Lynn Classical High School Mary Bemis Chapter

National Honor Society Membership Pledge

I pledge myself to uphold the highest purposes of the National Honor Society, to which I have been elected; I will be true to the principles for which it stands, and will maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character.

National Honors Society consists not only of students who have a high GPA, but there are people who are very dedicated to the community. They are willing to help our community, our society. These students have been involved in all kind of volunteering programs. The profits from bake sales help to support their generous activities, such as buying socks for homeless people. In the past, they have collected food for senior citizens who needed help and helped out in nursing homes. These people will do whatever possible to help our community. If you have any ideas how to help our Lynn community or know somebody who is looking for help, tell one of our members of National Honors Society and we will try to do something about it.

Right now we are working on a new project. We are collecting necessary supplies that our American soldiers would greatly need in Iraq. After collecting and packing it, we will send it to the American army. I am sure they need it! Being a member of the National Honors Society makes you feel greatly appreciated. We get a lot of feedback from the organizations we had helped. Having an opportunity to help somebody that really needs it is great. If you are interested in becoming one of our members keep up good grades and, most importantly, be ready to dedicate your time!

We represent: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers. Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Membership in this organization is based on scholarship, service, leadership and character. Activities such as participation in dramatics, debating, school paper, service to the homeroom and classroom teachers, service in the office, working during the summer vacation in the office, have weight in determining the fitness of pupils for membership.

Service: Willingness to render cheerful and enthusiastic service to the school whenever called upon; for members this would include peer tutoring for college board exams, reading and other services as needed in the elementary grades.

Leadership: Exerting a type of leadership active and wholesome in its influence on others.

Character: Constantly demonstrating such qualities of personality, honesty, reliability, promptness, achievement and morality as are indispensable to the finest young manhood and womanhood.

Scholarship: In order to be eligible for selection, students must attain a 3.50 GPA, based on a 4.00 scale. Class rank is not a factor in selection. All juniors and seniors are eligible.

Juniors and seniors with a cumulative average of 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) are eligible for admission to the National Honor Society. Candidates are then evaluated on the basis of character, leadership, and service. Selection of members is made by a faculty council of five members.

Students who do not maintain the standards for admission are liable for dismissal from the National Honor Society. Any student in jeopardy will receive a written warning. The faculty advisor will confer with this student, who will then be given a specific time within which s/he should improve. If the student does not improve within the specified time, the faculty council will take appropriate action. No warning will be given in the case of a flagrant violation of a school rule or civil law.

Lynn Classical High School | Mary Bemis Chapter | National Honor Society By-Laws

ARTICLE I | NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1.  The name of the local organization shall be called The Mary Bemis Chapter of The National Honor Society.

Section 2.  The object 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 in students of Lynn Classical High School.

ARTICLE II | MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.  Membership in this chapter shall be known as active and graduate.  Active members become graduate members at graduation.  The graduate members have no vote.

Section 2.  Membership in this chapter shall be based on Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

Section 3.  To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period of one academic year at Lynn Classical High School.

Section 4.  Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class.  Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 on a 4.00 unweighted scale.  This scholarship achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum scholastic achievement for admission to candidacy.  All students who rise in scholarship to or above such standard may be admitted into candidacy for selection to membership.  Their eligibility shall then be considered on their service, leadership, and character.

ARTICLE III | SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1.  The final selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Teacher Council consisting of five faculty members appointed by the principal.  The chapter advisor(s) shall be non-voting, ex-officio member(s) of the Teacher Council.

Section 2.  Prior to final selection, the following shall occur:

1. Student’s academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
2. Students who are eligible scholastically shall be notified and asked to complete the Student Activity Information Packet for further consideration for selection.
3. The faculty shall be requested to comment on candidates determined to be scholastically eligible.
4. The Student Activity Information Packet and faculty comments shall be reviewed by the faculty council.

Section 3.  The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year.  (Alternate or additional selection periods may be added.)

Section 4.  Upon non-selection to the National Honor Society, a student may appeal the decision within one month of notification to the chapter advisor(s).

Section 5.  An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership and signed by the Principal.

Section 6.  An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will automatically be accepted for membership to this chapter.  This transfer member will attain within one semester and then maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.

ARTICLE IV | DISMISSAL

Section 1.  Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, service, leadership, or character may be dismissed from the chapter.  Each member, his/her parent/guardian, the NHS advisor, and the school principal will all sign an agreement to this effect.

Section 2.  If a member’s cumulative grade-point average falls below the standard in effect when he/she was selected (3.50) he/she will be given a written warning and a time period, one (1) quarter for improvement.  If the cumulative grade-point average remains below 3.50 at the end of the warning period the student may be dismissed from the chapter.

Section 3.  Violation of criminal law or school regulations can result in dismissal of the student from the chapter.  These violations include, but are not limited to: DWI, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities.

Section 4.  Offenders of the school discipline code (such as use of profanity, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written notification.  A conference may be requested by either party (faculty Council or student/parent).  If the member is involved in another violation of the school disciplinary code, the member may be dismissed.

Section 5.  Any member whose personal conduct is questionable in accordance with the accepted norms of student behavior may be dismissed by the Teacher Council.

Section 6.  In the case of pending dismissal:

a. The member will receive written notification of the reason for possible dismissal from the advisor(s)/Teacher Council.  The member and advisor(s) will discuss the written notice in a conference.

b. The member will be offered a hearing with the Teacher Council prior to dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in the National Constitution).  The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense.  The Teacher Council will then vote on whether to dismiss.

c. A letter of dismissal will be sent to the principal, student, and parents/guardians if the student is dismissed.

d. The member may appeal the Teacher Council’s decision to the Principal within one month.

e. When the student is dismissed, he/she is no longer a member and may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society,

ARTICLE V | OFFICERS

Section 1.  The officers of this chapter shall be president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

Section 2.  Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of the school year from the members of the junior class.  They shall hold office during their senior year.

Section 3.  A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter.  If the first vote does not yield a majority, a second vote shall be taken of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

Section 4.  It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of the chapter.

Section 5.  The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service.

Section 6.  The secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and be responsible for correspondence.

Section 7.  The treasurer shall keep record of business expenses, dues, etc.

Section 8.  In the event of the dismissal of an officer, the runner up for the election of that office shall replace the dismissed member.

ARTICLE VI | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.  The executive committee shall consist of the faculty advisor(s) and the chapter officers.

Section 2.  The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter, but any action of the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.

ARTICLE VII | ACTIVITIES

Section 1.  The chapter shall determine one or more service projects each year.

Section 2.  All members shall regularly participate in these projects.

Section 3.  These projects shall have the following characteristics:  fulfill a need within the school or community, have the support of the administration and the faculty, be appropriate and educationally defensible, and be well-planned, organized, and executed.

Section 4.  Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in a service project which reflects his or her particular talents and interests.  This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.

Section 5.  The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.

ARTICLE VIII | MEETINGS

Section 1.  Regular monthly meetings of this chapter shall be on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:15 AM in B310.

Section 2.  The chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE IX | DUES

Section 1.  Annual dues for this chapter shall be determined by the membership.

Section 2.  Dues will be payable to the chapter treasurer with 30 days of induction.

ARTICLE XI | AMENDMENTS

Section 1.  These bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 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 which are developed by the Teacher Council with the approval of the principal.

Section 2.  By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the Constitution of the National Honor society.