The National Honor Society was started in 1921 as an organization to recognize and promote scholarship, service, leadership, and character.  The National Council is the controlling body of the organization, and any secondary public school may apply for a charter for a local chapter.  Within a local chapter, the principal of the school appoints a faculty adviser and approves all activities and decisions of the chapter.  The adviser is responsible for the daily supervision of the chapter and acts as liaison between faculty, administration, students, and community.  The annual report of each chapter, to include data on membership, chapter history, activities, and financial transactions, is submitted to the National Council by the adviser.
     To be eligible for membership, a student must be either a sophomore, junior, or senior who has attended the school for at least one semester.  The national minimum for scholarship is at least a B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), but each chapter has the right to raise the standard above the national minimum.  In addition, the student must demonstrate involvement in school activities.  The student membership is composed of members in good standing and the executive committee (officers).  The executive committee, in conjunction with the adviser, is responsible for the general supervision of the affairs of the chapter, ensuring that all activities and procedures follow school policy and regulations.
     The activities selected by a chapter must fulfill a need in the community, have the support of the faculty and administration, and be appropriate and educationally defensible.  Members will choose activities in which to participate that reflect their talents and interests.  Each activity has a point basis, and members must earn twenty points per semester to remain in good standing.
     Each chapter will have bylaws to clarify operating procedures, to contain information about the election and duties of officers, meeting schedules, member obligations, dues, etc.