1. National Honor Society Martha Pennington Chapter
Spring 2017 Applicants

2. Welcome & Congratulations!
Sign-In for Attendance
● Remember– you are in NO way guaranteed membership in the National Honor Society!
● You are currently being considered and reviewed for membership in accordance with the rules and regulations of the NHS and the local chapter’s bylaws.

3. Finding the Online Application
Go to North’s website (below)
Click on Counseling Department
Scroll down and click on National Honor Society
Open the Word link containing the application and “Save As” to your computer.
Typed applications are necessary because they are neater and more professional.
If you need help please Ms. Diercksen or Ms. Teehan directly at

4. The Application Process
Part One: School Sponsored Activities
Example–
Activity Baseball
Year 9th-12th
Accomplishments Highest Average, 20 steals, 4 wins, 3.02 era
Signature of Coach/Advisor Mr. Scala
PLEASE– You must obtain a signature from your coach/advisor for each activity in order to verify your participation!
Other school sponsored activities may include but are not limited to…
Mock U.N Bottlecappers Color Guard Viewpoint Search Club FBLA Math Team Mock Trial
Student Council Wrestling Academic Team Chess Club Track Cheerleading

5. The Application Process
Part Two: Leadership Positions
Example–
Leadership Position Spanish Honor Society President
Year 12th
Explanation Responsible for running meetings, organizing service projects
Signature of Coach/Advisor Ms. Zinc
PLEASE– You must obtain a signature from your coach/advisor for each activity in order to verify your participation!
Leadership positions are all and any elected or appointed leadership positions held in school, community, or work activities. May include…
Elected Student Body Representative Class/Club Officer Committee Chairperson Team Captain Newspaper Editor Work Area Manager Community Leader

6. The Application Process
Part Three: Community Service
Example–
Activity Habitat for Humanity
Year 9th-11th
Total # Hours Worked = 39
Explanation Helped build houses for poor families
Signature of Coach/Advisor Mr. Cusick
PLEASE– You must obtain a signature from your coach/advisor for each activity in order to verify your participation!
These should be any activities outside of school in which you participated for the betterment of your community. For example…
Church groups Boy/Girl Scouts Volunteer groups Community Art Endeavors Public Library Events Youth Group Leader
Hospitals Food pantries

7. COMMUNITY SERVICE EXPECTATIONS
Community service should be completed within a credible organization.
You should have a certificate or letter with letterhead verifying community service hours from that organization.
Unfortunately, parent verifications are not accepted. Also, avoid counting any hours working with or helping family and friends. Make an effort to help connect with others you don’t already know in the community.
Only hours starting from the summer before freshman year count.

8. COMMUNITY SERVICE EXPECTATIONS CONTINUED…
Volunteer hours that take place during the school day do not count.
Volunteers hours that are required in order to fulfill duties as an active member of a club do not count.
If you don’t have completed record forms with contact information to verify hours, those hours won’t count.
Your signatures on the application and record forms should be from the person who served as your direct supervisor during the completion of your hours.
Note: The quality of service hours is weighted separately from the number of hours.

9. The Application Process
Part Four: Recognitions & Awards
Example–
Recognition or Award Girls Basketball MVP
Year/Grade 2007/ 11th grade
Explanation Received plaque & certificate as team Most Valuable Player
Signature of Coach/Advisor Mr. Jones
PLEASE– You must obtain a signature from your coach/advisor for each activity in order to verify your participation!
Be sure to list and honors or recognitions that you have received which support your bid to be selected for membership in the NHS.

10. The Application Process
Part Five: Work experience
Example–
Job/ Location Cashier/ Pathmark Middletown
Year 7/ /2008
Duties Ring up customer orders, restock shelves, and price check
Signature of Supervisor Mr. John Smith
PLEASE– You must obtain a signature from your coach/advisor for each activity in order to verify your participation!
Remember to list any and all work experience you have. This may be paid or unpaid!

11. The Application Process
Part Six: Personal statement
It is vital that candidates devote their attention to the personal statement. Type a one-page essay which highlights important experiences and achievements in your high school years.
As you write, keep in mind the four cornerstones of the National Honor Society and focus in on supporting one through the telling of a story:
Character
Leadership
Scholarship
Community Service

12. The Application Process
Required CONSENT FORM
Remember that you must read and sign a statement pledging that you do indeed wish to be considered for membership and you understand that the decision of the faculty council is final.
As indicated by the page in your packet, your parent/guardian must sign this portion as well.
This will ensure that both the applicant & the applicants parent/guardian have read and understood all of the directions and procedures involved in the selection process.

13. The Application Process
Required COMMUNITY SERVICE RECORD FORM(s)
All applicants must submit a record of their service hours, totaling no less than 100 hours.
In order to ensure that your hours count make sure you include the following—
Organization Name
Description of Services
Total Number of Hours Accrued
Supervisor’s Name (ensure that this is legible)
Supervisor’s Contact Information
Home/Cell/Work #
Address
Supervisor’s Signature
Each service must have its own individual sheet! Make copies if necessary!

14. The Application Process
The application is due NO LATER THAN:
2:30 on Friday, May 11th
Any application submitted after the deadline will not be considered for membership. If you attempt to hand an application in at 2:31 on the day of the deadline it WILL NOT be considered– NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
YOU MAY ONLY SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO MS. DIERCKSEN IN 2127 OR MS. TEEHAN IN 1418 (or 3A in 2125). AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION YOU MUST SIGN OFF THAT INDEED THE APPLICATION WAS TURNED IN.
ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE DIRECTED TO ONE OF THE ADVISORS.

15. -You also need to have a self-addressed envelope in your folder.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES
-Your name should NOT be anywhere on the application or the personal writing statement. The only place your name should be is the consent agreement form, record forms, or attached copies of service confirmation letters/certificates.
-You should submit all contents of the application in a folder without your name.
-You also need to have a self-addressed envelope in your folder.
-Do NOT staple your application. Simply place all one-sided pages in order in the folder.

16. THE SELECTION PROCESS
Copies will be made, numbered, and distributed to the five member Faculty Committee.
The five faculty members will read your forms and essays and complete the rubric to determine acceptance or denial.
Faculty members will tentatively plan to meet around May 15th-16th.
As advisors, Ms. Diercksen and Ms. Teehan will sit in on and record deliberations, but do not decide or have a vote in the process.
Those accepted will be notified by mail. Letters will hopefully be mailed out by May 19th.
The Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7th at 6:00p.m. and it is mandatory that all members must attend.
We will be holding a new member meeting to prepare for Induction prior to the 7th.

17. Rules and Regulations if Accepted
Membership Dues are $10.00
Members are required to attend all NHS meetings and events.
Members must fulfill 50 documented hours of community service while part of NHS.
Members must participate in our tutoring program.
Members must maintain a 3.5 GPA.
Members must uphold the cornerstones of NHS
Any breach of the rules and regulations will result in a review of your status by the Faculty Committee.
The Faculty Committee can revoke your membership and all interested parties will be notified, i.e.. Colleges and scholarships you have applied to using NHS as an activity.