1. National Honor Society NHS
Informational Meeting

2. THE 4 PILLARS
Scholarship
Service
Leadership
Character

3. SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship is characterized by a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend the necessary time to cultivate his/her mind in the quest for knowledge. This pillar can only be achieved through diligence and effort. Scholarship means always doing the best work possible, regardless of impending reward.

4. SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENT
Members must maintain a 92% weighted GPA.
Grade point averages will be checked at the end of each semester.
Students who fall below the required GPA will receive a written probationary warning and will have one semester to bring the GPA up to the required level.
Falling below the required GPA beyond the one semester probationary period is grounds for dismissal.

5. SERVICE
The pillar of service can be reached in a variety of ways. The willingness to work for the benefit of those in need without compensation or recognition of any kind is a quality that is essential in NHS members. As a service club, the NHS is highly concerned with giving its all to the school and community at large.

6. SERVICE REQUIREMENT Ten hours of service are required per year.
This ten hours is in addition to the required community service for OSHS graduation.
The Old Saybrook (OS) chapter NHS advisors must approve service hours.
Six hours needs to be completed and handed in prior to the midterm
The remaining four hours need to be completed and handed in by June 1.
Students are expected to complete required service projects. Those who do not will receive a written probationary warning.

7. LEADERSHIP
Leaders take the initiative to aid others in a wholesome manner throughout their daily activities. Leaders sacrifice their personal interests in order to yield to the needs of others. Leaders need wisdom and self-confidence to affect change in all aspects of their lives.

8. LEADERSHIP REQUIREMENT
NHS members exhibit leadership within the community at large OR the school community. 
NHS members will demonstrate leadership in promoting school activities.
NHS members will demonstrate academic initiative.
NHS members will successfully hold school offices and/or positions of responsibility.
NHS members will demonstrate positive leadership in the classroom, at work, and in school activities.

9. CHARACTER
Character is what distinguishes one individual from another. It is the product of constant striving to make the right choices day after day. Students with good character demonstrate respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring and citizenship in all of their actions.

10. CHARACTER REQUIREMENT
Exhibits excellent character within the community at large AND the school community. 
Upholds principles of morality and ethics.
Shows courtesy, concern and respect for others.
Observes instructions and rules, punctuality and consistency in obligations both inside and outside the classroom.
Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience of rules, refuses to cheat, and shows an unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.

11. ELIGIBILITY
Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the junior, or senior class.
To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been enrolled for a period equivalent to one semester at Old Saybrook High School.
Candidates eligible for election to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average of 92% on a 100 scale.
Upon meeting the grade level, enrollment, and GPA standards, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, and character.

12. PROCESS FOR SELECTION
Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
All students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the candidate information form for further consideration.
The faculty shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official input form provided by the chapter adviser(s).
The faculty council shall review the candidate information forms, faculty input, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership. The faculty input forms will be summarized for the review process.

13. FACULTY COUNCIL
The faculty council consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal.
The chapter adviser(s) shall be the, nonvoting, ex officio member(s) of the faculty council.

14. QUANTITATIVE VS QUALITATIVE
SCHOLARSHIP
LEADERSHIP
SERVICE
CHARACTER

15. SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVICE
SCHOLARSHIP: A 92 weighted GPA must be maintained
SERVICE: The faculty council is looking for a minimum of hours of community service
40 hours for juniors
50 hours for seniors
It should be noted that “double-dipping” is not looked on favorably: for example, if there is a requirement for a scout project that should not count as a separate service listing.

16. WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP LOOK LIKE?
Some examples of leadership can include, but are not limited to, leading group activities in the classroom and in the community, being an officer in a club, being a primary member of the band or choir, or being the captain of a sports team.
Quiet leadership: always on task, participates often, helping peers, persevering through a struggle

17. WHAT DOES CHARACTER LOOK LIKE
WHAT DOES CHARACTER LOOK LIKE? *taken from 6 pillars of character National webpage
Trustworthy: honest, reliable, loyal, courageous
Respect: kind, tolerant, reflective, polite
Responsibility: preserve, work hard, manage time well, be accountable, set a good example
Fairness: follow the rules, share, listen
Caring: gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, kindness
Citizenship: cooperate, involvement, respect authority, protect the environment, strive to make a difference

18. WEBPAGE OSHS: http://www.oldsaybrookschools.org/page.cfm?p=11 03
NATIONAL:
Or go to the high school’s homepage, scroll down, on the right side there will be a link to the national webpage and the school webpage

19. References OSHS NSH Code of Conduct* OSHS NHS Bylaws*
*Both documents are derived from the national handbook and have been submitted for approval