Chapter Bylaws

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1: The name of this chapter shall be the Stonington High School 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 members 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 all students of Stonington High School.

Article II: Membership

Section 1: Membership in this chapter shall be based upon scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

Section 2: Candidates shall have spent at least one semester in the school and be members of the junior or senior class. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative scholastic average of 3.75. A faculty council consisting of no fewer than four teachers shall then consider their eligibility shall then be considered on their service, leadership, and character.

Section 3: Each member is responsible for completing 15 hours of community service. With completion of these hours, members will be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony as a National Honor Society member. Members are also expected to participate in chapter projects through service on committees.

Section 4: Membership of this chapter shall be known as active and graduate. Each member of the chapter shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Graduate members have no vote in chapter affairs.

Section 5: Any member who fails below the standards that were the bases of his election shall be promptly warned and put on probation. A member on probation may not wear his membership pin and, by discretion of the chapter, can have it commandeered. A National Honor Society member must be allowed only warning period. If during the next regular marking period of the member fails to meet the standards used as bases for his election to the society his case shall be passed on to the faculty council.

Section 6: When a member is dismissed he must receive written notification and return his emblem and membership card to the advisor or principal. A dismissed member is never again eligible for membership in the National Honor Society.

Section 7: An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from the school will be given a letter indicating the status of his membership signed by the principal. Likewise, an active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically granted membership in this chapter. This transfer member must maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain his membership.

Article III: Faculty Advisor

Section 1: The faculty advisor (or co-advisors) shall be appointed by the principal of Stonington High School.

Section 2: It shall be the duty of the faculty advisor to present to the faculty council the names of candidates for election to the society with the points gained by each; to advise the society concerning its traditions and practices, so that it may be kept to its purpose; to supervise all meetings of the society.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1: In descending order of rank the officers of this chapter shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, and Historian.

Section 2: The executive committee, consisting of the officers and faculty advisor, shall have general charge of the meetings and business of the chapter. Any action on the part of the executive committee shall be subject to review by the chapter.

Section 3: A majority of votes cast shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. The officers shall be elected at the end of the school year prior to the term of service.

Section 4: The president shall preside at the meetings of this chapter and fulfill other customary responsibilities.

Section 5: The vice-president shall fill the chair of the president in his absence and generally assist the president.

Section 6: The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings, a record of all business, and all records on file. He shall, with the approval of the principal or advisor, certify to the National Secretary of the National Council the names of all members for the current school year on the annual report submitted to national headquarters, and update the list of names should any members be dismissed.

Section 7: 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 8: The parliamentarian shall serve as caretaker of these bylaws. He shall chair the bylaws revision committee at the end of each year, have familiarity with these bylaws and the National Constitution, and ensure chapter meetings operate in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.

Section 9: The historian shall annually document the activities of the chapter in a year-end scrapbook as well as maintain the National Honor Society bulletin board with the help of the bulletin board committee.

Article V: Meetings

Section 1: The regular meetings of this chapter shall be held monthly during the school year. Informal meetings of the National Honor Society's Committees shall be held midmonth during the school year.

Section 2: Any member of the executive committee may call a special meeting.

Section 3: Meetings shall be presided over by the president and operate according to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, per guidance from the parliamentarian.

Section 4: A majority of the active members shall constitute a quorum.

Article VI: Chapter Bylaws

Section 1: The society shall determine the interpretation or application of these bylaws, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Parliamentarian and the National Constitution. The society’s interpretation shall be subject to the approval of the faculty advisor and the faculty council.

Section 2: A two-thirds vote by the chapter shall be sufficient to amend these bylaws. The amendment must first be approved by the executive committee and be in accordance with the National Constitution. The chapter must be given notice of the impending vote at the prior month’s meeting.

Section 3: The Parliamentarian should review the chapter bylaws and National Constitution at the end of each year in conjunction with his successor. He may then, if necessary, serve as the chair of a bylaws revision committee tasked with proposing amendments to be voted on by the chapter.

Revised August 2015

Presiding Parliamentarian: Alex Green

Prospective Parliamentarian: N/A