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NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
BACKGROUND INFORMATION The National Junior Honor Society is the middle level counterpart to the National Honor Society. The National Honor Society is the national organization established to recognize outstanding high school students not only in Scholarship, but also in the areas of Leadership, Service and Character. The NJHS has the added purpose of recognizing and encouraging students in the area of Citizenship. The NJHS has its own constitution and handbook, but it is sponsored and supervised by the National Association of Secondary School Principals which appoints a National Council--the controlling body of NHS and NJHS. The NHS National Council establishes the national standards for all NHS and NJHS chapters. Local chapters create their own by-laws which are to be consistent with and comply with the NHS and NJHS National Constitutions. All membership selection is handled through the local school chapter. NJHS is more than just an honor roll. There are chapter rules for membership based on a student’s outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship, and character.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA Scholarship: Forbes Middle School students who have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 90 percent or higher during the second semester of the seventh grade meet the scholarship requirement and are eligible for consideration for induction into NJHS during the eighth grade on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship. They must have been a student in GISD for at least one semester prior to starting eighth grade. Leadership: The student who exercises leadership Ø Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions Ø Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities Ø Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals Ø Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school Ø Is able to delegate responsibilities Ø Exemplifies positive attitudes Ø Inspires positive behavior in others Ø Demonstrates academic initiative Ø Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability Ø Is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities Ø Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted Ø Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activity while working with or for others. Service: Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service. In considering service, the contributions this candidate has made to school, classmates, and community, as well as the student’s attitude toward service can be reviewed.
The student who serves: Ø Volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance Ø Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities Ø Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school Ø Is willing to represent the class of school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition Ø Does committee and staff work without complaint Ø Participates in some activity outside of school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged Ø Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools Ø Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students. Citizenship: The student who demonstrates citizenship: Ø Understands the importance of civic involvement Ø Has a high regard for freedom, justice, and respect of the American form of government (representative democracy) Ø Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as Scouting, community organizations, and school clubs Character: Character is probably the most difficult criterion to define. The Faculty Council should consider the positive as well as the negative aspects of character. All judgments in this and other selection criteria should be free of speculation and rumor. National Junior Honor Society is a member of the Character Counts! Coalition. Through this activity, the society supports and recommends the use of a multi-faceted definition of character known as the “Six Pillars of Character.” A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. In addition, it can also be said that the student of character: Ø Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously Ø Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability) Ø Upholds principles of morality and ethics Ø Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc. Ø Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability Ø Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others Ø Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom Ø Has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies Ø Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others Ø Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.
SELECTION PROCESS The five-member Faculty Council, appointed by the principal, is responsible for the selection of all new members as well as the disciplining of existing members of the chapter. The selection process is supervised by the chapter adviser(s) who sit as non-voting members of the Faculty Council. Selection is by a majority vote of the Faculty Council. Prerequisite
conditions for Selection
Ø
According to the national NJHS Constitution,
only those students who have attended the school the equivalent of one semester
may be considered for membership. Ø Students must be in eighth grade The Procedure
The Faculty
Council of the Chapter selects students who demonstrate outstanding performance
in all five criteria of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and
character. The Faculty Council first
identifies students with the prerequisite GPA and then evaluates each
candidate’s performance in the areas of leadership, service, citizenship, and
character. While the academic criterion is important and is
considered first, membership is never decided on the basis of grades alone. Once the students who possess the prerequisite GPA have been identified, they are asked to submit a Student Activity Information form detailing their service, leadership, citizenship, and character. Faculty evaluations may be used to support the strength of a student’s candidacy in the areas of service, leadership, citizenship, and character. In the event of a low rating on one of the evaluations, the reasons for such a rating are verified, in order to avoid the “speculation and rumor” concepts mentioned elsewhere in this document. To avoid questionable entries on faculty evaluations, all evaluations are signed, and each evaluator is asked to support any below-average rating with substantiating data based on sound professional judgment and action. Anonymous faculty evaluation forms are not considered. The advisers serve as a link between the Faculty Council and the evaluators, and may conduct informal interviews with those teachers who provide the below-average ratings. Evaluations bring to the attention of the Faculty Council information that may not otherwise be represented on the Student Activity Information forms. Upon reviewing the evaluations and verifying their accuracy, the Faculty Council is still required to undertake a vote on each candidate, selecting each student who receives a majority vote. As with the Student Activity Information Forms, faculty evaluations are considered working documents to assist the Faculty Council in making sound decisions regarding membership. These evaluations are used only by the Faculty Council, the adviser, and the principal and are considered confidential.
NOTIFICATION OF INDUCTEES Those students selected and their parents are notified promptly and personally by the principal, chapter adviser or letter. Additional pertinent information outlining some of the duties, responsibilities or obligations of membership in the National Junior Honor Society is included with the letter or shortly after in a society meeting. Some of that information is included below. Pertinent Information for NJHS Members
1.
1st general
meeting date and time are announced. If
a student has a prior commitment, he/she should let one of the advisers know
immediately. Otherwise you will be
expected to attend.
2.
Annual dues: $5.00 to be paid at the first general meeting
3.
Officer elections: Information packets are available from the
advisers. Elections will be held at the first
general meeting after the induction ceremony.
The following officers will be elected: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, historian, and
public relations officer.
4.
You are expected to attend
one meeting a month. We will decide at
the next meeting when the others will be held.
5.
You are required to
participate in all chapter-sponsored activities: service projects, fundraising projects,
faculty appreciation projects, etc.
6.
You are required to be
involved in one or more individual service projects as approved by the advisers
(to accumulate at least two and one-half hours of service) by the end of
April. This must be documented on a
Service Form you will get from one of the sponsors. INDUCTION
Candidates are asked to complete the final phase of
the selection process by honoring the faculty and administration with their
presence and participation in a formal induction of all new members at the
BY-LAWS ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Charles A. Forbes Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Society of Charles A. Forbes Middle School.
Section 2. The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character and citizenship in students of Charles A. Forbes Middle School.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members when they graduate from 8th grade. Graduate and honorary members have no vote in chapter affairs.
Section 2. Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty, and shall be based on the criteria of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character and Citizenship. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities.
Section 3. Eligibility:
ARTICLE III: SELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council consisting of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser(s) shall be the sixth (and seventh), non-voting, ex-officio member(s) of the Faculty Council.
Section 2. Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
Section 3. The selection of new, active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year.
Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
Section 5. An active member of the National Junior Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership and signed by the Principal or adviser(s).
Section 6. An active member of the National Junior Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, this member must maintain those requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.
ARTICLE IV: DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL
Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, service or citizenship may be dismissed from the Charles A. Forbes M. S. chapter of the National Junior Society. A member of the National Junior Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and demonstrate his citizenship by taking an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community.
Section 2. If a member’s cumulative grade average falls below 90, he/she will be given a written warning and a time period for improvement. If the cumulative grade average remains below 90 at the end of the warning period, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that could include dismissal from the chapter.
Section 3. Violation of the law or school regulations can result in dismissal of a member. These violations include, but are not limited to, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absence, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written warning notification. A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council or student/parents). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be dismissed.
Section 5. In all cases of impending dismissal:
Section 6. In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.
Secton 7. Any member who is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter .
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, historian, and parliamentarian.
Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at a designated meeting after the induction ceremony. All members are eligible to run for a position as an officer.
Section 3. A plurality vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. If the first vote yields a tie, a second vote shall be taken of the two candidates receiving the same number of votes.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings for this chapter and the executive committee and to participate in planning the chapter activities.
Section 5. The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of the members’ attendance and contributions to leadership and service.
Section 6. The secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings and be responsible for correspondence.
Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter. He/she shall also get a monthly treasury report from the school bookkeeper and give a financial report at chapter meetings.
Section 8. The historian shall be responsible for keeping a pictorial and written record of the chapter’s activities by way of a scrapbook. He/she will also be responsible for making known to the school and community the activities and accomplishments of the chapter and its members.
Section 9. The parliamentarian will work with the president to see that the meetings of the chapter are held in an orderly and positive manner, using Robert’s Rules of Order when applicable.
Section 10. If an officer’s membership in the NJHS is placed on probation, he/she shall be relieved of the duties of his/her office. If the president is relieved of his/her duties or withdraws from the school, the vice president shall assume the duties of the president and a new vice president will be appointed by a committee made up of the advisor(s), the principal and the new president. If any of the other offices is vacated, the same committee will vote to appoint a replacement from among the general membership of the chapter.
ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of the faculty adviser(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 by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings of the chapter shall be monthly.
Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VIII: ACTIVITIES
Section 1. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for 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 an individual service project which reflects his or her particular talents and interests and as approved by the chapter adviser. 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 IX: EMBLEM
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 Junior Honor Society.
Section 2. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.
ARTICLE X: DUES
Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $5.00.
Section 2. Dues will be payable to the chapter treasurer within 30 days of the induction.
ARTICLE XI: POWERS
Section 1. The chapter adviser(s) is/are given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as designated by the school principal.
Section 2. The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.
ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the chapter, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to the members at least one month prior to the vote. The exceptions are Articles III and IV, which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal (selection and discipline).
Section 2. By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the Constitution of the National Junior Honor Society. Date of last approved revisions:_____________________________________________
Chapter President:________________________________________________________
Chapter Secretary:________________________________________________________
Chapter Adviser(s):________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
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