Virginia Sale Chapter at Stafford High School

National Honor Society Selection Process

  • Information Sheet available to public – December 7, 2017.
  • Interested students can get information sheet and NHS membership pamphletat Mrs. Purnell’s room A212, outside her door, and online SHS website under clubs during this time period.
  • Student Application PacketDue January 12, 2018 to Mrs. Purnell (Room A212); NO EXEMPTIONS!
  • IF the student chooses to receive and complete the Application Form, it will go to Faculty Council for further review.
  • Absolutely no late student packets will be accepted.
  • It is the student’s responsibility that the “packet” is completed fully when handed into Mrs. Purnell’s room. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Important Notes:
  • Selection process is outlined in NHS Chapter By Laws, and guided by NHS National Constitution; attached is an excerpt from our By Laws with pertinent details.
  • No extensions during the selection process. If the student misses a date, they miss it and cannot sign-up/turn-in late.
  • The Student Application Packets are confidential. The student/parent does not see the teacher evaluations, and no one else besides the Faculty Council should be reviewing the Student Information Packet or evaluations.
  • This includes parents who want to know what a teacher may have said about his/her child.
  • Students and parents sign a statement indicating they understand this as part of the selection process.
  • Faculty Council Meet to Evaluate Candidates Mid-February 2018
  • Completed student applicant packets and teacher evaluations will be used by the Faculty Council for Selection. Faculty Council members will evaluate all candidates based on evidence of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
  • Notification of Selection – Early-March 2018
  • Induction Ceremony – March 29, 2018
  • Inductees and their friends and family are invited to an evening ceremony at the Stafford High auditorium.

If you have questions regarding this timeline, or the details provided in the attached Information for Candidates, please contact the NHS advisers, Helga Purnell or Tammie Thomas.

NHS Candidate Information

The following information has been taken from the Stafford High School National Honor Society Chapter Bylaws to provide interested students with details regarding membership, obligations, and the selection process for National Honor Society.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character and citizenship in students of Stafford Senior High School.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

Section 3. Eligibility:

  1. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the sophomore, junior, or senior class.
  2. To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Stafford Senior High School.
  3. Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.8 on a 4.5 scale.
  4. Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

ARTICLE V: SELECTION OF MEMBERS

Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council that consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex-officio member of the Faculty Council.

Section 2. The selection of active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year.

Section 3. Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

  1. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
  2. Students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be asked to complete and submit the Student Activity Information Form and Selection Packet for further consideration.
  3. The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official evaluation form provided by the chapter adviser.
  4. Candidates will be asked to write a short essay as requested by the adviser.
  5. The Faculty Council shall review the Student Activity Information Form and Selection Packet, faculty evaluations, essay, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership.

Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony.

ARTICLE VI: OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $15. New inductees do not have to pay dues for the preceding school year. Members must pay their dues by December 31st of the school year.

Section 2. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall be entitled to wear the emblem adopted by the National Honor Society.

Section 4. Chapter members who are seniors in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the NHS honor stole at graduation.

Section 5. During junior and senior years of membership, members shall obtain 30 points per year through NHS activities: 5 donation points, 10 in school service and 10 out of school service points, and 5 fundraising points. Extra points will be recorded, but will not count to the following year’s point requirements. Point values shall be determined by the Executive Council, composed of the adviser and officers. Outside point opportunities for individual service projects shall be considered, but members may only obtain 5 of their 10 service points from these projects. It is each member’s responsibility to engage in a service project either in or out of the school community, developed from his or her own particular talents and interests. Refer also to Article IX: Activities.

Section 6. New inductees shall obtain three points before the end of the school year: One donation point, one service point, and one fundraising point. These initial three points must be from in-school activities; no outside points will be accepted.

Section 8. Members shall be expected to attend monthly meetings. If members cannot attend a meeting, they are expected to explain the absence to their adviser prior to the meeting and complete missed activities. Members who miss more than two meetings in whole or in part will have to consult with their adviser and will be expected to complete an additional 3 points, 2 of which must be service points.

Section 11. A copy of the by-laws shall be distributed to the members on the first meeting of the calendar school year and to new inductees at induction. Copies will be available in the school guidance office and administrative offices. Students are obligated to be informed about the by-laws and obey all rules of the Student Code of Conduct, their NHS chapter and the National Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held in the first week of each month. Special meetings can be called by the president with approval of the adviser.

Section 3. Members are expected to attend all chapter meetings.