FCMS Jr. Honor Society
Franklin County Middle School Honor Society By-Laws
Article 1: Name and Purpose
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Franklin County Middle School Honor Society.
Section 2. The purpose 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 at Franklin County Middle School.
Article II: Membership
Section 1. Membership is an honor bestowed upon deserving eighth-grade students based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, service, and citizenship.
Article III: Eligibility
Section 1. Students eligible for selection to the Franklin County Middle School Honor Society must be in eighth grade.
Section 2. To be eligible for selection, students must have been in attendance for a period of one semester at Franklin County Middle School.
Section 3. Students eligible for selection to the Franklin County Middle School Honor Society shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted grade point average). This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed and shall be the required minimum scholastic level of achievement for admission.
Section 4. Upon meeting the grade level, attendance, and grade point average requirements, students shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, citizenship, and character through an application and essay process.
Section 5. An active member of the Franklin County Middle School Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership and signed by the principal (alt., advisor).
Section 6. An active Honor Society (or National Junior Honor Society) member who transfers to this school and brings a letter from the principal or chapter advisor shall be accepted automatically as a member in the new school’s chapter. Transfer members must meet the new chapter’s standards within one semester in order to retain membership.
Article IV: Selection of Members
Section 1. Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility (at least a 3.75 on a 4.0 scale).
b. Students who are eligible scholastically shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the application form and essay for further consideration for selection.
c. The faculty advisor shall appoint at least two (2) faculty members to assist in determining the eligibility of newly inducted students.
Section 2. The selection of new, active members shall be held once each year in the first semester. (Alternative or additional selection periods may be added.)
Section 3. Students become members when inducted at a special ceremony held in the first semester.
Article V: Obligations of Members
Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be free.
Section 2. Each member is required to attend scheduled meetings. Additional meetings may be called based on the needs of specific committees on which various members may serve. Section 3. Each member is required to participate in at least two (2) school-sponsored community service projects each school year.
Section 4. Each member is required to maintain a quarterly grade point average of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Article VI: Discipline and Dismissal
Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, citizenship, or service may be considered for discipline or dismissal from the Franklin County Middle School Honor Society. A member is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership in 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 (3.75), 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 advisor and school administration. The action may include dismissal from the Honor Society.
Section 3. Violations of the law or school regulations can result in immediate consideration of the dismissal of a member.
Section 4. Students cannot receive more than two (2) discipline slips during a school year or they will be considered for dismissal from the Franklin County Middle School Honor Society. Section 5. A member who resigns or is dismissed may never again be considered for membership in the Franklin County Middle School Honor Society.
Article VI: Building Administration
Section 1. The principal and/or assistant principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the organization.
Section 2. The principal and/or assistant principal shall annually appoint a member of the faculty as the advisor, who may serve consecutive terms. Co-advisors may be appointed where necessary.
Section 3. The principal and/or assistant principal shall receive appeals in cases of non-selection of candidates and the disciplining or dismissal of members.
Article VII: The Faculty Advisor
Section 1. The faculty advisor shall be responsible for the direct, day-to-day supervision of the organization and act as a liaison between faculty, administration, students, and the community. Section 2. The faculty advisor shall maintain files on membership, activities, and financial transactions.
Section 3. The faculty advisor shall regularly review each member for compliance with organization standards and obligations.
Section 4. The faculty advisor shall help elected student officers understand and carry out their duties.
Article VIII: Officers
Section 1. The Franklin County Middle School Honor Society shall elect one (1) president to carry out the meetings and collaborate with the faculty advisor, one (1) vice-president to preside in the absence of the president, and one (1) secretary to record the meeting minutes.
Section 2. The election of student officers shall be conducted with self-nomination or peer-nomination. Then, the candidate receiving at least a majority (51%) of the vote will be elected to the position for one (1) year.
Article IX. Meetings
Section 1. Meetings shall be held at least once every two (2) weeks during the PAWS period. Meetings
may be added due to the workload of a service project.
Article X. Amendments
Section 1. These bylaws may be amended by a ⅔ vote of the Honor Society, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to the members at least two (2) weeks prior to the vote. Sections dealing with revisions to the procedures for selection, disciplining, and dismissal of members can be changed only by the school administration and faculty advisor.
Statement of non-discrimination: The Franklin County Middle School Honor Society 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.
Date of Implementation: August, 2020