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Falls Church High School Chapter Bylaws

Article I – Name & Purpose

The name of this organization shall be the Falls Church High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). The purpose of this organization is to highlight students in the school community for outstanding service, leadership, character, and scholarly achievement.

           

Article II – Affiliation

 The Falls Church High School Chapter is affiliated with the National Honor Society and the Virginia Association of Honor Societies.  It shall be governed by the Constitution set forth by the National Council.  In addition, the Falls Church High School Chapter of the National Honor Society shall have a set of bylaws.

Article III – Membership

Membership in the local chapter of the National Honor Society is based on selection by the Faculty Council.  Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50.  Seniors, juniors, and second-semester sophomores with a GPA of 3.50 or higher will be considered as candidates.  Selection criteria will be outlined at a mandatory meeting.

A National Honor Society member who transfers from another school must provide a letter from that chapter advisor indicating his/her standing.  They shall then be automatically accepted as a member in the Falls Church High School Chapter.  Transfer students must meet the new chapter’s standards within one semester in order to retain membership.

Members who resign or are dismissed from NHS are not eligible for membership or its benefits again.


Article IV – Selection Criteria for Membership

Standards of Membership in the Falls Church High School Chapter of the National Honor Society must conform to the general guidelines established by the National Constitution. They have been agreed upon by the members of the Faculty Council and administration of Falls Church High School.

Eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • Candidates shall be members of the junior or senior class, or be second semester sophomores.

  • Candidates must have been a student at Falls Church High School for at least one semester. Transfer students may have this requirement waived if proper recommendation or verification from previous principal or chapter advisor is provided.

  • Candidates must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale).

  • Candidates must attend a mandatory information meeting where they will receive an application packet, an explanation about the society, and its application process.

  • Candidates shall be evaluated on their service, leadership, and character based on the information provided in the application packet.

  • A student’s disciplinary records shall be reviewed as part of the selection process. 

  • The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council.

           

Article V – Probation and Dismissal

Members who fall below the standards, that were the basis for their selection, shall be promptly put on probation by the chapter advisor, in writing, and given one semester to correct the deficiency.  Failing to meet the required number of community service hours will result in probationary action by the advisor(s). 


Senior members placed on probation at the end of their seventh semester because they have not maintained a 3.50 cumulative GPA or  higher and/or have not completed all service points will be given one quarter to correct the deficiency before being dismissed.


In the case of violation of Student Rights and Responsibilities, or civil laws, a member shall not necessarily receive a warning, and shall be immediately dismissed.  Members who are dismissed from the Falls Church High School Chapter of the National Honor Society shall not be reinstated and are not eligible for any benefits.



Article VI – Officers

The officers of the Falls Church High School Chapter of the National Honor Society shall include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian/Reporter.  Each officer shall serve for a term of one year.  The duties of each officer are as follows:

·         President (senior): Presides at the meetings and represents the organization when necessary.

·         Vice President (junior): Presides at the meetings when the President is absent or unable to perform his or her duties.  Maintains records of service points worked by members. Maintains the organization’s website.

·         Treasurer (junior): Maintains and records all financial matters involving the members.

·         Secretary (senior): Maintains the records of membership, records the minutes of the meetings, and completes necessary correspondence.

Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Chapter members.  If an officer is dismissed from the Chapter or steps down, the office that he or she holds shall be declared vacant by the advisor(s).  An election shall be held at the next meeting following the declaration to fill the office.

Article VII – Dues

The dues of the Falls Church chapter shall be twenty dollars per year due by September 30.  There shall be no partial dues payments accepted except by approval of advisor(s).  A late fee of five dollars per month is charged beginning October 1.

           

New inductees shall be required to pay these yearly dues prior to their induction ceremony.

Article VIII – Meetings

The Falls Church chapter shall meet a minimum of once a month.  Members shall be required to attend all meetings.  If a member cannot attend a meeting, they are required to inform the advisor(s) ahead of time.  Missing more than two meetings may be grounds for probationary action.  Extenuating circumstances shall be addressed to the advisor(s).  Members shall be responsible for all information and policies presented at a meeting whether they are present or not.

Article IX – Service

All members shall be required to perform community service hours.  Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, members must complete at least 22 points of documented service using the point system. Members cannot receive NHS points for those hours of service that have already counted towards service requirements for another school organization or class.  No hours shall be carried forward from previous years.  Service hours must be pre-approved by the sponsor, and evidence of hours shall be provided in written form.  It is the expectation that all members will actively participate in the in-school peer tutoring program that is sponsored by NHS.

Article X – Activities

Each chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year.  All members shall regularly participate in these projects.  These projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need in the school or community, have the support of the administration and faculty, be well planned, organized and executed.  Projects will be publicized in a positive manner.

Article XI – Amendments

           

The bylaws of the Falls Church High School Chapter of the National Honor Society may be amended by the chapter advisor(s). The administration of the school may also have input regarding amendments and adjustments.

Updated April 2009.

Famous NHS member Jamie Farr (actor - Klinger on M.A.S.H.)