Park View High School 

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1:

The name of the chapter shall be the Park View High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.

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 in all students at Park View High School.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:

Membership in this chapter shall be known as active and graduate.  Active members become graduate members.  Graduate members have no voice or 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, and character.

Section 3:

Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must:

(a)   Be members of either the junior or senior class.

(b)   Have been in attendance for a period of one month at Park View High School (procedures for exceptions are described in the National Honor Society Handbook).

(c)   Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and GPA requirements, candidates for selection shall be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

Transferring memberships from other established chapters of the National Honor Society will be accepted once the Park View High School Chapter sponsor or guidance counselor has verified the transferee’s membership.

 ARTICLE III: SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1:

The selection of members into this chapter shall be by majority vote of the NHS Faculty Selection Committee, hereafter known as the Selection Committee.  The Selection Committee shall consist of five Park View High School faculty members appointed annually by the principal.  The NHS sponsor shall be the sixth member, nonvoting, of the Selection Committee.

Section 2:

Prior to selection, the following shall occur:

(a)   Student academic records will be obtained from the Guidance Director and reviewed by the NHS sponsor to determine academic eligibility.

(b)   Each student who is eligible scholastically shall be notified, in writing, and needs to determine whether he/she intends to apply for selection into NHS.

(c)   All students who qualify based on meeting the GPA requirement, known as candidates, are given access to a candidate selection packet to complete.

(d)   All faculty members at Park View High School will be provided with a spreadsheet containing the names of all the candidates after the application period closes.  Faculty members will be asked to evaluate each candidate they know and make a recommendation regarding selection for the Selection Committee to consider.

(e)   The Selection Committee will review all faculty recommendations and candidate application packets.  Then, the Selection Committee will vote on each candidate to determine who will be selected for membership in the chapter.

(f) The principal will review the results of the selection process.

(g)   Each candidate for selection will be personally notified of the results of the selection process.

(h)   Candidates who are not selected may appeal the result to the principal.

Section 3:

The selection of new active members shall be held once a year, in the fall.  New candidates will be eligible and selected from the current junior and senior classes.

Section 4:

Candidates become official members when inducted at a special ceremony which is held annually in the fall of the current school year.

Section 5:

Once selected and inducted, all members are expected to maintain the standards by which they were selected and fulfill all obligations of membership as follows:

(a)   Returning members will attend six (6) of the nine (9) scheduled meetings related to the chapter.

(b) New members inducted in the fall will attend at least five (5) of seven (7) scheduled meetings related to the chapter.

(c)   Participate in activities that are sponsored by the PVHS chapter.

(d)   Complete the required number of community service and tutoring hours - for the 201-22 school year, 20 hours - as established by the chapter officers.  The due dates and window for accumulating hours will also be established by the chapter officers - May 4.

(e)   All current members are strongly encouraged to attend the Induction ceremony.

(f)  All candidates who are being inducted are required to attend the Induction Ceremony.  New candidates are not official members until inducted into the chapter.

Section 6:

An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership.  The letter shall be signed by either the principal or chapter sponsor.

Section 7:

An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers into this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter.  The Selection Committee shall grant 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.

NOTE: The guidelines for selection stated above conform to the national constitution of the National Honor Society.

ARTICLE IV: DISCIPLINE AND DISMISSAL

Section 1:

 Any member who falls below any of the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be considered for dismissal from the Park View High School chapter of the National Honor Society.  A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing, exemplify the highest levels of behavior and character, and take an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community.

Section 2:

Disciplinary issues will be heard by and consequences determined by a majority vote of the NHS Faculty Disciplinary Committee, hereafter known as the Disciplinary Committee.  The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of five Park View High School faculty members appointed annually by the principal.  The NHS sponsor shall be the sixth member, nonvoting, of the Disciplinary Committee.

Section 3:

If a member’s cumulative GPA falls below the standard 3.5 which was in effect when he/she was selected, then he/she will be given a written warning and a time period of one semester for improvement.  If the individual’s cumulative GPA remains below the standard at the end of the warning period, then the member will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Disciplinary Committee, which will include consideration for dismissal from the chapter.

Section 4:

If a member fails to perform any of the obligations of membership (Article III, Section 5), he/she will be given a written warning and a time period of one quarter for improvement.  If the obligation remains unmet at the end of the warning period, then the member will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Disciplinary Committee, which may include consideration for dismissal from the chapter.

Section 5:

Violation of the law, school regulations, or the Park View High School Academic Integrity Policy will result in an automatic disciplinary hearing in front of the Disciplinary Committee.  The result of the hearing may include dismissal from the chapter.

Section 6:

For cases which will involve a hearing before the Disciplinary Committee, the following steps shall be taken:

(a)   The member, and his/her parents, will receive written notification of the violation for which the member is suspected.

(b)   The date and time for the hearing will be stated in the letter.

(c)   The member and his/her parents will acknowledge receipt of the notification letter by signing a copy and returning it to the NHS sponsor.

(d)   The member is advised that the hearing is an opportunity to present his/her case before the Disciplinary Committee.

(e)   The member is also advised that he/she may have a parent, or guardian, present for moral support.

(f)  The Disciplinary Committee may choose to interview other students and faculty involved in the case.  All interviews are conducted individually and in private.

(g)   After all interviews have been completed and the member has been able to present all his/her information, the Disciplinary Committee will discuss options for consequences.

(h)   The consequences available to the Disciplinary Committee to select range from dismissal of the case to dismissal of the member from the chapter.  This means the Disciplinary Committee can also impose probation and extra hours of either service or tutoring.

(i)   A vote will be taken to determine the consequence that should be imposed.  A majority vote is needed to impose any consequence.

(j)  The result of the Disciplinary Committee vote will be reviewed by the principal, and then, if confirmed, expressed in a letter sent to the member and his/her parents.

(k)   The Disciplinary Committee’s decision may be appealed to the principal and then under the school district’s policies governing disciplinary appeals.

Section 7:

When a member is dismissed or resigns, he/she is no longer a member and may not be reconsidered for membership in the National Honor Society.

 ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section 1:

The officers of the chapter shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Section 2:

Officers shall be elected during the penultimate meeting of each school year from members who are in the junior class.  All members who are juniors are eligible to run for a position as an officer.  All members are eligible to vote, as the senior members are still expected to shape the future of the organization. Should an officer vacate or be removed from the position for which elected for any reason, a special election will be held at the next possible monthly meeting of the general membership. Only seniors are eligible to fill the vacated position, unless no viable candidate emerges. At that time, a junior may run. 

Section 3:

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.

Section 4:

The president shall preside over the meetings of the chapter and the executive committee.

Section 5:

The vice-president shall assist in keeping a record of members’ community service hours.  This officer is also responsible for helping the chapter sponsor organize, post, and advertise community service requests and opportunities that are received by the chapter.

Section 6:

The secretary shall:

(a)   Keep a record of members’ attendance at meetings.

(b)   Take notes at monthly officers’ and general meetings.

Section 7:

The treasurer shall:

(a)   Assist with the collection of any monies from fundraising efforts or collections of fees.

(b) Obtain the balance at the start and end of the school year from the bookkeeper.

 ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1:

The executive committee shall consist of the chapter officers and the chapter sponsor.

 Section 2:

The executive committee shall have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter.  But, any action taken by the executive committee is subject to review by the members of the chapter.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section 1:

Meetings of this chapter shall be monthly.  Additional committee and/or event preparation meetings will be held as needed. 

Section 2:

Executive committee members will be required to meet for one additional meeting per month to plan the general membership meeting or other times as needed.

Section 3:

All chapter members are expected to attend monthly meetings unless an academic or medical reason is established, preferably prior to the meeting. Academic reasons include attendance at the Academies of Loudoun, college visits, and other school-based trips. Medical reasons relate to one’s physical or mental health.

ARTICLE VIII: ACTIVITIES

Section 1:

The chapter shall undertake one or more service projects for each year.

Section 2:

All members shall attempt to participate in service projects adopted by the chapter.

Section 3:

These projects shall have the following characteristics:

(a)   Fulfill a need within the school or community.

(b)   Have the support of the administration and the faculty.

(c)   Be appropriate and educationally defensible.

(d)   Be well planned, organized, and executed.

Section 4:

Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in individual service projects that reflect his/her particular talents and interests.  This is in addition to the chapter sponsored projects to which all members contribute.

Section 5:

The chapter service requirements and documentation deadlines shall be established by the chapter officers and publicized at every chapter meeting.  Members shall accurately document their service hours using the chapter generated service hours Google form found on the Park View NHS website or in Schoology

Section 6:

The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.

ARTICLE IX: TUTORING

Section 1:

The chapter shall provide tutoring services to both Park View High School students and students in the surrounding community whenever possible.

Section 2:

All members who are able should consider participating in the tutoring program.

Section 3:

Tutoring services offered by the Park View High School chapter are designed to be short-term services that help a student through a specific topic or prepare for a test.  These services are not meant to be long-term services that replace services provided by a commercial tutoring service.

Section 4:

Each member shall have the responsibility of attempting to participate in the tutoring program.  In addition to chapter sponsored tutoring services, members may choose to offer their services to students either in, or out of, Park View.

Section 5:

The chapter does not have a tutoring hour requirement; however, if one chooses to tutor the ame documentation deadlines shall be established by the chapter officers and publicized at every chapter meeting.  Members shall accurately document their tutoring hours using the chapter generated service hours log sheet.

Section 6:

The chapter shall publicize its tutoring services in a positive manner in conjunction with the guidance office.

ARTICLE X: EMBLEM

Section 1:

Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall have the privilege of wearing the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.

Section 2:

Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.  If the member purchased such emblems the chapter is obligated to reimburse the student for said expense.

Section 3:

Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor cord adopted by the chapter at graduation.

 ARTICLE XI: FEES

Section 1:

Suggested senior cord fee for this chapter shall be $12.00; the use of the fee waiver form found on the Park View website is highly encouraged during the 2022-23 school year.

Section 2:

The fee waiver form found on the Park View website should be filled out  at November’s general meeting.

ARTICLE XII: POWERS

Section 1:

The chapter sponsor is 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.

Section 3:

These bylaws are designed to amplify provisions of the national constitution and cannot contradict any components thereof.  The chapter is obligated to adhere to the provisions of the national constitution in all activities it undertakes. 

ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS

Section 1:

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds 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 (selection and discipline), which are developed by the Selection Committee and the Disciplinary Committee with approval of the principal.

Section 2:

Bylaws and amendments must be consistent with the constitution of the National Honor Society.

ARTICLE XIV: SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP

At least one $500 Park View NHS scholarship - dependent on funds - will be awarded to a two-year member who has completed all required service hours, attended monthly meetings regularly, demonstrated outstanding character, and overall, exemplified the four pillars of NHS. Applications will be available in early March and will be reviewed by the NHS Faculty Council.