Bylaws
for the
Aurora Borealis Chapter
of the
National Honor Society
of the
Langdon Area High School
(Revised September 18, 2007)
Article I
Name and Purpose
Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Aurora Borealis Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools, which appears on the charter granted by the National Council of the National Honor Society.
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 Langdon Area High School.
Article II
Membership
Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be based upon Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.
Section 2. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Graduate and honorary members have no vote in chapter affairs.
Section 3. Eligibility:
a. Candidates shall have spent at least one semester in Langdon Area High School, and shall be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.
b. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a scholarship average of 90% (B). This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be for this chapter the required scholastic achievement for admission to candidacy for membership in this chapter. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard level shall be admitted to candidacy for selection to membership.
c. Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and GPA standard requirements, candidates’ eligibility shall then be considered on their service, leadership, and character.
Article III
Selection of Members
Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter of the National Honor Society shall be by the Faculty Council, consisting of 5 faculty members. Faculty members are chosen by the Principal with the help of the Adviser.
Section 2. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex-officio member of the Faculty Council.
Section 3. Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
b. Students who are eligible scholastically (“candidates”) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Student Activity Information Form for further consideration for selection.
c. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter adviser.
d. The Faculty Council shall review the Student Activity Information Form and faculty evaluations in order to determine the membership.
Section 4. The selection of new, active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year.
Section 5. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
Section 6. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of their membership and signed by the principal.
Section 7. 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 must maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain their membership.
Article IV
Officers
Section 1. The offices of this chapter shall be the president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2. A majority of votes cast shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter and will be done at the last meeting of each school year. All active members are eligible to vote.
Section 3. The president shall preside at the meetings of this chapter.
Section 4. The vice-president shall fill the chair of the president in their absence.
Section 5. The chapter secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings, a record of all business, and all records on file.
Section 6. The treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the chapter and shall keep an accurate account of receipts and disbursements in accordance with school regulations.
Section 7. Junior and Senior class active members in good standing are eligible to hold an office.
Section 8. The Executive Committee consists of the officers of the chapter and the adviser.
Section 9. The Executive Committee shall have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter, but any action by the Executive Committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.
Article V
Meetings
Section 1. Meetings of this chapter shall be as called forth by the adviser and will be given a weeks notice of said meeting schedule.
Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 3. All chapter members are expected to attend all regularly-scheduled chapter meetings.
Section 4. Members unable to attend a meeting must give notice to advisor prior to meeting.
Article VI
Activities
Section 1. The activities of this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the principal.
Section 2. All active members are required to participate in approved projects.
Section 3. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project which reflects their particular talents and as approved by the chapter adviser. This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.
Article VII
Discipline and Dismissal
Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be dismissed from the Aurora Borealis chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain their academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to their school and community.
Section 2. Any member who falls below the standards which were the basis of their selection shall be promptly warned in writing. If during the next regular marking period of the school, the member fails to meet the standards used as a basis for their selection to the National Honor Society, their case shall be passed upon by the Faculty Council. A National Honor Society member must maintain the standards for membership in order to retain their membership. A member will be allowed one warning period. Once a member is dismissed from membership they are never again eligible for membership in the National Honor Society.
Section 3. When a member is dismissed, they must be notified in writing and their emblem and membership card must be returned to the adviser or principal.
Section 4. Violation of the 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.
Section 5. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absence, excessive tardiness, disrespect with faculty, etc.) will receive written 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 6. In all cases of pending dismissal:
a. The member will receive written notification indicating the reason for possible dismissal from the adviser/Faculty Council. The member and adviser will discuss the written notification in a conference. Situations that involve flagrant violations of school rules or the law can warrant disciplinary action without a written warning although a hearing must still be held (see below).
b. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the
charge against them at a hearing before the Faculty Council. The member has the opportunity to present their defense either in person or in writing. The Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member.
c. The results of the Faculty Council vote will be reviewed by the principal, and then if confirmed, expressed in a letter sent to the student, parents, and principal. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser.
d. The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards through the school district discipline policy.
e. When a student is dismissed or resigns, they are no longer a member and may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.
f. In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.
Article VIII
Emblem
Section 1. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall have the privilege of wearing the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.
Section 2. Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor cords at graduation.
Article IX
Dues
Section 1. There will be no chapter dues. Changes to this amount shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Committee of the chapter.
Article X
Powers
Section 1. The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.
Section 2. The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.
Section 3. These by-laws are designed to amplify provisions of the National Constitution and cannot contradict any components thereof. The chapter is obligated to adhere to the provisions of the National Constitution in all activities it undertakes.
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 II, III, and VII which are developed by the Faculty Council with approval of the principal.
Section 2. By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the Constitution of the National Honor Society.