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King Society Constitution

I.            NAME:       King Society

II.          MOTTO:     Compassion, Character and Community Service

III.         PURPOSE:  The purpose of The King Society is to recognize members of the Montgomery Bell Academy student body who strive to exhibit the following characteristics for which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is best remembered:

        •  K           Kindness to others
        •  I             Integrity
        •  N           Never-failing hope
        •  G           Graciousness
        •  
        •  S            Selflessness
        •  O           Outstanding service to community 
        •  C           Compassion
        •  I             Independence
        •  E            Empathy
        •  T            Truthfulness
        •  Y           Yearning for a just society 

III.    MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA:

 Membership shall be made up of Juniors and Seniors within the student body. A maximum number of ten students in each class are eligible for membership. Minimum criteria for membership must include:

    • A. Leadership in organizations or projects that benefit humankind. These service opportunities may be sponsored by Montgomery Bell Academy as well as organizations such as the Boy Scouts, churches, synagogues and charitable organizations.
    • B. Ten hours given toward projects sponsored by the MBA Service Club in the year prior to making application.
    • C. Evidence of sound character.
    • D. Completion of a 300-500 word essay describing how the applicant has attempted to incorporate the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his life.
    • E. Evidence of integrity and solid academics. 

IV.    ELECTION PROCEDURES

    • A. There shall be one election each school year held before the end of the first semester.
    • B. New applicants to the King Society shall complete application forms based on the membership criteria listed in the constitution.
    • C. New members shall be chosen by the current members of the King Society after all applications have been evaluated. The election of each new member shall be based on a majority vote.
    • D. Following this procedure, a final list of candidates shall be submitted to MBA faculty members via their mailboxes. Faculty members will be asked to vote to approve each candidate. Candidates will gain acceptance into the King Society with 2/3 vote by faculty members who participate in this election.
    • E. All election procedures shall be complete before the beginning of second semester.

V.      LEADERS 

    • A. The President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer of the King Society shall be nominated and elected by current members of the society annually.
    • B. The President of the King Society will act as the presiding officer at all meetings and will co-ordinate the induction ceremony and breakfast.
    • C. The Vice-President will co-ordinate service projects/fundraisers sponsored by the King Society. He shall preside in meetings in the President’s absence and shall assist the President in the induction ceremony.
    • D. The Secretary -Treasurer shall take minutes at all King Society Meetings and shall be in charge of administering elections. He shall also act as treasurer for any funds that are collected or distributed by this organization.
    • E. Because membership in the King Society is earned by evidence of student ability and leadership, all plans and decisions will be made by King Society members. However, a Faculty Advisor will attend all meetings and provide assistance as needed.

VI.    GOOD STANDING

If a member, in any way, endangers his own good name or the name of the school, is convicted of a dishonorable act either in school or out of school, shows a lack of respect or love for the school, its faculty, and its traditions, or in any other fashion proves himself to be unworthy of membership in the King Society, he may be dismissed from membership of this organization.  

VII.  INSIGNIA

A pin designed by Mr. Threalkill and original King Society members shall be given to inductees at the annual induction ceremony. Pins shall be paid for through funds raised by King Society Members. 

VIII.  INDUCTION CEREMONY

    • A. General Procedures:
      • 1. Current members will induct new members during a school assembly in January in order to draw attention to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday. Inductees and their parents will be notified ahead of the induction ceremony.
      • 2. All parents of new inductees as well as past members will be invited to attend a breakfast that will be held at 7:00 AM on the day of the induction ceremony.
      • 3. Inductees will wear coat and tie to the induction ceremony. The student body will wear school attire to this ceremony.
      • 4. At the beginning of each induction ceremony, King Society members shall present to the student body, faculty and guests a brief program capturing the words/life of Dr. King in a creative way.
    • B. Ceremony Procedures:
      • 1. The President will introduce the creative program about Dr. King and his legacy.
      • 2. Following the creative program, current members will take turns acknowledging the work and commitment to service displayed by each inductee.
      • 3. Inductees will come down to the stage as their names are called. When all have assembled, they will each hold a lighted candle and take an oath promising to continue Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s hope for the future (The King Center Pledge of Nonviolence in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.):
        • “In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and work, I pledge to do everything I can to make America and the world a place where equality and justice, freedom and peace will grow and flourish. I pledge to make nonviolence a way of life in my dealings with all people. I will reject all forms of hatred, bigotry and prejudice, and I will embrace the values of unconditional, universal love, truthfulness, courage, compassion, and dedication that empowered Dr. King. I will dedicate my life to creating the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream, where all people can live together as sisters and brothers.”
      • 4. Ceremony will conclude following the repetition of the oath.
       

IX.    BREAKFAST

A breakfast will be held at 7:00 AM on the day of the induction ceremony in the Gibbs Room for all King Society members and their parents. The breakfast will be given and underwritten by current members of the King Society.

XI.    AMENDING PROCEDURE

A special committee shall be appointed at such time as the faculty advisor deems necessary to review the constitution of this organization and to make needed recommendations in the form of amendments. This committee shall be composed of the King Society faculty advisor, the King Society President, two current King Society members and two other members of the faculty chosen by the Headmaster. This committee shall have the sole power to propose amendments to the King Society constitution.