The NHS Constitution

The National Honor Society at Valley High School honors this constitution
which serves as the basis for all the Natiional Honor Societies in the nation.
Here is a short excerpt that will allow you to get the basic information about
National Honor Society and how it is organized.

Article I
Name and Purpose

1. The name of the organization shall be the National Honor Society of Secondary
   Schools (NHS).
   

   The purpose of this organization shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship,
   to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop
   character in the student of secondary schools.
   

   The NHS shall be under the sponsorship and supervision of the National Association
   of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), 1904 Association Drive, Reston, Va. 22091

   
   

Article VIII
Membership

1. Membership in local chapters is an honor bestowed upon a student. Selection for
   membership is by a faculty council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character,
   leadership and service. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.
   

   Membership shall be known as active and graduate. Active members shall become graduate
   members at graduation. Graduate members shall have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
   

   The faculty council shall reserve the right to award honorary membership to school
   officials, principals, teachers, NHS advisers, or adults in recognition of outstanding service
   rendered to the school in keeping with the purpose of the National Honor Society.
   

   Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
   

   Members who are seniors in good standing are eligible to be nominated by their chapters
   to compete in the National Honor Society Scholarsip Program.
   

   A National Honor Society member who transfers to another school and brings a letter from
   the former principal or chapter adviser to the new school adviser shall be accepted
   automatically as a member in the new school's chapter. Transfer members must meet the
   new chapter's standards within one semester in order to retain membership.
   

   Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership or its benefits.

   
   

Article IX
Selection of Members

1. To be eligible for membership the candidate must be a member of those classes
   (sophomore,junior, senior) designated as eligible in the chapter bylaws. (Freshman,
   [9th graders] are not eligible.) Candidates must have been in attendance at the school the
   equivalent of one semester. Some candidates may be ineligible for induction because of the
   semester ruling. Many students, including students of military parents, are required to
   move with parents or guardians that have transferred in their work. The present school
   principal should seek a recommendation from the previous school principal pursuant to the
   candidate's selection. Based on the recommendation of the previous principal, the faculty
   council may waive the semester regulation.
   

   Candidates must have a cumulative sholastic average of at least 85 percent, B, or 3.0 (on a
   4.0 scale) or the equivalent standard of excellence. Candidates shall then be evaluated on
   the basis of service, leadership, and character.
   

   The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council.
   

   A description of the selection procedure shall be published in an official school publication
   which is widely available in a timely fashion to all students and parents of the school. The
   selection procedure shall be determined by the faculty council and shall be consistent with
   the rules and regulations of the National Honor Society.
   

   The National Council and the NASSP shall not review the judgement of the faculty council
   regarding selection of individual members to local chapters.

   
   

Article XIII
Meetings

1. Each chapter shall have regular meetings during the school year on days designated by the
   executive committee and in accordance with school policy and regulations.
   

   The regularity of the meetings (i.e., weekly, monthly, bimonthly) shall be designated in the
   chapter bylaws.
   

   Special meetings approve by the executive committee may be called by the president.
   

   Chapters shall conduct meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised
   in all points not expressly provided for in this Constitution or the chapter bylaws.

   
   

Article XIV
Activities

1. 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 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.
   

   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.
   

   Each chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.