National Honor Society Charter – Ten Sleep High School
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1--The name of this chapter shall be the Ten Sleep High School Chapter.
Section 2--The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an environment for scholarship, to Promote community and
individual service, to prepare future leaders, and foster the development of character in students of Ten Sleep High.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1--Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, and alumni. Active members become alumni members
upon graduation. Alumni 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 selection
committee, and shall be based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
Section 3--Eligibility
a. Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be members of the junior, or senior class.
b. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period of
one semester at Ten Sleep High School.
c. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0). This
scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum level of scholastic achievement for
admission.
d. Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and GPA standard requirements, candidates shall then be considered
based on their service, leadership, and character.
e. Service – Candidates must perform a minimum of 10 hours of community service prior to induction over the course of
the year prior to induction. In addition, candidates must provide 2 letters of reference from individuals involved in the
service hours as proof. Examples of community service could include but are not limited to; Big/Little Pioneer
program, volunteering at Bountiful Baskets, church/youth group service projects, 4-H or other organized service projects, and scouting.
f. Leadership – Candidates should hold a leadership position in the school. This may be in their respective class, a club,
or as part of the student council. If a leadership position is not held, applicants should document leadership in their application and show how they provide leadership in or out of school.
g. Character – Candidates must be of good and moral character and may not have committed any infractions as defined
in Article IV.
ARTICLE III: SELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1--The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Committee consisting of
five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, nonvoting, ex officio member of
the Faculty Selection Committee.
Section 2—The Faculty Selection Committee shall remain anonymous, except to the advisor and principal. Each member
shall separately and individually make their decisions concerning each application. The members of the committee can
approach the advisor in case of a question or concern. If a majority of the committee have similar concerns, only then
shall the Committee meet together.
Section 3--Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
a. Students' academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
b. Students who are eligible scholastically ("candidates") shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Ten
Sleep High School NHS Application.
c. The faculty members shall be requested to evaluate candidates individually, and to state their opinion as it pertains to
the membership application and the supplied rubric.
d. The Faculty Committee shall review the application and recommendations in order to determine membership.
Students shall be scored against themselves, and not compared to other applicants in that selection year.
e. Applicants will be interviewed by the advisor to help solidify any questions or concerns that the faculty committee
might have about the application.
Section 4--The selection of new active members shall be held once a year prior to the second semester of the school
year. Juniors and Seniors will be considered based on cumulative GPA at the end of the first semester each school year.
Section 5--Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.
Section 6--Once selected and inducted, all members are expected to maintain the standards by which they were
selected and maintain all obligations of membership.
Section 7--An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter
indicating the status of his or her membership and signed by the principal or chapter adviser.
Section 8--An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted
for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Committee 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 or her membership.
ARTICLE IV: DISCIPLINE AND DISMISSAL
Section 1--Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be
considered for dismissal from the Ten Sleep High School chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the
National Honor Society is expected to maintain his or her academic standing and take an active role in service and
leadership to his or her school and community.
Section 2--If a member's cumulative GPA falls below the standard in effect when he or she was selected (3.5), he or she
will be given a written warning and a time period for improvement. If the cumulative GPA remains below standard at the
end of the warning period, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council, which may
include consideration of dismissal from the chapter.
Section 3--If a member fails to perform any of the published obligations of membership, he or she will be given a written
warning and a time period for improvement. If the obligation remains unmet at the end of the warning period, the
student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council, which may include dismissal from the
chapter.
Section 4--Violation of the law or school regulations can result in dismissal of a member. These violations include, but
are not limited to, MIP; DWI; stealing; destruction of property; cheating; plagiarism, truancy; or possession, selling, or
being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities. Additionally, the student must not be
found guilty of any other legal or serious moral violations, and not have more than two In School Suspensions (ISS).
Section 5--Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, unexcused absence, excessive tardiness, etc.)
will receive written warning notification and given sufficient time to improve. If the obligation remains unmet at the end
of the warning period, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council, which may include
dismissal from the chapter.
Section 6--In all cases of pending dismissal:
a. The member will receive written notification indicating the reason for possible dismissal from the adviser or Faculty
Council. The member and adviser will discuss the written notification in a conference. Situations that involve flagrant
violations of school rules or the law can warrant disciplinary action without a written warning although a hearing must
still be held (see below).
b. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge against him or her at a hearing before the Faculty
Council prior to the vote on dismissal. 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 reviewed by the principal and then, if confirmed, expressed in a letter
sent to the student, parents, and principal. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the
adviser.
d. The Faculty Council's decision may be appealed to the principal and afterwards to the President.
e. When a student is dismissed or resigns, he or she is no longer a member and may not be reconsidered for
membership in the National Honor Society.
f. A member who is dismissed will not be allowed to wear National Honor Society regalia at graduation.
Section 7--In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed
appropriate.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
Section 1--The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, and secretary.
Section 2--Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year. All returning active members are
eligible to run for a position as an officer. All active members of the chapter are eligible to vote. Chapter officers will be
elected in May of each year and will serve until the following April.
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. The following duties
should reflect the responsibilities developed for officers in the local chapter.
Section 4--It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings for this chapter.
Section 5--The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members'
activities.
Section 6--The secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings and be responsible for all official chapter correspondence.
Section 7—Officers would be relieved of their duties without prejudice at the request of the officer or for failure to perform their official duties. These cases will not result in dismissal from the chapter.
Section 8 – In the event an Officer resigns or is removed from their position, the Faculty Council will appoint a new
Officer from a list of students who may be interested in the position. This new Officer must then run for re-election at
the next regular scheduled election.
ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1--The executive committee shall consist of the faculty adviser and the chapter officers.
Section 2--The executive committee shall 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 VII: MEETINGS
Section 1--Meetings of this chapter shall be bi-monthly, but may be more frequent if special business needs to be
discussed.
Section 2--This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order.
Section 3--All chapter members are invited to attend all regularly scheduled chapter meetings.
ARTICLE VIII: ACTIVITIES
Section 1--The chapter shall give consideration to the service projects which are undertaken by the school.
Section 2--All members must meet the service hour requirements already established. This is currently set at 4 hours of
service per semester.
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 that
reflects his or her particular talents and interests.
ARTICLE IX: 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. Any member who
withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.
Section 2--Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the graduation
regalia adopted at the local level at graduation.
ARTICLE X: DUES
Section 1--Annual dues for this chapter and its members shall be paid for by for with funds raised by the chapter.
ARTICLE XI: POWERS
Section 1--The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated
by the school principal and President.
Section 2--The principal and President shall reserve the right to approve all activities by the chapter.
Section 3—The School Board must approve all out of state travel prior to visits.
Section 4--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 XII: 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 members at least one month prior to the vote. The exceptions are Articles III (selection),
which was developed with the approval of the principal and requires their approval for amendment.
Section 2--Bylaws and amendments must be consistent with the constitution of the National Honor Society. Additional
articles can be added as needed. It is often convenient to have the last article dealing with amendments.