BYLAWS OF THE SPRINGFIELD INTERNATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
EFFECTIVE 2024-2025
ARTICLE I
Name of the Organization
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the National Honor Society of Springfield International Charter School.
ARTICLE II
Chapter Advisors & Faculty Council
Section 1. The chapter Advisor(s) approves all chapter activities and attends all meetings.
Section 2. The chapter Advisors shall be chosen by the principal.
Section 3. The Faculty Council shall be chosen from current faculty members by the chapter Advisors. Care should be taken to choose members from at least one of each of the core subjects: Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Sciences, and World Languages.
Section 4. Membership in the Faculty Council is under the discretion of the principal.
Section 5. The Faculty Council may appoint a chairperson under their discretion.
ARTICLE III
Selection of Members
Section 1. To be eligible for new membership the candidate must be a member of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.
Section 2. Candidate must have attended Springfield International Charter School for the equivalent of one quarter.
Section 3. Candidate must have a cumulative average of an 90% or better on a 4.00/unweighted scale for their core courses. Students must also maintain a grade point average above 75% in their elective classes.
In addition, if Candidate is a sophomore, they must also have a minimum average of 90% in each of their five core subjects (English, Math, Science, History, Language).
Section 4. Eligible students along with their parents/guardians will be informed of their eligibility via email correspondence. The email will contain a link to a Google Classroom that will include all relevant information and due dates for application.
If a student is on Medical Leave, the Advisor(s) will call the parents/guardians and inform them of the student's eligibility at the time that all students are informed of eligibility.
If the student is scheduled to return prior to January 15th, the parents will be informed that the student will be required to reach out to the Advisor(s) during their first five days of school to make arrangements for accommodations so that they may be able to complete the eligibility process.
Accommodations may be made for the student to engage in their interview should they be able to, but that will be wholly at the discretion of the student.
If a student is scheduled to return after January 15th, and the student is unable to fully engage in the application process, they will be invited to apply during the next eligibility period the following year provided they maintain their grade eligibility.
Section 5. The chapter Advisor(s) sends a survey of those students who meet the scholastic criterion to the faculty of Springfield International Charter School for comments. Faculty members will be given five (5) school days in which to return the prospective lists to the Advisor(s).
Section 6. Prospective members must complete the student activity form and provide a personal essay determined by the chapter Advisor(s). Candidates must adhere to the specified deadline for returning activity forms. Late forms will not be reviewed for membership.
Section 7. The Faculty Council reviews the student form and the faculty comment form for the three remaining, but usually weighted criteria of leadership, service, and character. In all matters concerning selection of members the Faculty Council has all final decisions for invitation.
Section 8. The Faculty Council will remove students from consideration that fail to attend the mandatory informational meeting, or submit their essay, candidate information forms, and acknowledgement forms by specified due date. Students may reach out to the Advisors for accommodations prior to the mandatory meeting and submission deadlines, and it is at their discretion to to make considerations.
Section 9. The Faculty Council will meet each student candidate for interviews to add to the final three selection criteria.
Section 10. The Faculty Council will meet with the chapter Advisors to discuss all decisions on membership.
Section 11. The chapter Advisors will notify all invitees of their membership acceptance. The chapter Advisors will meet with all students not selected, to communicate areas of improvement for future acceptance.
Section 12. To finalize membership, students must show their acceptance of invitation by completing the induction process, which includes attending three mandatory events: The new member informational meeting, induction practice, and induction ceremony.
Section 13. All appeals to any decision by the Faculty Council must first be formalized through the principal and communicated to the Faculty Council. The faculty council will take all information from prospective student / guardian in either supporting previous decision or overturning their decision. In all cases of appeal, the Faculty Council shall permit any member the right to a hearing. As part of the investigative process, the member (with or without their guardian) will be given a date and time in which to appear before the Faculty Council and present their side of the situation. If, after a thorough investigation and a hearing the Faculty Council finds that acceptance is warranted, the member and their guardians will be informed in writing of the acceptance.
Section 14. The Faculty Council and/or chapter Advisors shall reserve the right to award honorary membership to school official, principals, teachers, NHS Advisors, adults, students with disabilities, or foreign exchange students in recognition of achievement and/or outstanding service rendered to the school in keeping with the purpose of the National Honor Society. Honorary memberships are designed to recognize an outstanding student who has a disabling condition that prevents the student from fully meeting the requirements for membership. Honorary members shall have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
1. Honorary members shall receive a membership card and certificate with the world “honorary” typed on it.
2. Honorary members are permitted to wear NHS hoods at graduation that have the world “Honorary” embroidered on them.
3. Honorary members are not required to attend meetings or earn points.
ARTICLE IV
Warning, Probation, and Dismissal Procedure
Section 1. To be in good standing a member cannot be on probationary status. This includes, but is not limited to, being on probation for GPA, non-attendance of scheduled meetings, service points, and character.
Section 2. A member whose cumulative average falls below a 87% unweighted at the end of a quarter shall be notified in writing that they are being placed on probation for the entire quarter immediately following the grading period. During the probation period, they can participate in all chapter activities except to run for an office. If the member’s cumulative average returns to an 87% unweighted or better at the end of the semester of probation, the probation will be lifted. If the cumulative unweighted average remains below an 87% at the end of the semester of probation, the member will be recommended to the Faculty Council for dismissal. The member is allowed only one period of probation.
Section 3. The Advisor, secretary, or Faculty Council Chairperson shall issue a letter of warning when the member has missed two (2) meetings. If the member misses a third (3rd) meeting, s/he will be brought before the Faculty Council for dismissal.
Section 4. The Advisor, secretary, or Faculty will notify members at the end of the first semester who do not have at least ten (10) service points. Members who do not have their ten points by the end of the first semester will be placed on probation for the second semester. If the member does not earn the required fifteen (15) service points by the last student day before spring break, s/he will be brought before the Faculty Council for dismissal. (as per Article 7)
Section 5. The Advisor(s) shall issue letters of warning to those members who have not paid their dues. If dues are not paid by the specific date in the letter, the member will be brought before the Faculty Council for the purpose of dismissal. (as per Article 8, Section 3)
Section 6. The Faculty Council may vote to place on probation or dismiss any member whose behavior is considered to be inappropriate or contrary to NHS standards without a prior warning being given.
Section 7. Any member who missed induction without an acceptable prior written excuse will be brought before the faculty council for the purpose of dismissal. (as per Article 6, Section 5)
Section 8. In all cases of impending probation or dismissal, the Faculty Council shall permit any member the right to a hearing. As part of the investigative process, the member and their guardian will be given a date and time in which to appear before the Faculty Council and present their side of the situation. If, after a thorough investigation and a hearing the Faculty Council finds that dismissal is warranted, the member and their guardians will be informed in writing of the dismissal action and the reasons(s) for such.
Section 9. Dismissed members may not resubmit their application for reentry into the chapter. Dismissal is final.
ARTICLE V
The Executive Board
Section 1. The elected officers and appointed committee chairs make up the Executive Board.
Section 2. The officers of this chapter may include: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and/or any other officer deemed necessary by the chapter.
Section3. A majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect any officer.
Section 4. Members on probationary status may not run for an office.
Section 5. Candidates for offices must fill out the proper application, which includes a 200-world composition stating reasons for wanting to hold the office. Candidates must be in good standing in all classes from the filing date through the elections.
Section 6. Elections will be held at a set meeting and will be conducted by secret, ranked choice ballot with immediate runoffs.
Section 7. Elected officers will assume duties of their new offices after the installation ceremony.
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS ARE DESCRIBED BELOW:
The office of PRESIDENT shall be held by a senior member. Duties are:
1. To preside over the chapter of the National Honor Society.
2. To preside over the executive meetings of the officers of NHS.
3. To call special meetings of the chapter at large, committees, or officers, subject to approval of the Advisor(s) and/or principal.
The office of VICE-PRESIDENT shall be held by a junior or senior member. Duties are:
1. To preside over the chapter of the national Honor Society in the absence of the President.
2. To assume all presidential powers and responsibilities in the absence of the President.
3. To fulfill responsibilities otherwise delegated by the President.
4. To insure the correct functioning of all committees.
5. To exercise the full powers of a member of the chapter except when assuming the presidency.
The office of SECRETARY shall be held by both a junior and senior member. This office may be divided into two divisions: Senior Secretary and Junior Secretary. Duties are:
1. To keep a complete record (including minutes) of the Chapter’s meetings, activities and service points.
2. To record and answer all the Chapter’s correspondence.
3. To fulfill responsibilities otherwise delegated by the President.
4. To assume presidential duties in the absence of the President and/or Vice-President.
5. To exercise the full powers of a member of the chapter except when assuming the presidency.
The office of the TREASURER shall be held by a junior or senior member. Duties are:
1. To keep a complete record of all financial matters of NHS.
2. To be prepared to submit a record of NHS’s finances when called upon.
3. To preside over the Budget-Fund Raising committees.
4. To fulfill responsibilities otherwise delegated by the President.
5. To exercise the full powers of a member of the chapter.
The office of HISTORIAN shall be held by a junior or senior member.
Duties are:
1. To keep an accurate account of the NHS’s activities.
2. To keep a visual account of NHS’s activities.
3. To fulfill responsibilities otherwise delegated by the President.
4. To exercise the full powers of a member of NHS.
The office of PARLIMENTARIAN shall be held by a junior or senior member.
Duties are:
1. To advise and ensure that chapter meetings are conducted in accordance with ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER, NEWLY REVISED, in all points not expressly provided for in the Constitution.
2. To fulfill responsibilities otherwise delegated by the President.
3. To exercise the full powers of a member of the NHS.
4. To be in charge of setting up for monthly meetings.
Section 9. Members of the organization may be divided into four specific areas of service which have appointed committee chairs:
1. Leadership
2. Scholarship
3. Service
4. Character
Each committee chair and/or co-chair is responsible for the following:
1. Organizing their activities.
2. Getting people signed up for that activity.
3. Assigning service points for those activities no later than 2 weeks after the activity date on the proper form.
4. If you are unable to attend an officer meeting, you must notify one of the sponsors at least 24 hours in advance or you will receive a demerit for attending.
Section 10. Committee chairs are selected by Advisor(s).
Section 11. All chapter officers and committee chairs are required to attend meetings as deemed necessary by the Advisor(s).
Section 12. Advisor(s) or the attendance secretary will issue a letter of warning when a member of the Executive Board has two absences during a semester. Upon the third absence, the Executive Board member will be brought before the Faculty Council for dismissal from Executive Board.
Section 13. Upon recommendation of the chapter Advisor(s) and approval of a majority of the Faculty Council, an officer or committee head may be removed from office for not fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of the office.
Section 14. Replacement of any officer/committee head, who has been dismissed or left for any reason, will be at the discretion of the Faculty Council and/or Advisor(s).
ARTICLE VI
Meetings
Section 1. Regularly scheduled meetings will be decided upon at the beginning of the school year. Time and place of the meetings will be announced to all members.
Section 2. There shall be a minimum of eight (8) meetings held per calendar year of the chapter membership.
Section 3. Members must have attended 75% of all meetings to remain in good standing.
Section 4. The Advisor(s), secretary, or Faculty Council Chairperson shall issue a letter of warning when two (2) meetings have been missed by the member. If the member misses a third (3rd) meeting s/he will be brought before the Faculty Council for dismissal. (as per Article 4, Section 3)
Section 5. All current and prospective members are required to attend the induction ceremony. If a member misses induction s/he will be brought before the Faculty council for dismissal. Members may be excused from induction only for school or religious activities and only with prior written notification submitted to the Advisor(s). (as per Article 4, Section 7)
ARTICLE VII
Activities
Section 1. Members must earn a minimum of fifteen (15) service points by the last student day before Spring Break.
Section 2. Members must earn ten (10) points by the end of the first semester. Members who do not have their 10 points by the end of the first semester will be placed on probation for the second semester.
Section 3. Members must earn a minimum of five (5) service points through participation in NHS sponsored service activates (AKA-Inside Points). Service points must be submitted on an official “NHS Service Point Request Form” online along with accompanying verifying documentation stating how the points have been earned.
Section 4. Members may earn a maximum of five (5) service points through NHS approved donations. (E.g. teacher appreciation items, etc.)
Section 5. Members may earn a maximum of five (5) service points from volunteer work performed outside of NHS sponsored activities (AKA-Outside Points). Outside service points must be submitted on an official “NHS Service Point Request Form” online along with accompanying verifying documentation stating how the points have been earned and the signature of an adult explaining that the points have been earned as stated. ACTIVITIES MUST BE APPROVED BY A SPONSOR IN ADVANCE FOR SERVICE POINTS. Examples of outside service activities may include, but not be limited to:
1. A church-sponsored activity performed without pay.
2. Volunteerism for political campaigns for city, county, or national elections.
3. A school-aide activity performed for any Moore Public School Personnel where there is no pay.
4. Community sponsored volunteer activity such as hospice, library, nursing home, meals on wheels, etc.
Services rendered to family members will NOT be accepted for points. Tutoring NOT done under the direct supervision of MPS employees will not be accepted for points.
Section 6. Official “NHS Service Point Request Forms” must be turned in within two (2) weeks of the activity. Point request forms turned in more than two weeks after the activity will not be accepted Activities done during the summer must be turned in within two weeks of the start of school.
Section 7. Point Request Forms for Outside NHS service points must be accompanied by documentation. (E.g. organization letterhead, official sing in sheets, etc.)
Section 8. Chapters may have one or more major fundraiser activities in which members will be required to participate. Failure to comply shall result in the member being assigned additional service points, making financial restitution, or dismissal. Money earned from fund-raisers shall be used for expenses such as induction, awards, state conventions, leadership conferences, film and film development, and other miscellaneous expenses and supplies. It is also used to fund the chapter’s scholarship program.
Section 9. The Faculty Council selects senior members eligible for scholarships. Their decision, which is final, is based upon the member’s service, scholarship, leadership, character, and need through his/her high school experience in the National Honor Society.
ARTICLE VIII
Membership Dues
Section 1. The dues assessed to members of this chapter are set at $10.00 per year.
Section 2. Dues must be paid by the date set by the Advisor(s). members will be brought before the Faculty Council for the purpose of dismissal if dues are not paid.
Section 3. Dues are non-refundable should a member be dismissed from NHS for any reason.
Section 4. New inductees shall be asked to pay a $10.00 induction fee before the induction.
ARTICLE IX
Awards
Section 1. SERVICE MEDALS – Those members and officers in good standing and who are in the top 25% of the members in number of service points may be awarded service medals.
Section 2. ATTENDANCE MEDALS – This chapter may award members who have attended 100% of the monthly meetings with attendance medals.
Section 3. CORDS – This chapter may award cords only to those senior members who are in good standing and have not been on probation while a member of NHS.
Section 4. HOODS – This chapter may award hoods to all senior members in good standing who have not been on probation while a member of NHS.
Section 5. All officers and committee chairs in good standing may wear officer hoods or drapes at graduation.
ARTICLE X
Amendments
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the chapter sponsors.