It is fully understood that the operation of this student activity will be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the board of education, the administration, and our student government and that we shall constantly strive to maintain the highest standards and good name of our school.

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Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society

Article I - Name:

John Jay History Honor Society (JJHHS)

Article II -- Mission Statement

JJHHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Social Studies scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The JJHHS also seeks to promote more in-depth examination and first-hand experiences in the fields of Social Studies.

Article III -- Affiliations

JJHHS will be affiliated with the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society, the national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies.

Article IV -- Membership

Section 1 - John Jay High School students must comprise 100% of the club's membership.

Section 2 -- Eligibility is open to all Juniors and Seniors with an 88 or above average in their combined Regents or Honors Social Studies classes. AP students must carry an 85 in their combined Social Studies classes. During the academic school year of 2023-2024, Sophomores will be considered eligible members.

Section 2b - Students with special education accommodations that are close to, but do not meet the grade point average requirements will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Section 3 - Membership in the John Jay History Honor Society is open to all who meet the above criteria, irrespective of race, creed, color, gender, class, nation of origin, nationality, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or identity.

Section 4 -- JJHHS members must meet the following requirements to be considered in good standing

• attend 80% of meetings
• complete 5 hours of history-related community service
• complete a Social Studies elective by the end of their Senior year.
• maintain an 88 or above average in their combined Regents or Honors Social Studies classes. AP students must carry an 85 in their combined Social Studies classes.

Section 5 -- In recognition of their achievement, JJHHS members who maintain good standing will receive cords from the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society for graduation.

Article V -- Officer/Executive Board

Section 1 - The officers of the John Jay History Honor Society shall be:

• President -- responsible for setting the year's agenda, organizing events, running meetings
• Vice President -- aiding the president and taking over in his or her absence
• Secretary -- conducting all correspondence and maintaining accurate records of meetings such as meeting minutes, attendance, and service hours
• Treasurer -- all financial transactions made by and for the organization
• East Fishkill Historical Society Liaison- responsible for maintaining contact and development of programs with East Fishkill Historical Society
• Additional positions may be added as needed.

Section 2 -- The executive board should be made up of juniors or seniors who are in good academic standing.

Section 3 -- Executive board members will serve a term of one year.

Article VI Elections

Section 1 -- In its first year election of Officers will be held once the members have been inducted. In subsequent years elections of officers shall be held in June after the incoming members have been inducted. Advisors may exercise a right to vote in the elections. Elections will be overseen by the outgoing executive board and club advisors.

Section 2 -- In the event officers are unable to fulfill their duties the advisor and other members of the executive board can ask the elected official to step down. Elections would then be held at the following meeting to fill the vacancy. Officers will be given a written notice of probation before removal.

Section 3 -- Elections will be done by secret ballot. The current officers will have the choice to determine their preferred voting system for the election that they are presiding over from either a ranked-choice system or a majority (half plus one) vote.

Article VII -- Meetings

Section 1 - Regular meetings of the JJHHS will be held monthly. In addition, meetings of the executive board will also occur monthly which will be determined by the class officers of the current academic year.

Article VIII -- Advisors

Section 1 -- There shall be at least one full-time John Jay Social Studies teacher who shall serve as an advisor to the Honor Society

Section 2 -- The chapter advisor shall:

• be considered a Rho Kappa honorary member.
• be responsible for the chapter's day-to-day activities, act as a supervisor over the chapter, and perform the duties of a liaison among administration, faculty, students, and community members.
• coordinate, create, and review chapter bylaws to execute the national organization's constitution and outline the chapter's operating procedures.
• maintain accurate and up-to-date files that consist of membership lists, financial transactions, chapter history, chapter activities, chapter publications and correspondence, and chapter by-laws.
• regularly review each member to ensure the membership is in good standing as determined by the chapter's by-laws
• assist the chapter officers to understand and carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.
• act as the main liaison between the local chapter and the national organization. The sponsor is responsible for submitting all membership lists and associated fees along with any other information requested by the Rho Kappa Advisory Council.
• appoint a faculty selection committee assembled at the high school in which the chapter resides to select new members. The selection committee shall consist of the chapter faculty advisor and other faculty members within the school. Membership is based upon academic achievement in courses within the field of Social Studies as well as an overall academic GPA of 85.