Amboy High School Roberto Cofresí Chapter

Amboy, IL 61310

Article I. Name and Classification

Section 1. The name of this organization is the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, also known as the Spanish National Honor Society, and shall be referred to in this document as "the Society."

Section 2. The purpose of the Society is to recognize high achievement in Spanish by students of secondary schools and to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic studies.

Article II. Qualifications for Membership

Section 1. To be eligible for the Society, students must meet all of the following criteria.

a). Student must be actively enrolled in a Spanish class.

b). Student must have completed the 3rd semester of Spanish or higher.

c). Transfer students must have spent one full semester in the program before eligibility.

d). Student must have a B+ (3.5) average in all Spanish classes

e). Student must have an overall B- average.

f). Student must never have failed a class due to attendance.

Section 2. Students will self-nominate.

Article III. Application and Initiation

Section 1. Students will be given the opportunity to self-nominate after the first semester grades are published.

Section 2. Potential members must fill out an application for admission, which is to be presented to the Sponsor by the specified date.

Section 3. The application is to be made up of the following elements: a personal statement to include interest in language and/or culture, personal qualities and characteristics, commitment to the betterment of the Spanish-speaking community, and commitment to the betterment of Amboy High School.

Section 4. Acceptance letters and invitations to the initiation ceremony will be sent in in the Spring.

Section 5. Initiation Ceremony will be held during the Spring Semester.

Article IV. Qualifications for Continued Membership

Section 1. Each year members must engage in an activity from each of the following categories: Academic Commitment, Community Commitment.

Section 2. Academic commitment may be defined in part as the following: current enrollment in a Spanish class, publication in ¡Albricias!, maintenance of an overall GPA of B- or better.

Section 3. Community Commitment may be defined in part as participation in the following: tutoring an AHS student in Spanish, serving as bilingual guide for AHS students or their parents, becoming a bilingual buddy for a bilingual elementary student, recruit grade 8 students into the Spanish program, helping the Spanish teacher with grading, etc…or others as deemed appropriate by the Sponsor.

Section 4. Students must meet at least quarterly with the SHH members and Sponsor.

Section 5. Students must continue to show academic integrity by holding a B+ (3.5) average in Spanish. If they fall below that mark, they will be suspended until the next grading period. They must also show character as noted by no recorded incidents of cheating, plagiarism, misconduct, insubordination or intentional dishonesty.

Article V. Dues and Fees

Section 1. One time dues of twenty dollars ($20) at initiation: $5 national dues, $5 chapter dues, $10 towards the activity fund.

Article VI. Elections and Duties of Officers

Section 1. There are four officers of the Society: President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations/Fundraising Chair. The President must be enrolled in a Spanish class in order to hold office.

Section 2. Officers are elected by simple majority of active members present during the first meeting of the year.

Section 3. The duties of the officers are as follows: attendance at all meetings, serve as exemplars for other members of the Society and the AHS community, choose a poem for the initiation ritual.

Section 4. The role of the President is to preside at meetings, and serve as student spokesperson for the Spanish Department.

Section 5. The role of the Secretary is to keep the ledger of initiates, keep the ledger of Active members and their membership qualifications and attendance, keep the ledger of current officers, preside over meetings when the President is absent.

Section 6. The role of the Treasurer is to collect dues and keep the financial records of the Society.

Section 7. The role of the PR/F Chair is to handle all public relations and organize fundraising activities.

Article VII. Meetings

Section 1. Each member must meet at least quarterly with SHH members and the Sponsor. All members are expected to attend all meetings unless prior approval is given by the sponsor.

Section 2. Meetings are to be regularly scheduled by the Sponsor and officers. There shall be no less than one meeting per term.

Article VIII. Awards and Recognition

Section 1. Sponsors of Active Chapters may award the Certificado de Excelencia to initiated members, winners in the National Spanish Examinations, or to the initiated member who has achieved the highest grade point average in Spanish or Portuguese for that school year. Duplicate certificates are awarded in case of ties. The number of awards is limited to ten percent of current initiates.

Section 2. Sponsors of Active Chapters may award the Certificado por Servicios to recognize initiated members who have rendered meritorious service to their Chapter. The number awarded is limited to ten percent of current initiates.

Section 3. Sponsors of Active Chapters may award the Premio de Honor to the best graduating senior of the Chapter. The certificate may be obtained from the National Director of the Society at no cost, and will be sent upon receipt of the student's name. The names of both the student and the Chapter sponsor will be printed in ¡Albricias! if sent by the deadline. Each Chapter may receive only one certificate each year.

Article IX. Insignia

Section 1. The insignia of the Society is the official one of the AATSP, as represented on the medals which may be awarded for excellence in Spanish and Portuguese.

Section 2. The seal of the AATSP is the offical seal of the Society, and it may be used in conjunction with any other seal upon approval of the National Council.

Section 3. The motto of the Society is: Todos a una.

Section 4. The colors of the Society are red and gold.

Section 5. The flower of the Society is the carnation.

Article X. Emergency Bylaws

Section 1. Additional regulations for facilitating the government of the Society and the activities of the Chapter may be prepared by the National Council whenever the exigencies for such regulations may arise.

Section 2. Dues may be initiated at the beginning of each year to be determined by the Sponsor and advisors.