Eta Beta Rho

How to Organize a Chapter of

National Scholastic Honor Society for Students of
Hebrew Language and Culture

Purpose of Eta Beta Rho:

To recognize outstanding attainments in study of Hebrew language and
literature, to stimulate study and research in this field, and to promote
an understanding and appreciation of the culture of Israel.

National Sponsor:

Eta Beta Rho was founded in 1960 by the National Association of Professors
of Hebrew in American Institutions of Higher Learning in order to encourage
high achievement in Hebrew studies. The Association continues to act as
sponsor for the Society and appoints a national Coordinator of Eta Beta
Rho.

Eligibility:

Membership in this Society shall be based upon scholarship. Undergraduates
must have completed at least 12 credits of Hebrew with an 3.0 average.
They must rank not lower than the highest 35% of their class in general
scholarship and shall have completed at least three semesters or five
quarters of the college course. Graduate students are chosen among those
with at least 3.5 average in Hebrew.

Procedure for Organizing a Chapter:

1) The chapter should be organized under the auspices of the department
offering courses in Hebrew. The department will designate a faculty advisor.
He shall draft a constitution on the pattern of the model Eta Beta Rho
constitution, which follows.

2) The department should direct a request for recognition of the chapter
to the Coordinator. Accompanying the request should be a copy of the proposed
constitution and the name of the faculty advisor.

3) Recognition will be granted by the National Association of Professors
of Hebrew Executive Committee through the Coordinator of Eta Beta Rho.

Suggested Chapter Projects and Activities:

1) Sponsor lectures and other cultural events

2) Encourage expansion of Hebrew studies

3) Tutoring project

4) Publish a Hebrew magazine

5) Information on scholarships and advanced study

6) Placement assistance in part-time positions

7) Encourage study in Israel

Model Chapter Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE [To be assigned by the National Coordinator] CHAPTER
OF ETA BETA RHO

A NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC HONOR SOCIETY FOR STUDENTS OF HEBREW LANGUAGE AND
CULTURE

Name:

Eta Beta Rho (initials representing the Hebrew word, "Eber")

Purpose:

To recognize outstanding attainments in the study of Hebrew language
and literature, to stimulate study and research in field, and to promote
an understanding and appreciation of the culture of Israel.

National Sponsor:

Eta Beta Rho was founded by the National Association of Professors of
Hebrew in American Institutions of Higher Learning in 1960 to encourage
high achievements in Hebrew studies. The Association continues to act
as sponsor for the Society and appoints a national Coordinator of Eta
Beta Rho.

Article I

1) Eligibility: Membership in this society shall be based upon scholarship.
Undergraduates must have completed at least 12 credits of Hebrew with
an 3.0 average. They must rank not lower than the highest 35% of their
class in general scholarship and shall have completed at least three semesters
or five quarters of the college course. Graduate students are chosen from
among those with at least a 3.5 average in Hebrew.

2) Honorary members may be chosen on the basis of their scholarly distinction
or notable contributions to the field of Hebrew culture and literature.
Undergraduates are not eligible for honorary membership.

3) The society shall have a faculty advisor chosen from the departmental
staff of the college. She/he will have a tenure of one year and may take
recommendations to the society but cannot vote. All faculty members of
the Hebrew division shall be invited to join.

Article II

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President (Nasi), Vice-President
(Sgan-nasi), Secretary (Mazkir), and Treasurer (Gizbar). The members of
the Executive Committee for the following year shall be elected individually
at the last meeting of the school year.

1) The President presides at meetings and is responsible for conducting
the business of the chapter.

2) The Vice-President presides at meetings in the absence of the President.

3) The Secretary shall keep minutes and records and conduct correspondence.
Each year, the Secretary will make a report of the activities of the chapter
to the Coordinator of the National Honor Society. The report shall include
the names of the new members and of the officers of the chapter and news
and items of interest concerning the activities of the chapter.

4) The Treasurer shall be in charge of the finances of the chapter.

Article III

Special meetings may be called by the President or upon request of the
members. The presence of 20% of the active members shall constitute a
quorum.

Article IV

1) An amendment to the constitution may be proposed to the Executive
Committee by any member. The Secretary will notify the members of the
proposed amendment before the meeting at which the amendment will be discussed.
The votes of two-thirds of the voting members of the chapter are required
for ratification of an amendment.

2) The Chapter shall comply with the standards established by the National
Association of Professors of Hebrew and those established by the University
for student organizations.

For further information, contact:

Dr. David W. Baker
National Coordinator, EBR
Ashland Theological Seminary
910 Center St.
Ashland, OH 44805
USA

Fax: (419) 289-5969
Phone: (419) 289-5177
e-mail: dbaker@ashland.edu