National Honor Society

FAQs
What if I was in NJHS?

Middle school membership in NJHS has no bearing on NHS membership.

I have a 4.5 GPA. When will I be invited to join NHS?

Students are not invited to join NHS until their junior year. Junior students’ GPAs are looked at in April. The students who qualify with at least a 4.5 GPA are invited to join. We review the list again when school starts the following year.  Upon review of the list, newly qualifying students are invited to join. Students are invited to join NHS because of their GPA, but they must complete an application and be approved by a faculty council in order to be members. GPA does not guarantee membership.

I am a senior in NHS. When will I get my graduation stole?

Stoles are not given to the members until right before graduation. Membership into NHS does not guarantee the privilege of wearing the stole at graduation. Following National Honor Society guidelines, there are requirements throughout the year, such as service hours and maintaining the 4.5 GPA, that students must meet in order to graduate with NHS honors.

John H. Guyer High School Chapter
of the National Honor Society
Selection Process

 The John H. Guyer High School chapter of the National Honor Society is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization.  Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in four areas of evaluation:  scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  Standards for selection are established by the national office of NHS and have been revised to meet our local chapter needs.  Students are selected to be members by a five-member Faculty Council, appointed by the principal, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each fall and/or spring. 

Students in the 12th grade are eligible for membership.  For the scholarship criterion, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 4.50 or better on a 5.0 scale.  Those students who meet this criterion are invited to complete a Student Activity Information Form that provides the Faculty Council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service.  A history of leadership experiences and participation in school or community service is recommended. 

To evaluate a candidate’s character, the Faculty Council uses two forms of input:  first, school disciplinary records are reviewed; second, members of the faculty are solicited for input regarding their professional reflections on each candidate.  These input and the Student Activity Information Forms are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine membership.  A majority vote of the council is necessary for selection.  Candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule. 

Following notification, a formal induction ceremony is held at the school to recognize all the newly-selected members.  Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance in all four criteria that led to their selection.  This obligation includes regular attendance at chapter meetings held monthly during the school year and participation in the chapter service projects.  Please refer to the chapter by-laws for further obligations of membership, officer duties, etc.

Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations can contact the chapter adviser:  Alyscia Ellis, 940-369-4949 or aellis2@dentonisd.org.

 

By-laws
John H. Guyer High School Chapter
National Honor Society

ARTICLE I:  NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1.      The name of this chapter shall be the John H. Guyer High School Chapter of the National Honor Society.

 

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.

 

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, and Character.

 

Section 3.       Eligibility:

a.      Candidates eligible for election to this chapter must be members of the junior or senior class.

b.      To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for at least one semester at Guyer High School.

c.      Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 4.50.  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, and character.

 

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 principal.  The chapter adviser(s) shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex-officio member(s) 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 Student Activity Information 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(s).

d.      The Faculty Council shall review the Student Activity Information Form and faculty evaluations in order to determine membership.

Section 3.      The selection of new, active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year.  Fall selections will be added when needed. 

Section 4.       Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.

Section 5.      An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership and signed by the Principal or adviser.

Section 6.       An active member of the National Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter with verification from the previous chapter.  The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements of this chapter 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 John H. Guyer High School 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 GPA falls below the 4.50 standard, he/she will be given a written warning and a time period for improvement.  If the cumulative GPA 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, 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 profanity, unexcused absence, excessive tardiness or any other action calling for an office referral, ISSC, or suspension will receive a written warning notification.  A conference may be requested by either the 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 written notification indicating the reason for possible dismissal from the adviser/Faculty Council.  The member and adviser will discuss the written notification in a conference.  Situations that involve flagrant violations of school rules or the law can warrant disciplinary action without a written warning although a hearing must still be held.

b.      The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge against him/her at a hearing 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 person 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 principal, and then if confirmed, expressed in a letter 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 building principal and afterwards through the school district discipline policy.

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 Honor Society.

 

Section 6.       In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

 

ARTICLE V:  OFFICERS

Section 1.      The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, parliamentarian, secretary, historian, and treasurer.

Section 2.      Student officers shall be elected after the first induction ceremony.  Thereafter, elections will be held in May for the next school year.

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.      The president will preside over monthly chapter meetings and executive committee meetings, plan and implement major service projects, and preside over the induction ceremony.

Section 5.      The vice president will stand in for the president when necessary, attend all executive committee meetings, keep record of member attendance at meetings and service activities,and recruit and organize members for service activities.

Section 6.      The secretary will keep the website updated with current postings of meeting minutes, a calendar of events, upcoming volunteer opportunities, and members' current point totals, and will attend all executive committee meetings.

Section 7.       The treasurer will keep records of the financial status of the Guyer Chapter of the National Honor Society, will sign check requests, will help collect and record dues and fundraising monies, will deposit funds, will shop for and purchase supplies for chapter service activities, and will attend all executive committee meetings.

Section 8.       If officers are removed from office, move, or are unable to complete the terms for which they had been elected, then a group composed of the remaining officers and the adviser(s) can appoint other members to fill those vacancies until the next election.

ARTICLE VI:  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.       The executive committee shall consist of the faculty adviser(s) 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.  The executive committee will meet prior to the general meeting.

Section 2.       All chapter members are expected to attend all regularly-scheduled meetings.

ARTICLE VIII:  ACTIVITIES

Section 1.      There shall be no more than two fundraising projects scheduled each year.

Section 2.      The chapter shall determine group service projects for each year.  All members are required to participate in at least two of the group projects.

Section 3.      All members are to participate in individual service projects based on their own interests.

Section 4.      The service 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 5.      The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.

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 Honor Society.

Section 2.      Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.

Section 3.      Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor cords.

ARTICLE X:  DUES           

Section 1.       Annual dues for this chapter shall be $20.00.

Section 2.       Dues will be payable to the chapter treasurer or adviser(s) within 30 days of induction.

ARTICLE XI:  POWERS

 Section 1.       The chapter adviser(s) is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.

Section 2.       The principal 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 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.

You may keep track of your points in the Guyer NHS Point Totals form. For privacy reasons, please find the link in the NHS GroupMe.

NHS Projects 

• At least 120 of your required 150 points must come from NHS events.
• These include events like canned food drives, Denton Library tutoring, etc.
• 10 or More Points Each

 Dues

• Dues are $20. They are not required.
• 20 Points

 Individual Service Hours

• You must use this form to document your Individual Service Hours: Individual Service Hours Form
• These service hours must be completed outside the regular school day.
• You cannot count activities in which you are compensated financially or academically. For example, if you are completing a project for PALS or Student Council in which you receive a grade, that project cannot count as NHS service hours.
• You may count activities completed as part of other organizations, such as Scouting.
• Actions that are part of your normal worship service (e.g. ushering at church, babysitting, or singing in the choir) do not count.
• Form must be submitted within 30 days to receive points.   
• You may only earn up to 20 points per event or activity.
• If you are uncertain about whether an activity qualifies, please contact Mrs. Ellis in advance of the event.
• 5 Points Per Hour

Meetings

• Meetings will be held on the first Thursday of each month in room J218.
• You are required to attend monthly meetings.
• Before School – 8:00
• After School – 4:15
• 5 Points Per Meeting

 NHS Graduation Requirement

• You must earn 150 points (by TBD, 2022) to wear the stole and graduate with NHS honors. 

Meetings:

• are required;
• are worth 5 points each;
• will take place on the first Thursday of each month.
  • before school - 8:20am
  • after school - 4:20pm