Chapter Bylaws of the
Allendale Elementary School Chapter,
Charter Number: 00495379
of the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS)
Adopted: 12/8/15
ARTICLE I : NAME
The name of this chapter shall be the Allendale Chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) of Allendale Elementary School.
ARTICLE 2: PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter shall be to develop essential leadership skills among and encourage meaningful service to the school and community by the students of Allendale Elementary School, and to recognize students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and personal responsibility.
ARTICLE 3: POWERS
Section 1: This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the National Constitution of NEHS. See www.nhs.us/constitution.
Section 2. The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.
Section 3: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal.
Section 4: Non-discrimination. Pursuant to the requirements of Massachusetts and federal law, the Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) prohibits discrimination in school admissions, participation in courses of study and extra-curricular activities, the hiring and employment of staff, and access to school facilities and activities based on race, color, age, disability, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION
Section 1. Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of Scholarship and Responsibility.
Section 2. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at upon completion of their elementary school studies at this school. Graduate and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
Section 3. Eligibility:
-
Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be enrolled in grades 4 or 5.
-
To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Allendale Elementary School. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum grade of a B in all core subjects.
-
Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their demonstrated personal responsibility.
Section 4. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council which consists of three faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the fourth, non-voting, ex-officio member of the Faculty Council.
Section 5. Prior to the final selection of members, the following shall occur:
a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
b. Students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Candidate’s Form for further consideration.
c. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter adviser.
d. The Faculty Council shall review the Candidates Forms, faculty evaluations and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership.
Section 6. The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year. Additional selection periods may be added.
Section 7. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
Section 8. Membership can be transferred from one chapter of NEHS to another.
a. An active member of the National Elementary Honor Society who transfers from this school with an active chapter of NEHS will be given an official letter indicating the status of his/her membership.
b. An active member of the National Elementary Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member at least one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, this member must maintain those requirement for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.
ARTICLE 5: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Elementary Honor Society.
Section 2. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $5. Dues will be payable to the chapter treasurer within 30 days of induction.
Section 3. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.
ARTICLE 6: OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school 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 for this chapter.
Section 5. The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members’ contributions in the areas of leadership and service.
Section 6. The secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence of the chapter.
Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the record of expenses, dues [optional], and all other financial transactions of the chapter
Section 8. Officers shall serve a term of one year.
Section 9. Officers and the faculty adviser shall collectively be known as the chapter’s Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter, but any action by the Executive Committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.
ARTICLE 7: MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings of this chapter shall be held bi-weekly when school is in session.
Section 2. This chapter shall strive to conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE 8: ACTIVITIES
Section 1. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year. A minimum total of four (4) official activities will be conducted each year.
Section 2. All members of the chapter 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 undertaken in a well-planned and organized manner.
Section 4. The chapter shall publicize and promote its projects in a positive manner.
ARTICLE 9: DISCIPLINE of MEMBERS
Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship and responsibility may be considered for disciplinary actions by the Allendale chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society. A member of the National Elementary Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing, be responsible in all aspects, and take an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community.
Section 2. If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below a B, he/she will be given a written warning and a reasonable time period for improvement. If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the warning period the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that can include consideration of dismissal from the chapter.
Section 3. Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of a member (see Section 5 below). These violations include, but are not limited to stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or other serious offenses defined in the school’s student code of conduct.
Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive a written warning. A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council or student/parent). If the member is involved in additional violations of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal.
Section 5. In all cases of pending dismissal:
a. The member will receive written notification from the adviser/Faculty Council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.
b. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge(s) against him/her at a hearing before the Faculty Council. This will take place prior to any vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in the National Constitution). The member has the opportunity to present his/her case either in person or through a written statement presented instead of the face-to-face hearing. Following the hearing, the Faculty Council will vote to determine the appropriate disciplinary action. A majority vote of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member.
c. The results of the Faculty Council vote will be presented to the principal for review, and then stated in a letter sent to the student and parents. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser.
d. The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards according to provisions of the school district discipline policies.
e. Members who resign or are dismissed can be reconsidered for membership upon written request to the chapter adviser.
Section 6. In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose other appropriate disciplinary measures upon a member.
ARTICLE 10: RATIFICATION, REVIEW, and AMENDMENTS.
Section 1: Ratification. These bylaws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active members of the chapter, a majority affirmative vote of the Faculty Council, and approval by the administration.
Section 2: Review. These bylaws shall be reviewed and if necessary, revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document.
Section 3: Amendments. These by-laws 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 any provisions regarding selection of members and chapter disciplinary guidelines, which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal.
December 12, 2015
______________________________________________
Adviser: Anne-Mary Riello
_____________________________________________
Principal: Brenda Kelley