Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society Constitution

Article 7- Selection of Members and Membership

Section 1:

Active members shall contribute service to the high school or the community in which the chapter resides at the direction and discretion of the school's principal and the chapter's sponsor.

Section 2:

Any current Rho Kappa member in good standing who transfers to another high school and brings a letter of verification from their former principal or chapter sponsor to the new school shall be automatically accepted as a member
into the new school's chapter.

Section 3:

Selection into Rho Kappa shall not be based, in any way, on the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical or mental disabilities.

Section 4:

Each candidate for membership shall be selected to a designated chapter of Rho Kappa.

Section 5:

Candidates for membership must have been in attendance at the high school in which the chapter resides for the equivalent of one semester prior to being considered. If special or unique circumstances merit, the high school administration may waive the semester requirement.

Section 6:

Candidates for membership must have completed at least two core courses in the field of social studies and must be prepared to complete at least two more courses in the field of social studies.  At least one of the required social studies courses must be taken at the Advanced Placement level.  Candidates must have an overall cumulative weighted GPA of 3.8 and a weighted GPA of 4.0 in the social studies courses taken. 

Section 7: 

 Individual chapters may choose to increase the GPA requirements for their chapter but may not decrease them.

Section 8: 

Candidates achieving the minimal GPA requirements may be invited to apply for membership into Rho Kappa. The application process will require candidates to show participation in activities that demonstrate civic engagement in school or community and their desire and aspiration to be a member of the organization. Applicants must have a reference from a current faculty member.

Section 9:

The method of selection of eligible students and their election to the organization shall be determined by the faculty sponsor, the faculty selection committee, and the chapter's high school administration. The candidates must meet the GPA, and social studies course completion requirements and the application requirements listed, but all other methods of selecting candidates shall be left up to the individual chapters.

Section 10:

Any members whose social studies grades drop below the chapter's minimum GPA requirement for two consecutive semesters shall be dismissed from Rho Kappa. Any members who fail to enroll in the required four social studies classes shall be dismissed from Rho Kappa.  Such members may reapply to the organization and can be readmitted when those requirements are met but the candidate is subject to selection from the faculty selection committee again.