National Honor Society

Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Rondout Valley Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools, which appears on the charter granted by the National Council of the National Honor Society, duly signed by the members of the National Council.

Section 2. The object 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 the students of Rondout Valley High School.

Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be based upon Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

Section 2. Candidates shall have spent at least one semester in Rondout Valley High School, and shall be members of the sophomore or junior or class. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a scholarship average of 90%. This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be for this chapter the required scholastic achievement for admission to candidacy for membership in this chapter. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard level shall be admitted for election to membership. A letter of notification and application will be mailed to the student’s residence. Their eligibility shall then be considered for Service, Leadership, and Character. Their continued membership shall then be dependent upon maintaining the required scholastic achievement and character, as well as continuing their service and leadership qualities.

Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter of the National Honor Society shall be by a chapter council, consisting of five members of the faculty; who are to be chosen by but do not include the principal.

Section 2. Any active member who falls below the standards which were the basis for his/her selection to membership shall be placed on probationary status and counseled by the advisor(s) and the council. If this probationary period does not yield improvement, then the member shall be dropped from the chapter upon the recommendation of the Faculty Council.

Section 1. The officers of this chapter shall be a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.

Section 2. A majority of votes cast shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of this chapter.

Section 4. The vice-president shall fill the chair of the president in his/her absence.

Section 5. The chapter secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings, a record of all business, and all records on file. Immediately after an election, the chapter secretary also must certify to the national secretary of the National Honor Society the names of those elected to membership.

Section 6. The treasurer shall receive and disburse all funds of the chapter and shall keep an accurate account of receipts and disbursements in accordance with school regulations.

Section 7. The Executive Council is comprised of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, tutoring coordinator and advisor.

Section 1. The activities of this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the principal, the advisor(s), and the executive council.

Section 2. By-laws are to be accepted by a vote of the chapter, approved by the Faculty Council and the principal. When, as determined by the advisor and principal, the by-laws no longer suit the chapter or school situation, are not consistent with the constitution, contain elements that have caused long-standing disagreement, violate individual rights and prevent the chapter from adapting to change, then, they will be amended or otherwise revised and voted into adoption according to pre-established chapter rules.

Section 1. The regular meetings of this chapter shall be held every month in accordance with the established yearly meeting schedules. Members will be expected to attend these meetings as part of their requirement for continued membership. Unexcused absences are considered a violation of attendance policies and excused absences must be previously approved.

Section 2. The officers of the chapter shall be elected at the last regular meeting of the year.

Section 3. Special meetings, approved by the advisor, may be called by the president.

Section 4. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to guidelines established by the advisor(s) and chapter president.

Section 1. This chapter shall be considered an active service chapter which will provide services to the school and/or community in its own capacity as a functioning group.

Section 2. The aforementioned service shall be decided upon by the executive council and the advisor(s).

Section 3. To remain an active member each student must undertake a service activity both individually and as part of the group as approved by the advisor(s) and the executive council.

Section 1. Each member of this chapter shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools.

Section 2. Each member agrees that, whether the emblem comes to him as a gift, a personal purchase, an award, or from whatever source, the title to the emblem shall rest with the chapter of which he is a member; and, therefore, the emblem can, on motion of the council, be commandeered. Furthermore, each member agrees that his acceptance of the emblem shall be considered affirmation of this stipulation in regard to the title of the emblem.

Section 3. All insignia must be procured from the national secretary of the National Honor Society, 1201 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington 6, D.C.