• Constitution of the Gold K Chapter of Kirkwood High School
    National Honor Society


    Article I
    Name and Purpose

    Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Gold K Chapter of the National Honor Society of Secondary Schools.

    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 students of Kirkwood High School.

    Article II
    Membership

    Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. The graduate members have no vote.

    Section 2. Membership in this chapter shall be based on Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

    Section 3. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period of one semester at Kirkwood High School.

    Section 4. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (out of a 4.0 weighted grade point average). This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum scholastic level of achievement for admission to candidacy. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard may be admitted to candidacy for election to membership. Their eligibility shall then be considered on their service, leadership, and character.

    Article III
    Election of Members

    Section 1. The final selection of members to this chapter shall be by an anonymous scoring from the faculty council consisting of five teachers selected by the principal of Kirkwood High School. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, non-voting, member.

    Section 2. Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

    1. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
    2. Students who are eligible scholastically shall be invited to complete the Student Activity Information Form for further consideration for selection.
    3. The entire faculty shall be requested to comment on each candidate’s character.
    4. The faculty council shall review the Student Activity Information Form and faculty comments.

    Section 3. The election of active members shall be held once a year during the first semester of the school year.

    Section 4. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from Kirkwood High School will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership and signed by the principal.

    Section 5. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to Kirkwood High School will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. This transfer member will attain within one semester and then maintain the membership requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.

    Article IV
    Dismissal

    Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character or service may be dismissed from the Gold K Chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain an active role in service and leadership to his school and community.

    Section 2. If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below the standard in effect when he/she was elected (3.3), he/she will be given written warning. If the cumulative grade point average remains below 3.3 for the next two or any two consecutive nine week grading periods, the student may be dismissed from the chapter.

    Section 3. Violation of criminal law or school regulations can result in immediate dismissal of the student. These violations include but are not limited to DWI, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school related activities.

     

    Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.,) will receive written notification. Either party may request a conference. If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be dismissed.

    Section 5. The faculty council may dismiss any member whose personal conduct is questionable in accordance with the accepted norms of student behavior.

    Section 6. Any member who is absent from more than one meetings per semester may be placed on probation. When a member will be absent from a meeting, the member must notify the adviser before the absence and obtain a copy of the minutes from the meeting after the absence. In the event of unusual circumstances, the member may appeal to the executive council.

    Section 7. Any member who does not participate in service projects of the chapter may be placed on probation.

    Section 8. Any member who does not attend the fall initiation of new members may be placed on probation.

    Section 9. Any member who does not attend a service project they volunteer for, on time and for the complete duration of the event, may be placed on probation. If a member is unable to attend a scheduled event, they must find a replacement and notify the adviser in advance.


    Section 10. In the case of pending dismissal:

    1. The member will receive written notification of the reason for possible dismissal from the adviser/faculty council. The member and adviser will discuss the written notification in a conference.


    2. The member will be offered a hearing with the faculty council. The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense. The faculty council will then vote on whether to dismiss.


    3. A letter of dismissal will be sent to the principal, student and parents if the student is dismissed.


    4. The member may appeal the faculty council’s decision to the principal.


    5. When a student is dismissed, he/she is no longer a member and may never again be considered 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. Student officers shall be elected during the last quarter of each school year from chapter members of the junior class. They shall hold office during their senior year.

    Section 3. The officers of this chapter shall run for one of the four aforementioned offices. Each office shall be chosen based on application, teacher recommendation, and NHS members’ vote.

    Section 4. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of this chapter.

    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 of meetings, be responsible for correspondence.

    Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, etc.


    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 an action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.

    Article VII
    Activities

    Section 1. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each quarter.

    Section 2. All members shall regularly participate in these projects. Participation in a minimum of one project per semester is required for all members.

    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 service projects that reflect his or her particular talents and interests. This is in addition to the chapter projects in which all members contribute.

    Section 5. The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.

    Article VIII
    Meetings

    Section 1. Meetings of this chapter shall be monthly during the school year on days designated by the executive committee and approved by the principal.

    Section 2. Special meetings, approved by the executive committee, may be called by the president.


    Article IX
    Dues

    Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $20.00 yearly. This amount shall be subject to the approval of the executive committee of the chapter.

     


    Article X
    Amendments

    Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 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 and IV which are developed by the faculty council with the approval of the principal.

    Section 2. By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the Constitution of the National Honor Society.