National STEM Honor Society™

 

Student Member Advisory Council

What is the NSTEM Student Member Advisory Council?

The NSTEM Student Member Advisory Council is a globally representative, student-led leadership body dedicated to empowering youth voices in STEM. Its mission is to connect outstanding student leaders from chapters worldwide to advise NSTEM leadership, shape programs and initiatives, and create meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Through the Member Advisory Council, members will advocate for student needs and perspectives, ensuring that NSTEM programs are inclusive, relevant, and empowering. They will plan and lead projects that promote STEM education, equity, and innovation on a global scale.

Additionally, Member Advisory Council members will collaborate across borders, building relationships with like-minded peers to solve real-world problems. They will represent NSTEM as ambassadors at conferences, webinars, and public events, elevating the organization’s reach and credibility.

At its core, the Member Advisory Council exists to build a stronger, more connected global STEM community driven by the voices, ideas, and leadership of students themselves. Members will grow as leaders and change makers, gaining mentorship, skills, and experiences that prepare them for future STEM careers and lifelong impact.

Council Mission & Core Purposes:

  1. Leadership & Advocacy: Amplify youth voices in STEM by advising NSTEM on member needs, program improvements, and global trends.
  2. Chapter Connectivity & Expansion: Bridge NSTEM chapters globally through collaborative initiatives, mentorship, and outreach campaigns.
  3. Program & Event Development: Lead projects, events, and initiatives that engage members, increase STEM exposure, and promote equity in STEM education.
  4. Representation: Serve as NSTEM ambassadors at conferences, meetings, and public forums, upholding the organization’s values and reputation.
  5. Strategic Insight: Provide input to shape NSTEM’s long-term goals, partnerships, and international growth.

*We plan to expand the council to our elementary and middle school members in 2026.

Bylaws of the NSTEM Student Member Advisory Council

Article I: Name

The name of this body shall be the NSTEM Student Member Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”).

Article II: Purpose

The Council is established to:

  1. Mentor younger NSTEM members to build future leadership pipelines.
  2. Serve as a globally representative, student-led leadership body within NSTEM.
  3. Advocate for student needs and ensure NSTEM programs are inclusive, relevant, and empowering.
  4. Connect and support student leaders across chapters through mentorship, outreach, and collaborative initiatives.
  5. Lead projects and events that promote STEM education, equity, and innovation worldwide.
  6. Represent NSTEM as ambassadors at conferences, meetings, and public forums.
  7. Provide insight to shape NSTEM’s long-term goals, partnerships, and international growth.

Article III: Membership

Section 1: Eligibility
To be eligible for Council membership, individuals must:

  • Be a high school (grades 9–12) or college student in good standing with an active NSTEM chapter.
  • Maintain a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA in all STEM courses.
  • Demonstrate leadership and active involvement in their NSTEM chapter.
  • Show proficiency in English to effectively participate in international collaboration. Proficiency in additional languages is highly encouraged and valued, especially for global outreach and peer mentorship.

Section 2: Composition
The Council shall consist of 10–12 student members, selected to reflect regional, cultural, and institutional diversity.

Roles include:

  • Co-Presidents: Presidents will be in charge of leading and facilitating all Council meetings, coordinating with NSTEM leadership and serving as the primary student representatives, overseeing the execution of Council initiatives and ensuring timely progress, and supporting and guiding subcommittees and Council members.
  • Co-Vice Presidents: Vice Presidents will be in charge of assisting Co-Presidents with meeting preparation, communication, and leadership responsibilities; stepping in to lead meetings or tasks in the absence of the Co-Presidents; and supporting outreach and logistical tasks across subcommittees.
  • Additional Roles: Other leadership roles, such as Secretary, Communications Lead, or Subcommittee Chairs, may be established by the Council based on evolving needs.

Section 3: Term
Members serve a standard two-year term, unless graduating or becoming inactive.

  • If a member graduates, becomes inactive, or fails to meet expectations, they may be removed or replaced at the discretion of Council leadership and NSTEM HQ.

Article IV: Meetings

Section 1: Frequency
The Council shall meet virtually once a month (the meeting date is to be determined). Meetings are approximately one hour and recorded for those unable to attend. Refer to Article VIII for attendance and removal policies.

Section 2: Structure
Agendas may include:

  • Program and policy feedback
  • Planning global-scale events and projects
  • Chapter-level challenges and solution-sharing

80% of council members must be present for the meeting to be carried out

Section 3: Documentation

  • Meeting agendas, recordings, and minutes will be stored in the shared Google Drive.

Article V: Responsibilities

Council members are expected to:

  • Attend all monthly meetings (maximum of two absences per year).
  • Engage respectfully and professionally with peers and advisors. Discrimination, harassment, or bias of any kind will not be tolerated.
  • Respond to Council messages within 48 hours unless otherwise excused.
  • Represent NSTEM at events, conferences, and meetings when assigned.
  • Help shape Council focus areas and lead projects that align with NSTEM’s mission. Contribute meaningfully to the council agenda.
  • Uphold NSTEM’s core values: integrity, inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration.
  • Mentor elementary and middle school advisory group members.

Article VI: Selection and Application

Section 1: Application

  • Applicants will complete an application form(on NSTEM website) that includes:
    • Name, contact information, chapter affiliation
    • Statement of interest
    • Prior contributions to NSTEM
    • Language proficiency and mentoring interest

Section 2: Interview & Selection

  • Applications will be reviewed by NSTEM leadership and Council leads.
  • Finalists will participate in a virtual interview.
  • 10–12 members will be selected and notified.

Section 3: Onboarding

  • Finalists will receive a welcome email and onboarding packet including bylaws, expectations, calendar, and platform access.
  • An orientation meeting will be held before the first official Council meeting.

Section 4: Waitlist and Midterm Vacancies

  • If a Council member voluntarily withdraws or is removed during their term, the Council may refer to a waitlist of qualified applicants from the original applicant pool. NSTEM leadership and Co-Presidents will review waitlisted candidates and appoint a new member to fill the vacancy.

Article VII: Communication Systems

  • Official communication will occur through Google Chat, Gmail, or GroupMe.
  • Members receive NSTEM email accounts for official correspondence.
  • Agendas, minutes, and planning documents will be stored in a shared Google Drive.
  • All communications will be safe and private, abiding by the NSTEM security policy

Article VIII: Attendance and Removal Policies

Section 1: Attendance

  • Members must attend all monthly meetings with no more than two absences per year.
  • Absent members must complete an absentee form and review the meeting recording within one week

Section 2: Removal

  • Members with more than two unexcused absences or ongoing inactivity, who engage in practices against the bylaws, and/or any other discriminatory behavior may be placed on probation or removed by Council leadership and NSTEM HQ.

Section 3: Assignments

  • Members who fail to complete a task or an assignment without informing the presidents or vice presidents for an extension may be placed on probation.

Article IX: Deliverables and Impact Tracking

  • Monthly goals and deliverables will be set collaboratively.
  • Co-Presidents will compile quarterly progress reports for NSTEM leadership.
  • A shared Council Impact Tracker will record:
    • Events and projects launched
    • Member contributions
    • Community engagement metrics
    • Feedback received and addressed

Article X: Amendments

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Council, provided that written notice of the proposed amendment is given at least one meeting prior to the vote and is approved by an advisor.

Certification

These bylaws were adopted by the NSTEM Student Advisory Council on [Insert Date Here].

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; however, priority will be given to those submitted by October 1st.

Student Name(Required)
Are you an IGM or a Chapter Member?(Required)
What grade are you in? (This council is only open to high school and college students)(Required)

A letter of recommendation from a chapter advisor is required. If you are an IGM, you may instead submit one from a STEM teacher. The letter must be a maximum of 300 words and emailed to studentadvisory@nstem.org within 14 days of submitting the application.

Note: we will be sending an automating request for a recommendation to your contact as listed below

Name of NSTEM advisor or Stem teacher name for a letter of recommendation(Required)
Letter of Recommendation
Student Advisory Bylaws

*Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email (which may appear in your spam folder) containing more information about the next steps.*

Please fill this form out or email us at studentadvisory@nstem.org and we will reach out.

Name(Required)
Email(Required)

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