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National Honor Society

 

 

Incarnate Word Academy National Honor Society Membership Requirements

 

Each prospective member of NHS must meet all of the criteria of the Four Pillars of the National Honor Society (Academics, Service, Leadership, and Character) in order to be selected for membership.  Each pillar is of equal value in the selection process.  Students will fill out an information form and write an essay that shares how they have met the criteria presented below, and faculty input is sought out and taken into consideration for all candidates.  A committee of five faculty members will determine who is selected for membership into National Honor Society.

1. Academics: Students are required to have a 3.7 cumulative GPA or higher after 3 semesters or more at IWA.  Students who meet this requirement will automatically be invited via letter during second semester to apply for consideration for membership in National Honor Society.

2. Service:  Sophomores must have completed the Campus Ministry service hour requirements for both their freshman and sophomore years and must document a total of at least 10 hours of service above and beyond Campus Ministry requirements on their service resume.  A total of 50 hours must be documented at the time the NHS applications are due, which is typically the middle of February. 

Juniors must have completed the Campus Ministry service hour requirements for both their freshman and sophomore years and must document a total of at least 20 hours of service above and beyond Campus Ministry requirements on their service resume.  A total of 60 hours must be documented at the time the NHS applications are due.

A service resume will be printed out and attached to the candidate information form.

Examples of Service:

      • Working at Habitat for Humanity
      • Tutoring outside of IWA
      • Volunteering at one’s parish
      • Volunteer work done at IWA, such as working at the IWA sponsored Foodbank day or setting up for IWA events. 

Not Examples of Service:

      • Work done for money
      • Work signed off by a relative
      • Pet sitting or pet services
      • Babysitting at home while your parents work
      • Work that is required by your club or organization, for instance, working during Open House as a Student Ambassador.
      • Do not document service hours in less than 1/2 hour increments.

3. Leadership:  Leadership must be documented in two ways: through a leadership form and through an essay.  Through this documentation as well as faculty feedback, candidates must demonstrate their leadership skills in two ways:

First, candidates must demonstrate that they are actively involved in the IWA community.  This can be demonstrated by taking on some sort of a leadership role in the clubs, sports, activities, and other student groups that the student is involved in.  Students must participate beyond just attending a group’s meetings.

Examples of being actively involved include:

  • Being an officer, manager, or leader in a student organization or team.
  • Taking initiative by helping to lead or organize events, such as a service project, discussion, fieldtrip, dance, assembly, or other activity.     

Examples that do not count:

  • Just being a club member, but not actively helping to plan, organize, or carry out club activities.

Secondly, candidates must be leaders within the classroom.

Examples of being a leader in the classroom include:

  • Frequently contributing to classroom discussions.
  • Helping other students in class and in open lab.
  • Being an active, helpful member during group work.

Finally, though it is not required, candidates may also serve as leaders in activities outside of IWA, including teams and other community organizations.   These activities must be verified by an adult who is in charge of the activity through a recommendation form.

Examples of outside leadership include:

  • Training new employees at work
  • Being a youth group leader
  • Organizing an event for Girl Scouts or another organization

4. Character: The National Honor Society states that "The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others, and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle.”  This includes acting as an exemplary citizen of IWA both within and outside of IWA, including on social media.  Students will be asked to rate themselves in each of the areas of character listed above, and candidates must have received good character feedback from faculty and staff.

Examples of Good Character:

  • Candidate is kind and respectful toward classmates, faculty, and staff both within and outside of the classroom.
  • Candidate acts as a positive example for others.
  • Candidate is usually on task in class and in open lab.
  • Candidate is not disruptive and is a positive influence on the learning environment.
  • Candidate is recognized by the faculty as having a good work ethic.
  • Candidate uses social media wisely.
  • Candidate follows school policies and does not have a pattern of negative behavior that has been brought to the attention of the Dean of Students.  

The Bylaws of the Incarnate Word Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society

Article I - Name and Purpose

Section 1- The name of the organization shall be the Incarnate Word Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society

Section 2- The purpose of this organization shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character. (NHS constitution article I, section 2)

Article II- Structure

This society shall consist of a general membership, four chapter officers, a five member faculty council, chapter advisor(s), and the principal.

Article III- Powers of the Principal

The Incarnate Word Academy Principal shall choose the advisor(s) in conjunction with the faculty council. The Principal shall choose members of the faculty council in conjunction with the advisor(s). The Principal also has the rights as described by the National Honor Society Constitution.

Article IV- Powers of the Faculty Council

The council shall by a majority vote make the annual selection of new general members with input from the entire faculty and staff of Incarnate Word Academy.

Article V- The Powers of the Incarnate Word Academy Chapter Advisor(s)

The advisor(s) shall be teachers at Incarnate Word Academy and be chosen by the principal. The advisor(s) shall act as a liaison to faculty and administration. The advisor(s) shall review and prepare member nomination and dismissal information, schedule and supervise meetings, help officers with their specific duties, make decisions, and keep necessary records.

Article VI- Duties of Officers

Section 1- There shall be four officers consisting of a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer for a term of one year. The officers and chapter advisor(s) will be referred to as the executive committee.

Section 2- The President shall have the following duties:

  • Attend all executive committee meetings
  • Run general membership meetings
  • Coordinate and participate in service projects
  • Oversee all general membership committees
  • Give a speech on scholarship at induction ceremony

Section 3- The Vice-president shall have the following duties:

  • Attend all executive committee meetings and general membership meetings
  • Take duties of president if she cannot fulfill them
  • Begin all meetings with a prayer
  • Maintain National Honor Society bulletin board
  • Participate in NHS sponsored service projects
  • Notify school and local media of all National Honor Society activities
  • Give speech on leadership at induction ceremony

Section 4- The Secretary shall have the following duties:

  • Attend all executive committee meetings and general membership meetings
  • Keep detailed minutes of meetings.
  • Record member attendance at National Honor Society events and meetings.
  • Maintain files of membership and chapter history.
  • Remind members of upcoming service projects and participate in NHS sponsored service projects
  • Prepare reports as necessary
  • Collect and record service cards from members each quarter
  • Give speech on character at induction ceremony

Section 5- The Treasurer shall have the following duties:

  • Attend all executive committee meetings and general membership meetings
  • Participate in NHS sponsored service projects
  • Collect chapter dues and fees
  • In conjunction with advisor(s) keep accurate account records.
  • Prepare financial information as needed
  • Give speech on service at induction ceremony

Article VII- Election of officers

Section 1- Candidacy- In order to be considered a candidate for office in the National Honor Society, a person must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a member of the Junior Class
  • Be a member in good standing for one year and have completed all general membership requirements.
  • Adhere to the Incarnate Word Academy National Honor Society Code of Ethics.

Section 2- Elections- Elections will be held after Student Council elections and prior to induction ceremony.

  • Elections will be by secret ballot
  • Only National Honor Society members in good standing may cast ballots
  • National Honor Society advisor(s) and current officers will tally results
  • Results will be announced within 24 hours of the conclusion of elections

Article VIII- Definition of Membership and Obligations of NHS Candidates

Section 1- Candidates must have completed a minimum of three semesters of high school

Section 2- Candidates must be selected by a majority vote of the NHS Faculty Council based on the criteria from section 3 as interpreted by the Faculty Council.

Section 3- The Four Pillars of the National Honor Society as applied by the Faculty Council.

  • Scholarship-Candidates must have a 3.7 cumulative grade point average
  • Leadership- Candidates must have performed a leadership role within an organization or in the classroom. A position of leadership is not limited to holding an official or elected office. A leadership role can be verified through the faculty evaluation form.
  • Character-Character will be evaluated through the faculty evaluation form. Candidates shall adhere to the behavioral expectations as outlined in the Incarnate Word Academy handbook.
  • Service- Candidates have completed exemplary service (exceeding required hours) to their community prior to nomination. This shall be documented by a signature(s) verifying completion of the service.

Article IX- Obligations of Members

The obligations of members of the National Honor Society are as follows:

  • Attend regularly scheduled meetings
  • Participate in National Honor Society sponsored and sanctioned service projects and other events
  • Adhere to the Incarnate Word Academy National Honor Society Code of Ethics
  • Pay yearly dues and fees

Article X- Dismissal of Members

Section 1- Grounds for dismissal include but are not limited to:

  • Failure to maintain 3.70 cumulative GPA for two consecutive semesters
  • Failure to adhere to the Incarnate Word Academy Code of Ethics
  • Failure to adhere to the Incarnate Word Academy behavioral expectations.
  • Conduct unbecoming a National Honor Society Member deemed actionable by the National Honor Society advisor(s)

Section 2- Dismissal process for violations:

  • Student is notified in writing of violation
  • The advisor(s) meets with the member in person
  • Student has right to request a hearing
  • The Faculty Council may also call a hearing requesting the presence of the student

Article XI- Bylaws

Section 1- The Incarnate Word Academy National Honor Society By-Laws shall be posted on the school website

Section 2 - The Incarnate Word Academy National Honor Society By-Laws shall be reviewed and modified as needed

 

 

Code of Ethics

 

If selected to be a member of the Incarnate Word Academy National Honor Society (NHS), I promise to abide by the following rules and expectations in this code of ethics:

I, ___________________________________________________, promise to abide by the following rules and expectations of the Incarnate Word Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society as outlined in this Code of Ethics:

  • I will do my best to fulfill the responsibilities I am asked to complete and follow the rules of IWA and NHS.
  • I will be generous with my time and talents to better serve the community.
  • I will serve with generosity, strive for scholarship, build my character, and lead with integrity.
  • I will set an example for other students by living out the mission of Incarnate Word Academy.
  • I will listen to others and communicate ideas without bias or judgment.
  • I will respect myself, my fellow students, and the IWA faculty and staff both on and off campus, including on social media.
  • I will maintain a 3.7 cumulative GPA.
  • I will be present for the following MANDATORY events:
    • Meetings (once a cycle during mods 7 and 8, built into your schedule)
    • Open House
    • IWA Dinner Auction
  • Induction Assembly (on April 15th at 7pm)I will commit to eight hours of NHS service.  These hours are over and above the required service hours for graduation and do not include the above mandatory NHS events. Four of these hours must be completed in the fall.

*Please be aware that the only mandatory fee associated with NHS is a maximum of $25 in dues paid in August that cover all club expenses for the year.

If I fail to comply with any of these expectations as well as those rules set forth by Incarnate Word Academy, I will either be removed from NHS and/or fail to receive recognition at graduation.