MHS/MJRHS

Section I: The name of this organization be the Minnesota Junior Honor Society (MJRHS.)

1. The MJRHS shall be recognized as a subset of the MAHS.
2. All middle and junior high schools that join the MAHS are automatically part of the MJRHS.
3. There is no additional fee to belong to the MJRHS.
4. The MJRHS is under the sponsorship of the Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals.
5. The purpose of the MJRHS is stated in Article I, Section 2 of the MAHS constitution.

The purpose of this organization shall be to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of middle level and junior highs in Minnesota.

Section II:  The Principal of the MJRHS school has the right to approve all activities and decisions of the MJRHS chapter.

1. The principal shall appoint a MJRHS advisor.
2. The principal shall appoint a Faculty Council of three to five members. The number shall be the principal’s choice.
3. The principal shall have the final decision on all appeals regarding discipline or dismissal of MJRHS members.

Section III: The MJRHS advisor has the responsibility of the day-to-day operations of the organization.

1. The MJRHS advisor has the responsibility to serve as a liaison to all key stakeholders in the school organization including the superintendent, the principal, the school board, the faculty, the student body, and the community in which the school district serves.
2. The MJRHS advisor has the final responsibility for the organization’s files on membership, finances, and activities.
3. The MJRHS advisor has the final responsibility for maintaining records pertaining to the MJRHS members’ eligibility.
4. The MJRHS advisor should provide leadership for the MJRHS chapter’s executive board.
5. The MJRHS advisor will serve on the Faculty Council as a non-voting member.

Section IV: Faculty Council will consist of three to five faculty members appointed annually by the principal.

1. The Faculty Council does not have a term limit but must be re-appointed each year.
2. The Faculty Council will meet once a year to read and select the applicants for the MJRHS chapter.
3. The Faculty Council will meet as needed to consider dismissal and disciplinary cases.

Section V:  Membership in the MJRHS chapter is an honor based on the following qualities:

Leadership, Character, Service, and Scholarship

1. A student has the responsibility to maintain and further develop the qualities that initially made them eligible for MJRHS.
2. A student becomes a member of the MJRHS when inducted at a ceremony conducted by current members of the MJRHS.
3. The MJRHS advisor and the current members of MJRHS develop the ceremony.
4. A MJRHS member who transfers from another school is automatically a member of the local MJRHS chapter. The individual has one semester to meet the local MJRHS chapter’s requirements.
5. The middle level/junior high student will become eligible after three semesters at their school. This may be adapted due to a school’s circumstances.
6. A MJRHS membership ends upon entrance in to the schools designated high school.

Section VI: The selection of MJRHS members must meet the state organization’s minimum standards.

1. The minimum standard for scholarship is 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Schools may establish a higher standard.
2. The minimum standard for service is 15 hours of volunteer service per school year. Schools may establish a higher standard.
3. MJRHS chapters can establish their own criteria for leadership and character.
4. A faculty rating scale may be used as a way to provide information to the faculty council.
5. The MJRHS does not encourage a faculty rating formula plus grade point average to be the final determination of an applicant’s consideration. This should be one factor in the selection process.
6. The selection of each member shall be determined by a simple majority vote by the faculty committee.
7. The selection process of the members should be available upon request.

Section VII. The Faculty Council in conjunction with the Faculty Advisor and the middle/junior high school principal will establish the discipline and dismissal procedures.

1. A written description of the discipline and dismissal procedures will be made available to all interested parties.
2. A member who drops below the original standards for acceptance in the MJRHS will be given a warning and a reasonable amount of time to correct the deficiency.
3. A member who violates a school’s code of conduct may face immediate dismissal from the MJRHS by action of the Faculty Committee.
4. A member of MJRHS who receives a warning or faces dismissal shall have the right to a hearing before the Faculty Council. This meets the criteria of due process.
5. For purposes of a warning or dismissal, a majority vote of the Faculty Council is required.
6. A member who has been warned or dismissed may appeal to the principal of the school for a final decision.
7. The MAHS will not hear any appeals but may be consulted by the member, the faculty advisor, or the faculty council.

Section VIII. The local chapter shall determine the number and title of MJRHS officers.

1. The titles and duties of the officers shall be outlined in the local MJRHS constitution.
2. The MAHS encourages the local chapter to hold an installation ceremony

Section IX.  The executive committee shall include the executive officers and the Faculty Advisor.

1. The executive committee shall perform the leadership function of the local chapter.
2. The executive committee shall carry out the individual office responsibilities as defined by the local chapter’s constitution.
3. The executive committee shall have the responsibility of ensuring that all activities and procedures follow school policy and regulations.

Section X.  Each MJRHS chapter shall have regular meetings during the school year.

1. The meetings shall be held at a time established by the executive committee.
2. The meetings shall be held at a time when MJRHS chapter members can attend.
3. The MJRHS president may call special meetings as necessary. MJRHS members may request a special meeting with the executive committee’s approval.
4. The latest edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall conduct meetings.

Section XI. Each MJRHS shall develop a calendar of yearly activities and projects that fulfill the mission of leadership, character, scholarship, and service.

1. All MJRHS chapter members are encouraged to participate in the activities.
2. The Faculty Advisor and the school principal should approve the MJRHS chapter activities.
3. The MJRHS activities should encourage broad participation by the entire school population when appropriate.
4. The MJRHS activities should be publicized and recognized by the host school and the local community.

Section XII.  The local MJRHS chapter is automatically part of the Minnesota Association of Honor Societies.

1. A school’s membership in the MAHS precludes any additional fees to belong to MJRHS.
2. Local MJRHS chapters are encouraged to participate in statewide MAHS activities.
3. Local MJRHS chapters are encouraged to submit nominations for the NJRHS Chapter of the Year award. This award will be given based on the submission of a form to the MAHS state executive board.
4. Local MJRHS chapters are eligible to purchase MJRHS pins, cords, certificates, and cards.
5. The official colors of the MJRHS are Orange and White.

XIII.  The sections of the MAHS constitution that are dedicated to MJRHS may be amended per Robert’s Rules of Order at the spring convention held annually.