NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY HANDBOOK

1 NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY HANDBOOK20TH EDITION studentprogramsschoolleadersnassp (partial list)JoAnn BartolettiExecutive DirectorBeverly Hutton, EdD Deputy Executive Director, Programs and Servicesnhs NATIONAL office (partial list)Nara LeeDirector, NATIONAL HONOR SocietiesTodd LaudinoSenior Manager, NATIONAL HONOR SocietiesElancia FelderProgram Manager, NATIONAL HONOR SocietiesEnrique RamirezProgram Manager, NATIONAL HONOR SocietiesThe contents of this HANDBOOK supersede all previous NHS handbooks. Permission is granted to affiliated chapters of NHS to copy select pages from this manu-al for free distribution to members for official chapter business. NHS and the name NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY along with the program logos, emblems, names, and abbre-viations are registered trademarks of NASSP, protect-ed by federal regulations, and may not be copied or used without specific written permission from NASSP. 2019 by the NATIONAL Association of Secondary School Principals, 1904 Association Dr.

2 , Reston, VA 20191-1537 ISBN 978-0-88210-385-3 Student Programs Catalog Number: 7319708To order the NHS HANDBOOK or request an NHS Catalog:Call 866-647-7253, M F, 8:30 4:30 (ET)Visit request an NHS Catalog by email, send your name, school name, and school address to by NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti ..iixIntroduction ..ix1. Constitution of the NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Article I: Name and Purpose ..1 Article II: NASSP Student Leadership Advisory Committee ..1 Article III: State Organizations ..2 Article IV: Local Chapters ..2 Article V: The Principal ..2 Article VI: The Chapter Adviser ..2 Article VII: The Faculty Council ..2 Article VIII: Membership ..3 Article IX: Selection of Members ..3 Article X: Discipline and Dismissal ..4 Article XI: Chapter Officers ..4 Article XII: Executive Committee ..4 Article XIII: Meetings ..4 Article XIV: Activities ..4 Article XV: Official Insignia ..4 Article XVI: Chapter Bylaws.

3 5 Article XVII: Amendments ..52. The NATIONAL Organization Overview of the NATIONAL Office ..7 Governance..7 The NASSP Student Leadership Advisory Committee ..7 Resources Provided by Your NATIONAL Office ..7 Contacting the NATIONAL Office ..8 Conferences and Workshop for NHS ..8 Official Insignia ..8 Official Colors, Motto, and Flower ..9 Annual Surveys ..10 Additional HONOR Societies ..10 3. Chapter Organization Getting Started ..11 Key Contacts ..11 Obligations of the Chapter to the NATIONAL Office ..12 Chapter Name..12 Dues for Members ..12 Governing Documents ..13 The NATIONAL Constitution ..13 Chapter Bylaws ..13 Changing the Bylaws ..13 Other Chapter Records ..13 Personnel ..14 Principal ..14 Chapter Adviser ..14 Faculty Council ..14table of contentstable of contents Membership ..16 Active Membership ..16 Alumni Membership ..18 Honorary Membership.

4 18 Chapter Officers ..19 Officer Elections ..19 Executive Committee ..20 Chapter Committees ..20 Chapter Management Tools Chapter 3 ..21 CMT Ten Basic Necessities for All HONOR SOCIETY Chapters ..21 CMT New Adviser Checklist ..22 CMT Sample Bylaws ..22 CMT The Chapter Files ..27 CMT Adviser and Member Notebooks ..27 CMT Faculty Council Contacts and Notebooks ..29 CMT Five Constitutional Obligations of Duly Inducted Members ..30 CMT Officer Installation Ceremony ..30 CMT How to be a Good Chapter Member ..314. Selection Procedures Selection of Members ..33 The Recommended Selection Process ..34 Prerequisite Conditions for Selection ..34 The Criteria ..36 Implementing the Selection Process ..40 Candidate Information Packets ..40 Faculty Input Forms and Teacher Recommendations ..41 Using Rubrics and Point Systems ..43 Essays ..44 Blind Review of Candidates ..44 Deadlines.

5 44 Candidate Management Forms ..45 Voting Procedures for the Faculty Council ..46 Reporting Results to the Principal ..46 Initiation, Blackballing, Hazing ..47 Notifying Candidates ..47 Nonselection ..47 Reasons for Nonselection ..48 Appeals in Cases of Nonselection ..48 Document Retention ..49 Chapter Management Tools Chapter 4 ..51 CMT Sample Candidate Information Form ..51 CMT Sample Faculty Input Form ..54 CMT Sample Letters on Candidacy, Selection, and Nonselection ..55 CMT Setting Up an Appeals Process ..585. Induction of Members Introduction ..59 The Traditional Ceremony ..60 Organizing the Local Ceremony ..60table of contents General Considerations for Planning ..60 The Ceremony Agenda ..61 Themes for Your Ceremony ..61 Selecting Your Location ..62 Tokens of Membership ..62 The Registry ..62 Logo Usage ..62 Organizing Your Planning Files ..62 Rehearsal Tips.

6 62 Emcee Training ..63 Conducting the Ceremony ..64 Preceremony Considerations ..64 Recording the Ceremony ..64 Postceremony Receptions ..65 Additional Considerations for Induction Ceremony Organizers ..65 Chapter Management Tools Chapter 5 ..67 CMT Induction Ceremony Script: The Traditional Ceremony ..67 CMT Induction Pledges ..69 CMT Ordering Supplies for your Ceremony ..706. Chapter Activities Meetings ..71 Sample Meeting Agenda ..71 Meeting Management Links ..72 Projects ..72 The Twelve Ws of Project Planning ..73 Individual Service Projects ..73 Additional Project Ideas ..74 Graduation Activities ..74 Fundraising Activities ..74 Public Relations for the Chapter ..75 Chapter Management Tools Chapter 6 ..77 CMT Planning for the Year ..77 CMT Public Relations Sample Press Releases ..777. Discipline and Dismissal Introduction ..79 No Automatic Dismissal ..79 Dismissal Procedures Overview.

7 80 Appeals of Dismissal Cases ..81 Resignation ..81 Chapter Disciplinary Records ..81 Chapter Management Tools Chapter 7 ..83 CMT Sample Warning Letter Notification of Probationary Status ..83 CMT Dismissal Hearing Notification Letter ..83 CMT Notification of Dismissal Letter ..84 CMT Model Agenda for an Article X, Section 4 Hearing ..84table of contents8. Scholarship and Award Programs NHS NATIONAL Scholarships ..85 NASSP Awards Programs ..85 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ..86 American Citizenship Award (ACA) and President s Education Award Program (PEAP) ..86 NASSP List of Approved Contests, Programs, and Activities for Students ..86 APPENDICES Appendix 1 History of NHS ..87 Appendix 2 NASSP Legal Memorandum on Selection, Dismissal, and Discipline: Legal Guidelines for NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY and Other Selective Organizations ..88 Appendix 3 Logos and Logo Usage Guidelines ..96 Appendix 4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

8 98 Appendix 5 NASSP Position Statement on Student Activities ..102welcome from the NATIONAL officeWhen the NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY was established by the NATIONAL Association for Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in 1921, the principals involved hoped to create an organization that would recognize and encourage academic achievement while also developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. These ideals of scholarship, service, leadership, and character remain as relevant today as they were in 1921. In fact, as we prepare future leaders for global citizenship, the opportunity to support these ideals becomes even more in NHS is both an HONOR and a commitment. It is this commitment that has helped shape the HONOR SOCIETY s reputation for excellence, making it a valued asset among administra-tors, faculty members, students, parents, and is an exciting time for the HONOR Societies, as we embark on new initiatives designed to further support students in their quest to uphold the values that earned them selection.

9 These initiatives will allow student members the opportunity to engage in activities that extend far beyond their local communities. Students will be proud to identify themselves as a member of the NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY . On behalf of all the school leaders associated with NASSP, thank you for recognizing your finest students through your affiliation with the NATIONAL HONOR D. BartolettiExecutive Director, NASSP introductionSince 1921, the NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (NHS) has been working with advisers and principals to recognize students who demonstrate and are committed to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character in school settings. This HANDBOOK , along with our online Adviser Resource Center and NATIONAL Customer Care Center, serves to provide advisers and school leaders with comprehensive guidance and support for chapter NATIONAL Association of Secondary School Principals, as the parent organization of NHS, believes it has a professional responsibility and ethical duty to support HONOR SOCIETY students and an obligation to assist the teachers who serve as advisers.

10 Furthermore, the association takes seriously its duty to support the principals and advisers of NHS chapter , along with the student members who are inducted annually, are the heart of NHS. I thank you sincerely for your commitment to lifting up students in your community through NHS and for helping us continue the legacy of scholarship, service, leadership, and character into the next LeeDirector, NATIONAL HONOR Societies11. CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETYAll policies and procedures for NHS chapters are based on the provisions of the NHS NATIONAL Constitution. The following version of the NHS Constitution was approved for all chapters on July 8, 2016, by the NASSP Board of is the most recent edition for use by chap-ters. Changes have also been approved for the NJHS advisers and school principals are asked to review this document carefully. Copies can be provided to chapter officers and all chapter members as a reference to the NATIONAL guidelines that govern all chapters of NHS.