Article I Purpose of these Bylaws

Section 1. The purpose of these bylaws shall be to establish the order and conduct by which the Ellet Chapter of the National Honor Society is to function, and to create a uniform standard by which its members shall abide.

Section 2. All bylaws herein shall be consistent with the constitution of the National Honor Society.

Article II Schedule of meetings and attendance requirements

Section 1. All meetings shall be regularly scheduled for Wednesday mornings at 7:30 A.M. during the school year, unless otherwise moved or cancelled by the chapter president in conjunction with the chapter advisor.

Section 2. All Honor Society members shall be required to be in attendance for these meetings unless an excused absence occurs. An excused absence must be one approved by the office or another meeting.

Section 3. The chapter president, in conjunction with the chapter advisor, reserves the right to call special meetings for the Ellet Chapter of Honor Society, for any special committee or any combination or fraction thereof.

Section 4. Any Honor Society member who misses three meetings without it being an office excused absence shall have a written warning that she/he shall improve his/her attendance record in the future. The chapter advisor shall define “reasonable excuse.”

Section 5. Any Honor Society member who misses a fourth meeting after receiving his/her warning shall be notified of the offense and be given a second and final warning.

Section 6. Any Honor Society member who misses a fifth meeting after receiving the final warning shall be declared not to be in good standings with the National Honor Society, and removed from National Honor Society.

Section 7. Any event at which a member is expected at and declines to appear shall count as a missed meeting, thereby furthering the offender along the disciplinary path.

Article III Chapter Dues

Section 1. Annual dues for the Ellet chapter of the National Honor Society shall be established by the Chapter Executive Committee.

Section 2. The amount of the dues shall not exceed five dollars, nor shall they be less than a half-dollar.

Article IV Chapter Officers and Executive Elections

Section 1. The chapter members shall elect one member to serve as chapter president for the duration of the school year or until removed from office through proper proceedings outlined in Article X.

Section 2. The chapter members shall elect one member to serve as the chapter vice president for the duration for the school year or until removed from office through proper proceedings outlined in Article X.

Section 3. The chapter members shall elect one member to serve as the chapter secretary for the duration for the school year or until removed from office through proper proceedings outlined in Article X.

Section 4. The chapter members shall elect one member to serve as the chapter treasurer for the duration for the school year or until removed from office through proper proceedings outlined in Article X.

Section 5. The chapter members shall elect one member to serve as the chapter parliamentarian for the duration for the school year or until removed from office through proper proceedings outlined in Article X.

Section 6. The executive elections shall be held at a date in the spring, shortly after the annual inductions. The chapter advisor shall determine the date of the elections.

Section 7. All members of the Ellet chapter of National Honor Society shall be eligible to vote for the chapter officers.

Section 8. All members with two years prior service in Honor Society shall be eligible to run for an executive officer position. Post Secondary students may run for office but under strict guidelines.

Section 9. Candidates wishing to run for an officer position must declare intention to run for NHS. Those students may not run for an office for Senior Class, Student Council, Key Club, Yearbook Editor, or Newspaper Editor, as these jobs require dedication and time. No student who has not declared intent to run for NHS officer may run for a position. Officers who are a part of the Post Secondary program must have at least one scheduled period with Chapter Advisor and have no Post Secondary classes during the morning.

Section 10. Each candidate for executive office shall prepare a general campaign speech which shall be read before the chapter during the election meeting prior to the balloting.

Section 11. All elections shall be held using secret ballot.

Section 12. The ballot shall be non-seeded, which means candidates are running for an officer position. Members of NHS determine the rank order of the candidates. A point system (5 for 1^st position, 4 for 2^nd position, 3 for 3^rd position, 2 for 4^th position, 1 for 5^th position) will be applied to ballots.

Section 13. The executive officers will be ranked from president to vice president to secretary to treasurer to parliamentarian by plurality of vote.

Section 14. The chapter advisor shall select a date, sometime after the elections, but prior to the end of the school year, for the formal swearing in of the newly elected officers.

Article V The offices and duties of the president

Section 1. The duties of the president shall include the following: a) Presiding over all meetings and functions b)Assigning tasks and responsibilities to members c) Calling and dismissing meetings d) Organizing Spring inductions with the chapter advisor e) Organizing the graduation set-up along with new officers f) Organizing members for all appropriate committees at the beginning of the year g) Organizing and updating the NHS files h) Maintaining records and the history of the chapter i) Serving on the Executive Committee and the Bylaw Committee.

Section 2. The duties of the president may be handled by another officer of Honor Society throughout the course of the school year, if the need so arises.

Section 3. The president shall perform these duties in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Article VI The offices and duties of the vice-president

Section 1. The duties of the vice-president shall include the following: a) Presiding over meetings or functions at which the chapter president is not present b) Acting as president upon dismissal, removal, or resignation of the president c) Assigning tasks and responsibilities to members d) Keeping records of all Honor Society members’ total hours of participation throughout the school year e) Promoting events within the school and community f) Contacting the local news media to spur interest in events g) Assisting the president in recording the history of the chapter h) Serving on the Executive Committee and the Bylaw Committee.

Section 2. The duties of the vice-president may be handled by another officer of Honor Society throughout the course of the school year, if the need so arises.

Section 3. The vice-president shall perform these duties in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Article VII The offices and duties of the secretary

Section 1. The duties of the secretary shall include the following: a) Taking attendance at all meeting and functions b) Taking minutes at all meetings c) Assisting in typing, filing, and copying required during the process of carrying out Honor Society activities d) Assisting the President in keeping of records e) Serving on the Executive Committee and the Bylaw Committee f) Handling attendance letters to members not attending meetings.

Section 2. The duties of the secretary may be handled by another officer of Honor Society throughout the course of the school year, if the need so arises.

Section 3. The secretary shall perform these duties in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Article VIII The office and duties of the treasurer

Section 1. The duties of the treasurer shall include the following: a) Collecting chapter dues from all members b) Preparing a budget and mission statement at the beginning of the school year c) Collecting money received through fund raising projects d) Paying any bills incurred during the course of the year e) Handling any other financial affairs involving the Ellet Chapter of the National Honor Society f) Serving on the Executive Committee and the Bylaw Committee.

Section 2. The duties of the treasurer may be handled by another officer of Honor Society throughout the course of the school year, if the need so arises.

Section 3. The treasurer shall perform these duties in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Article IX The office and duties of the parliamentarian

Section 1. The duties of the parliamentarian shall include the following: a) Acting as chairperson on the Bylaw Committee b) Forming a scrapbook of various activities done throughout the year c) Updating and maintaining the Chapter website d) Creating and organizing the member information lists e) Making sure that the meetings run according to Parliamentarian procedure f) Serving on the Executive Committee.

Section 2. The duties of the parliamentarian may be handled by another officer of Honor Society throughout the course of the school year, if the need so arises.

Section 3. The parliamentarian shall perform these duties in conjunction with the Executive Committee.

Article X Impeachment of Officers

Section 1. Impeachment of officers shall be carried out in open proceedings.

Section 2. A petition to impeach an officer must be presented to the chapter advisor. It must contain the signature of a simple majority of the current active members, as well as valid reasons for the removal of the officer from his/her post.

Section 3. Upon receiving the petition, the chapter advisor will call for a special Faculty Council meeting. In this meeting the Faculty Council shall review the petition to check its validity. The Faculty Council shall not determine guilt of the accused officer.

Section 4. Should the Faculty Council determine the petition is valid; the chapter advisor shall call a special impeachment hearing. The chapter advisor shall act as presiding officer at this meeting. A quorum of members must be present, with a quorum being defined as five-sixths of all current active members at the time of the hearing. Should a quorum of members not be present, impeachment shall be suspended until a quorum of members is present. During the interim, the accused officer shall be relieved of his/her duties.

Section 5. When a quorum is present, the impeachment charges shall be read before the accused and the quorum of members. The accused executive officer shall have sufficient time to defend him/herself against the charges brought against him/her.

Section 6. After a reasonable period of debate, the Honor Society shall vote by secret ballot to determine whether the officer shall be removed from his/her post.

Section 7. A two-thirds majority of the quorum must vote to remove the officer from his/her post to achieve impeachment of the officer.

Section 8. If the officer is removed from his/her post, a special election shall be held to fill the post.

Section 9. In the event the officer removed is the president, the vice president shall become president until the special election can be held.

Section 10. Upon the dismissal of any executive officer, any members including other executive officers are eligible to fill the vacancy.

Section 11. If another officer fills the vacant post, the previously held title is relinquished and another special election shall be held to fill the newly vacant post.

Section 12. Any officer removed from office by impeachment proceedings shall not lose membership benefits, unless the Faculty Council decides that membership status has been violated, or if the impeached officer resigns from National Honor Society.

Article XI The Executive Committee

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the president, the vice president, secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian, and the chapter advisor.

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall convene to plan activities, discuss chapter matters, create and dissolve committees: both permanent and temporary, and coordinate executive actions.

Section 3. This article shall not be construed in such a manner that prevents input from regular active members on matters concerning the welfare of the chapter.

Article XII Activities and Functions Sponsored by Honor Society

Section 1. Honor Society shall collect and redeem Acme receipts as a fundraiser for as long as the program runs. This shall be done by the Acme receipt committee. The Acme receipt committee shall consist of the chapter treasurer and any additional needed members.

Section 2. Honor Society shall sponsor a scholarship walk for the Howell Memorial Scholarship in the month of September or October. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the planning and organization of this event.

Section 3. Honor Society shall hold to annual Bloodmobiles, one around Thanksgiving, and one in the spring, in conjunction with the Red Cross. The preparation of the event shall be carried out by the NHS Bloodmobile Committee. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 4. Honor Society shall sponsor an Academic Challenge program each fall. Ticket prices and organization, shall be determined by the Academic Challenge Committee. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 5. Honor Society shall hold a Valentine’s Day Spaghetti Dinner for senior citizens in the month of February. The Spaghetti Dinner Committee shall be responsible for the organization and operation of this event. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 6. Honor Society shall hold a Valagram sale in the month of February. The Valagram committee shall be responsible for the organization and the operation of this event. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 7. Honor Society shall hold an induction ceremony every year after new members have been selected. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the organization and operation of this event. The president shall act as the committee chairperson for this event.

Section 8. Honor Society shall sponsor an annual Auction-a-Lunch. The organization and operation of the event are to be carried out by the Auction-a-Lunch committee. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 9. Honor Society shall sponsor a rose sale during the spring. The Rose Sale Committee shall execute and plan the sale. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 10. Honor Society shall hold a Senior Citizen Prom in the month of May. The Senior Citizen Prom Committee shall be responsible for the organization and operations of this event. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 11. Honor Society shall hold a ceremonial breakfast to inaugurate the new officers. The NHS Breakfast Committee shall be responsible for the organization and operations of this event. This committee shall consist of at least one senior and one junior member of NHS. Additional members may be added as needed.

Section 12. Honor Society shall manage the senior graduation at the end of the school year. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the organization and the operation of this event along with the Executive Committee. The newly elected president shall be the chairperson for this event.

Section 13. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the organization and operation of any other such events that are held by the Honor Society unless otherwise dictated by the president.

Section 14. The money raised by the Honor Society, except for operating expenses, shall go to the student body in the form of scholarships and one gift for the school, which shall be determined by the Ellet Chapter as one.

Article XIII Scholarships

Section 1. The value of the scholarships and the number of scholarships given out shall be determined by the Ellet Chapter as one, to go to the school.

Section 2. Applicants for scholarships shall complete necessary forms and return them to the chapter advisor by the set deadline.

Section 3. A special scholarship committee composed of three faculty members. The committee shall determine the recipient of each scholarship by a majority vote. A simple majority is required to approve the recipient.

Article XIV Faculty Council

Section 1. The principal shall select five members of the faculty to serve as the NHS Faculty Council.

Section 2. Every attempt shall be made by the principal to select at least four of the Faculty Council member from the core subject areas.

Section 3. The Faculty Council shall serve until the principal determine there is a need to replace members of the group.

Article XV Election of Membership

Section 1. The counselors will provide a list of students achieving an accumulative GPA of 3.5 for all students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) after first semester grades have been averaged into the accumulative.

Section 2. The aforementioned student will receive a membership invitation, which will include information form service in and out of school, club involvement, and short response questions concerning commitments to NHS activities.

Section 3. The membership invitation forms shall have a point system indicated for each activity to determine service and leadership involvement.

Section 4. Teachers shall receive a ballot with all eligible members listed. Teachers will award 0-4 points (0 very poor, 4 outstanding) each student they know through Ellet classes, clubs, or any other association. Teachers will not vote on students they do not know. Teachers will also make comments pertinent to character, service, leadership, and scholarship.

Section 5. The advisor of NHS shall collect teacher ballots, tally the results, and create a master copy for each Faculty Council member.

Section 6. The advisor of NHS shall collect student membership forms and make a copy for each Faculty Council member.

Section 7. The advisor shall secure office records (disciplinary and permanent record cards) and make copies for the Faculty Council members.

Section 8. The Faculty Council shall convene at the agreed time to review the membership packets.

Section 9. Each Faculty Council member (5) shall vote upon membership. The advisor of NHS shall not vote, but shall serve as facilitator or the committee. A majority vote (3-2 minimum) is needed to secure a membership.

Section 10. The advisor shall create a document for counselor listing general reasons for not approving candidates. This information will be shared only after the induction ceremony is held, and if the student seeks information from the counselor.

Section 11. The advisor shall send letters home to parents, inviting parents and family to participate in the induction ceremony.

Section 12. The Executive Committee shall coordinate Big Brother/Big Sisters for the Induction Candle Lighting Ceremony.

Section 13. The Executive Committee shall coordinate Faculty Sponsors for the Induction Ceremony.

Section 14. The Executive Committee will coordinate creation of certificates, membership cards, honor cords, programs, and directions for teachers, students, and parents.

Section 15. The Executive Committee will coordinate the ceremony and reception for inductions.

Article XVI Insignia Award

Section 1. Members of NHS who served at least two years, and served a minimum of thirty (30) hours of service, shall be eligible for the Insignia Award.

Section 2. Insignia Patches will be presented to qualified seniors at eh Induction Ceremony.

Article XVII The Amendment of Bylaws

Section 1. All members of the Executive Committee shall serve on the Bylaw Committee.

Section 2. Any chapter members may serve on the Bylaw Committee if he/she desires.

Section 3. The Bylaw Committee may amend, adapt, or rewrite the bylaws to fit the needs of the particular school year.

Section 4. Amendments or rewritten provisions of the bylaw shall be subject to the approval of the chapter membership in a simple majority vote.

Section 5. These bylaws shall be subject to the approval of the Faculty Council, who may amend or adapt the laws as they see fit, by a simple majority vote.

Section 6. The school principal reserves the right to veto any provision in the bylaws by the rights given to him/her in the National Honor Society Constitution.

Section 7. Upon approval of the bylaws by the parties aforementioned, they shall be placed in effect at the next Honor Society meeting.

Article XVIII Expected Behaviors

Section 1. All members of NHS are required to show proper moral character while a member of the National Honor Society; inside and outside of school.

Section 2. The following behaviors shall be considered inappropriate:

-Under-age drinking

-Drug usage and abuse

-Display of sexual activity

-Inappropriate sexual conduct

-Use of serious expletives

-Display of racism

Section 3. Inappropriate behaviors are not limited to afore mentioned behaviors. The Ellet chapter advisor will deem which non-listed behaviors are considered inappropriate.

Section 4. All members of NHS are expected to keep electronic accounts clean and presentable (i.e. “My Space,” “Facebook,” WebShots, etc.).

Section 5. Any member committing an offense will be brought before the Faculty Council for a review to see if their actions warrant punishment or probation (In accordance with Article XIV, Section 6.).

Section 6. Member will be brought before the Faculty Council only if two adult witnesses present this information to the Ellet chapter advisor or by self-incrimination in accordance with Article XIV Section 7.

Article XIV Resignation and Dismissal of members

Section 1. Any Honor Society member reserves the right to resign his/her status as an officer or as a member of the chapter.

Section 2. All resignations should be formally submitted to the chapter advisor. The chapter advisor shall check the validity of the resignation and submit it to the Faculty Council, who will decide if it will be accepted.

Section 3. Should the resignation be accepted, the member shall be removed from the chapter and National roll.

Section 4. A member shall be immediately dismissed from Honor Society if he/she commits a serious crime against society (i.e. murder, grand theft, other felonies, etc.).

Section 5. Honor Society members accused of any of the below acts shall be brought before the Faculty Council for a hearing to determine probation or expulsion from Honor Society: a) Plagiarism or cheating b) Forging or using forged documents c) Stealing d) Vandalizing school or public property e) Fighting f) Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while in school or at any school function, or possessing drugs or alcohol at any school function.

Section 6. Any member committing any other offense against the school or society not aforementioned shall be brought before the Faculty Council for a hearing.

Section 7. Any member displaying behavior which is determined to display a lack of character outside of school can face disciplinary action. The behavior has to be witnessed by two adults, and/or been confessed to adults who will then present the incidents to the Faculty Council.

Section 8. The Faculty Council shall listen to the case against the student as well as the student’s testimony. The Faculty Council shall then convene privately to decide a course of action.

Section 9. The Faculty Council may: a) Acquit the accused student of all charges b) Give the student a written warning that the standards of conduct of Honor Society and the behavioral deficiency must be corrected within the set time period and/or suspend certain membership privileges indefinably c) Issue “consequences” of public service as punishment for such offenses d) Recommend the student resign from Honor Society e) Dismiss the student from Honor Society.

Section 10. In the event that the Faculty Council gives the student a written warning, the student shall be placed on probation for the period of time stated within the warning. If the offense is repeated within this period, the Faculty Council shall have a final hearing before the Faculty Council, at which time a decision will be made regarding course of action.

Section 11. In the event that the Faculty Council recommends that the student resign from Honor Society and the student fails to do so, the Faculty Council may then dismiss the student from Honor Society.

Section 12. In the event the accused Honor Society member is an officer, the Faculty Council may recommend that the student resign from office as a penalty, in addition to any other prescribed punishment. However, the Council may not force the student to resign from a position. Only those who elect the official can remove him/her from office. The Faculty Council may remove the officer from chapter membership.

Section 13. In the event the accused Honor Society member is an officer and impeachment proceedings have been initiated, the Faculty Council shall suspend its proceedings until the impeachment proceedings have come to a conclusion. The Faculty Council may then continue in its disciplinary actions.

Section 14. Any member who has been dismissed shall retain the right to appeal the decision under the same rules for disciplinary appeals established by the Akron Public School Board.

Article XV Disclaimer

Section 1. These bylaws, or any provisions thereof, shall not be construed in such a way to prevent the logical administration of areas not specifically mentioned or written herein.

Section 2. These bylaws shall be enforced in such a manner as to not conflict with the school disciplinary policy.