What Is National Honor Society?

Since 1921, The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. Founded by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, NHS exists not only to recognize academic success, but also to honor those students who demonstrate excellence in the four pillars: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. NHS membership is a privilege, not an inherent right, and the faculty awards this honor to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who meet the selection standards, which are based upon the organization's four pillars.

School chapters challenge selected members to further the accomplishments that earned them selection. The chapter requires members to engage in and commit to serving their school and local community through active involvement. Only those members who uphold the values are granted membership rights and privileges.

National Honor Society and NHS are duly registered trademarks of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Unauthorized copying or use of said trademarks is strictly prohibited.

Wallenpaupack Area High School
National Honor Society Bylaws

Article I - Name of the Organization

The local chapter’s name shall be Wallenpaupack Area High School National Honor Society.

Article II - Purpose

The chapter's purpose is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership, and develop character in Wallenpaupack Area High School students.

Article III - Vested Powers

1. This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the NHS National Constitution.
2. The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.
3. Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal. (See Article V, Section 1 of the National Constitution.)
4. Nondiscrimination. Our chapter of the NHS maintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified candidate or member based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, and disability. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all practices, including the chapter administration and the selection, discipline, and dismissal of members.

Article IV - Membership

1. Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based upon the criteria of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.
2. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Honorary members are selected at the discretion of the Faculty Council. Graduate and Honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.
3. Eligibility:
   • Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class. Seniors are not eligible for membership after the end of the first semester of their senior year.
   • To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled in Wallenpaupack Area High School for one semester.
   • Candidates eligible for election to this chapter shall have a minimum, weighted cumulative GPA of 95.0000% (2023-present). This scholastic achievement level shall remain fixed and shall be the required minimum scholastic achievement level for candidacy admission. All students meeting this scholastic achievement level requirement are eligible candidates for membership selection.
   • Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

Article V - Member Selection

1. The selection of chapter members shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council, which consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter advisor(s) shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex officio Faculty Council member.
2. New member selection shall occur annually.
3. Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:
   • Students' academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
   • All students who are eligible scholastically (candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Candidacy Information form for further consideration.
   • The advisor(s) shall ask the faculty to evaluate candidates using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter advisor(s).
   • The Faculty Council shall review the Candidacy Information form, faculty evaluations, community member recommendation, school disciplinary records, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership.
4. Candidates become members when inducted officially at a special ceremony.
5. An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given an official letter indicating membership status.
6. An active National Honor Society member who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted as a Wallenpaupack Area High School chapter member.
7. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements, and thereafter, this member must maintain this chapter’s requirements to retain membership.

Article VI - Member Obligations

1. Each chapter member who is in good standing regarding the membership standards and member obligations shall be granted the privilege to wear the National Honor Society emblem.
2. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall not be granted the privilege of wearing the emblem and must turn it in to the advisor(s).
3. Any member who resigns or is dismissed may never be eligible for membership or benefits again.
4. Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor cords (or other insignia adopted at the local level) at graduation.

Article VII - Executive Council

1. The Executive Council replaces officers' positions.
2. Members may volunteer to serve on the Executive Council.
3. The Faculty Council approves volunteers for Executive Council membership.

Article VIII - Meetings

1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be at least once a month, with additional meetings called as necessary by the advisor(s). Most will be Executive Council meetings.
2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order. Use of cell phones while information is being presented or discussed is inappropriate: all cell phones must be off during any meeting.
3. Members are required to attend meetings.
4. Members should notify advisor(s) prior to missing the meeting. All communication is through email. Advisors expect you to check for messages, updates, and community service information frequently. See an advisor if you have any questions.

Article IX - Activities

1. Our chapter mission is to serve as a team and provide student leadership opportunities. Chapter group projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community, have the administrative and faculty support, be appropriate and educationally defensible, and be well-planned, organized, and executed. Consequently, the chapter emphasizes group-based service. The chapter shall publicize and promote its projects in a positive manner.
2. Members are required to complete four (4) hours maximum of individual service, six (6) hours of school-sponsored service, six (6) hours of local community-based service annually (See Community Service Form) to total sixteen (16) hours. ALL HOURS MUST be submitted to the NHS advisors within two weeks of volunteering. We will not accept late submissions. Additionally, all members must participate in a Wallenpaupack Area High School Chapter service project. The chapter will identify acceptable chapter service projects. Currently, the Chapter Service Project is collecting aluminum tabs for Ronald McDonald House. All members must collect at least 250 tabs.
3. Headed by student leaders, group-based service projects focus on enhancing our school and local community collectively.
   • Individual service is dedicated to you. Based upon your interests, skills, or talents, you decide how completing these hours will help you to develop or grow. These hours will be considered for the senior assembly award.
     • Interests: Nature, Animals, Career
     • Skills/Talents: Sports, Academics, Fine Arts
   • Members must complete six service hours that are dedicated to a school-sponsored service event. Only three hours may be devoted to any ONE group. You may have any combination of hours to total six, but no more than three will be credited for one school event. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:
     • WAHS National Honor Society Peer Tutoring
     • WAHS Blood Drive
     • WAHS Food Pantry
     • WAHS Thanksgiving Baskets (work one or more shifts to assemble or distribute baskets)
     • WAHS Academy Orientation Events
     • Pre-approved Ambassador, Local History or VIP Club Activities/Events
   • Members must complete six service hours that are dedicated to serving the local community. You may have any combination of hours to total six, but no more than three will be credited for one local community event. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:
     • Caleb’s Pennies From Heaven (e.g. Tricky Tray, create baskets)
     • Kiesendahl’s 5K Cancer Run
     • First Responders
     • Community Triathlon
     • Church Events, Missions, Activities
     • Pre-approved Community events
   • NHS Chapter Group Service: All members must participate in a National Honor Society Group Service Project.
   • You may volunteer to work for as many clubs or sports as you wish. For our chapter's service, you must meet the above stipulations. Once you meet the annual individual, school, local community, and NHS Chapter group service hours, you do not need to submit any other hours. Keep a detailed log or diary of your service work so that you may apply for the national scholarship. You must complete these hours annually. No hours will roll over to the following year.
4. The annual service-hour cycle begins June 1st of the previous year and ends two weeks prior to the Senior Cord Ceremony the following spring (e.g. Members may accumulate hours once the new cycle begins).
5. Probationary members MUST submit local, school, or individual hours that they owe from the previous year by Columbus Day.
6. Senior members who are active NHS members in good standing are eligible to apply for the National Honor Society Scholarship. The applicant is responsible for attending the NHS Scholarship Student Webinar (September date) and for reviewing/understanding the scholarship Web pages and for completing the application process and meeting all deadlines. The advisor(s) will offer support and guidance during the application process.

Article X - Member Discipline and Dismissal

1. Members who fall below the scholarship, leadership, character, or service standards may be referred to the Faculty Council for discipline or dismissal from the chapter. Members are expected to maintain their academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership in their school and community.
2. Members whose cumulative grade point average falls below the standard that was in effect when they were selected (2023-present= 95.0000%) will be given a written warning and a reasonable amount of time to meet the standard GPA. If the GPA remains substandard, the Faculty Council will consider further disciplinary action, which may result in chapter dismissal.
3. The Faculty Council will issue a written notification to a member who has three unexcused absences in a single school year.
4. Any additional unexcused absences that occur after the written notification, will require the Faculty Council to issue a notification of pending dismissal.
5. Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate dismissal consideration (see #7). These violations include, but are not limited to, DWI, stealing, property destruction, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school, at school-related activities, or in the community.
6. Offenders of the school conduct code (e.g. profanity usage, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, bullying) will receive a written warning notification. A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council or member/parent/guardian). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the Faculty Council will consider member dismissal.
7. Chapter officers, as chapter representatives, can be removed from their positions due to any disciplinary action the Faculty Council takes.
8. In all cases of pending dismissal:
   • The Faculty Council will issue written notification to the member indicating the reason for dismissal consideration.
   • The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge(s) during a hearing before the Faculty Council prior to any dismissal vote (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution).
   • The member can present a defense either in person or via a written statement presented in lieu of the face-to-face hearing. Following the hearing, the Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A Faculty Council majority vote is needed to dismiss any member.
   • Faculty Council vote results will be presented to the principal for review, and then stated in a letter sent to the student and parents/guardians. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the advisor(s).
   • The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to the principal and afterwards, according to provisions of the school district discipline policies.
   • A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.
9. In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

Article XI - Ratification, Approval, and Review

1. These by-laws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active chapter members, a majority affirmative Faculty Council vote, and administration approval.
2. These by-laws shall be reviewed and, if necessary, revised within five years from the approval document date.

Article XII - Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds chapter vote, provided members have received one- month prior notice of the proposed amendment. The exceptions are Articles V and X, dealing with selection and dismissal procedures, which the Faculty Council develops, and the principal approves.

National Honor Society and NHS are duly registered trademarks of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Unauthorized copying or use of said trademarks is strictly prohibited.

Community Service

Our chapter mission is to serve as a team and provide student leadership opportunities. Chapter group projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community, have the administrative and faculty support, be appropriate and educationally defensible, and be well-planned, organized, and executed (See Chapter Bylaws for complete details).

• Community Service Guidelines
• Community Service Documentation Form

National Honor Society and NHS are duly registered trademarks of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Unauthorized copying or use of said trademarks is strictly prohibited.

Selection Process and Procedure (see chapter bylaws for full details)

1. The faculty will invite academically eligible students to become NHS members. National Honor Society membership is not an honor roll. Cumulative, weighted grade point average determines whether a student is academically eligible to receive a candidate invitation. Acceptance is based upon the candidate’s commitment to the other three National Honor Society pillars: leadership, service, and character (specifics are provided in the candidate packet). The advisors will give eligible sophomores, juniors, and first semester seniors a candidacy packet, which candidates submit to demonstrate this commitment. The packet must be submitted by the deadline, which will always be in September.
   
   Packets will include:
   • Invitation letter
   • Selection Process and Criteria
   • One (1) Community Member Character Evaluation Form
   • One (1) Leadership Evaluation Form
      
2. The Wallenpaupack Area Faculty Council will review all complete candidate forms that have been submitted by the deadline listed in the packet. All forms must meet submission deadlines so that the Faculty Council has sufficient time to authenticate the candidate’s information or in case the council needs to seek clarification in preparation for the selection meeting. Without such time, the council will have difficulty rendering an appropriate professional judgment regarding your candidacy.
3. Candidates receiving a majority, faculty council vote will receive an induction invitation. Those candidates who do not receive a majority vote will be notified of non-selection and may re-submit the candidacy forms the next school year provided that the individual meets the academic eligibility requirements.
4. According to the National Honor Society Constitution, accepted candidates must attend the induction ceremony. Our induction ceremony is in early October. Information is posted on the district site annually.
5. Members must meet all chapter requirements and qualifications to remain National Honor Society members. Dismissed members may NOT be reconsidered for membership.

National Honor Society and NHS are duly registered trademarks of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Unauthorized copying or use of said trademarks is strictly prohibited.

Candidate Information

These materials are ONLY for eligible students who have academically qualified for NHS candidacy through invitation. Only candidate forms accompanied by all required materials will be accepted and submitted to the Faculty Council for review. Only complete, legible packets submitted by the deadline will be reviewed. Prior to submitting the candidate information, every candidate can attend a meeting in early October (see candidate packet) to have the advisors look at the materials and ask questions. Attendance does not guarantee membership acceptance. Those who choose not to attend must submit the Opt-Out of Preliminary Review form, included in the packet, by the deadline identified on the form.

• Candidate Packet

National Honor Society and NHS are duly registered trademarks of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Unauthorized copying or use of said trademarks is strictly prohibited.