I Pledge to Maintain High Scholastic Standing

Chapter Bylaws 2013-2014

Noblesse Oblige: “Those in high rank have the obligation to behave honorably, generously, and responsibly to others.” Honor Society Pledge

I pledge to maintain high scholastic standing,

To endeavor intelligently and courageously

To be a leader,

To give myself freely in service to others, and

To hold as fundamental and worthy

An untarnished character.

In so doing, I shall prove myself worthy

Of a place in the National Honor Society

Executive Committee

President: Neselle Mae Hernandez Secretary: Allyson Mooney

Vice President: Jonathan Alperstein Treasurer: Ed Han

Membership Secretary: Sydney Parsons

Ambassador: Michael Zaicek

Advisers: William Hogg and Kathie Mace Introduction

The following are the Taconic Chapter Bylaws for the National Honor Society in effect for the current school year (2013-2014). The document amplifies sections of the National Honor Society Constitution and clarifies the operating procedures of the John Jay High School chapter. These bylaws were adopted in accordance with Article XVI of the NHS Constitution, and are meant to provide guidance for its members, parents, adviser, principal, and faculty members as well as to assist each individual involved with this organization in his/her endeavor to pursue the desirable personal qualities that are the pillars of the NHS (Scholarship, Service, Leadership,. Character). It is also designed to help current members fulfill their respective roles in the National Honor Society.

Pre-requisite for induction:

1. Every student with an 89 cumulative, weighted GPA (no rounding up) by the end of the second marking period of his/her junior or senior year will be considered for membership.

2. Students wishing to become members must submit a Student Activity Information Packet by the designated deadline. This packet will be reviewed by the faculty council to determine selection.

3. All candidates must demonstrate outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service.

PLEASE NOTE THAT: The National Honor Society (NHS) requires that “once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.”

Membership Requirements (Students AND Parents - Please initial each point)

In addition to maintaining all of the requirements of the NHS, members of the Taconic Chapter have these additional obligations. In order to graduate with NHS recognition, members must:

1. ______Attend a minimum of 12 meetings during their senior year. This must be accomplished by the second week in May. (NOTE: This total number DOES NOT INCLUDE the two meetings newly inducted members should have attended in May of their junior year.)

______A) Meetings are held every other Thursday beginning the first week of school until the end of the school year, unless otherwise indicated on the calendar (Distributed at the first May meeting). ______B) Students must be present for the entire meeting and must personally sign the attendance sheet.

2. ______Regularly attend National Honor Society events

______A) Mandatory event – Set up for Induction

______B) Mandatory event – New Member Induction 3. ______Complete a minimum of 25 hours of NHS APPROVED and/or SPONSORED community service by the first week in May of their senior year. Individual members are encouraged to choose and participate in service projects that reflects his or her particular talents and interests.

______A) Members are strongly encouraged to participate in NHS Chapter events throughout the school year, and especially fourth quarter.

______B) Service hours will not be awarded for donations of any kind – neither baked goods nor monetary. Baked goods and donations are an expected contribution from every active member.

______C) Each member must sign in and out of any NHS activity in which he/she participates and must return any NHS ID tag to an officer immediately upon completion of the activity

______D) Independent service projects must receive prior approval from the NHS adviser and/or Faculty Council. Requests for service hour credit without prior approval will be denied.

______E) A maximum of 10 hours from individual service projects will be allowed toward the completion of the NHS service hours requirement. Such hours may not also be used toward the completion of district requirements.

______F) Independent Service Projects MAY NOT BE service rendered for or with another school organization or as a member of any other organization. ISP MUST BE performed for a legitimate and recognized NOT-FOR-PROFIT or COMMUNITY BASED organization.

As of 30 September 2013, ISP’s MAY NOT include service hours completed as a member of another team, club, or organization; independent service means independent.

______G) Students MUST obtain the signature of the adult sponsor of any service activity not under the direct supervision of the NHS adviser. This means that ONLY SUPERVISER SIGNATURES will be accepted as verification of hours performed. NO PARENT/RELATIVE letters will be accepted as documentation of service hours.

______H) In lieu of the signature on the Activity log, a student must submit signed (by appropriate supervisor) documentation on the letterhead of the organization as verification of hours served. Again – NO PARENT/RELATIVE letters will accepted as documentation of service hours.

______I) It is REQUIRED that each member maintain the enclosed NHS Activity log (Copies distributed at the first May meeting.) Each member must keep track of every NHS activity in which s/he participates, and must obtain the adviser or designee’s signature upon completion of the activity

______J) This COMPLETED activity log must be submitted by the third week of May to determine the member’s completion of NHS graduation requirements.

4. ______Strictly adhere to all school rules and policies. Dismissal may follow in the case of violation of school rules or civil laws. In the case of flagrant violation, no warning is required for dismissal. This includes cheating of any kind and disrespectful behavior.

5. ______Maintain an 89.0 average for the entire school year (NO ROUNDING UP). Students must submit copies of their report cards to the advisers for each quarter

6 ______Be members in good standing. Generally the phrase “in good standing” means that the member is maintaining the standards by which he or she was selected, and has fulfilled or is fulfilling all chapter obligations. It is expected that each member will maintain these standards past the first week of May through graduation. Any conduct unbecoming of an NHS member seriously jeopardizes his/her “good standing” status and may result in the loss of NHS graduation honors pending review by the NHS Faculty Council.

7. ______Any NHS member who elects to attend college in lieu of classes at John Jay must still maintain active member status in order to graduate with NHS honors. A transcript for each semester must be submitted for proof of GPA requirement. The member must achieve a minimum of 6 meetings and 15 NHS service hours toward the 25 hour requirement to gain active membership status.

NOTE: These are the MINIMUM requirements. It is EXPECTED that a member in good standing will regularly work on ALL NHS projects as needed to fulfill the chapter’s goals successfully. Meetings

Meetings will normally be held every other Thursday, starting no later than the second week of school. Our last senior meeting will take place no later than the first week of May. All meetings will be conducted on days when school is in session. The meetings are usually held in the large group instruction room, number 128. See calendar posted at the NHS showcase next to room 108. This calendar will also be on our website.

Committee meetings will occur the same day as officer meetings, on the Thursdays we do not hold general membership meetings. It is expected that all committee members and committee chair persons will be in attendance.

Members are responsible for staying informed on all NHS matters discussed in each meeting. The chapter, however, reserves the right to cancel any meeting when necessary without prior notice nor with any obligation to individual members’ meeting requirements. It is the members’ responsibility to schedule their time appropriately to meet graduation requirements. However, every effort will be made to post any cancellation on the morning and afternoon school announcements and to allow enough meetings during the year to easily achieve the attendance requirement for graduation with NHS recognition.

The chapter bylaws shall be distributed by the second meeting.

Faculty Council

The Faculty Council consists of five anonymous faculty members, approved by the Principal. The Faculty Council adopts any changes to the bylaws, selects new members, and dismisses members who do not maintain the standards according to which they were inducted, and/or not fulfilling their obligations. Any members in flagrant violation of NHS standards, the District Behavior Code, or civil law may be dismissed immediately and without warning pending consideration of the Faculty Council. Faculty Council decisions are final and are not subject to appeal.

Advisers:

The NHS advisers are approved by the Principal and School Board, and act as intermediaries between the Faculty Council, Principal, members and potential members. They are non-voting members of the Faculty Council and serve as facilitators when the Faculty Council must meet. Chapter Officers

The Taconic Chapter of the NHS mandates the following positions:

President Secretary Vice President Treasurer Membership Secretary Ambassador

Officer Elections

At the first meeting/induction rehearsal for new members, the chapter will request that all members interested in becoming an officer stay after the meeting. The member MUST be present at the end of the meeting to publicly indicate his/her willingness to serve as an officer.

Each candidate must complete an endorsement form to be signed by three faculty members (at least 2 must be current teachers). The form MUST be returned to the adviser by the designated deadline. The nominee is also expected to say a brief speech before his/her peers on the day of the elections. NHS Officers will not hold concurrent office with any other Honor Society, Student Council, Senior Class Office or club/activity; this includes serving as an editor.

Only members who are present at the elections meeting will be able to cast a vote. There will be no absentee ballots. Members will vote for one candidate per office. Any ballot containing more than one casting per office will be discarded.

The results of the elections will be tallied by the current officers and overseen by the adviser. The results will be posted at the NHS showcase and on the following day’s morning and afternoon’s announcements.

The newly elected officers will begin their duties in August of their senior year.

Officers’ Duties It is important to understand that all officers and the adviser (the Executive Committee) must work closely together as a team. Therefore, many of the responsibilities will overlap among officers.

At times officers will be asked to perform duties not specifically assigned to that office. The following is an example of each officer’s responsibilities as agreed by the Executive committee.

President  Assign/recruit members to carry out NHS events.  Post AM/PM announcements  Delegate responsibilities among officers.  Oversee all other officers.  Preside over general membership meetings.  Oversee all matters regarding the completion of all activities concerning the NHS  Finalizes the agenda for meetings and provides the same to the adviser(s) NO LATER than 48 hours prior to a scheduled meeting – NO EXCEPTIONS  Keep adviser(s) informed of all new development or ideas concerning the NHS and its members.  Perform all other duties delegated by the Society or the adviser(s).  Collaborate with V.P to maintain JJ NHS website/FB page.

Vice President  Assign/recruit members to carry out NHS events.  Oversee and monitor all committee meetings and endeavors.  Post AM/PM announcements.  Delegate responsibilities among officers.  Oversee all other officers.  Oversee all matters regarding the completion of all activities concerning the NHS.  Keep adviser(s) informed of all new development or ideas concerning the NHS and its members.  Work with the President to create an agenda for each meeting  Act as President when the President is unavailable  Perform all other duties delegated by the Society, President or the adviser(s).  Maintain JJ NHS website/FB page.

Secretary  Plan meetings with President and Vice President; type and copy agenda and submit it to the adviser(s) for review at least 2 days prior to meeting.  Prepare minutes for each meeting and submit them to the adviser(s)  Post minutes in Google Groups and/or e-mail minutes, agenda, and all other communiques to general membership in a timely fashion  Maintain accurate membership contact list  Take attendance at meetings and maintain accurate records of the same. Review regularly with adviser(s) (Monthly).  Update NHS Bulletin board.  Assist with organization of paperwork for Application for membership and Induction  Assist with production of Induction Program  Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive committee and adviser(s).

Membership Secretary  Maintain accurate records of events and service hours for all members.  Assists with attendance at general membership meetings.  Review all records regularly with adviser(s) (Monthly).  Assist with organization of paperwork for Graduation evaluation  Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive committee and adviser(s).

Treasurer  Maintain accurate and precise records of all NHS Accounts Receivables/Payables in a timely manner.  Meet regularly with advisers to review records (monthly)  Count all outgoing and incoming inventory.  Publicity.  Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive committee and adviser(s).

Ambassador  Represent the NHS at all Student Council and additional “administrative” or club meetings  Report to the Executive Committee, advisers, and general membership  Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive committee and adviser(s).

** Officers are required to attend additional Executive Committee meetings with the adviser(s) that will be held bi-weekly prior to the general membership meetings. Officers MAY NOT miss these meetings. “Emergencies” must be just that – ENERGENCIES – and officers must provide the adviser(s) 24 hour notification of this emergency in person, or via e-mail, phone call, or text message.

**Officers who fail to carry out their duties or to maintain an 89 quarterly average will be relieved of their office immediately, with no warning. Officers may miss no more than 3 meetings, with prior adviser notification. Officers who are removed from office will be replaced by appointment at the discretion of the advisers. **Conduct unbecoming of an officer can result in immediate removal from office. Probation is at the discretion of the adviser after consultation with the Faculty Council. Removal from office can lead to dismissal as a general member of the NHS. Dismissal from general membership must follow established NHS guidelines.

Dues Requirement

Dues will be $10 payable in cash or by check (payable to JJ NHS.) You may submit your dues to the adviser or the NHS treasurer. Dues should be paid by the second meeting in September.

Projects for the Year

July Summer Individual Service Projects – MUST be pre-approved and must provide proper documentation from supervising adult FROM this organization on organization letterhead. August Freshman Orientation, Summer Individual Service Projects (Proper documentation required, see above.) September Parent Night, T-shirts sales October Blood Drive/American Cancer Society Drive November Fall JJ apparel sale, Adopt-a-Family, Cabaret Night December Adopt-a-Family January College Fair February Song-o-grams March John Jay Man, Daffodils Sales April Induction Ceremony, Spring Flea Market May Senior Awards Night, Senior T-Shirt Sales, NJHS Induction June Graduation Disciplinary Action (Students AND PARENTS – Please initial each point)

1. ______Members whose cumulative GPA falls below the minimum allowed for NHS membership in any one marking period will be issued a written warning and placed on probation until the following marking period. If the member fails to reach the 89 in the marking period preceding probation, that member will be recommended for dismissal from the NHS. 2. ______A member who falls below the minimum standard at the end of the third marking period will automatically go under NHS Faculty Council review for dismissal. In such cases the NHS Faculty Council reserves the right to issue a waiver of the minimum GPA, pending extenuating circumstances. 3. ______Any member who fails to graduate with the minimum weighted overall average will not be recognized as an active NHS member in good standing at graduation. 4. ______Members who fall below the standards of character, service and leadership which were the basis for their selection shall be promptly warned in writing by the chapter adviser and given a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency. Except that in the case of a flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a member does not necessarily have to be warned. Examples of flagrant violations include but are not limited to cheating, plagiarizing, fraud, fighting, possession of illegal substance, and verbal or written threats to others. 5. ______The Faculty Council shall determine when an individual has exceeded a reasonable number of warnings. 6. ______In all cases of impending dismissal, a member shall have the right to a hearing before the NHS Faculty Council. Any member under NHS Faculty Council review must be notified in writing of the charge and given a reasonable period of time to prepare a statement/defense. The date of the hearing will be scheduled at the convenience of the NHS Faculty Council, with due consideration of student and parent schedules. Parents/Guardians may attend the hearing, however it should be noted that the primary purpose and focus of the hearing is to allow the member to present his or her case. 7. ______The Faculty Council at their discretion can select to discipline a member by placing him/her on probation, during which time s/he is not considered in good standing with the chapter. Probation will be granted for a specified period of time, after which regular membership is restored, pending no violations during probation. 8. ______All members are expected to attend events for which they have agreed to work. Any member absent from such an obligation may be deducted the number of hours assigned to that commitment from their total. In case of an emergency, the member MUST consult either an officer or the adviser as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours before the scheduled event. This will allow another NHS member the opportunity to earn service hours for that event. Resignation from the National Honor Society

1. ______A member who resigns from the National Honor Society will never again be eligible for membership or its benefits. 2. ______Resignation must be given in the form of a written statement.

Scholarship Nomination Procedures

The National Honor Society Award. In November, the selection may be made by the advisers along with the Faculty Council identifying students who are outstanding in the four qualities of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The two selected seniors will be able to compete in the National Honor Society Scholarship Program (NHSSP).

Any other scholarship program received will be available to all members to apply according to each scholarship’s criteria. John Jay NHS Activity Log

NAME ______ID ______

Activity Date(s) # of Hours NHS (√) ISP (√) Signature of adviser/designee (NOT A PARENT)

Final signature, Adviser: ______

Final signature, Membership Secretary: ______

*You need to have 25 NHS service hours [minimum 15 chapter activity service hours] to earn active NHS recognition at graduation.

*Hand in your form by the third week in May to determine eligibility for graduation with NHS recognition. NOTES

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______NOTES

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______A special thanks to our 2004-2005 secretary, Fahim Saleh for his design of the front cover.