Please attach a letter of reference from someone other than a family member.

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1 Application for Membership in National Junior Honor Society I, wish to apply for membership in National Junior Honor Society. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a middle school student. Chapters across the nation strive to give practical meaning to the Society's goals of scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. Student signature Parent signature Please attach a letter presenting yourself to the committee as to why you would be an asset to this organization. The letter should address and illustrate how you demonstrate the principles of: (Refer to the descriptions of each principle) Leadership Service Citizenship Character Service Idea Suggestion on a potential community service project. Please attach a letter of reference from someone other than a family member. Please obtain a recommendation signature from three (3) of your current teachers: (Current NJHS advisors may not sign.) DUE: No later than 3:30 P.M. Friday, April 22, No applications will be accepted after this date. NO EXCEPTIONS.

2 National Junior Honor Society Principles for Membership In order to be considered for membership, the student must be a second semester seventh grader, and must have completed one full semester at Liberty Hill Junior High School. A five-member faculty committee appointed by the principal will select from all the qualifying applicants, those who excel in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The basis for the selection is the student application and information provided by the faculty and administration. The principal will review and approve the list of inductees. SCHOLARSHIP The student must possess an overall cumulative grade point average of 93 at the end of the 4th six weeks of the current year. 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 a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude

3 SERVICE 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 interscholastic competition Does committee and staff work without complaint Participates in some activity outside of school, for example, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students CITIZENSHIP The student who demonstrates citizenship: Understands the importance of civic involvement Has a high regard for freedom, justice, and respect of the American form of government (representative government) Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as Scouting, community organizations, and school clubs CHARACTER The student of character: Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability) Upholds principles of morality and ethics Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc. Demonstrates the highest 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

4 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 Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment ADDITIONAL POINTS TO REMEMBER: Character is probably the most difficult criterion to define. The faculty council should consider the positive as well as the negative aspects of character. All judgments should be free of hearsay and rumor. Students who have been arrested and found guilty of civil offenses or who have a chronic record of breaking school rules are poor membership risks, but should not be automatically excluded from consideration for membership. A proper regard for adolescent growth and behavior is essential. ARTICLE VIII MEMBERSHIP Section 1 Membership in local chapters is an honor bestowed upon a student. Selection for membership is by faculty council and is based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, service, and citizenship. Once selected, members have the responsibility to continue to demonstrate these qualities. Section 3 New members shall be inducted at a special ceremony. Section 4 A National Junior Honor Society member who transfers to another school and brings a letter from the former principal or chapter adviser to the new school adviser shall be accepted automatically as a member in the new school's chapter. Transfer members must meet the new chapter's standards within one semester in order to retain membership.

5 Section 5 Members who resign or are dismissed are never again eligible for membership or its benefits. Section 6 To be promoted as a member in good standing of the National Junior Honor Society, an eighth grader must not be on probation. ARTICLE IV LOCAL CHAPTERS Section 3 Each member will pay annual dues of $ These dues must be paid by the end of the first six weeks and will include membership fees for the society, as well as the cost of a National Junior Honor Society T-shirt to be worn at all group service projects. Members not meeting the above obligations will have their eligibility reviewed and may be placed on probation. ARTICLE IX SELECTION OF MEMBERS Section 1 To be considered for election to the National Junior Honor Society, students must have: (a) completed a full semester in Liberty Hill Junior High School (b) achieved a cumulative scholastic average of 93 through the 4th six weeks (c) been evaluated on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship

6 Section 2 During the second semester a list of students will have been compiled that have met the scholastic requirements of 93.0, through the 4th six weeks. Students will be notified of their eligibility. Students must pick up an application for membership in NJHS from one of the sponsors within one week of notification. Complete the application requirements and submit it by the deadline stated on the form. Once the form has been completed, signed, and submitted, it becomes the property of the National Junior Honor Society. A signed form authorizes the National Junior Honor Society to compile teacher evaluations, conduct records and activity verifications. No forms will be accepted after the deadline. It is very important to follow the application form's instructions, from the application form to the council evaluation of the student's leadership and service. Leadership will be based on participation in clubs and organizations at school and in the community, as well as teacher-documented leadership in the classroom. Service will be based on participation in school, community and/or church groups. Documented service projects also are considered. The character aspect of the selection is based on three sources. They are: (a) teacher evaluation; (b) reports filed in the Principal's office, including both discipline referrals and lunch detentions, and (c) a letter of reference from someone outside of the school or family. No individual teacher's evaluation will determine a student's selection. The teacher evaluation is not a vote by the faculty member as to which students should be selected. Instead the information is used by the Faculty Council to get an overall character evaluation. After all records are complied, selection is determined by a majority vote of the Faculty Council, which is appointed by the Principal. As stated in the National NJHS Constitution, the decision of the Faculty Council is final. The advisors and Faculty Council are under no obligation to reveal information concerning non-selection. The Faculty Council decides who will be selected by determining the standards of excellence necessary before the balloting takes place. There is no limit to the number of students who can be selected during this selection period. Students who are selected will be notified by mail.

7 ARTICLE X DISMISSAL Section 1 The procedure for dismissal shall be the same as those followed by the Liberty Hill I.S.D. for Student Discipline: Due Process. A student that is facing an impending dismissal has the right to ask for a hearing before the Advisory Council. An adult representative who can provide guidance to the student and who is not an employee of the District may be present. Should the impending dismissal be upheld by the Advisory Council, the student may request a hearing before the principal; if that decision is upheld the student may request a hearing before the superintendent; and, if the decision is upheld, the student may request a hearing before the school board. The decision by the school board is the final step in the appeal process. Section 2 A student must maintain a 90 percent or better cumulative scholastic average to retain membership in NJHS. A student who has not maintained the described membership requirements or who has failed to maintain the standards of excellence for which he/she was selected will be placed on probation. Probation is a warning given by the sponsor that the student's membership is in jeopardy. The warning is written and must be signed by the student and a parent or guardian to insure that both are aware of the possibility of dismissal. The intention of the probation notice is to enable the student to make up the deficiency for which he/she was placed on probation. The student will be given a reasonable amount of time to improve his or her performance to the required standard. In the case of behavior referrals to the office, the member will have a conference with the sponsor and the principal to determine a plan for correcting the problem and a probation period. At the second referral for any reason the student faces the possibility of dismissal. An exception to probation may occur in the case of flagrant violation of school or civil law. The National Constitution of National Junior Honor Society states that in such cases the student does not necessarily have to be warned before dismissal occurs. This would be decided by a majority vote of the Faculty Council.

8 Section 6 The National Council and the NASSP shall hear no appeals in dismissal cases. ARTICLE XI CHAPTER OFFICERS Section 2 The election of offices will occur at the last meeting of the spring semester. Nominations will have been made previously, and election shall be by secret, written ballot. Candidates may run for more than one office, with the understanding that they will receive the highest office won. DUTIES OF OFFICERS SHALL INCLUDE: PRESIDENT - The President will run the meetings and make plans in conjunction with the sponsor(s). At the end of the school year, the president will write a report, to be submitted to the national office of the National Junior Honor Society, outlining the group's activities throughout the year. VICE-PRESIDENT - The Vice-President will take over the meeting should the President be absent and take over the President's duties should the President have to resign. The Vice-President or their designee will be in charge of all group service projects and will track the number of service hours completed by each member. SECRETARY - The Secretary is responsible for taking roll and minutes of all meetings as well as presenting finalized, approved copies to the sponsor(s) following the meetings. The Secretary will also prepare and be responsible for maintaining contact with all current members. TREASURER - The Treasurer collects dues and manage the finances of the organization. REPORTER/HISTORIAN - The Reporter/Historian is to take pictures at all events and report chapter activities to the newspaper, Superintendent's letter, school webpage etc. The Reporter/Historian is to keep the NJHS scrapbook up to date and compile a PowerPoint presentation of the group s activities to be shown at the Induction Ceremony. The historian is also responsible for writing and submitting articles to the local newspapers.

9 ARTICLE XIII MEETINGS Section 2 Meetings will be held at least once monthly (day and time to be determined by the yearly school schedule) or as needed to plan chapter activities. These meetings will be held during the school day. Attendance is mandatory. Two (2) absences per year will constitute probation; three (3) absences will constitute possible dismissal. ARTICLE XIV ACTIVITIES Section 1 One or more group service projects will be held each school year. All members shall participate in one or more UIL Academics. Practice sessions must be attended. Members are expected to complete a minimum of 5 hours of service in the summer prior to their 8 th grade year, 5 hours during the fall semester of their 8 th grade year, and 5 hours during the spring semester. Written documentation of all service hours completed must be completed and submitted to the chapter vicepresident. Failure to meet these requirements will prevent the student from participating in the following year s Induction Ceremony and from being recognized as an NJHS member at the 8 th grade graduation ceremony. Section 2 Accumulation of the stipulated service requirements is mandatory. Participation in school sponsored service opportunities will be tracked via a sign up form. Students are required to contact the advisors should illness prevent them from participating in an event for which they are registered. However, students are encouraged to seek independent service hours within the local community. Written documentation is required for all service hours that are completed. Revised February 2015 Approved by the following Advisory board Members: Annette Coe, Principal Chapter Advisors: Leslie Krizan, Chapter Advisor Kate McGraw, Chapter Advisor Carolyn Cannon, Chapter Advisor Pilar Pinkus, Chapter Advisor

10 Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is one of the highest honors awarded to a middle school student. The NJHS has worked hard to bring the accomplishments of outstanding students to the attention of parents, teachers, peers, and the community. Chapters across the nation strive to give practical meaning to the Society's goals of scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. These five ideals have been considered as the basis for your selection. No student is inducted simply because of a high academic average. Membership, however, is more than an honor. It carries with it more than certain privileges, and it incurs a responsibility and an obligation to demonstrate those outstanding qualities that resulted in your selection. Therefore, it is imperative that you read the National Junior Honor Society Constitution and Chapter By-Laws, as outlined in this document, and have an understanding of what is expected of you as a member. Once you have read the constitution and By-Laws, the form included with the application must be signed by you and your parents and returned to the sponsor.

11 I have read the NJHS Constitution and By-Laws. I understand my responsibilities toward the organization and the service expected of me. I agree to fulfill these requirements to the best of my ability. Student Signature I have read the NJHS Constitution and By-Laws outlined in the application. I understand my child's responsibilities toward the organization and service requirements, as well as the consequences of not fulfilling them. Parent Signature Student s mailing address: Parent / guardian address: Parent / guardian address: