Quabbin Regional High School

Junior National Honor Society Constitution

Constitution

Quabbin Regional Junior-Senior High School Chapter
The National Junior Honor Society of Secondary Schools

ARTICLE I – Name and Purpose

Section 1: The name of this Chapter shall be the Quabbin Regional Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Secondary Schools.

Section 2: The object of this Chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to foster worthy leadership and citizenship, and to encourage the development of character in students of Quabbin Regional Jr./Sr. High School.

ARTICLE II – Membership

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

Section 2: Candidates shall have spent at least one-half year at Quabbin Regional Jr./Sr. High School.

Section 3: Candidates for active membership shall be elected once a year. Eighth grade students shall be eligible for membership. Inductions will take place during the third marking term of the school year.

Section 4: Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have maintained an average of 90% or better for trimester 1 & 2 and a Pass for trimester 3 for 7th grade. They will also need to have an average of 90% or above for trimester 1 for 8th grade. Candidates who have met the requirements stated shall be notified of their eligibility by the advisor(s) of the National Junior Honor Society. It shall be the responsibility of the candidate to obtain from the NJHS advisor(s) the necessary application form for admission consideration. Students must obtain, complete, and return any and all application forms to the advisor(s) of the NJHS within 7 days following their eligibility notification. The forms will then be reviewed by the faculty council, which shall be appointed by the Principal.

Decisions on induction made by the faculty council are final.

Section 5: Any active member who falls below the 90% average shall be suspended from the Chapter for period of one term. It shall be the responsibility of the student at the end of their suspension term to present to the advisor(s) of the NJHS proof of re qualification (an average of 90%).  If such proof is not presented, the student will then be dropped from the active membership roll. This dismissal may be appealed to the faculty council.

Section 6: Any member of the NJHS who has accumulated 6 demerits or more shall be suspended from the Chapter. Merits are not considered under this policy.

Section 7: Any candidate, who is eligible and approved by the faculty council but declines Induction, shall sign a statement of his or her refusal thereby eliminating himself or herself from further consideration for membership to the Quabbin Regional Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.

Section 8: Any member who is suspended from school shall be dropped from the active membership roll. This dismissal may be appealed to the faculty council.

Section 9: Any member guilty of cheating in any form shall be dismissed from membership. This membership may be appealed to the faculty council.

Section 10: It shall be the responsibility of each NJHS member to show proof of at least 1.5 hours of service to the school or community at least once per semester. These service projects shall be subject to approval of the faculty advisor(s) to the NJHS. Each member of the NJHS must also participate in a group service project to be decided by the Chapter.

ARTICLE III – Faculty Advisor(s)

Section 1: It shall be the duty of the Faculty Advisor(s) to the National Junior-Honor Society of Quabbin Regional Jr./Sr. High School to prepare an eligibility list and to distribute and process the application forms.

Section 2: It shall be the duty of the Faculty Advisor(s) to aid the Society through the Society officers.

Section 3: The advisor(s) shall be a member ex officio of the Faculty Council.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the faculty advisor to maintain records of service projects performed for each member.

ARTICLE IV – Officers

Section 1: The officers of the Quabbin Regional Chapter of the NJHS shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2: A simple 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 the meetings of this Chapter and to confer with the advisor(s) on any problems which concern the school as a whole. The President shall also be the representative of the Chapter whenever a representative is needed.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the Vice President to assist the President and to preside in his or her absence. It shall also be the duty of the Vice President to assist the advisor(s) in keeping records of members’ service projects.

Section 5: The Chapter Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and a record of all Chapter business on file.

Section 6: The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the Chapter and shall keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements according to school procedures.

ARTICLE V – Executive Committee

Section 1: The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers of the Chapter and the faculty advisor(s).

Section 2: The Executive Committee shall have general charge of the meetings and business of the Chapter.

Section 3: Any action on the part of the Executive Committee may be subject to the review of the Chapter.

ARTICLE VI – Responsibilities to Administration and Staff

Section 1: The activities of this Chapter shall be subject to the approval of the Principal.

Section 2: Any member of the faculty may at any time appear before the Chapter and make suggestions to the chapter which he or she may feel will improve the school academically.

ARTICLE VII – Meetings

Section 1: The regular meetings of this Chapter shall be held at least once a month at any convenient time.

Section 2: The officers of the chapter shall be elected at the first meeting of the school year following induction.

Section 3: Special meetings, approved by the Executive Committee, may be called by the President or the faculty advisor(s)

Section 4: All meetings shall be open meetings and shall be held under the direction of the faculty advisor(s).

Section 5: This Chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order in all points not expressly provided for in this Constitution.

Section 6: Members who abstain from three consecutive meetings without just cause may be suspended from active rolls for the rest of the school year. This suspension will be voted on by the Executive Committee and may be appealed to the Faculty Council.

ARTICLE VIII – Recognition

Section 1: Each active member of this Chapter shall be entitled to wear any emblem or other insignia adopted and distributed by the National Junior honor Society of Quabbin Regional Jr./Sr. High School.

Section 2: Any member who withdraws, or is dropped from this Chapter, shall forfeit his or her right to wear the emblem or insignia.

Section 3: Each member of this Chapter shall be entitled to a membership card and membership certificate upon his or her induction.

ARTICLE IX – Amendments

Section 1: This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present at a meeting called for that purpose. The proposed amendment must have prior approval of the Executive Committee and must be presented to the entire membership at least one meeting prior to the meeting at which it is to be voted upon.

Leadership

The student who exercises leadership:

  • Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions
  • Demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities
  • Exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals
  • Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
  • Is able to delegate responsibilities
  • Exemplifies positive attitudes
  • Inspires positive behavior in others
  • Demonstrates academic initiative
  • Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business efficiently and effectively, and without prodding, demonstrates reliability and dependability
  • Demonstrates leadership in the classroom and in school or community activities
  • Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.

Service

The student who serves:

  • Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude
  • Participates in some outside activity: Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; church groups; volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged; family duties
  • Volunteers dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
  • Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
  • Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school
  • Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition
  • Does committee and staff work uncomplainingly
  • Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

Character

The student of character:

  • Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
  • Consistently exemplified desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
  • Upholds principles of morality and ethics
  • Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
  • Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
  • Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
  • Observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside of the classroom
  • Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
  • Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others
  • Actively helps to rid the school of bad influences or environment

Citizenship

The student who demonstrates citizenship:

  • Understands the importance of civic involvement
  • Has a high regard for freedom, justice, and respect of the American form of government
  • Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs