HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER HANDBOOK 2017-2018 1
HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER HANDBOOK 2017-2018 Table of Contents Page 3... Letter of Congratulations Pages 4-8.Chapter By-laws Page 9 Faculty Council and Adviser Contact Information Page 10..Membership Responsibilities Page 11... Tentative Calendar and Meeting Schedule Pages 12...Officer and Election Information Page 13 Committee Information Page 14.Service Hour Forms 2
Dear Member: Congratulations! Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a student. Our chapter of NJHS has worked hard to bring the accomplishments of outstanding students to the attention of parents, teachers, peers, and the community. Our chapter strives to give practical meaning to the Society s standards of scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. These four ideals have been considered as the basis for your selection. No student is inducted simply because of a high academic average. The National Junior Honor Society strives to recognize the total student one who excels in all of these areas. Membership, however, is more than an honor. It is an ongoing responsibility and an obligation to continue to demonstrate those outstanding qualities that resulted in your selection. Your membership also carries a responsibility to the chapter. If our chapter to the National Junior Honor Society is to be effective and meaningful, each member must become involved. We challenge you to live up to your obligations by maintaining your academic eligibility, displaying citizenship in our school and in your community, participating in all of our chapter meetings, and completing both individual and chapter-wide service projects. We look forward to your continued success. Sincerely, Mrs. Lacy Spears Adviser, National Junior Honor Society lspears@hoosieracademy.org (317) 493-0388, ex. 2019 3
BY-LAWS: HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Hoosier Academies Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Hoosier Academies Virtual School. 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 students of Hoosier Academies Virtual School. ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Graduate and honorary members have no 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, Character and Citizenship. Section 3. Eligibility: a. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be second-semester 6 th graders, or members of the 7 th and 8 th grades. 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 Hoosier Academies Virtual School. c. Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum grade point average of 85 percent. 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 selection to membership. d. Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and GPA standard requirements, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, character and citizenship. ARTICLE III: SELECTION OF MEMBERS Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council consisting of five faculty members appointed by the academic administrator. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex-officio member of the Faculty Council. Section 2. 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 Candidate Form for further consideration for selection. c. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter adviser. 4
d. The Faculty Council shall review the Candidate Form and letters of recommendation in order to determine membership. Section 3. The selection of new, active members shall be held once per year, in the fall semester. Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony. Section 5. An active member of the National Junior Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership and signed by the Academic Administrator or NJHS Adviser. Section 6. An active member of the National Junior Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council 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/her membership. ARTICLE IV: DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be dismissed from the Hoosier Academies chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community. Section 2. If a member s cumulative grade point average falls below the standard in effect when he/she was selected (85%), he /she will receive a k-mailed warning, and one academic quarter (9 weeks) for improvement. If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the warning period, the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that may include dismissal from the chapter. Section 3. Violation of the law or school regulations can result in dismissal of a member. These violations include, but are not limited to, stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or any other violation of the Hoosier Academies Student Handbook. Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absence, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive k-mailed notification. A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council or student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be dismissed. Section 5. In all cases of pending dismissal: a. The member will receive k-mailed notification indicating the reason for possible dismissal from the adviser/faculty Council. The member and adviser will discuss the notification in a conference via Class Connect. Situations that involve flagrant violations of school rules or the law can warrant disciplinary action without a 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/her at a hearing via Class Connect before the Faculty Council prior to the vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution). The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense either in Class Connect or in writing. 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 academic administrator, and then, if confirmed, expressed in a k-mail 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 academic administrator. e. When a student is dismissed or resigns, he/she is no longer a member and may never again be considered for membership in the National Junior Honor Society. Section 6. In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate. 5
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS Section 1. The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, and reporter. Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the second meeting of each school year. In the event that an officer is no longer available to serve, mid-year elections for that office may be held. All returning active members are eligible to run for a position as an officer. All active members of the chapter are eligible to vote. 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. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings for this chapter. The president shall also fill the role of any office who is temporarily absent. 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 and be responsible for all official chapter correspondence. Section 7. The reporter shall act as webmaster of the chapter website and be responsible for documenting chapter service activities. 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 monthly. Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert s Rules of Order. Section 3. All chapter members are expected to attend all regularly-scheduled chapter meetings. Section 4. Chapter members who are absent from chapter meetings and activities must provide documentation in order for absences to be excused. Members with more than 3 unexcused absences from chapter meetings will be subject to disciplinary action as presented in Article IV of this document. ARTICLE VIII: ACTIVITIES Section 1. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year. Section 2. All members shall regularly participate in at least one chapter-wide service project 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 wellplanned, organized, and executed. 6
Section 4. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project(s) which reflects his or her particular talents and interests and as approved by the chapter adviser. This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute. Each member must record at least ten individual service hours per school year, or 5 per semester, if the member is inducted second semester. Service hours must be documented on the Service Hours Form and submitted to the chapter adviser for review by the chapter vice president. Section 5. The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner on the chapter website. 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 Junior Honor Society. Section 2. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter. ARTICLE X: DUES Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $10.00 Section 2. Dues will be payable to the chapter adviser within 30 days of induction. Section 3. For students not able to contribute, National Junior Honor Society will cover costs of dues based on income eligibility as determined by the federal guidelines of the Free/Reduced lunch application. ARTICLE XI: POWERS Section 1. The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the academic administrator. Section 2. The academic administrator shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter. Section 3: These by-laws 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 by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the faculty council at any time, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to members at least one month prior to the vote. The exceptions are Articles II, III and IV (selection and discipline), which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the academic administrator. Section 2. By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the Constitution of the National Junior Honor Society. Date: 8/4/17 Signatures: Adviser-Mrs. Lacy Spears, Faculty Council Members, Academic Administrator- Mr. Byron Brown and Mrs. Elizabeth Lamey Statement of non-discrimination: The Hoosier Academies chapter of NJHS maintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified candidate or member on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all practices, including the chapter administration and the selection, discipline, and dismissal of members. 7
HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY CONTACT INFORMATION Hoosier Academies National Junior Honor Society Chapter Website: http://hoosieracademiesnjhs.weebly.com/ Faculty Adviser: Mrs. Lacy Spears lspears@hoosieracademy.org (317) 493-0388, ex. 2019 Faculty Council Members: Mrs. Adrienne Elizondo- Hoosier Academies Virtual School Mrs. Marcy Groulik-Hoosier Academies, Indianapolis Mrs. Nicole Helm-Insight of Indiana Mrs. Sholanda Irvin- Insight of Indiana Mr. Ryan White- Hoosier Academies Virtual School Should you have questions or concerns regarding the National Junior Honor Society, please contact the faculty adviser, Mrs. Lacy Spears. 8
HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES As an inducted member of the National Junior Honor Society, you have several important responsibilities. These responsibilities include: - Attending all monthly National Junior Honor Society meetings - Performing a minimum of five individual service hours per semester, documented on the Service Hour form. - Participating in a minimum of one chapter service project per semester. - Maintain your academic eligibility in the program by earning a cumulative grade percentage of 85 percent or higher each quarter. - Maintain positive citizenship and avoid disciplinary issues both at school and in the community. ***Students who are not meeting these responsibilities are subject to disciplinary action or dismissal from the Society, per the procedures listed in Section IV of the Chapter By-laws. 9
HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY CALENDAR September 9/13/17- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST October 10/11/17- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST (Elections) November 11/6/17- Candidate Forms sent out to eligible candidates 11/8/17- Executive Committee Meeting- 8:00-8:30 a.m. 11/8/17- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST 11/21/17- Candidate Forms Due to Mrs. Spears 11/30/17- Selection Letters Sent December 12/6/17- Induction Ceremony -6:00-7:00 pm EST 12/13/17- Executive Committee Meeting- 8:00-8:30 a.m. 12/13/17- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST January 1/17/18- Executive Committee Meeting- 8:00-8:30 a.m. 1/17/18- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST February 2/7/18 Executive Committee Meeting- 8:00-8:30 a.m. 2/7/18- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST March 10
3/14/18- Executive Committee Meeting- 8:00-8:30 a.m. 3/14/18- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST April 4/11/18- Executive Committee Meeting- 8:00-8:30 a.m. 4/11/18- Monthly Meeting- 4:00-5:00 pm EST May 5/9/18- Executive Committee Meeting- 8:00-8:30 a.m. 5/9/18- Monthly Meeting and End of Year Celebration- 4:00-5:00 pm EST 11
HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY OFFICER INFORMATION The Hoosier Academies National Junior Honor Society Chapter will have the following offices: - President o It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings for this chapter. The president shall also fill the role of any office that is temporarily absent. - Vice President o The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members contributions to leadership and service. - Secretary o The secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings and be responsible for all official chapter correspondence. - Reporter o The reporter shall act as webmaster of the chapter website and be responsible for documenting chapter service activities **All elected officers are also expected to sit on the executive committee, which will involve attending extra meetings (one per month). 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. Officers will be elected at the second meeting of the school year each year. 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. In the event that an officer is no longer available to serve, mid-year elections for that office may be held. All returning active members are eligible to run for a position as an officer. All active members of the chapter are eligible to vote. Returning students must re-run for office in subsequent school years. 12
HOOSIER ACADEMIES NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY COMMITTEE INFORMATION In addition to regular membership responsibilities, members may elect to participate in Society committees. Committees will meet periodically throughout the year to work on special projects. The available committees in the National Junior Honor Society are: - The Executive Committee o The executive committee is a requirement for all elected officers of the NJHS. o The executive committee is not open to non-officers o The executive committee serves to plan monthly meetings and organize chapter business - The Service Committee o The service committee is open to any student interested in sitting on a committee o The service committee serves to help plan chapter and individual service activities 13
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY SERVICE HOUR FORM Chapter members are expected to complete a minimum of 5 hours of service to your community each semester. You should document these hours on the below form, and submit to Mrs. Spears by the end of the semester to remain eligible for the NJHS. Student Name (print): Student Grade: Activity/Organization Name and Description of Volunteer work Semester (Circle One): Fall Hours completed Date(s) work completed 1. Name: Spring Supervising Adult Name, Phone/Email (please print) Phone: Email: 2. Name: Phone: Email: Supervising Adult Signature 3. Name: Phone: Email: 4. Name: Phone: Email: 5. Name: Phone: Email: TOTAL HOURS: I certify that the information presented above is a complete and accurate record of my summer service activities. Student Signature: 14
15