Student Activity Form. They are to provide information on themselves and get required signatures for their activities. 
2. The Student Activity Forms will be judged by the adviser in conjunction with the Faculty Advisory Council. Those that meet the required requirement move on to the next step. 
3. Students will go through a vetting interview with the Faculty Advisory Council or the Executive Committee. This vetting process is to get to know the potential member better and see if they would be a good fit for our program. 
4. The Adviser and the Faculty Advisory Council will discuss each nominee and decide if they will be given a letter of acceptance into the National Honor Society. 

• Prior or current membership in another Honor Society (NTHS, SNHS, ANHS) does not qualify a student for admittance into the National Honor Society. If a student already admitted into the National Honor Society at another high school transfers to Stafford High, they will be accepted as a full fledged members as long as they can provide a letter from the Chapter Adviser from their previous school. 

Revised May 2017

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1
The name of this chapter shall be the Stafford 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 purpose 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 Stafford High School.

Article II: Selection of Members

Section 1
Membership in this chapter shall be based upon scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Section 2
Membership of this chapter shall be recognized as active or graduate. The graduate members have no vote; active members become graduate members at graduation.

Section 3 
Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class, and they shall have attended Stafford High School for at least one complete semester. They shall meet the minimum scholarship requirement of a non-rounded 3.5 weighted grade point average based on semester grades only. The scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed and shall be the required minimum scholarship level of achievement for admission to candidacy. Sophomore students who can rise in scholarship, to or above such standards, may be admitted for election in the spring. Junior students who can rise in scholarship, to or above such standards may be admitted for election the fall or spring.  Senior and junior students who can rise in scholarship, to or above such standards, may be admitted for election in the fall. A student who has failed a course during candidacy nominations will be automatically excluded from consideration. All students’ eligibility shall then be considered on their scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Section 4
Election of new members will be held twice a year. Seniors and juniors will be admitted to membership in the fall semester. If a junior does not achieve membership in the fall they will have two more opportunities to achieve membership. Sophomore students will be admitted to membership in the spring semester. Election of new members will be based on a list of all eligible students compiled by the school’s registrar and/or counselors. Eligible students will complete an activity form on which they will outline their service and leadership qualities. The faculty and staff will rate the students on character. After eliminating the highest and lowest score, the sponsor(s) will average the scores on character for each student. The activity forms and the students’ character rating averages will be transferred to the Selection Criteria Point System worksheet by the sponsor(s). These worksheets will then be presented to the Faculty Advisory Council for selection using a blind process. After reviewing the Selection Criteria Point System worksheets, The Faculty Advisory Council or the Executive Council if the Faculty Advisory Council is unable to meet, will conduct interviews of the students. The Faculty Advisory Council will then take the Selection Criteria Point System and the information presented during the interview to determine those students who are approved for membership. The sponsor will then send out invitations to those selected to become members. Those candidates who wish to join will receive a copy of the chapter’s bylaws and must sign an acknowledgement of receipt of the chapter’s bylaws. They must also sign an honor code and a statement acknowledging their understanding and their acquiescence to adhering to the National Honor Society rules and guidelines, both for this chapter and the National office.

Section 5
As of Fall 2017, we will remove the Merit Based System. All members accepted through it, will not be removed and the following rules apply

• Achieve a 3.4 GPA
• All other rules will apply

Section 6
Possible reasons why a student who meets the scholastic requirement as specified in Article II is not selected as a member include, but are not limited to, the following:

• One or more assignments to In-School Suspension (ISS),
• Five or more hours of assigned after-school detention or Saturday School,
• No participation in co-curricular activities and/or community activities,
• No leadership positions in school or community service projects, and
• A low average character rating from the faculty and/or staff members.

Section 7
Any student who transfers to Stafford High School and who was a member in good standing of the Senior National Honor Society at the school he/she previously attended will automatically be granted membership in this chapter upon receipt of appropriate documentation from the adviser and/or principal of the former school. Any such new member will be subject to all rules and regulations of this chapter. If the student’s grade point average is below the standard of this chapter, the student will not be placed into academic probation; however, the student will be held liable for this chapter’s grading standards from the date of admission forward.

Article III: Rights, Responsibilities, and Dismissal of Members

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
The chapter dues (not including polos) for each member inducted will be due at the first monthly meeting following their induction: juniors shall pay $45 seniors shall pay $35. All members will be required to turn in dues at the latest a month after the first chapter meeting, failure to pay dues constitutes a loss of membership. 

Section 3
All members are required to own the Honor Society Polo. The cost of the polo varies based on outside factors, but at no time will the Honor Society try to make a substantial profit (more than 20% the cost of the polo). Members are required to wear the polo every 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of the month. 

Section 4
Members are expected to maintain the non-rounded grade point average of 3.5 as specified in Article II on a per semester basis. Any member receiving (a) grade(s) that lowers his/her average below the appropriate grade point average shall be given a warning letter and placed on academic probation. Any student who is on academic probation shall have his/her grades revaluated each grading period. If in any six weeks the student fails to meet the required grade point standard, the student will be subject to disciplinary action(s) from the Faculty Advisory Council. Once the student raises his/her grades to meet the grade point average the student shall be removed from academic probation. Any student who has been on academic probation who fails to maintain the required grade point standard will be immediately referred to the Faculty Advisory Council or Executive Committee. If a member does not maintain the required grade point average for two full grading periods (ensuing progress report and report card), the member will be dismissed from the Honor Society. 

Section 5
Members are expected to complete twenty hours of individual service each semester. Members of the Honor Society must complete twenty hours of individual service each semester and twenty hours for each summer of membership.  At least five of the hours completed during the school semester must be school service (defined as hours completed to benefit Stafford Municipal School District and at least five of these hours must be community service. The other ten hours can be any combination of community or school service hours as desired by the member. Hours completed through the student’s place of worship are considered community service hours; however, a maximum of five church hours per semester will be accepted unless prior approval is received from the adviser(s). In all cases, service should be meaningful to the member and should clearly benefit an individual or a non-profit organization. All service hours must be documented and include the signature of the adult supervisor for the service. All service hour documentation must be turned into the adviser(s) or Vice President on the assigned day which is to be determined by the first monthly meeting of the semester. No service hours completed for family members will be accepted unless said hours clearly benefit a non-profit organization such as a school. No tangible rewards can be received for the completion of the service hours.

Section 6
Any conduct which warrants suspension from school also necessitates an immediate appearance before the Faculty Advisory Council within two weeks from suspension. Any student who conducts him/herself in such a way that disciplinary action is necessary from the school administration will be issued demerits as outlined in Section 6 of Article III of these bylaws. Any member who receives ten or more demerits during  a full school year shall appear before the Faculty Advisory Council or a panel of the Executive Committee (NHS Officers and Advisor) and face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from National Honor Society, two weeks from receiving tenth demerit. A student at any time may wave their right to appeal and the probation will stand until advisor specifically clears their membership. Probation will last a full semester. Any student who violates the chapter’s Honor Code will immediately appear before the Faculty Advisory Council and face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from National Honor Society. According to the terms of the National Constitution, a member who has been dismissed must voluntarily return the pin, the wallet card, and the certificate to the National Honor Society adviser (if awarded).

Section 7
The demerit system includes, but is not limited to, the issuance of demerits for the following actions. Other appropriate action may be determined by the Faculty Advisory Council or Executive Committee. The member will be given notification of any new demerits every meeting or at the earliest possible time.  Students with 6 demerits shall be notified by warning letter and/or shall sign an acknowledgement regarding their status. Refusal to sign does not dismiss demerit.

DEMERIT SYSTEM:

• 5 – receiving a grade of 69 or lower on six grading period 
• 4 - an assignment of 3 days or more to ISS or Saturday School
• 3 - an assignment of 2 days or less to ISS, Saturday School, or detention
• 3 - failure to complete 20 hours of school and/or community service per semester of membership
• 3 – receiving a grade of 69 or lower on a progress report
• 2 - failure to complete 20 hours of school and/or community service per summer of membership
• 2 –failure to turn semester hours  
• 2- disciplinary notice with warning
• 2 - insubordination to administrators, staff, teachers, and elected NHS Officers
• 2 - failure to fulfill all committee obligations
• 2 - failure to take part in a mandatory chapter activity without prior approval from adviser(s)
• 1 - an unexcused absence from a meeting
• 1 – for every day that community service hours are not turned in (five consecutive days maximum)
• 1 - failure to notify adviser(s) of a detention, ISS assignment, or a disciplinary notice
• ½ -a tardy of less than 10 minutes to a mandatory chapter activity
• ½ -failure to wear NHS shirt on designated days without prior approval from elected officers or sponsor 

Section 7
No member will be allowed more than one warning letter before dismissal. In all cases of impending dismissal, the President or Vice President will notify the member with a written letter within two weeks of decision. In all cases of impending dismissal, a member shall have a right to a hearing before the Faculty Advisory Council within two weeks of being notified of this decision. Notice of dismissal must be reported to the Faculty Advisory Committee or Executive Committee. 

Section 8
Any member who withdraws or is dismissed from the chapter must return the certificate and any item that bears the National Honor Society emblem.

Section 9
Once a member is dismissed, he/she is never again eligible for membership in the National Honor Society.

Section 10 
Senior membership does not guarantee awarding of senior chords and regalia. Awards will be based on the following 

1. Maintain required GPA at induction of member 
2. Complete all senior graduation goals 

a.     All hours must be received and approved 
b.     Active Participation at Stafford during Spring Semester-Must be done primarily afterschool and no grade can be attached to participation in the event. 

i.      Varsity Sport- player, trainer, manager
ii.     Musical 
iii.   One Act Play
iv.    UIL* 
v. Competing Clubs* 

•       *UIL participation cannot be primarily done during school hours 
•       *A Competing Club requires membership and active competition

For example 

• DECA competing at district 
• HOSA competing at district 
• Student Council competing at district

Article IV:  Chapter Officers

Section 1
The officers of this chapter shall be president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, historian, a senior trustee and a junior trustee. The officers with the adviser(s) form the executive committee.

Section 2
An election of the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and historian   (majority members of the Executive Committee) shall be held after the spring induction of selected sophomores.  A majority of votes from the senior and junior members shall be necessary. The election of the Executive Committee will be determined by popular vote and recommendations of the prior officers and advisor.  

Section 3
The sophomore and junior trustees shall be selected following the election of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian. Trustees shall be selected by the executive committee and newly elected officers based on active participation in the chapter, worthy character, and strong leadership capabilities.

Section 4
It shall be the duty of the president to preside over the meetings and activities of this chapter to ensure they are held in accordance with proper parliamentarian procedures and provisions of these bylaws. The president shall prepare agendas for all meetings, see that officers carry out all assigned duties, and is to represent this chapter in any outside activities.

Section 5
It shall be the duty of the vice president to preside over the meetings and activities of this chapter in the absence of the president. The vice president shall be charged with overseeing the smooth running of all committees, the maintenance of accurate service hour records for the chapter, and actively issues members’ demerits.

Section 6
It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of meetings, track member attendance, record all chapter business, and maintain an accurate record of members’ forms and demerits. The secretary shall, with the approval of the adviser(s) or principal, certify to the national secretary of the National Council the names of all members of the current year on the annual report submitted to National Headquarters.

Section 7
It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive and disburse all funds of the chapter, keep an accurate account of receipts and disbursements in accordance with school regulations, maintain a budget for the chapter, prepare reports on revenues and expenses, and coordinate all chapter fundraisers.

Section 8
It shall be the duty of the publicity manager to coordinate all publicity for the chapter and its activities and shall maintain a current and accurate pictorial and written accounting of all chapter activities.

Section 9
The trustees shall assist elected officers in all chapter activities. Trustees will also have the dual responsibility of Parliamentarian. 

Section 10
No member on scholastic probation may hold any office. If at any point during their term a member falls under probation, they will be asked to resign their position.  

Section 11
An officer can be removed from their office when duties assigned have not been met satisfactorily according to standards set by the adviser(s). The first warning will be given verbally to the officer in question by the adviser(s) with an explanation of the problem areas. If necessary, a second warning will be given in writing to the officer in question by the adviser(s) and the parent(s) will be notified. The second warning will once again outline the problem areas and explain why removal from office is possible. If the officer’s performance does not become satisfactory, a third and final warning will result in removal from office. Removal from office will not affect membership within the National Honor Society.

Section 12
In the event that an officer position is vacated and a new officer needs to be selected, then the members will be asked to nominate potential candidates and an election will be held. The candidate that receives the majority vote from the members in consideration with the current officer and advisor team; will become the new officer. If no member is nominated and the position remains vacated then the Executive Committee will decide which member will fill the position. 

Section 13
If a member believes that an officer is not fulfilling their responsibilities, they may during a general meeting of the membership call for a no confidence vote. If a vote is called the membership must vote on the issue. A call of no confidence will also serve as a final warning to an officer.

Article V: Faculty Supervision

Section 1
If feasible, there will be at least two faculty advisers for the chapter.

Section 2
All meetings and activities will be with the approval of the principal.

Section 3
The activities of the chapter shall be subject to the approval of the principal.

Section 4
The principal or administrator or designee shall appoint a five-member Faculty Advisory Council which shall not include him/herself. The council shall approve all new members and the dismissal of current members. Any member who is dismissed by the Faculty Advisory Council shall have the right of appeal to the principal and or designee.

Article VI: Chapter Meetings

Section 1 
The meetings of this chapter shall be held once or twice a month at an agreed upon time as decided by a majority vote of the chapter officers. Special meetings shall be held at the calling of the executive committee and/or faculty advisers.

Section 2
The May meeting will be for installation of officers and newly inducted members for the coming year.

Section 3
All meetings must have a quorum of the Executive Committee present. 

Article VII: Bylaw Changes

Section 1 
These bylaws may be amended by the advisers with the approval of the Faculty Advisory Council.

Section 2
The membership shall be notified of any amendment(s) in an open meeting at least one month prior to activation of said changes.