Chapter Bylaws of the Robinson Secondary Chapter of the National Honor Society Adopted: 5/20/2021

ARTICLE I:  NAME

The name of this chapter shall be the Robinson Secondary Chapter of the National Honor Society of the James W. Robinson Secondary School.  

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

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 in students of the James W. Robinson Secondary School.

ARTICLE III: POWERS

Section 1: This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the National Constitution of NHS. See www.nhs.us/constitutions. In addition, this chapter will maintain active affiliation with the national organization on an annual basis.

Section 2: This chapter will remain an active member of the state association, Virginia State Honor Society, by paying annual dues and participating in state functions when possible.

Section 3. The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.

Section 4: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal

Section 5: Nondiscrimination. Our chapter of NHS maintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified candidate or member on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, and disability. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all practices, including the chapter administration and the selection, discipline, and dismissal of members.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

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, service, leadership, and character.

Section 2.  Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and alumni.  Active members become alumni members at graduation. Alumni and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Section 3.  Eligibility:

1. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.
2. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at James W. Robinson Secondary School.
3. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5.
4. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

ARTICLE V:  SELECTION OF MEMBERS 

Section 1.  The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council which consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal.

Section 2.  The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year. 

Section 3.  Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

    a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.

    b. All students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) and interested should attend the NHS Interest Meeting. Candidates will then be asked to complete and submit the candidate achievement and service form as well as the candidate form for further consideration.

    c. Candidates who are scholastically eligible are required to have 2 faculty recommendations given through the input form provided by the chapter adviser.

   d. The faculty council shall review the candidate information forms, faculty input, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership. Selection procedures shall be determined by the faculty council and shall be consistent with the rules and regulations of the National Honor Society.

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

    f. The offer of candidacy can be rescinded prior to induction without a hearing if a student has a disciplinary issue. 

Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.

Section 5.  An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given an official letter indicating the status of his/her membership.

Section 6.  An active member of the National 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 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 VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Section 1.  Dues for this chapter at $25 prior to induction. Additional payment is required for stoles during Senior Year.  

Section 2. Each member is required to complete 20 service hours in their sophomore and junior years and 15 hours in their senior year; 10 of the hours must be completed first semester. Members who do not uphold this standard will be put on probation for 1 semester, during which time they will make up their hours and complete a 50% penalty of extra hours. If this is not completed, they will be put up for dismissal from NHS.

Section 3.  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 Honor Society. Students who are on probation are not considered in good standing and should not wear the emblem. 

Section 4.  Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem (pin) to the chapter.

Section 5. All members are required to attend at least 4 chapter meetings per school year.

Section 6. Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor stole at graduation. Students who are on probation are not considered in good standing and should not wear the stole.

ARTICLE VII:  OFFICERS

Section 1.  The officers of the chapter shall be President, Vice President of Candidates, Vice President of Service, Vice President of Communications/Treasurer, and Historian/Secretary.

Section 2.  Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year.  All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer.

Section 3.  Voting shall be by secret ballot. 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. Only members of NHS can vote for officers.

Section 4.  It shall be the duty of the President to preside at the meetings of the chapter and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions.

Section 5.  The Vice President of Candidates shall preside in the absence of the President and shall also plan candidate induction.

Section 5.  The Vice President of Service shall keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service.

Section 6.  The Historian/Secretary shall keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence.

Section 7.  The Vice President of Communications/Treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter as well as announcing upcoming meetings and events.

Section 8.  Officers and the faculty adviser(s) shall collectively be known as the chapter’s executive committee. The executive committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and 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 VIII:  MEETINGS

Section 1.  Regular meetings of this chapter shall be monthly. Special meetings can be called by the President with approval of the adviser.

Section 2.  This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 3. Members are expected to attend at least 4 chapter meetings. If a member is unable to attend, they are to review the notes and video (if available) and complete the form for their absence.

ARTICLE IX:  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 and promote its projects in a positive manner.

ARTICLE X:  DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL of MEMBERS

Section 1.  Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, service, leadership, or character  may be considered for discipline or dismissal from the Robinson Secondary chapter of the National Honor Society.  A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing 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 the standard in effect when he/she was selected (3.5) he /she will be given a written warning of probation 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 action by the faculty council that includes 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 DWI, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities or in the community.

Section 4.  Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written warning notification.  A conference may be requested by either party (faculty council or student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be considered for dismissal.

Section 5. Violations of the Robinson Honor Code will result in 1 year of probation in the NHS. During this time, the member is no longer considered in good standing but must still complete the duties required of all members. If a second violation occurs, the students will be dismissed from NHS per the Honor Code.

Section 6.  Chapter officers, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their positions as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the faculty council.

Section 7. In all cases of pending dismissal:

a. The member will receive written and digital notification from the adviser indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.

b. The member has the right to respond to the charge(s) against him/her at a hearing before the advisor(s) prior to any vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution). The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense either in person or via a written statement presented in lieu of the face-to-face hearing. Following the hearing, the faculty council will then vote on whether to dismiss. 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. A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.

Section 8.  In lieu of dismissal, the faculty council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE XI: RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, and REVIEW.

Section 1: 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: These bylaws shall be reviewed and if necessary, revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

These bylaws 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 Articles IV, V, and X, which are developed by the faculty council with the approval of the principal.

Approved on 5/20/21, amended on 6/11/2024

Annaliese Gonzalez – President

Ruku Day – VP of Service

Sam Heatherington – Secretary/Historian

Patrick Walsh – VP of Communications/Treasurer

Evelyne You – VP of Candidates

Colleen Conwell – Advisor

Tracey Phillips - Principal