Article I. Name and Classification Section 1. The name of this organization is the Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad, also known as “SHA.” The Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad is a national organization. Section 2. The chapter of SHA at Olympus High School is named “Los Titanes ”. This chapter recognizes all bylaws of the national society. Please see attachment. Section 3. The purpose of the Society is to recognize scholarship, fellowship, and service by students of elementary, middle schools, and 9th graders in high schools who are studying Spanish and/or Portuguese in the classroom, and to promote continuity of interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brasilian studies.
Article II. Qualifications for Membership Section 1. To be eligible for membership in the SHA, students must meet the following criteria:
Student must be actively enrolled in a Spanish class.
Student must have completed at least 2 semesters of Spanish (1 year by the end of the academic school year).
Transfer students must have spent at least one full semester in a Spanish class at their previous high school.
Student must have a cumulative Spanish average of 3.5 or higher from all previous courses.
Student must have an overall GPA of 85% (3.0) or higher.
Student must never have failed a class due to attendance.
Student must have a good behavior record and no discipline issues on record with an overall CPA of 3.0.
Section 2. The Spanish teachers will offer applications to all students. Students who believe they meet the qualifications in Section 1 may apply to join the “Los Titanes” chapter.
Article III. Application and Initiation Section 1. During the first few weeks of school, the Spanish teachers will offer applications to all students. Section 2. Potential SHA members complete a form for admission to give to the SHA chapter sponsor for consideration by the application deadline. Section 3. The Spanish teachers and SHA sponsor meet to confer on the candidates and come to a consensus of the new members for initiation. Section 4. The SHA sponsor will meet with the Principal should there be a concern in behavior and/or discipline of a student. Section 5. Acceptance and congratulatory letters (emails) will be sent to candidates approximately 3-4 weeks before the initiation ceremony and will explain the ceremony protocol. Section6. The Initiation Ceremony will be held for new members and their siblings and family. The SHA sponsor will determine a location and time, usually at the end of the first quarter.
Article IV. Qualifications for Continued Membership Section 1. Each year members commit to fulfilling an activity from each of the following categories: Academic Commitment AND Community Commitment. Section 2. Academic commitment may be defined in part as: current enrollment in a Spanish class while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.5 in Spanish, an overall GPA of 3.0, and an overall CPA of 3.0 in all classes. Section 3. Community Commitment may be defined as fifteen hours of community service. At least ten of the hours must be either provided by the SHA chapter or related to Spanish. Examples are participation in the following: Tutoring in any elementary school in the Granite School District in helping children in reading, etc.; in an appointed SHA leadership role; organizing and/or participating in SHA-sponsored events such as cultural and diversity nights; working on a special project that serves Spanish-speaking people in the Holladay in a donation or fundraising drive benefiting a local, national or international Latino community/organization. Section 4. Students meet quarterly/monthly at the discretion of the SHA sponsor with a 75% attendance rate with the purpose to discuss, plan, and generate participation for: the initiation ceremony, Spanish tutoring, fundraisers and drives, holiday bake sales, application and preparation for the Junior Travel Award and the Senior Scholarship Award, submissions to Albricias, etc. Section 5. Students must continue to demonstrate academic integrity and character: i.e. no recorded incidents of cheating, plagiarism, misconduct, insubordination or intentional dishonesty. Section 6. If a student does not complete the Academic Commitment AND Community Commitment, he or she may be placed on probationary status for one semester. If requisites for that semester are not met, the student may be removed from the SHA Chapter.
Article V. Dues and Fees Section 1. Before induction, a new member must submit a designated amount of membership dues and fee.
Section 2. To renew membership in the chapter, a member will pay a designated amount of $15.00. Article VII. Meetings Section 1. Each member must maintain 75% attendance at the quarterly/monthly meetings. Section 2. Meetings are to be regularly scheduled by the sponsors some delay time due to months with extended holiday breaks. Section 3. The last meeting of the year will take place early-May thank and congratulate once again members and to set direction for the goals of the following school year.
AWARDS The SHA conducts annual contests and awards for chapter members.
HONOR MEMBERSHIPS Honor Memberships are available to students who have completed a minimum of one full year of Spanish or Portuguese study, have maintained an excellent academic record, and have completed projects in the categories of ambassadorship, service to school, and service to community. While the definition of “excellent academic record” and the number of projects to be completed is left up to the discretion of the individual sponsor, it must be remembered that Honor Memberships are for those students who wish to go above and beyond the level of Regular Members.
CERTIFICADO DE EXCELENCIA / CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE This certificate may be awarded to the members in each school who place the highest on each level given of the National Spanish Examination, the Honor Member with the highest average in Spanish or Portuguese, or any members who have excelled in quality and quantity of projects undertaken and completed. There is no charge but there is a limit of 10% of the total number of certificates ordered. Remember that this certificate is to be given to members. It is not to be used in lieu of a membership certificate. Request certificates from the AATSP National Office by submitting an email request to [email protected]
CERTIFICADO POR SERVICIOS / CERTIFICATE FOR SERVICE This certificate may be awarded to chapter members who have rendered meritorious service to their chapters. There is no charge but there is a limit of 10% of the total number of certificates ordered. Request certificates from the AATSP National Office by submitting an email request to [email protected]
PREMIO DE AMISTAD / SHA AWARD This certificate may be awarded to the most outstanding member in each chapter. There is no charge and there is a limit of one certificate per chapter per year. Request certificates from the AATSP National Office by submitting an email request to [email protected] Article X. Emergency Bylaws Section 1. Additional regulations for facilitating the government of the Los Titanes chapter and the activities of the Chapter may be prepared by the sponsor and advisors 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 if necessary.