National Honor SocietyDonald G. Schwab Chapter

Sutton Memorial High School

Membership Selection Process

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Why are you eligible?

• Our chapter of the N.H.S. states in its by-laws that any student that has completed two marking terms of her/his sophomore year with a Grade Point Average of 90 or higher is eligible.

• On a national level, all one must do to be eligible is to be enrolled in an accredited school, have completed two marking terms/semesters, and have the minimum recommended G.P.A.

The four steps to membership

• Scholarship (your 90+ G.P.A.)

• Leadership

• Service

• Character

Scholarship

• You’ve already qualified.

• Things to consider:– You must keep your G.P.A. over 90% at all

times.– Dropping below is reason for discipline and

possible expulsion.

Request for Membership Form

• There is room for three examples of leadership and service. Choose these wisely and explain in detail.

• At the end of the form, there is room to list other activities you have done. These should be listed with minimal or no explanation; however, be prepared to explain should you be asked.

Leadership

• List the obvious: – Class offices – Student council– Team captain – Church offices– Club offices– Work– Club officer

Leadership

• List the not so obvious:– Helping teachers – Helping coaches – Assisting in decorating– Work (assignments, duties, etc.)– Classroom (participation, group projects, etc.)– Verification is highly recommended for theseWe look for leaders who are both vocal and lead

by example.

LeadershipTo put it simply, if you feel that you are a leader in

any area, list it. Make sure you focus on three in particular, but make sure you list anything where you feel you lead. Then, list a reference.

Your leadership should be ongoing and consistent. You should list ongoing leadership activities for your primary three.

REMEMBER! Just because you are an officer or feel you lead, the sponsor may not agree and that would be held against you. Choose wisely!

Service

• Anywhere you help out that is volunteer assistance AND you are not paid for is service.

• Examples:– Special Olympics– Church activities– School activities– Community projects– Band/choir concerts

Service

• List the things that are unusual and EXPLAIN:– Example: Someone chooses to go and visit a

grandparent on a regular basis to assist his/her family. No pay is involved, but the primary caregiver needs a break, and the visit helps accomplish that. This is an unusual example of service.

Service

• List of unusual continued:– Single parent has four children and the oldest

has to forgo after school activities and other typical teenage activities to watch the three younger siblings so the family can financially survive. This is an unusual example of service.

• Unusual service is nice, but does not guarantee selection.

ServiceFor this membership request, the best forms of

service are those that are done simply for the mere act of serving. While all service meets a need, if the majority or all of your service is to fulfill other requirements, (team requirement, church requirement, etc.), then you are not likely to gain N.H.S. membership.

A worthy candidate should have twenty-five hours of community service for each year in his/her high school career at the time he/she seeks membership.

Service

Bottom line: if you give of your time, give it freely, and do not ask for or receive anything in return, that is service. Explain, in detail, and take credit for what you do. If you serve, list it. If you give, list it. Whatever you do willingly without expectations of getting in return, list it! Reference letters are great, and contact information is appreciated.

Character

• There is a place at the beginning of the form to write a short essay about your character.

• List why you are a good person and give examples of things you have done to better yourself.

• List things that you are involved in because you care about community, church, country, school, etc.

• You are a good person—prove it. The quality of writing makes a difference. Revise, proofread, and make sure it is quality writing—anything less than quality will be held against you.

Character

• Be advised that the following will take place:– N.H.S. advisor meets with Assistant

Principal/Principal to discuss attendance, discipline issues, and other pertinent information regarding applicants.

– If necessary, teachers & coaches will be contacted to verify assertions/claims.

– Teachers will receive a list of who applied and be asked for input.

Sell yourself!

• No matter how humble you are, this is not the time to be that way. You must promote yourself!

• While the words of your teachers, coaches, and other leaders will verify or deny your claims, it is not their job to sell you. You must sell yourself!

Selection process

• Advisor will facilitate the selection process– Nicole Haghdoust and Cameron Loss, Advisors

• 5-person N.H.S. faculty council– Ms. Lindsay Baiocchi– Mrs. Laurie Hayes– Mr. Jason Jenkins– Mrs. Christina Tuomala– Mr. Michael Whittier

Selection process

• Requests for Membership are due no later than Thursday, March 21 @ 2:30 p.m.. No exceptions!

• Faculty council will gather together the following week to make the selections.

• You will be notified by mail of your acceptance or denial the following week.

• Any questions should be directed to the advisor first and then the principal.

Requests for Membership must have:• Profile sheet• Character Reference

Letter• Leadership form• Service form• Signed Checklist• Two copies: hard and

digital (digital copy should be either a Word or PDF file.

• Signature of three teachers

• Note: your character reference letter MUST come from someone outside the school system!

• It speaks best when this comes from someone who is not a relative.

IMPORTANT!

Any letter(s) of recommendation must be scanned and included with your digital submission. The school

has scanners available for usage.

Induction process

• There will be a induction practice after school, 2:15 p.m., on Wednesday, April 24.

• The induction will take place Thursday evening, April 25, @ 7 p.m.

Things to remember

• Sophomores: the likelihood of your acceptance is less likely than a junior. They have had one more year of school than you, and henceforth have had more time to accumulate credentials.

• Juniors: you have had an extra year, and your application should shine. Make it of the highest quality.

Things to remember

• Seniors: this is your final opportunity to apply. Make the most of it.

• If you are accepted, be proud of your acceptance, but also be gracious to those who are not. A N.H.S. member is supportive of all.

• Request for Membership form is only available by e-mailing lossc@suttonschools.net or by accessing it on the school website under student information/NHS.

Things to remember• You must submit your own Request for

Membership.• You must sign that you have submitted.• Submissions will only be accepted before

school, during the lunch/E block period, or after school.

• Your digital copy should be submitted through School Fusion.

• You must submit directly to Ms. Haghdoust and Mr. Loss and there must be a witness present.