South Holt R-1 School District

Article I

Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Sigma Theta Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools, which appears on the charter granted by the National Council of the National Honor Society, duly signed by the members of the National Council.

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 South Holt High School.

Article II

Membership

Section 1: Membership in this chapter shall be based upon Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character.

Section 2: Membership of this chapter shall be known as provisionary and active. Provisionary members, if they maintain high standards, may become active members in their junior year.

Section 3: Members of the sophomore class may be chosen as provisionary members of the chapter of the National Honor Society, if they satisfy all corresponding requirements placed upon candidates from the junior and senior classes. Such provisionary members shall have voice and vote in the chapter but may not hold office.

Section 4: Candidates shall have spent at least one quarter in South Holt High School, and shall be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior classes. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a grade point average of at least 3.75. This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be 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 election to membership. Their eligibility shall then be considered on their Service, Leadership, and Character. Members will be notified after the first semester if their GPA has dropped below 3.75. In the event that this happens, they will be given the entire third quarter to raise the grade(s) in jeopardy back to a level that will raise the GPA by the end of the next semester.

Section 5: In accordance with school regulations, any member who is guilty of using or possessing tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs at school, any school function, or outside of school, shall be disciplined by the principal by being placed on probation or by having his/her privilege of participation in National Honor Society denied. Members will abide by eligibility rules signed and kept on file by the sponsor. The current eligibility rules put in effect in the 2001-2002 school year were updated in the 2009-2010 school year as voted on by the faculty council and National Honor Society members.

Section 6: Provisionary and active members are expected to complete 20 community and 30 school service points in a school year to be considered for movement to the next level of membership. Failure to complete service points reflects a lack of leadership skills and character which deems them ineligible to participate in activities and advancement in membership as set forth by the faculty council.

Section 7: In accordance with school regulations, members shall represent South Holt on any activity trip by being well dressed. No jeans are to be worn unless the activity warrants, and the sponsor approves optional dress through the administration.

Section 8: To become and remain a member of National Honor Society, members must attend induction ceremonies. The only exceptions to this would stem from illness or an absence granted by the principal and sponsor prior to induction.

Article III

Election of Members

Section 1: The election of members to this chapter of National Honor Society shall be by a chapter faculty council, consisting of at least five staff members who are to be chosen by the principal. The names of this faculty council shall remain anonymous.

Section 2: Any member of the faculty may propose to the council the names of students eligible for membership in the chapter.

Section 3: Students must complete a packet of candidate forms designed by the chapter. All required parent and faculty signatures must be present when forms are presented to the sponsor. Forms must be turned in by the date specified on the candidate packet. The only exceptions to this would stem from illness or an excused absence by the principal. All forms must be neat and presentable.

Section 4: Any provisionary or active member who falls below the standards which were the basis for his/her election to membership shall be dropped from the chapter upon the recommendation of the council. Likewise, the council may vote to reinstate a member after probation if all criteria are met.

Article IV

Officers

Section 1: The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. A chapter photographer may be elected as well.

Section 2: A majority of votes cast shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter.

Section 3: It shall be the duty of the president to preside over all meetings of this chapter.

Section 4: The vice-president shall fill the chair of the president in his/her absence.

Article V

Supervision

Section 1: The activities of this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the principal and the superintendent.

Article VI

Meetings

Section 1: Meetings of this chapter shall be held when necessary during the school year.

Section 2: The officers of the chapter shall be elected prior to spring induction ceremonies.

Section 3: All meetings shall be open meetings and shall be supervised by the chapter sponsor.

Section 4: This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rule of Order, in all points not expressly provided for in the constitution of this chapter.

Article VII

Emblem

Section 1: Each member of this chapter shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools.

Section 2: Any member who withdraws or is dropped from the chapter shall return the emblem.

Section 3: All insignia must be procured from the National Association of Secondary School Principals in Reston, Virginia.

Article VIII

Dues

Section 1. Annual dues for each member shall not be more than ten dollars. The amount shall be subject to the discretion of the chapter adviser.

Article IX

Amendments

Section 1. This constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the chapter, provided that the proposed amendment has been approved by the chapter adviser.

*- GPA requirement was changed from 3.5 to 3.75 during the 2018-2019 school year, as voted on by the faculty council

Leadership

The following descriptors are not a checklist, but rather a list of ideas that show what good leadership qualities look like.

- Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions

- Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities

- Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals and spirit

- Contributes ideas that improve the civic of life of the school

- Inspires positive behavior

- Demonstrates academic initiative

- Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility and dependability

- Is a leader in the classroom, at work, or in other school community activities

- Is dependable in any responsibility expected

Service

The following descriptors are not a checklist, but rather a list of ideas that show what good leadership qualities look like.

- Volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized assistance, and is willing to

make sacrifices to offer assistance

- Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous

responsibilities

- Enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school

- Is willing to represent the class or school in interclass and interscholastic competition

- Does committee and staff work without complaint

- Participates in some activity outside of school, for example: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts,

religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly or disadvantaged

- Mentors in the community

- Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

Character

The following descriptors are not a checklist, but rather a list of ideas that show what good leadership qualities look like.

A student of character:

- Consistently exemplifies positive and desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness,

friendliness, poise, stability)

- Cooperates by complying with all school policies and regulations and codes of student

conduct

- Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously

- Regularly exhibits courtesy, concern, and respect for others

- Complies with instructions and rules, and displays personal responsibility