AIT NHS MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

The National Honor Society is an organization committed to praising student excellence. The national organization requires that chapter members demonstrate outstanding performance in the four areas of scholarship, leadership, service,and character. When Faculty Councils evaluate candidates for membership in local chapters, they compare the information provided by the candidates with the national and local chapter conceptions of these characteristics. Members are expected to maintain these standards. The following describes these definitions:

Scholarship

The scholarship requirement is based on a student’s cumulative qualitative point average or QPA, which refers to the cumulative academic performance as determined by the average course grade received by the student while enrolled at the school. Candidates must have a 92.0 minimum qualitative point average to be considered for membership. Members must maintain a 90.0 minimum qualitative point average to remain in good standing.

Leadership

The leadership criterion is considered highly important. Leadership is defined in terms of offices a student has held in both school and community organizations as well as effective participation in both school and community activities that require the student to be independent and think critically. Being a tutor is an excellent example of this latter interpretation of leadership.

The student who exercises leadership…

•       is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions
•       demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
•       exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals
•       contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
•       is able to delegate responsibilities
•       exemplifies positive attitudes
•       inspires positive behavior in others
•       demonstrates academic initiative
•       successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducts business effectively and efficiently, demonstrates   reliability and dependability
•       is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
•       is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude

Service

Service is those actions undertaken by the student that are done with or on behalf of others, not including family members, without any direct financial or material compensation to the individual performing the service. Although consistent participation in short term activities is considered service, the student must also demonstrate commitment to service through sustained participation in long term activities. Furthermore, sports and other such activities like chess club or scholastic teams that have no direct benefit to others are not considered service. In considering a candidate’s commitment to service, the Faculty Council looks for contributions the candidate has made to both the school and community. Members must maintain a commitment to service by actively participating in chapter activities as well as one additional service activity of the member’s choice.

The student who serves…

•       volunteers and provides dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance,
•       works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities,
•       cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school,
•       is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition,
•       does committee and staff work without complaint,
•       participates in some activity outside of school like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged,
•       mentors persons in the community or students at other schools, and
•       shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

Character

Character is the cornerstone of one’s personality. A person of character demonstrates thefollowing six qualities both in school and community: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The Faculty Council considers the positive as well as the negative aspects of a candidate’s character.  The National Honor Society is an organization committed to praising student excellence.  A person of character judges character based on fact rather than on speculation and rumor. Members must maintain good character, particularly as it applies to academic integrity.

In addition, the student of character…

•       takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously,
•       consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior like cheerfulness, friendliness, poise,stability,
•       upholds principles of morality and ethics,
•       cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office,halls, etc.,
•       demonstrates the higher standards of honesty and reliability,
•       regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others,
•       observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom,
•       has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies,
•       manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others, and
•       actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.

Peer tutoring available 

See the AIT newsletter or Mrs. Edery in room 609 for information about signing up for a peer tutor.

Information for Candidates

Students who are non-member juniors and seniors who have a cumulative qualitative point average of 92.0 receive a letter inviting them to attend the candidate information session. Interested candidates must attend the candidate information session to understand the selection process, including what the documentation must be submitted to the Faculty Council for it to consider their candidacies. Please note that earning the requisite cumulative QPA does not automatically admit one into the National Honor Society (see the membership information Web page for more information). After the Faculty Council renders their decisions on the candidates, candidates will be notified of their membership status. Prospective members then are invited to attend an induction ceremony welcoming them into the local chapters.

Timetable

-Notification of candidacy letters emailed by Sept. 15, 2023

-Mandatory Candidate information session Sept. 20 and 22, 2023

-Candidate application including all documentation due to Mrs. Edery by Oct. 20, 2023

-Notification of membership letters (Nov. 2023 TBD)

-Induction ceremony practice (TBD)

-Induction ceremony (required for all current and new members)- scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 Baxel Auditorium 6:30 pm

*These dates are tentative and may be changed if necessary

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AIT NHS Adviser:

Mrs. Karen Edery

Adviser Email:

kedery@ucvts.org

Advisor Phone:

Insert Phone Ext.