National Honor Society
A Guide for
Prospective Members
WHAT IS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY?
"NHS is more than just an honor roll. The Honor Society chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student's outstanding performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built."
(From the NHS Handbook)
Diman Regional's Standards for Consideration for Selection
Scholarship: Students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale) meet the scholarship requirement for membership. These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character. Once selected, the student must maintain the required GPA to retain membership.
Service: This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit. At Diman, there are two aspects to the service requirement - individual hours and group projects. Each member must commit to perform 25 hours of individual volunteer community service each year of membership. All hours must be documented and be completed by April 1st of the current school year. Do not be afraid of this requirement! Hours may be done at any time, including the summer months. You may even be doing something already that you can count towards your community service. Some suggestions for Individual Community Service hours are:
- Nursing homes - recreation and activities department
- Day Care Centers/Schools - after school programs
- Churches - CCD classes/alter-serving/parish activities
- Community Organizations - food pantries/soup kitchens/Boys & Girls Clubs/YMCA/Salvation Army/Sports Organizations (volunteer umpiring or refereeing games)/First Night Committee/Fall River Little Theatre/Fall River Public Library/Narrows Center for the Arts
- In your neighborhood - shoveling snow or doing yard work for elderly and/or disabled neighbors
Group Projects/Fundraising - we will do one large group project and several smaller projects during the course of the school year (to be determined). Every member must be involved in each activity to some degree. We will also do at least 2-3 fundraisers (candle and candy sales, "send-a-candy cane to a friend" sale, etc) where your participation is required. At the end of the school year - a "fun" activity may take place such as a field trip, depending on how much money was raised from the fundraisers.
Leadership: This quality may be interpreted in various ways. Have you served as a team captain, an officer of a club, or held a position of leadership in any outside activities? If so, then you have leadership qualities. If not, then don't worry! Often, freshmen or sophomores do not have the opportunity to be chosen as captains or officers in their first two years of high school. Leadership may also be interpreted in many other ways. A student, who is resourceful in proposing new problems, makes suggestions, exercises positive influences on peers, contributes to promoting the positive atmosphere of the school environment, exemplifies positive attitude, and inspires positive behavior in others is a student who displays leadership qualities. The Faculty Council takes this into consideration.
Character: The fourth criteria for selection is the most difficult to define. A person of character demonstrates the following six qualities: "respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship". Compliance of school policy and rules, discipline history, attendance records, and other areas are all considered when selecting members.
WHY BECOME A NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER?
- To be recognized by colleges and universities as being a member of a prestigious group of student leaders
- To perform community service both within the school environment and the local community
- To be role models for peers
- To make lasting friendships
- To make a difference and ...
- To have fun!
WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
By the end of the summer, those students entering their junior or senior year who are academically eligible (Career G.P.A of 3.3 or above) will receive a letter notifying them that they are invited to fill out the Student Information Form (which will accompany the letter). This form should be carefully completed and returned to Mrs. Sundby, the NHS adviser, by the date indicated (sometime during the first two weeks of school in September). Once the deadline has passed, no other forms will be accepted!
The Faculty Council, comprised of five teachers, will then meet to select those students who are eligible to become members based on the four criteria for membership (discussed earlier in this handbook). All students selected for membership will attain "Probationary Status" for the remainder of the school year and upon completion of all Community Service hours (documented) and participation in all Chapter Activities (monthly meetings, service projects and fundraisers), will be formally inducted in May into the Diman Chapter of the National Honor Society with Full Membership status. Note: For every year that a student is a member, he/she must fulfill all chapter obligations and requirements to retain membership status.
If you or your parents have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ruth Sundby, rsundby@dimanregional.org or 508-678-2891, ext. 1290.
Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
251 Stonehaven Road
Fall River, MA 02723
508-678-2891 x 2113
508-679-6423 (Fax)
rsundby@dimanregional.org
| 
Home |
Vocational Programs |
Academics |
LPN Program |
Library |
About Us |
Contact Us