National Honor Society Courtland High School Chapter Frequently Asked Questions The Courtland High School Chapter of the National Honor Society inducts new members in the first semester of each school year. Prior to induction, prospective members are required to submit an Information Form to the faculty sponsor of the CHS NHS. After each Information Form is reviewed, the decision for membership is made by a five-member Faculty Council. Those students whose membership is accepted are installed in an induction ceremony in December or January of the school year. Here are some frequently asked questions that may help prospective members understand the requirements and decision process. 1. Who may apply for membership in the NHS? Any Courtland High School student in his or her junior or senor year may apply, provided that he or she first meets the minimum GPA requirements. Other criteria for membership include: participation in extra-curricular and community activities, leadership (major and minor), and service projects, and a commitment to community service. 2. What is the minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) requirements for membership in NHS? Prospective members must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.5. Current members must maintain a 3.5 GPA to retain membership in NHS. Current members whose GPA falls below 3.5 are put on probation for one semester, ending with a review of the student’s GPA after the probationary period. Members on probation who do not raise their GPA above 3.5 after the probationary period are subject to faculty review and possible revocation of the student’s membership in NHS. 3. Where can I get the Information Form for NHS? Students who are interested in membership in NHS are required to complete an Information Form. This may be acquired by accessing the form through GOOGLE. Here is the link to the Information Form: http://goo.gl/forms/2O4K0Ly8t4 You will also be required to turn in a separate Sponsor Signature form. It is a Word Document, NOT an online form. You must copy and paste the name and description of each service project and leadership position into this form, then get the sponsor to read and sign off on it. If you do not turn in the Sponsor Signature form, you will not be considered for NHS membership. Here is the link to the Sponsor Signature form: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0vfk1GZBDMFOU51VFN0RTA2aHc 4. When do I turn in my for NHS membership? The deadline for turning in the Information Form and Sponsor Signature Form to the NHS sponsor is Friday, November 6, 2015. The only things you have to turn in by hand is the Sponsor Signature Form and a log sheet of your Service Hours. Please hand it directly to Mr. Noll. He is located in Room 379. Do not leave it on Mr. Noll’s desk. Do not slide it under Mr. Noll’s closed door. Do not deposit it in Mr. Noll’s mailbox. Do not hand it to a teacher who happens to be in Mr. Noll’s room. 5. What should I include in my Information Form? In short: EVERYTHING! Leaving something out because there is not enough room for whatever reason might hurt your chances for acceptance into NHS. Typically, the Faculty Council is looking for a well-rounded student focused on academic success and who has a deep commitment to community service. Leaving important areas blank and not being detailed enough about your achievements will hurt your chances.

6. When will I know if I’ve been accepted for membership in NHS? Invitations to join the National Honor Society will be handed out approximately two-weeks prior to the induction ceremony. Those students who are not offered membership will receive a letter as well. 7. Besides scholarship, what are the other criteria for membership in NHS? The National Honor Society requires members to demonstrate leadership in and out of school, perform service to their school and community, possess high morals and ethics, and demonstrate citizen ship by membership in school and community organizations. The CHS Chapter requires prospective members to list and describe their extracurricular activities, their leadership positions in these activities, and their involvement in school/ community service projects. 8. What are extra-curricular activities? Membership in school or community sports teams, band, chorus, orchestra, or non-paying internships. 9. What is considered a leadership position? Leadership is defined as any position in which the student managed, motivated, and oversaw other people. These leadership positions can be elected or appointed positions in student government, clubs, or community organizations. Leadership positions can be associated with a particular service or community project. 10. What part does character play in the process? The CHS chapter holds in high esteem the character of its members. Therefore, students who have violated the CHS Honor Code or have been subject to disciplinary measures by Courtland High School will most likely NOT be accepted. However, students with these kinds of infractions who still want to turn in Information Forms are encouraged to do so. These students are also encouraged to submit a detailed explanation of the circumstances of the infraction as well as what the students learned from being involved in this infraction. 11. What are community activities? Membership in NHS requires active participation in the community outside of school. Community organizations include: Boy or Girl Scouts, Police Explorers, Neighborhood Watch, community sports leagues (as a volunteer, not a participants), service organizations like the Rotary Club or the Optimists Club, professional groups like the Chamber of Commerce, Adopt-a-Highway or similar environmental groups or activities, local chapters of national charity organizations such as the American Cancer Society or American Red Cross, religious organizations such as church/synagogue/mosque, youth or mission groups, etc. Many of the Activities of these types of volunteer organizations would fall under the “Service Hours” heading of the membership Information Form. 12. Do I have to get teacher recommendations? No. Teacher recommendations are not required.

12. Does it cost anything to be a member of the NHS? Dues are $10.00 a year. If you want a t-shirt, add a one time payment of $9.00 (for a total of $19.00) By paying dues and remaining a member in good standing, you will maintain your membership. You are also permitted to wear the NHS stole at graduation, and you will be listed in the graduation program as a member of the NHS, but only AFTER you’ve turned in your senior hours. 13. Who do I speak to if I need more information about NHS membership? Mr. Noll is the faculty sponsor. It is better to ask questions in person. You can also speak to a current officer or member of NHS. They can give you advice about what service opportunities are available for high school students. You can also visit the NHS website at www.nhs.us for more information on the national organization of NHS.

Service

NHS Information Cheat Sheet Leadership

NHS candidates should demonstrate a history and lifestyle of community service. You should have at least three (3) service projects completed, and they should represent activities that you have participated in throughout your high school experience, not three service projects completed in the last few months. The following is a list of activities that students often participate in. These are only examples, there are many other worthy service projects. You are encouraged to include any and all service activities. • Any “athons” (walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon) • Nursing home visits • Church service projects and other activities • Visits to the homeless shelter • Volunteer work at the public library • Volunteer work at the hospital • Neighborhood clean-ups Boy and Girl Scout service projects • Services at elementary schools • Coaching a “children’s” Parks and Recreation sports team. This does not include being a player/coach. • Participating in Bible School as a youth helper • Teaching Sunday School as a youth teacher or helper.

Leadership positions may be school or community related. Work-related leadership positions are NOT considered. The leadership criterion is HIGHLY IMPORTANT for membership selection. In general, a candidate must have served in ONE (1) MAJOR OR TWO (2) MINOR leadership positions. Having been elected to a position but NOT COMPLETING it does not count. Major: • • • • •

•

The selection committee considers this a service project, not leadership. The NHS selection committee feels that the following • are club activities and NOT service projects:

SCA Officer—documented by the sponsor Club officer—documented by the sponsor President of church or community organization Editor-in-chief of a school publication Captain of VARSITY sports teams, leadership responsibilities must be thoroughly explained. Your leadership role is more than the best athlete or motivator; you must document how you have successfully led your peers. Leadership position in school-sponsored activity not listed above: drum major; student director (music); student director, prop manager, or other responsible position in play production; documented by the sponsor Major leadership position in Scouts

Minor:

• Helping with homecoming activities • Decorating the “class” window • Classroom activities during school or outside of class (Legends) • Fundraising for sports teams or clubs • Student aides (unless students goes beyond providing a service outside the school day.)

• • • •

SCA Executive Board, if supported by the sponsor Class Board, if supported by head class sponsor Leadership position on school publication besides editor-in-chief, if supported by the sponsor Section leader in band, if supported by the sponsor

Here are examples of descriptions of leadership and service projects written by students who were admitted to the NHS.

One Major Leadership Position: Varsity Tennis Captain,11,12. As Captain of my tennis team, I provided the same mental coaching I received from a USTA coach to my team members in order to challenge their fears of competitive play. I also helped skills train my team mates by arriving early so they could practice and hone a developing skill; additionally, I provided the same skills building during weekends, enabling a stronger team/doubles skills. As the number 2 seed during junior year, I maintained a decisive wining record to help my team win the District 22 championships!

Two Minor Leadership Positions: 1. Vice President of Sophomore Board (10th grade/2010-2011) As Vice President of Sophomore Board, I was highly involved in our activities and was the direct assistant to our class President. I played a key role in designing, advertising, and ordering our sophomore class shirts. While on the board, we sponsored a child for Christmas, and I personally went to Walmart and shopped for the child with a few other members of sophomore board. I assisted in picking out clothes and toys, while also managing the allotted budget. 2. Vice President of Sophomore Board (10th grade/2011-2012) As Vice President of Sophomore Board, I was highly involved in our activities and was the direct assistant to our class President. I played a key role in designing, advertising, and ordering our sophomore class shirts. While on the board, we sponsored a child for Christmas, and I personally went to Walmart and shopped for the child with a few other members of sophomore board. I assisted in picking out clothes and toys, while also managing the allotted budget. Service Project: Top Soccer (2013-2016) Top Soccer is a program where you volunteer by playing soccer with disabled children. Although it is called Top “Soccer”, it is really an opportunity for weekly socialization and exercise for the children; so, various games are played aside from soccer. The children's’ disabilities range from social disabilities to severe mental, behavioral, and physical disabilities. Top Soccer is so much more to me than just community service hours. I am one of the two dedicated “buddies” as we are called, that have been there for over 3 years. I have fostered a very personal relationship with each and every one of these children and love them like they are my own siblings. I have volunteered as an aide for one of them during Bible school, had pool parties with them outside of Top Soccer, and even invited them to my own house. Being a “buddy” can be emotionally and physically exhausting and requires much patience and perseverance. I have even been hit by children on multiple occasions. But those moments where you really break through that barrier and make a connection with a child is what makes it all worth it. I later intend to adopt a child/children with disabilities.