Chapter Bylaws

NJHS

Chapter Bylaws

Of the

Queens Lake Middle School Chapter

of the

National Junior Honor Society

Adopted: April 29, 2026

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this chapter shall be the Queens Lake Middle School Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Queens Lake Middle School.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this chapter shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage good citizenship in the students of Queens Lake Middle School.

ARTICLE III: POWERS

Section 1: This chapter operates under the direction of and in full compliance with the National Constitution of NJHS. See www.njhs.us/constitutions. In addition, this chapter will maintain active affiliation with the national organization on an annual basis.

Section 2: This chapter will remain an active member of the state association, The National Honor Society of Virginia, by paying annual dues and participating in state functions when possible.

Section 3. The chapter advisers are given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.

Section 4: Final authority on all activities and decisions of the chapter resides with the school principal.

Section 5: Nondiscrimination. Our 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, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity 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

Section 1. 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 2. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and alumni. Active members become alumni members at graduation. Alumni and honorary members have no voice or vote in chapter affairs.

Section 3. Eligibility:

a. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be in the second grading period of their seventh grade or members of the eighth-grade class.

b. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Queens Lake Middle School.

c. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

d. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

ARTICLE V: SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council which consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter advisers shall be the sixth, nonvoting, ex officio member of the faculty council.

Section 2. The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the second grading period of the school year.

Section 3. Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.

b. All students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the candidate information form for further consideration.

c. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official input form provided by the chapter adviser.

d. The faculty council shall review the candidate information forms, faculty input, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership.

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 an official letter indicating the status of his/her membership.

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 VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $15. Dues will be payable to the chapter within 30 days of induction.

Section 2. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Junior Honor Society.

Section 3. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

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

Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year. All returning members in good standing with the chapter are eligible to run for a position as an officer. Any active member can nominate an eligible member as a candidate for office.

Section 3. Voting shall be by secret ballot. 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 of the chapter, and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions.

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 and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence.

Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter.

Section 8. Officers and the faculty adviser(s) shall collectively be known as the chapter’s executive committee. The executive committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and 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.

Section 9. Student officers shall be elected at the second meeting of the newly reinstated chapter for the school year of 2025/26. Officers will hold these positions until the end of the school year when Section 2 goes into effect.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be monthly on Thursdays. Special meetings can be called by the president with approval of the adviser.

Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 3. Members are expected to attend all chapter meetings.

ARTICLE IX: ACTIVITIES

Section 1. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year.

Section 2. All members shall regularly participate in these projects.

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 well planned, organized, and executed.

Section 4. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project 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.

Section 5. The chapter shall publicize and promote its projects in a positive manner.

ARTICLE X: DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL of MEMBERS

Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, service, leadership, character, or citizenship may be considered for discipline or dismissal from the Queens Lake Middle School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. A member of the National Junior 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 to below a 3.5 he/she will be given a written warning and a reasonable time period 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 includes consideration of dismissal from the chapter.

Section 3. Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of a member (see Section 5 below). These violations include, but are not limited to, stealing; destruction of property; cheating; truancy; or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities or in the community.

Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absences, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written warning 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 considered for dismissal.

Section 5. Chapter officers, as representatives of the chapter, can be removed from their positions as a consequence of disciplinary action taken by the faculty council.

Section 6. In all cases of pending dismissal:

a. The member will receive written notification from the adviser/faculty council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.

b. The member has the right to respond to the charge(s) against him/her at a hearing before the faculty council prior to any 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 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 majority vote of the faculty council is needed to dismiss any member.

c. The results of the faculty council vote will be presented to the principal for review, and then stated in a letter sent to the student and parents. 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 according to provisions of the school district discipline policies.

e. A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Junior Honor Society.

Section 7. In lieu of dismissal, the faculty council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

ARTICLE XI: RATIFICATION, APPROVAL, and REVIEW.

Section 1: These bylaws will be approved upon receiving a two-thirds affirmative vote of all active members of the chapter, a majority affirmative vote of the faculty council, and approval by the administration.

Section 2: These bylaws shall be reviewed and if necessary, revised within five years from the date of approval noted on this document.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds 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 IV, V, and X, which are developed by the faculty council with the approval of the principal.

Approved on April 29, 2026

Signatures/Names of the Chapter President, Secretary, Adviser, and Principal.

Selection Procedures

Candidate Information

QUEEN LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPTER

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

Queens Lake Middle School

124 W. Queens Dr. Williamsburg, VA 23185

Dear Student,

Congratulations on meeting the academic requirements for consideration for membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). NJHS is more than an honor roll. The NJHS chapter established rules for membership that are based upon a student’s outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These five criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built.

§ Scholarship: The Queens Lake Middle School National Junior Honor Society Chapter requires a minimum of 3.5 cumulative GPA

§ Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activity while working with or for others.

§ Service: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student for the school or community, completed without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.

§ Character: 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 positive lifestyle.

§ Citizenship – has participated in organizations which; demonstrate the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom and justice and makes student demonstrate mature participation and responsibility

The induction process is a multi-step procedure. You have made it past the first step. You have been invited based upon the Scholarship criteria (3.5 GPA). This packet is designed to help assess the other components for the induction process. Included in this packet you will find a copy of NJHS by-laws, activities record sheet, and two teacher recommendation sheets.

Please return the COMPLETED PACKET to Mrs. Webster or Mrs. McFatridge in Room 102 or Room 206, NO LATER THAN 3:00 P.M. on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20. This packet must be completed by you, the student. Failure to meet the guidelines and deadline will exclude you from membership.

Those students who choose to go through this process will be notified with an official letter of their status prior to the Induction Ceremony.

Congratulations on your academic success and best wishes as you pursue membership in the Queens Lake Middle School National Junior Honor Society.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Susie McFatridge and Mrs. Rene Webster

NJHS Co-Sponsors

QUEENS LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPTER

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

General Requirement for Membership Eligibility

Maintenance of Membership

1. Residency

a. A candidate for membership must attend a York County Public School for at least one semester.

b. A candidate for membership must be a seventh or eighth grade student during the year in which candidacy is being considered.

2. Scholarship

a. The minimum academic average for qualifications as a candidate/member in National Junior Honor Society is 3.5 grade point average.

3. Character

The standards for student characteristics that comply with York County Public Schools Student Handbook and Conduct Code will serve as the defining criteria. An infraction of any of the following circumstances may preclude membership in the Queens Lake Middle School Chapter of National Junior Honor Society:

a. Drugs, narcotics, tobacco products and alcohol infractions

b. Weapons and dangerous instrument infractions

c. Cheating

d. Assignment to an alternative educational program due to conduct code violation

e. Suspension, exclusion, and/or expulsion for any reason other than those listed above.

4. Leadership/Service/Citizenship

a. A candidate must be able to provide evidence of active participation in at least two activities, with one being service oriented, either in school, in the community or any combination thereof.

b. During the school year, a member must participate in two hours of service to the school and/or community per month.

5. Transfer Eligibility

a. Transfer members are those who transfer from one school to another school which has a National Junior Honor Society Chapter. Transfer members are accepted automatically in the new school’s chapter. A prospective transfer should bring to the new school a letter from his/her former principal or NJHS Advisor stating that he/she was an active member in good standing and thus eligible for transfer. Transfer members must maintain the standards of the chapter to which they transfer.

b. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society does not automatically qualify a student for membership in the National Honor Society.

6. Causes for Probation or Dismissal

a. Any infraction of the Bylaws of the Queens Lake Middle School Chapter of National Junior Honor Society could be cause for probation.

b. A student will be allowed only one probationary period.

c. Violation of school rules or the law can result in dismissal.

QUEENS LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPTER

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

Queens Lake Middle School

124 W. Queens Dr. Williamsburg, VA 23185

QLMS Student Activities Record

Please complete all information and submit this application to Mrs. McFatridge (206) or Mrs. Webster (102) NO LATER THAN 3 p.m. on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20. Every bit of information will be used by the Faculty Council to assist with the fair consideration of your candidacy during the selection process. Completion and submission of this form DOES NOT guarantee selection.

I. Candidate

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Full Name Current Grade Level

______________________________________________

Homeroom teacher

II. Leadership

List all elected or appointed positions or other positions of responsibility held in school, community, or work activities. Only those positions in which you were responsible for directing or motivating others should be included (e.g., elected officer for student body, class, or club; committee chairperson; team captain; newspaper editor; work area manager; or other community leader). Please include the name of the adult responsible for supervising your leadership in each position. They do not need to sign the form. Please just list their name(s).

Year	Leadership Position	Activity/Organization	Supervising Adult
6
7
8

III. Past Community Service

List past service activities in which you have participated. These can be individual or group service projects done either in or out of school. Generally, service activities are those that are done for or on behalf of others (not including family members) for which no compensation (monetary or otherwise) has been given. On the appropriate line please name an adult supervisor who can verify your participation in each activity. They do not need to sign the form. Please just list their name(s). List the estimated number of hours you invested while performing this service.

Year	Activity	Hours of Service	Supervising Adult
6
7
8

IV. Citizenship - School Based

List all other school-based activities (not noted above) in which you have participated in school which promote citizenship. Include school teams, clubs, musical groups, etc., and any significant accomplishments in each.

Year	Activity	Accomplishments
6
7
8

V. Citizenship - Community

List other current community activities outside of school and/or major accomplishments that you have not previously listed which promote citizenship. Include community teams, clubs, musical groups, etc., and any significant accomplishments in each. Please include the name of the supervising adult. They do not need to sign the form. Please just list their name(s).

Year

Activity

Hours of Service

Supervising Adult

7

8

VI. Essay. Describe your most recent community service experience and tell how your service made an impact on you and those you served. (additional sheets may be attached if needed)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VII. Signatures

I understand that completing and submitting this form does not guarantee selection to the Honor Society. I attest that the information presented here is complete and accurate. If selected, I agree to abide by the standards and guidelines of the chapter and to fulfill all of my membership obligations to the best of my ability.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature Date

I have read the information provided by my child on this form and can verify that it is true, accurate, and complete.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Signature Date

TEAR RECOMMENDATION OFF THE PACKET AND GIVE TO TEACHER TO RETURN.

YOU DO NOT RETURN THIS FORM.

QUEENS LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPTER

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

Queens Lake Middle School

TEACHER RECOMMENDATION FORM

(CONFIDENTIAL)

Select two teachers from last year to fill in this teacher recommendation form. This is their opportunity to evaluate you based upon the criteria of character. The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concerns and respect for others and generally maintains a positive lifestyle. Good conduct and leadership are valuable traits that are admired in a National Junior Honor Society member.

NJHS Candidate: _________________________________________________________________________

Evaluating Teacher Signature ________________________________________________________________

*Please complete the attached form and return to Mrs. McFatridge or Mrs. Webster by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20

The student listed above qualifies academically (GPA 3.5 or above) for National Junior Honor Society membership. Membership, however, is also based on the service, leadership and character of the student.

Use the following scale to evaluate the student on overall character.

4 = OUTSTANDING in the qualities listed and highly worthy of membership.

3 = SUPERIOR in the qualities listed and worthy of consideration.

2 = AVERAGE in the qualities but still worthy of consideration.

1 = WEAK in the qualities listed and not worthy of consideration.

Consider the following criteria in making your evaluations:

Character - The student of character:

§ Cooperates by complying with school regulations 4 3 2 1

§ Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability 4 3 2 1

§ Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others 4 3 2 1

§ Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted 4 3 2 1

§ Exemplifies positive attitudes 4 3 2 1

Overall, how highly do you recommend this candidate for membership? 4 3 2 1

If you have knowledge of a trait which makes a student more or less desirable as a member of the NJHS, please explain.