Chapter Bylaws of the Aaron Cohn Chapter

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Chapter Bylaws of the Aaron Cohn Chapter of the

National Junior Honor Society

 

Adopted: October 2013

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this chapter shall be the Aaron Cohn Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Aaron Cohn Middle School.

 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this chapter shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership and citizenship, and to encourage the development of character in students of Aaron Cohn Middle School.

 

ARTICLE III: POWERS

Section 1. This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the NJHS National Constitution. See www.nhs.us/constitutions.

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 as stated in Article V, Section 1 of the National Constitution.

Section 4. When required, a Faculty Council may be convened to attend to specific items (e.g. dismissal of an Honor Society member).  The Faculty Council shall consist of the chapter adviser(s), the current assistant principal, and at least one current full time teacher selected by the chapter adviser.

Section 5. Nondiscrimination. Our chapter of NJHS 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 or 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, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship.

Section 2. Eligibility:

  1. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be in the second semester of sixth grade or members of the seventh or eighth grade classes.
  2. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to three terms at Aaron Cohn Middle School.
  3. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale in ALL subjects.
  4. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, citizenship and character.

 

ARTICLE V: SELECTION of MEMBERS

Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be based on a minimum of four faculty evaluations of each candidate.  Candidates shall be assessed on the following Pillars of Excellence:  Citizenship, Leadership, Service, and Character.  The evaluations will be based on a standard 4.0 scale and the candidate’s composite score must not be less than 3.75 to be considered for membership in this Chapter.  Any instance of a candidate having served In School Suspension (ISS) or Out of School Suspension (OSS) shall automatically forfeit a candidate’s ability to qualify for membership.

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

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

  1. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
  2. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter adviser.
  3. All students who are deemed eligible shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Candidate’s Form for further consideration.
  4. The chapter adviser shall review the Candidate Forms, faculty evaluations and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership.

Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special meeting.  The induction ceremony is a solemn occasion and members (both current and prospective) shall dress accordingly.  Female members shall wear an appropriate dress or business attire.  Male members shall wear dress slacks and button-down collared shirts (jeans, khakis, and/or any pullover shirts do not meet this standard).  In addition, each officer and speaker shall wear a tie.

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

Section 6. Since this is a new school, all students who were inducted into NJHS at their previous schools will automatically become members.

Section 7. An active member of the NJHS who transfers to this school after the first grading period, will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one grading period 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. Each member of this chapter commits to upholding and incorporating the Pillars of Excellence into all areas and activities of life on a daily basis.  

Section 2. All members shall perform a minimum 40 hours of community service.  This service must be performed during the school year and cannot be performed while school is in session.

Section 3. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be granted the privilege to wear the emblem adopted by the NJHS.

Section 4. Any member who withdraws, resigns or is dismissed from the chapter shall have the privilege of wearing the emblem adopted by the NJHS permanently revoked.

 

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, historian, and parliamentarian.  Officers are expected to attend ALL Honor Society meeting and hosted events.

Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the second meeting at the beginning of the school year. All returning eighth grade members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer. Any active member can nominate an eligible member as a candidate for office.

Section 3. Voting shall be by paper 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 2 candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

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 shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service.

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

Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, and all other financial transactions of the chapter.

Section 8. The historian shall document Honor Society events and record such pertinent details as member attendance, volunteer lists, and other society information during scheduled meetings.

Section 9.  The Parliamentarian shall maintain order at all meetings and assist with attendance documentation, volunteer lists, and other society information as needed.

Section 10. Officers and the faculty adviser shall collectively be known as the chapter’s Executive Committee. This committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter. Any action by this committee is subject to the review by 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 meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 3. Members are expected to attend all chapter meetings.

 

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; be well planned, organized, and executed.
Section 4. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project that reflects his or her particular talents and interests and is approved by the chapter adviser. This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute. A minimum forty volunteer community services hours shall be given to this project during the school year.  These hours will be recorded on the official form provided by the chapter.  Volunteer activities during summer term are encouraged but will not be included in the required service hours.
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, Leadership, Service, Character, or Citizenship may be considered for discipline or dismissal from the Aaron Cohn Chapter of the NJHS. A member is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership in his/her school and community.

Section 2. If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.50, he/she will be given a written warning and a reasonable time period for improvement. If the GPA 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 will result in immediate consideration of the 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 at school or school-related activities or in the community, and infractions resulting in ISS or OSS consequences for the member.

Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written warning notification. A conference many be requested by the 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. Members are required to remain active in all club activities.  This includes attendance at regular and special meetings or events as set or called by the chapter adviser and/or officers. If a member’s attendance falls below 70%, the member will be subject to disciplinary action, including probation or revocation of membership.  Officers are expected to attend ALL regular and special club meetings.

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:

  1. The member will receive written notification from the adviser/Faculty Council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.
  2. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge(s) against him/her at a hearing before the Faculty Council 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 of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member.
  3. 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 advisor.
  4. The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards according to provisions of the Muscogee County School District discipline policies.
  5. A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in NJHS.

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 approved 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 two-thirds 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 (membership), V (selection), and X (discipline), which are developed by the Faculty Advisors ( or Faculty Council if established) with the approval of the principal.

 

 

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