CHAPTER BYLAWS OF Southfield HIGH SCHOOL for the Arts and Technology (A&T)
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Revised- August 2018
ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. The name of this organization is the Southfield High A& T Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools.
Section 2. The primary purpose of this organization is to create enthusiasm for the four principles of NHS: to maintain the exemplary requirements of scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote and practice leadership opportunities, and to develop character in the students of Southfield High A&T School. We also strive to honor students who demonstrate the high standards of the National Honor Society and contribute to the betterment of individuals, the school, and the community.
ARTICLE II. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
Section 1. The control of this organization shall be vested in the National Council.
Section 2. This organization conforms to the National Constitution as set forth by the National Council.
Section 3. Annual affiliation fee shall be paid yearly to the National Council.
ARTICLE III. THE PRINCIPAL
Section 1. The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.
Section 2. The principal shall appoint a member of the faculty as chapter adviser.
Section 3. The principal shall appoint a Faculty Council composed of members of the school's faculty. Section 4. The principal shall receive appeals in cases of discipline, dismissal, or non-selection.
ARTICLE IV. THE CHAPTER ADVISER
Section 1. The chapter adviser shall be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the chapter and to act as liaison between faculty, administration, students, and the community. In our school, this is a shared position by three advisers.
ARTICLE V. FACULTY COUNCIL
Section 1. The Faculty Council shall consist of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be an ex-officio, non-voting, sixth member of the Faculty Council.
ARTICLE VI. CHAPTER OFFICERS
Section 1. The elected officers shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and historian, archives secretary, and committee chairpersons per team. The newly elected officers and the NHS adviser will oversee the pre-appointed committee chairpersons and their committees, will participate in leadership trainings, and present at the state level. As well, the NHS E Board will be required to be part of two committees, as a mentor, and utilize social media: Facebook, Remind, Twitter, etc. and texting, NHS folders and news to communicate with membership weekly. Section 2. An officer candidate may be nominated by self-nomination, by a current member, or by the NHS Advisor. Eligible students shall be in good standing with the National Honor Society and inducted at a previous induction ceremony. Officer candidates shall have their membership records reviewed to ensure they are "members in good standing” as defined in Policies and Procedures #5, Section 3. The candidate must submit a candidate form, all current teacher recommendations, and prepare an essay/speech stating why they should be considered for nomination. In addition, the nominees will have a brief overview of responsibilities and an interview with the NHS Eboard prior to the membership’s election. Section 4. Elections for new officers shall be held at a regular meeting of the society, prior to the school year in which the officers are to serve. Election of the President-elect shall take place near the start of the fifth marking period. Election of all other officer positions shall take place near the start of the sixth marking period. Section 5. Upon completion of the election process, the officers will assume the duties of the executive committee immediately, so long as they due a short mentorship with the previous executive board members. Section 6. The responsibilities of the officers are defined in the Policies and Procedures. Section 7. Upon the creation of a vacancy in the position of the president, the vice-president shall assume all responsibilities immediately. If both offices are vacated simultaneously, the organization shall open nominations for both offices. All vacancies in elected offices shall be filled within one month. Any vacancies created by a member changing position through this procedure will be filled as necessary.
ARTICLE VII. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of the chapter officers, chapter committee chairpersons, and the chapter Adviser. Section 2. The executive committee shall have the responsibility for ensuring that chapter activities and procedures follow school policy and regulations. Section 3. The executive committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the chapter between its business meetings, make recommendations to the chapter, and determine and perform such other duties as are specified in the chapter bylaws. All actions and recommendations of the executive committee shall be subject to the review of the chapter membership. Section 4. The executive committee shall meet within one week prior to the regularly scheduled National Honor Society meeting and plan an agenda, which is to be distributed to the members at the meeting. Section 5. Special meetings of the executive committee may be called by the president, advisor, principal, or upon written request of any three members. No previous notice is required if the special meeting is held during school, but at least one day's notice is required if it is to be held before or after school. Meetings held during the school day must have administrative approval.
ARTICLE VIII. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The executive committee may appoint committees as necessary to carry on its work. However, the recommendation of a committee chairperson must be approved by the executive board and the advisor. Section 2. Membership on any National Honor Society committee shall be open to any member in good standing. Section 3. The NHS EBoard members, especially the president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
ARTICLE IX. SELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student. Students may not apply for membership. One gains membership into the National Honor Society upon completion of the selection process as established by the Policies and Procedures #2. All candidates must complete each required element of the selection process. Failure to do so will result in elimination from further consideration for the given school year. Selection of members is by the Faculty Council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Section 2. The principal will approve members selected by the faculty council prior to publication of the selection decision.
ARTICLE X. MEMBERS’ OBLIGATIONS
Section 1. All members of the chapter are expected to: participate and contribute to the activities of the organization; attend all meetings; fulfill all service, character and leadership obligations as determined by the Policies and Procedures #3 and #4; participate in fund-raisers; and continuously maintain and demonstrate the appropriate standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character under which they were selected. Section 2. New members are expected to begin fulfilling their obligations of membership the first full month following their induction.
ARTICLE XI. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Section 1. If a member fails to meet any of the obligations mentioned within Article X, then he/she may be subject to disciplinary action as stated in the Policies and Procedures #5. Members may be subject to additional service hour penalties or loss of character points if they fail to attend meetings, neglect to turn in required forms, or miss required activities. Section 2. Members who fall below the standards, that were the basis for their selection, shall be warned in writing, at any time, by the chapter adviser. Such members shall be placed on probation and have a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency. The conditions of the probation and timeline for completion will be established in the probation contract. In the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law, a member does not necessarily have to be warned and may be revoked. Section 3. In all cases of impending dismissal, a chapter member shall have a right to a hearing before the faculty council and to be informed in writing of the offenses. This is the "due process" guaranteed to all chapter members under the NHS National Constitution and the Constitution of the United States. Please note: the hearing is prior to dismissal. For purposes of dismissal, a majority vote of the faculty council is required. The Advisor will take the member’s signed paperwork (probationary papers- signed by member and parent) to the Faculty Council and present the member’s probationary situation anonymously, so that the judgement is non-biased. Section 4. Appeals of dismissal are to be handled by the building principal according to the school’s established appeals process. Neither the National Council, National Office, nor the State Office will hear appeals in cases of dismissal.
ARTICLE XII. MEETINGS
Section 1. The National Honor Society shall meet for business at the discretion of the officers and the advisors during the school year. All regular meetings shall be decided upon prior to the first semester of the school year, and a notice of the meeting shall be posted. Unless other arrangements have been made, meetings shall be held once monthly on the first Saturday of each month, unless otherwise noted. (due to holidays/ vacation). Section 2. This organization shall conduct meetings in accordance to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised or according to Policies and Procedures #7. In all cases in which they are inconsistent with these bylaws, another rule of order may be applied. Section 3. Special meetings can be called by a member of the executive committee, the principal, or by written request of ten members. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. No previous notice is necessary if it is held during school. If held before or after school, at least one day's notice is required. Section 4. All members in good standing and elected officers may vote at meetings. Section 5. A majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE XIII. ACTIVITIES
Section 1. Each activity shall fulfill a need within the school or community, be appropriate and educationally defensible, be logical with the mission statement’s goals, be well planned and supported by the administration and faculty, and preapproved by Student Congress and the NHS advisor. Members will use the established project planning process to ensure these goals. Section 2. SERVICE: All members of the chapter are expected to fulfill all service obligations as determined by the Policies and Procedures #3. The executive committee shall determine the required activities each month and provide members with the appropriate documentation form. Section 3. LEADERSHIP: Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing, organizing, and participating in a Leadership Project that reflects his or her particular talents and interests as stated in Policies and Procedures #4. Documentation requirements of the project will be stated in the Policies and Procedures. Section 4. OTHER ACTIVITIES: The chapter shall determine NHS Activities. All members shall regularly participate in these activities. All projects shall be publicized in a positive manner.
ARTICLE XIV. ACOLADES AND SCHOLARSHIP NOMINATION *DUE TO COVID 19 (District Closure 2020) Seniors Could not complete this portion for NORMAL Circumstance in regards to Acolades/ if payment was received= reimbursement of dues.
Section 1. Senior members who exhibit ACTIVE participation throughout their tenure of membership, and have achieved the most points in each of the four principles will be awarded the top honor certificates and medallions of achievement. Those senior members who have been the most outstanding in scholarship, leadership, service, and character are eligible to be nominated by their chapter to compete in the National Honor Society Scholarship Program. Section 2. The faculty council considers and approves all top honor candidates and identifies one or two students who are outstanding in the four qualities of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Section 3. At the national level, each nominated student competes only with students in his/her own state. The number of NHS chapters in that state determines the number of awards to be assigned.
ARTICLE XV. BYLAWS & POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Section 1. The NHS bylaws shall be approved by the existing officers, advisor, Faculty Council, and principal of Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology. Section 2. The NHS members in good standing shall be given copies of the bylaws, policies and procedures, and subsequent proposed revisions to review and discuss. All issues shall be discussed at an informational meeting. All policies and procedures are subject to approval by the principal and faculty council. Section 3. Policies and Procedures of the NHS may be written by the principal, faculty council, advisor, executive committee, or by a member committee appointed for this purpose. Revised policies and procedures must be presented for discussion at least one meeting prior to their effective date.
ARTICLE XVI. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These bylaws can be amended at any regular meeting of the National Honor Society by a majority vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting. All amendments must be approved by the Faculty Council and building principal.
Policies and Procedures #1 – Article VI, Section 5
Responsibilities of the Officers
Section 1. All officers are to: meet weekly with advisors, meet with the principal as needed, actively participate in all meetings and activities, chair committees as appointed. Section 2. The president’s responsibilities are to, but not limited to: preside over all meetings and provide information, oversee all committees, organize and coordinate NHS activities, initiate plans of action, and perform any additional duties as deemed appropriate. Section 3. The vice president’s responsibilities are to, but not limited to: preside over a meeting if the president is absent, record monthly activity hours, provide an updated record of activity hours to all members, and oversee the Public Relations Team. Section 4. The secretarial assistant’s responsibilities are to, but not limited to: take attendance at all meetings, type and distribute agendas at meetings, take minutes at all meetings, create flyers, take responsibility for all invitations sent. *Includes social media news flashes and Facebook upkeep, and texting as needed. Section 5. The treasurer or financial advisor’s responsibilities are to, but not limited to: keep detailed financial records for the National Honor Society, collect money from all fund-raisers, keep records with financial secretary and advisor. Section 6. The archive secretary/historian’s responsibilities are to, but not limited to: maintain and update the bulletin board weekly, write a monthly article for "The SPS School Board" and submit the article on a flashdrive to the advisor 3 days prior to main office due date. *In addition to archiving records with the Adviser's support. Section 7. The Eboard committee chairperson responsibilities are to, but not limited to: organize at least two small activities or one large event/activity for the entire membership to participate in and have opportunities for service, leadership, character, or any goals pertaining to the year’s mission statement.
Policies and Procedures #2 – Article IX, Section 1
SELECTION OF MEMBERS
I. GENERAL POLICIES:
Section 1. Membership is an honor bestowed upon a student. Students may not apply for membership. One obtains membership into the National Honor Society upon successful completion of the selection process as established by the officers, advisor, faculty council, and principal. Section 2. All candidates must complete each required element of the selection process. Failure to do so will result in elimination from further consideration for the given school year. Section 3. The selection of members shall be held once per year during the first semester of the school year. Alternative or additional selection periods may be held as necessary. Section 4. Candidates eligible for election into this chapter must be a member of the sophomore, junior, or senior class, and have been in attendance at the school the equivalent of one semester prior to selection.
II. SELECTION CRITERIA:
Section 5. Selection into the chapter is based upon service, leadership, character, and scholarship criteria as defined below.
Section 6. “Create enthusiasm for scholarship.” Scholarship will be determined by the candidate’s most recent cumulative grade point average, calculated by the Southfield-Lathrup High School Guidance department. The minimum GPA is 3.30. Grades earned in honors and advanced placement courses may be weighted when calculating the cumulative G.P.A. Section 7. “Stimulate a desire to render service.” Service is defined as the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit. Candidates must demonstrate their desire to render service by documenting their previous service efforts. See Community Service flyer for examples of community service activities and selection scoring rubrics. Section 8. “Promote leadership.” Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, and dependable persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activity while working with or for others. Selection forms require documentation of leadership roles as well as a verbal description of leadership skills used in that role. See the Leadership flyer for examples of leadership activities and selection scoring rubrics. Section 9. “Develop character within the individual.” Students of character show courtesy, concern, and respect for others at all times both in and out of school. They uphold exemplary principles of morality and ethics, demonstrate high standards of honesty, and display common courtesy and respect toward others during meetings, functions, and classes. High character requires the student to demonstrate desirable qualities of personality: cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability, sincerity, and cooperation. Students demonstrating exemplary character in the classroom are responsible, respectful, helpful, organized, honest, and dependable. The candidate will have the opportunity to document his/her character traits on the selection forms and in the selection video resume. The faculty of Southfield-Lathrup High School will have the opportunity to provide information regarding the student’s character. See the NHS character flyer for examples of character traits and the selection scoring process.
III. SELECTION PROCESS:
Section 10.Students who are eligible will be notified in writing. The student must complete the Student Activity Information forms, including leadership and service documentation, to be eligible for further consideration. These forms must be handed to the designated advisor by the set due dates, or students will forfeit their selection eligibility. Section 11. All faculty shall receive NHS Selection Surveys. Faculty shall complete surveys for all students whom they feel are qualified. Section 12.Demonstration of Interest meeting for those who have received eligibility mail shall be conducted by the presiding NHS officers, with an NHS advisor or faculty council member present. These meetings shall be held on specified days, during the first week of eligibility, and NHS Spirit Week. Section 13.Candidates shall be digitally video-taped in a video resume responding to five specified questions. Questions may change yearly. An example is as follows: "How will membership in the National Honor Society benefit you and how will you, in turn, enhance the society?" The resume must be taped by the NHS New Inductee Committee team, and one must first sign up for an appointment then complete by the set due date or the candidate will forfeit his/her selection eligibility. Section 14. The Faculty Council meets, reviews all available data, and selects who is "bestowed the honor of membership." Section 15. The Candlelight Induction Ceremony will occur after candidates are selected, and one must become Inducted to serve as a member.
Section 16. New members shall be required to record their service accomplishments with the NHS Community Service Form, starting with the first full month following the induction ceremony. Section 17. A member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. This member will attain the membership requirements within one semester and then maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.
Policies and Procedures #3 – Article X, Section 1
MONTHLY ACTIVITIES
Section 1. During the academic year (from months September through May), members are expected to document their Service, Character, and Leadership accomplishments into the NHS Portfolio of Achievement. During each month, we will specify the number of service, character, or leadership opportunities for that month. Each month, members must: Attend membership meeting(s) and committee meetings Complete NHS organized activities Complete tutoring Complete additional service Complete a Leadership Role Complete a Character Role Section 2.ATTEND MEETINGS -Each student must attend each membership meeting. If a student fails to attend a meeting, then the student must complete an hour of service to compensate. The student is responsible for visiting office hours on Tuesdays or Thursdays in the Career Center to obtain the agenda he/she missed and signing a letter to verify the missed meeting. Section 3. NHS ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES - Each student must complete organized NHS activities. NHS organized activities are defined as a service, leadership, or character opportunity devised by the officers, advisors, faculty council, or as a member’s leadership project. Each student must sign in and sign out of every activity completed. Each activity will have a predetermined amount of service, leadership, or character points/hours assigned. If a member fails to complete an activity, then he/she is responsible to complete the predetermined number of hours of service, leadership, or character in some other way. Section 4. TUTORING - Each student must complete an hour of tutoring each month in order to achieve 6 total hours by the year’s end. Each student must complete the required information including the name of the person tutored, the subject tutored, the date, and the number of hours tutored on the NHS Tutoring Form or the Southfield-Public Library form, and they must be authorized by an adult/ faculty. If a member fails to complete the tutoring hour, then he/she must compensate for the missed hour. Section 5. ADDITIONAL SERVICE - Each student must complete an average of two hours of service per month. This may include any out of school service hours, out of society service hours, or any additional tutoring hours. All hours are cumulative; therefore, extra NHS Activity hours or tutoring hours will be counted toward additional service and will carry back or forward to compensate for missed service hours as needed. Appropriate information must be documented along with the total number of hours completed. Section 6. LEADERSHIP UPDATE - Each month, a brief update of each Committee member’s leadership project will need to be discussed and explained at membership meetings to their Committee Chairperson and the entire membership will hear a representative from that committee. These projects may be created individually or within a group. The activity needs to be organized and publicized. These projects may be included as an option for the organized activity or extra activities on the monthly activities form. Hours spent organizing and completing a leadership project will count for the committee leadership point. *Additional .25 leadership points will also be provided at Adviser’s discretion for any and all leadership activities and events. State MAHS participation at any time will deem leadership point recognition. See Policies & Procedures pertaining to ‘Leadership Projects’. Section 7. DUE DATES - The Monthly Activities/ Events will expect participation and to complete tasks for any event/activity is considered a due date! In order to receive credit for any project, event, or activity the Committee Chairperson must turn in appropriate roster of participants before a meeting and every month one is expected to receive their point proof from the date it was due. Failure to participate in any event, activity, or project where no points are awarded will result in a penalty of an extra hour added to the total number of service hours needed. Since all service hours are cumulative through the semester, no penalty will be assessed for missing service hours, until the May membership meeting. It is the responsibility of the member to complete missed hour(s) within the following months. Keep in mind that missed meetings and activities may reflect negatively on the member’s character and provide basis for probation. Section 8. A spreadsheet will be maintained on the school’s network where members may check their status. This spreadsheet can be found at:
Section 1. The Leadership Project is an opportunity to promote the pillar of leadership within each of the society’s members. Over the course of the school year, students are to plan, organize, publicize, and run an event or service opportunity that contributes to the betterment of the school and/or the community. In order to complete this project, steps to aid each student’s project are provided below and within “Project Planning Packet.” Section 2. The student must first choose a topic that is of interest to him/her. Examples: include, but are not limited to, the Academic Heroes Assembly, organizing volunteers for the NHS tutoring program, a leadership mentorship with an elementary school, raising money for a charity, organizing a can or clothing drive, or organizing a visit to a senior center. Depending on the complexity of the event, students may work together within groups to accomplish their goal. If the student is unable to decide on a topic, then he/she may see the advisor for a list of possible topics. Student must choose a topic prior to his/her re-evaluation meeting at the end of semester one. Section 3. Once a topic is decided, a brief update of each member’s leadership committee project should be included in the student’s Portfolio of Achievement; include information such as who, what, when, where, what needs to be done, and what the executive committee can do to assist. Any further progress should also be documented on in the Committee Binder for each team. Section 4. The activity will need to be organized and publicized. Please see “Project Planning Packet” for further instructions. Section 5. As the scheduled date of the event approaches, the student or group will present the project to the officers and advisor at the officers’ meeting, the week prior to the NHS meeting. Please inform the advisor in advance that the project will be presented at the officers’ meeting. The project will be included as an option to the NHS organized activity on the Monthly Agenda. At the proceeding meeting, the student will present the project and have other members sign-up to help volunteer at the event. Section 6. The member must attend the event to ensure that the volunteers are present and that everything runs smoothly. Section 7. Each member should complete a leadership project each year after the year of induction. Hours spent on leadership projects may be used to fulfill any service hours needed for NHS, or to complete the community service diploma endorsement.
Policies and Procedures #5 – Article XI, Section 1
REEVALUATION and DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Section 1. The purpose of the Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology National Honor Society’s reevaluation and disciplinary process is to allow students the opportunity to recognize their weaknesses as well as their strengths and to grow and improve in the four areas of scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Students who continue to meet all standards under which they were selected will be considered “members in good standing.” Section 2.REEVALUATION.Each January and June current members will be reevaluated according to the standards of selection. 1. Members will complete their personal reevaluation forms documenting the following: · Verification of service hours on the network database · Leadership skills and progress on the leadership projects · Reflections on character strengths · Other items relating to the four criteria as needed 2. Faculty will evaluate character using the same criteria as the selection procedure. 3. The advisor will verify GPA with the member’s counselor and review attendance and activity documents in the member’s NHS file. 4. In January/February, individual letters will be sent if students are missing items in their portfolio of achievement, and interviews will be held to review the member’s status. If parent needs to be notified, then this is second meeting with all parties. 5. In June, the advisor will review all documents and interview only students requiring further consultation. 6. Following the interview or review, the member will be classified as ‘in good standing’, ‘on probation’, or recommended for dismissal Section 3. PROBATION. If at any time, a member is determined to be below standard in one or more of the 4 pillars of NHS, that member will be put on probation for a period ending at the next reevaluation or some other reasonable time frame agreed upon by the involved parties. The probation process will begin with the reevaluation and include the following: · An improvement plan developed by the student and Advisor or Faculty Council member. The plan must state specific actions to achieve the goal, include the date by which the goal must be reached, and state the criteria that will determine whether the goal has been met. · A letter to the parents indicating the reason for and the terms of the probation. · A member may revise, with the advisor approval, the probationary plan in order to achieve the improvement goal. If the member successfully achieves the NHS standard by the probationary period deadline, s/he will become a member in good standing. If the student fails to reach the minimum required standard for NHS membership, the student will be recommended for dismissal. Section 4. DISMISSAL. If a member is recommended for dismissal a letter will be sent to parents stating the reason for dismissal and informing them of the right to address the faculty council prior to dismissal. The member or member’s parents may respond to the Faculty Council in writing or in person at the time of the hearing. If a senior member at any time has fallen short of requirements and receives probationary status, and if they do nothing to improve the situation, then the result is voluntary dismissal. These students may not receive senior awards or alcolades, refunds of dues and fundraising obligation fees, and they will forfeit their rights of membership. A member who chooses to withdraw their membership may do so by signing off of the membership, and with parent meeting and signatures by all parties. If a member chooses voluntary withdraw from membership, they will not be able to revoke this decision, nor will they be able to resubmit membership materials for the next academic year.