Tucker Blake Chapter of the National Honor Society Bylaws

Article I: Name and Purpose Article II: Authority Article III: Membership and Obligations Article IV: Selection Procedures Article V: Meetings Article VI: Activities Article VII: Chapter Leadership Article VIII: Discipline and Dismissal of Members and Officers Article IX: Emblem Article X: Amendments

Article I: Name and Purpose Section 1- The name of this chapter shall be the Tucker Blake Chapter of the National Honor Society of East Hartford High School and Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy. Section 2- The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and citizenship, and to encourage the development of character in students of East Hartford High School and Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy.

Article II- Authority 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 bylaws 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 III: Membership and Obligations Section 1- Active membership is a goal of the Tucker Blake Chapter of the National Honor Society. Section 2- Membership in this chapter is an honor, not a privilege, bestowed on students by the faculty, and shall be based upon the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship, and character. Section 3- Eligibility a. Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be in the second semester of their junior or senior year. b. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period of one semester at East Hartford High School or Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy. This semester may be waived by a joint decision between principal, Faculty Council, and adviser. c. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0). This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum level of scholastic achievement for admission to candidacy. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard may be admitted to candidacy for selection to membership. d. Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and GPA standard requirements, candidates shall then be considered based upon their service, leadership, citizenship, and character.

Article IV- Selection Procedures Section 1- The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council consisting of five faculty members appointed by the principal and adviser. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, nonvoting ex officio member of the Faculty Council. Section 2- Prior to selection the following shall occur: a. Students’ academic records will 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 assistant principals shall be requested to evaluate candidates based on character. d. The Faculty Council shall then review the Student Activity Information Form using the official evaluation rubric form provided by the chapter adviser in order to determine membership. Section 3- The selection of new active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year. Section 4- Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony. Section 5- Once selected and inducted, all members are expected to maintain the standards by which they were selected and maintain all obligations of membership. Section 6- An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his or her membership and signed by the principal or chapter adviser. Section 7- An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and thereafter, this member must maintain those requirements for this chapter in order to retain his or her membership.

Article V: Meetings Section 1- Meetings of this chapter will be held on the first Thursday of every month. Section 2- All chapter members are expected to attend all regularly scheduled chapter meetings.

Article VI: Activities Section 1- The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for the year. Section 2- All members should regularly participate in these projects. Section 3- These projects should have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community; have the support of administration and the faculty; be appropriate and educationally defensible; and be well planned, organized, and executed. Section 4- Members must complete a set number of community service hours each quarter. The number of hours should be established at the first meeting of the year. Section 5- The chapter shall publish its projects in a positive manner.

Article VII: Chapter Leadership Section 1- The officers of this chapter shall be president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, and historian. Section 2- Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of the year. All returning active members are eligible to run for a position as officer. All active members of the chapter are eligible to vote. Section 3- It shall be the duty of the principal to maintain an awareness of and provide general support for the activities of the chapter during the school year. Section 4- It shall be the duty of the adviser to supervise all functions of the chapter. Section 5- It shall be the duty of the Faculty Council to select member for induction into the National Honor Society and to review and dismiss members that do not maintain the criteria for selection. Section 6- It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of this chapter. Section 7- It shall be the duty of the vice president to preside in the absence of the president and shall also serve as the chairperson of the Induction Committee. Section 8- It shall be the duty of the recording secretary to keep all the minutes of meetings and be responsible for keeping a record of members’ attendance. Section 9- It shall be the duty of the corresponding secretary to send reminders to all members of meetings and activities of the chapter. They shall also maintain contact with the community through press releases and thank you letters. Section 10- It shall be the duty of the treasurer to keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service, maintain a record of the chapter’s finances, and chair the Fundraising Committee. Section 11- It shall be the duty of the historian to maintain records of all activities of the chapter.

Article VIII: Discipline and Dismissal of Members Section 1- Membership of the National Honor Society are subject to dismissal if they do not maintain the standards of scholarship, leadership, service, and character that were used as a basis for their selection. Section 2- Members are allowed limited warnings during their membership, but in the case of flagrant violation of rules or civil laws, a warning is not required for dismissal but a hearing will still be held. If the Faculty Council determines that the facts warrant consideration of dismissal, the member will be notified in writing of the violation, the possibility of dismissal, and the need for a scheduled hearing with the Faculty Council. A hearing will then be scheduled. The member should then be allowed to appear before the Faculty Council and explain the situation. A parent or guardian may be present with the member, however, it should be noted that the primary focus of the hearing is to allow the member to present his or her case Section 3- Members who fall below the academic standard for selection will receive a written warning and given one marking period to restore their cumulative GPA to the standard of selection. Section 4- If a member is dismissed, written notice of the decision will be sent to the member, his or her parent or guardian, and the principal. The member must then surrender the NHS pin and certificate to the chapter adviser.

Article IX: 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- This emblem should be worn at all National Honor Society functions in the form of the National Honor Society pin or the chapter T-shirt.

Article X: Amendments Section 1- These bylaws must be amended by a two-thirds 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 III and IV (selection and discipline), which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal. Section 2- Bylaws and amendments must be consistent with the constitution of the National Honor Society.

Date of last revisions: June 19, 2007

______Principal

______Adviser