PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL NHS HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL NHS HANDBOOK

2 Special Note: This handbook is designed to help new and current NHS members. Meetings, rules, activities, service hours, etc. are explained thereof. The second edition of this handbook was compiled by the NHS officers and sponsor Officers President: Lauren Suarez Vice- President: Samantha Sakdipanichkul Recording Secretary: Faizah Saber Corresponding Secretary: Taylor Mathews Treasurer: Serena Spaleny Historian: Gaby Cabeza Sponsor Mrs. Hughes Information provided in this handbook is subject to change. 2

3 Table of Contents Topic Page About NHS 4 NHS Entry Requirements 5 Membership Maintenance 7 Probation and Removal 7 Dues 8 Club and Officer Meetings 8 County Meetings 9 District Meetings 9 Graduation Sashes 9 Projects 10 Chapter Officer Responsibilities 11 3

4 About National Honor Society The National Honors Society is the nation's premier organizations established to recognize outstanding high school and middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS. NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service. History of the Organization In 1921, NASSP officially established the National Honor Society. Though many local and regional honor societies existed prior to 1921, no nationwide organization had been founded. Under the leadership of Dr. Edward Rynearson, principal of the Fifth Avenue High School, Pittsburgh, Pa., the organization grew from the original Alpha Chapter at the Fifth Avenue School to more than 1,000 chapters by Four main purposes have guided chapters of NHS from the beginning: "To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools." These purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter. NHS is sponsored and supervised by NASSP which appoints a National Council - the controlling body of NHS. In addition, National Council members also serve as the selection committee for the prestigious NHS Scholarship which has been administered annually in schools with NHS chapters since

5 NHS Entry Requirement PPCHS students may become eligible for membership in the National Honor Society after the fall semester of their sophomore year. The qualifications for membership in the National Honor Society Chapters of all Broward Public High Schools will be in compliance with the general requirements as set forth in the Handbook of the Florida Chapter of the National Honor Society, and of the National Honor Society itself. Prospective members must demonstrate the following characteristics: 1. Character: Good character is evidenced by a lack of documented disciplinary action(s) taken by the high school for serious, persistent misconduct. 2. Leadership: Two distinct, documented leadership positions are required. One position must be in a high school-sponsored organization or function. This includes positions as class officer or captain of a sports team. Without two elected or appointed positions, letters of recommendation from a teacher, administrator, or other school staff member documenting a specific instance in which the student demonstrated leadership must be submitted. One of the two letters must be from the high school. The other letter may be from a nonprofit organization, religious leader or employer 5

6 documenting a specific instance in which the student demonstrated leadership. PLEASE NOTE: Class discussion leader, hard worker, babysitter, good participant, being responsible, assisting peers with work, or leadership potential are NOT considered specific examples of leadership. 3. Service: Thirty documented service hours from the time of the student s entry into high school are required before admission. Only service hours that apply to the Student Volunteer Service Program and documented on the forms provided for use in that program will be accepted as verification of service. For more information about the Student Volunteer Service Program please contact our school s Volunteer Service Coordinator, Ms. Oltman. 4. Scholarship: An unweighted 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average. Transfer Students Students that have transferred to PPCHS and were members of NHS in good standing will become members of the PPCHS Chapter as soon as proof of active NHS membership is received. This may be a letter from the original high school NHS advisor or a copy of the member certificate of entry. 6

7 Membership Maintenance After members have been inducted into NHS, they must maintain the following standards as mandated by Broward County School Board: 1. Scholarship: A 3.0 unweighted semester GPA must be maintained 2. Character: A continued record clear of school or community disciplinary action. Record of all members will be checked twice annually and members having lacking character will be reviewed for probation or removal. 3. Service: A minimum of 60 total volunteer service hours each year must be documented. Twenty (20) of the total 60 hours must be rendered to our NHS Chapter. The other 40 hours may be done outside of school or may be additional chapter hours. These will be turned in to the Volunteer Service Coordinator. Members may search for volunteer opportunities outside of school by using the Volunteer Broward Booklet or by logging on to 7

8 Probation and Removal PPCHS will use probation as a method of warning member that their grades or service hours are not meeting the NHS county standards. The probation period is one semester. With regard to character, the seriousness of the disciplinary sanction (referrals, indications of unsatisfactory conduct on the grade card, suspension or conviction of a crime) will be evaluated, but documented indications of failure in this area will usually result in removal from the chapter. As per the NHS National Constitution, once a student is removed from the National Honor Society, he/she can never rejoin. Dues Because the club has obligations (such as county, district, and state dues, etc.) membership dues will be annually assessed. The current dues are $10 per year. Club and Officer Meetings Club meetings are held once to twice every month. Officer meetings are held prior to club meetings and as needed. Meetings times and locations will be announced in advance and are posted on the NHS club web site. 8

9 If meetings are postponed, canceled or if the location or time of any meeting is changed, members will be notified. It is the member s responsibility to attend meetings on a regular basis. Members will be awarded one-half hour per meeting; members must attend a minimum of 4 meetings in order to remain active in NHS. Absences from mandatory meetings will result in probation or removal from NHS. Officer meetings will be held before each general meeting. Officers are required to attend all officer meetings. Officers missing more than 2 meetings may be removed from office. County Meetings County meetings are held on the second Tuesday or Wednesday of each month (with few exceptions), at 4:00 p.m., at schools around Broward County. Any NHS member may attend. Two NHS hours will be given. District Meeting Broward County, along with four other counties, belongs to District VI of the Florida Chapter of NHS. District meetings are held three times a year. 9

10 Graduation Sash Senior members, in good standing, may purchase a NHS sash for their graduation gown. In order to be in good standing, members must have completed their 60 hours of service, as well as paid dues for the current year. Projects Club Activities PPCHS NHS activities are discussed and planned by the members. NHS is open to all ideas from the members about ways to improve the school and help peers and classmates. The community service done outside of school is done to benefit a specific cause determined by the club each year. County Activities Throughout the year, the Broward Chapter of NHS provide project and service opportunities. The PPCHS chapter will evaluate all opportunities and participate in activities that are voted on by members. 10

11 PPCHS Chapter Officer Responsibilities President 1. Preside over all meetings and act as a facilitator of group discussion. 2. Coordinate the work of the council through the other officers and committees. 3. Give assistance, guidance, and praise when appropriate. 4. Know basics of meeting procedures to ensure smooth meetings. 5. Maintain frequent contact with faculty and administrators. Vice-President 1. Work closely with the president. 2. Assume the president s responsibilities if necessary. 3. Coordinate the work of the committees and chair an important committee. 4. Assist the president in preparing meeting agendas. Recording Secretary 1. Take roll of attendees at meetings. 2. Take minutes of the proceedings of all council meetings. 3. Prepare and distribute the written minutes in a timely manner. 4. Maintain contact names, addresses, phone numbers, and addresses of the people with which the council regularly works. 11

12 5. Update and maintain communications with members through and Twitter. Corresponding Secretary 1. Attends all Broward County council meetings. 2. Prepare and distribute the written minutes from County meetings in a timely manner. 3. Reports County activities at next PPCHS general meeting. Treasurer 1. Handles all the money and issues official receipts for payment. 2. Keeps a log of financial status of all membership dues. Historian 1. Maintains photographs illustrating our club s activities. 2. Responsible for creating an end of the year video. 3. Responsible for creating a scrapbook for entry into the County NHS competition. 12