Colony Middle School

National Junior Honor Society Bylaws

 

Article I:  Name and Purpose

Section 1:  The name of the organization shall be the Colony Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).

Section 2:  The purpose of this chapter shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character and citizenship in the students of Colony Middle School.

Section 3:  The Colony Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society shall be subject to the provisions of the constitution of the National Junior Honor Society.

 

Article II:  Membership

Section 1:  Membership in this chapter shall be based upon scholarship, character, leadership, citizenship, and service.  Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.

Section 2:  The faculty council shall reserve the right to award honorary membership to school officials, principals, teachers, NJHS advisors, or others in recognition of outstanding service to the school in keeping with the purpose of the National Junior Honor Society.  Honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Section 3:  An NJHS member who transfers from another school and brings a letter from the principal or chapter advisor to the new school advisor shall be accepted automatically as a member in the new school’s chapter.  Transfer members must meet the new chapter’s standards within one semester to retain membership.

Section 4:  Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership.

 

Article III:  Member Expectations

Section 1:  Members shall maintain a quarterly grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Section 2:  Members shall maintain an outstanding record of conduct and behavior in regard to school and community rules, guidelines, and policies.  

Section 3:  Members are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled meetings.

Section 4:  Members are expected to “dress for success” on meeting days and any other appropriate NJHS activities (no denim jeans, hoodies, or logo t-shirts).  Members that fail to meet this obligation will be placed on probation for one week.  If the expectation is not met after that time, the member will be dismissed from NJHS.

Section 5:  Annual dues for this chapter are $10.  Dues are payable to the chapter within 30 days of induction.  Students experiencing financial hardship should meet with a sponsor; an alternative arrangement will be made that is satisfactory to both parties.

Section 6:  Members shall participate in at least two service projects per year, yet to be determined.  In addition, members are required to complete at least 10 hours of individual community service per school quarter.

 

Article IV:  Selection of Members

Section 1:  Eighth grade students who meet the member expectations above are invited to apply for selection into the Colony Chapter of NJHS.  Invitation to apply and induction of new members will occur twice a year, in January and May.

Section 2:  Candidates who qualify to apply for NJHS must turn in the completed application packet by the posted deadline.  Failure to turn in the packet on time will result in the candidate’s disqualification for membership.

Section 3:  The Faculty Council, consisting of faculty advisors and the principal, shall review the candidates’ applications and determine membership.

Section 4:  Candidates become members when inducted into the Colony Chapter of NJHS at a special ceremony.

 

Article V:  Dismissal of Members

Section 1:  The following offenses will result in dismissal from NJHS:

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·        Suspension from school, either ISS or OSS

·        Cheating or committing plagiarism

·        Obscene acts or language

·        Habitual truancy

·        Receiving probation a second time for failing to meet member expectations  (refer to Article III). 

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Section 2:  Members may be placed on probation for failing to maintain a 3.5or higher quarterly grade point average.  Probation is defined as a loss of all NJHS privileges, including participation in NJHS meetings, elections, and service projects. Probation is limited to two weeks; if the member’s grade point average does not meet expectations after that time period, the member will be dismissed from NJHS.

Section 3:  Failure to attend 80% of NJHS meetings will result in dismissal.  Any member unable to attend a meeting or function is required to submit a written excuse to a faculty advisor prior to the meeting or function.

 

Article VI:  Officers

Section 1:  The officers of this chapter shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Record Keeper, and Historian.

Section 2:  A majority of votes cast shall be necessary to elect officers of the chapter.

Section 3:  In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, officers are required to attend additional meetings set by the advisor.

Section 4:  It is the duty of the President to preside over all NJHS meetings and oversee all sponsored events.  The President shall prepare meeting agendas, which shall be submitted to the advisor at the  board meetings prior to scheduled meetings.  The President is responsible for working with the advisors to organize team building, spirit, and motivational activities for NJHS.  The President will also write an annual report on the chapter’s accomplishments and activities, to be submitted to the chapter advisors and principal.

Section 5:  It is the duty of the Vice President to oversee NJHS committees

and report on their progress to the president and advisors.  The Vice President will also conduct NJHS meetings in the absence of the President.  If the President is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office, the Vice President will take on the Presidential role.

Section 6:  It is the duty of the Secretary to take minutes at meetings and to publish the minutes for approval at the next meeting.  The Secretary shall assist the advisors with the calendar and perform other duties, as appropriate.  The Secretary should have strong organizational skills, a basic understanding of word processing, and have access to a computer and printer at home (or be willing to use a school computer to complete secretarial obligations before, at lunch, or after the school day.)

Section 7:  It is the duty of the Record Keeper to maintain attendance records.  The Record Keeper shall also organize and maintain all member community service documentation.  The Record Keeper shall facilitate appropriate documentation of service hours at one meeting per quarter.  Further, the Record Keeper shall maintain documentation of member dues and turn in all money to an advisor.

Section 8:  It is the duty of the Historian to oversee the Year In Review committee.  Committee members will take pictures at NJHS sponsored events and community service projects in order to prepare a visual documentation of NJHS yearly accomplishments.  This visual documentation will be presented at one or both of the NJHS induction ceremonies.