After considerable discussion, the committee fixed upon character, leadership, scholarship, and service as the fundamental virtues most worthy of encouragement. The formation of secret societies was also to be condemned, even made illegal in all the states, according to the resolution. Whatever interferes with this function is an obstruction to education and inimical to the public welfare. Thus, the National Honor Society was regarded from its inception as a concrete way to promote high school academic standards, a means of ensuring the continuation of democracy, and an instrument for the betterment of the individual and the school. The National Junior Honor Society, founded in 1929, has also experienced encouraging development with more than 6,000 chapters.
Variety characterizes the activities of the many chapters.
The original committee set up the National Honor Society to permit a high degree of freedom for local chapters. Each chapter, although required to adopt the National Constitution, is encouraged through bylaws, designed in conformance with the national Constitution, to provide for local needs. Chapters have always been urged to exercise initiative, resourcefulness, and ingenuity in promoting Society standards. The Board of Directors of the National Association of Secondary School Principals serves as the governing board of the National Honor Society. The National Council and its secretary are responsible for the operational control of the Society.