Oakmont Regional High School
National Honor Society

Student Guidelines for National Honor Society Selection

Membership in the National Honor Society is both an honor and a responsibility. Students selected for membership are expected to continue to demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Selection is a privilege, not a right.

HOW DO I GET SELECTED FOR THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY?

• All candidates who are certified by the Guidance Department as being eligible scholastically will be asked to submit an information sheet listing activities, leadership positions, community service, etc. The candidate must have a GPA of 3.3 or better, and have successfully completed a minimum of 10 courses/credits from the Oakmont core curriculum, includes English, Mathematics, Science, History and/or World Language courses. Students not wishing to be considered should state so at this time.

• The whole faculty is given the opportunity to submit a rating form, looking at each candidate. The teacher rating form allows teachers an opportunity to rate the candidates in character and in leadership, using a scale of 3 (Great); 2 (Good); 1 (Adequate); and 0 (Opposed). If a teacher does not know the student well enough or where sufficient information is lacking, the space will be left blank. Blanks will not help or hurt the candidate in the selection process. Space will be provided on the rating form for teachers to give evidence of service, leadership, and character that they have seen or to note reactions they might have about the candidate. Average scores will be obtained in leadership and character.

• A Faculty Council, composed of five Oakmont teachers, and the two advisors will convene to review the rating forms and examine the Student Information sheet. The Council will assign each student a service score by examining the Student Information sheet. This score will be added to the leadership and character averages to determine the number of points for each candidate. The Faculty Council will discuss each candidate individually and determine selection through a majority vote. Only the five Faculty Council members vote. The NHS advisors do not vote on the selection.

National guidelines define the qualities in the three areas (service, leadership, and character):

SERVICE

This is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation. In considering service, the contributions a candidate has made to school, classmates, and community as well as the student’s attitude toward service can be reviewed. Here are some examples:
A 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 their school.

• Is willing to represent the class or school interclass and interscholastic competition.

• Does committee and staff work without complaint.

• Participates in some activity outside of school (e.g., scouting, religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged).

• Mentors persons in the community or students at other school.

• Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

CHARACTER

Character is probably the most difficult criterion to define. The National Council has approved the following recommendations for use when considering the character of candidates. These take into consideration The Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. A candidate will be able to demonstrate an outstanding record of conduct and behavior with regard to school and community rules, guidelines, and policies or be able to demonstrate sufficient growth and improvement to compensate for previous inadequacies.
A student of character….

• Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.

• Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (e.g., cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).

• 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.

• Manifests truthfulness I acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing an unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.

• Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.

LEADERSHIP

The leadership criterion is considered highly important for membership selection. It is important to recognize that leadership also exists outside elected positions including effective participation in positions of responsibility in other activates such as athletic team captains, section leaders in band and chorus, committee chairs in student groups, etc. Leadership roles in both the school and community may be considered provided they can be verified.
The student who exercise 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 and spirit.

• 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 hold school offices or positions of responsibility.

• Conducts business effectively and efficiently.

• Demonstrates reliability and dependability.

• Is a leader in the classroom, at work, or in other school or community activities.

• Is dependable in any responsibility accepted.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME IF I GET SELECTED TO NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY?

NHS National Council requires that each member maintains the standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character that were used as the basis for selection. This same requirement will hold for the Oakmont Honor Society. You will be counted upon to participate in group activities (at least four during the year) and offer individual service to school and community (at least 20 hours during the school year). In the event that you fall below the expected level of performance in any of the four areas, or have other problems maintaining your eligibility, there is a disciplinary procedure in place. You will, most likely, have a period to time to show improvement and work to correct your problem.

A member is never automatically dismissed for failing to maintain standards, but when a member deliberately violates a school or civil law, the Faculty Council will investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action. Violations involve incidents such as dropping below the 3.3 acceptable scholarship level, being suspended from school for offenses against school regulations, being involved in civil or criminal violations in or out of school, or acting in a negative manner as a National Honor Society member. Once a member has been dismissed from the National Honor Society he/she is never again eligible for a membership.