• November 15, 2011

     

    Review of Candidate’s Application

     

    The following steps are used to review a candidate’s resume into Timber Creek’s National Honor Society.

     

     

    1. In September, Junior and Senior candidates receive a welcome packet stating that they met the GPA (weighted and lifetime 3.50 or greater) requirements for consideration into the National Honor Society (see sample).

     

    1. Candidates are then asked to attend a meeting with the advisor, Mr. Sokolic, to review the resume. This is a question and answer session. The officers are also at this meeting to give feedback as well.

     

    1. There is a writing portion that takes place when the application is due (see handout).

     

    1. Administration, faculty, and staff fill out the Faculty Character Leadership form, which rates the incoming candidates (see handout).

     

    1. The Faculty Council reviews the writing sample and resume making sure the candidate meets the other criteria for acceptance. This criteria includes:

     

        1. Co-Curricula Activities
        2. Leadership
        3. Volunteer/Service Group
        4. Recognition and Awards
        5. Discipline

     

    1. The Faculty Council also reviews the Faculty Character Leadership forms.

     

     

     

    1. If the Faculty Council requests further information about a candidate, they will ask the appropriate grade level administrator to help clarify any uncertainties the Faculty Council has. The administrator has no influence or bearing on the decision of the Faculty Council.

     

    1. If a candidate does not get accepted, a letter is sent to the candidate and parent/guardian explaining the reason(s) why the candidate was not accepted. An appeal date is also mentioned in the letter. This letter is based on a ruling from the state education commissioner several years ago. “If the student or parent request the reason for non-selection, you are obligated to provide them with a sound, professional explanation of why they were not selected. This isn’t the case in other states, but NJ had a famous case that ended with this new policy for all chapters in your state (at least those in public schools).” (Cordts, David {Associate Director of Honor Societies: NHS, NJHS, NHES}, email  November 15, 2011).

     

      1. Reasons for not being accepted fall under the following umbrella:
        1. Leadership
        2. Service
        3. Activities
        4. Character*#

    *Character has no bearing on the candidate as a person. It is used to explain issues with discipline or conduct unbecoming

    #Character: The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

    (www.nationalhonorsociety.org/students/membership/how-to—become-a-member/).

     

    1. If a candidate appeals the Faculty Council’s decision, the Faculty Council revisits the candidate’s file and re-examines the information. Mr. Sokolic would inform the candidate and parent/guardian that there are no guarantees that the Faculty Council will reverse their decision.

     

    1. The Faculty Council would either reverse their decision or uphold their original decision about the candidate. All decisions of kind involved in the selection process have some subjective aspects, but that the decisions were derived in a fair manner based on sound, professional judgment. These members of the council must understand the importance of exercising their responsibilities in the most professional and objective manner possible (NHS Handbook ©2006, NASSP).

     

    1. The candidate will receive a letter about the decision of the Faculty Council, either way (see handout). If the candidate does not gain membership after the Appeal Process, they are encouraged to focus on the reason(s) why they were not accepted.

     

    1. Should students or parents still not be satisfied, the next level of discussion should take place with the principal (NHS Handbook ©2006, NASSP).

     

     

    1. If a non-selected candidate and parent/guardian wish to challenge or appeal the principal’s decision, they should follow the local school system complaint procedures. The National Council and NASSP have no authority to review or overturn the judgment of the Faculty Council regarding selection of individual members to local chapters (NHS Handbook ©2006, NASSP).

     

    1. Keep in mind that NHS constitution states that membership is a privilege and not a right of any student. It is important to uphold the integrity of NHS standards and to recognize the potential danger of yielding to pressure tactics (NHS Handbook ©2006, NASSP).