ARTICLE 1
NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the STEAM National Honors Society (NHSTEAM™)

Section 2. The aim of this organization is to encourage student involvement in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (“STEAM”) fields. It seeks to facilitate the creation of leaders in education by providing direct access to grants, scholarships, research projects, internships, and service opportunities while collaborating with educators, advisors, and school administrators to foster a culture of STEAM awareness and literacy. Additionally, the organization endeavors to produce graduates who will pursue STEAM-related studies in higher education and collaborate with STEAM leaders to identify trends in workforce and career development needs within these fields.

Section 3. The National Honors STEAM Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to diversity and equity whilst pushing for innovation, engineering, medicine, and research.

ARTICLE 2
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Board of Directors will originally consist of the founding members. There will be a maximum of 15 members on the board, and a minimum of 7. The number of board members are encouraged to be amended when necessary. All members of the board must retire within 6 years.

Section 2.
a) The president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and outreach specialist will be elected by the board. Each term will last one year. At the end of each term, another election will be held. Officers are allowed to rerun once.

b) If ⅔ of the Founding board of 15 members votes to remove an executive board member, they will be removed from office. This will have to be in compliance and approval of the Governing Board members.

c) The president will preside over all board meetings. The president can call for a meeting of the board, given a two weeks notice. The president will delegate tasks decided by the board at meetings to other board members. The president will also create an annual statement that will be published for all members of the society to view.

d) The Vice-President will preside over meetings in the absence of the president. The Vice-President shall also deal with disputes in local chapters, as given in the report by the secretary. The Vice-President is advised to aid the president/secretary in any or all managerial duties. Like the president, the Vice-President can also delegate tasks.

e) The secretary will take the minutes of all official meetings. This will be filled into a report that will be sent out to all Chapter Sponsors after the conclusion of each meeting as well as the governing board. In the case of an election, the secretary is responsible for counting all votes. All reports from chapter Sponsors shall be sent to the secretary.

f) The treasurer is responsible for monitoring the funds and the bank account of NHSTEAM™. At every board meeting, the treasurer is expected to report to the board on the financial status of the society. Any payment issues with local chapters will be reported to the treasurer. The treasurer will also manage any grants/scholarships given to the society.

g) The outreach specialist is responsible for all social media platforms of NHSTEAM™ as well as advertising and communication to individual chapters.

h) Non-executive board members are expected to attend all board meetings, and they are expected to follow the orders given to them by the executives. These members will provide resources to be utilized by all chapter members.

Section 3.
a) The initial board of directors will be founding members of the society. All proceeding members of the board must fill out an application on the NHSTEAM™.

b) In order to run for an executive board position, a member must be on the board for at least one year prior, with the exception of founding members.

Section 4. Every election will take place at the final meeting of the school year. Executive members will be chosen by a majority vote by the existing board. General board members must be members of NHSTEAM™ for at least one year, and have completed at least 100 hours of STEAM service.

Section 5. The authority and oversight of this organization at the national level shall be vested in the duly elected Board of Directors.

Section 6. The Board shall convene at least four meetings annually and meeting notes will be reported. One meeting must occur at the beginning of the school year, and one at the end of the school year. The others will be taken when necessary during the year as called on by the president.

Section 7. Board members are allowed to participate in meetings using any real-time communication method, which may include physical presence, conference calls, or video-conferencing.

ARTICLE 3
LOCAL CHAPTERS

Section 1. Any public or private educational institution that is approved by the relevant state department of education is eligible to apply for designation as a local chapter.

Section 2. Each Chapter shall pay an annual Chapter fee to NHSTEAM™ in a predetermined amount. The amount of this fee shall be posted on the NHSTEAM™ website. Failure

Section 3. Each Chapter shall follow this Constitution including the amendments which will be posted on the website. Failure of a Chapter to conform to the Constitution may result in the loss of the STEAM Chapter designation and any opportunities offered.

Section 4. Each Chapter shall create and adopt bylaws to elaborate on sections of this Constitution and to clarify operating standards and procedures of the chapter. Chapter bylaws must be consistent with the main heading NHSTEAM™ Constitution.

Section 5. The Chapter bylaws shall include information regarding the election and duties of officers, the schedule of meetings, member obligations, dues, project descriptions, and other relevant details. Chapters may include any additional information pertinent to the Chapter.

Section 6. Any changes or updates to the Chapter bylaws should be communicated to the secretary of the national board for board review and approval.

Section 7. In the event that a Chapter is established after the commencement of the school year, chapters have the option to prorate the requirements for their members. The minimum number of hours required from each member shall be adjusted based on the number of months remaining in the academic year.

ARTICLE 4
THE CHAPTER SPONSOR

Section 1. The Chapter Sponsors shall assume the role of overseeing the daily operations of the Chapter and serve as a connection between the board and the students.

Section 2. The Chapter Sponsor is responsible for maintaining records related to membership, Chapter history, activities, and financial transactions. Furthermore, the Chapter Sponsor shall submit an bi-annual report to NHSTEAM™ using an approved form from the website.

Section 3. The Chapter Sponsor shall regularly assess each member’s adherence to NHSTEAM™’s standards and commitments, both at the national and local Chapter level.

Section 4. Additionally, the Chapter Sponsor shall assist Chapter officers in comprehending and fulfilling their respective responsibilities.

Section 5. The Chapter Sponsor shall facilitate the organization of STEAM-related events, workshops, and activities within the Chapter’s scope; they encourage active participation from members while relaying any available STEAM opportunities from the board.

Section 6. Chapter Sponsors must be a teacher or staff member at their respective academic institution. The Sponsor must have a background in or teach a STEAM related field.

ARTICLE 5
MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. Membership is a distinguished recognition bestowed upon a student.

Section 2. Membership eligibility for NHSTEAM™ is determined by examining each individual application and teacher recommendation letters.

Section 3. Membership eligibility based on the GPA is determined from the results of the last grading period.

Section 4. Eligibility for membership is determined by the Chapter Sponsor, but students may appeal to the board in case of unfair selections.

Section 5. To be eligible for membership and maintain it annually, a student must meet the following minimum requirements:

a) Academic Standards: To be eligible for membership, Chapter student members must maintain an average unweighted GPA of at least 3.5, or a weighted 4.0 GPA in all courses during the last grading period. While a Chapter can set higher academic performance expectations in STEAM disciplines, they cannot lower the GPA requirement.

b) To fulfill STEAM’s minimum requirements, chapter members should complete the following minimum number of classes in STEAM courses within their high school career:

At Least 3 lab science credits for rising seniors, 2 for rising juniors , 1 for rising sophomores (EX: Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology)
OR
At least 3 fine arts/cte credits for rising seniors, 2 for rising juniors, 1 for rising sophomores
AND
At least 3 math credits for rising seniors, 2 for rising juniors, 1 for rising sophomores
( Ex: Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Pre-calculus, or Calculus

c) NHSTEAM™ Chapter student members are required to participate in one or more STEAM-related extracurricular activities, aimed at enhancing their knowledge and involvement in STEAM topics. The Chapter Sponsor must pre-approve the activities, ensuring their appropriateness for STEAM enrichment. Minimum hours for activities are posted on the website.

Examples of STEAM enrichment activities include science fairs, math contests, STEAM-related clubs, tutoring in STEAM subjects, coding, individual/group STEAM projects, attending STEAM lectures or films, internships/jobs in STEAM fields, etc.

Section 6. Exceptional Student Accommodation: In cases where a student displays remarkable motivation and engagement but has not achieved the 3.5 GPA requirement while meeting other membership criteria, accommodations may be made. At the discretion of the Chapter Sponsor, if significant improvement is observed in the student’s grades within STEAM classes, the GPA requirement may be waived for the current grading period, provided the student continues to strive for the required 3.5 GPA.

Section 7. Upon induction into a Chapter, a student shall maintain active membership as long as they fulfill the minimum requirements. In the event that a member falls below any of these requirements during the year, they will be considered a provisional member. Provisional members will have one month to restore their requirements. Once the member meets the minimum requirements again, they will regain full Chapter membership. If the requirements are not met, they will be dismissed from the chapter, per Article 7. This process will be regulated by chapter sponsors.

Section 8. If a member from another Chapter transfers to a new school, they will be welcomed into a new Chapter at the school upon presenting proof of their previous membership.

Section 9. All members must adhere to the behavior guidelines set forth by their educational institution to maintain their membership status.

Section 10. Continuous Improvement: The Chapter shall continuously evaluate its activities, processes, and impact on its members and the community. Feedback from members, advisors, and stakeholders shall be used to identify areas of improvement and implement necessary changes to enhance the Chapter’s effectiveness and relevance.

ARTICLE 6
SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1. For active Chapters, there are two levels of student membership:

Chapter Members: Students who have achieved and maintain the requirements for membership.

Provisional members: See Article 5, Section 7

Section 2. Members shall be selected for membership by the Chapter Sponsor, certifying that each student deemed a Chapter member meets the minimum requirements in Article 5, subject to the exceptions provided in Article 5, Sections 6 and 7.

Section 3. All new Members shall be inducted at an induction ceremony held during the academic year. The details of the ceremony shall be determined by the Chapter Sponsors and Officers.

Section 4. Each Chapter shall decide whether to charge individual member annual dues, and these should be included in each Chapter’s bylaws. The amount of such dues, if any, shall not exceed $20 per member. There is no student membership fee payable to the National Honors STEAM Society.

Section 5. The Chapter Sponsor may determine that students must complete and submit a Chapter Student Membership Application to the Chapter Sponsor to be considered for membership.

Section 6. Membership Benefits: All Chapter Members and Provisional Members shall have access to various benefits, such as but not limited to opportunities for professional development, participation in STEAM-related events, access to STEAM resources, and networking with fellow members and professionals in the field. The Chapter shall actively work to enhance the membership experience by providing valuable opportunities and support to all its members.

Section 7: If the fee is unable to be paid due to financial issues, the student is able to discuss with the Chapter Sponsor if they can waive the fee.

ARTICLE 7
DISMISSAL

Section 1. A student may be dismissed as a member of NHSTEAM™ if the student violates the standards or obligations of NHSTEAM™ or the Chapter.

Section 2. Dismissal shall be approved and carried out by the Chapter Sponsor.

Section 3. Upon dismissal, the student shall be divested of all benefits of membership in NHSTEAM™.

Section 4. A student may appeal dismissal by submitting a request to the Board. The decision of the Board shall be final.

ARTICLE 8
CHAPTER OFFICERS

Section 1. The Chapter shall determine the officers’ positions, their respective duties, and the election process, as outlined in the Chapter bylaws.

Section 2. Local Chapter officers, under the guidance of the Chapter Sponsor, shall oversee the general affairs of the Chapter. They shall convene regularly, present recommendations to the Chapter, and fulfill their responsibilities as specified in the Chapter bylaws.

Section 3. The officers shall adhere to this Constitution and abide by the NHSTEAM™ standards and obligations.

ARTICLE 9
MEETINGS

Section 1. Each Chapter is required to hold at least 8-10 regular meetings during the school year on days designated by the officers and/or the Chapter Sponsor, following school policies and regulations. Educational Institutions that join after the start of the school year will have a lessened number of meetings as decided by the board.

Section 2. The frequency of these meetings shall be determined and documented in the Chapter bylaws.

ARTICLE 10
ADVISORS

Section 1. The Board is encouraged to consult outside individuals who are experts in their fields, have relevant experience, or would otherwise benefit the program. These members will have direct contact with the board, but will not be responsible for NHSTEAM™ business, nor will they be on the board. There will be an unlimited number of advisors.

Section 2. Two Chief Advisors will be appointed by the board to manage all the advisors to the board of directors. These advisors will lead all external sources in order for the organization to create resources. The Chief Advisors will also frequently offer advice to the Board in order to improve the Society. While the Chief Advisors will not be on the Board of Directors, they are required to attend meetings. Chief Advisors will serve for life, retirement, or by removal with a vote of ⅔ by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 11
AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The President of the board, along with an affirmative vote from two-thirds of the Board members, may amend this Constitution during any Board meeting or by email. All approved amendments shall be promptly posted on the NHSTEAM™ website for public access.