How are candidates selected?

• NHS candidacy now takes place over two years rather than one as in past years.  Invitations for the National Honor Society will be issued the summer before junior year.  The initial candidate list will be made up of all students who have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher.  Starting with the Class of 2006, students who are eligible for HS at this time, but elect not to participate, will not be offered candidacy in the future.  In other words, a students who has an eligible GPA and does not turn in an Interest Survey by August 22, 2008 will be removed from the candidacy list.  At this time candidacy will be closed, and these students cannot apply senior year. 
• Occasionally a student will have an increase in cumulative GPA which makes him or her eligible for the first time senior year.  A student in this situation may apply for NHS candidacy, however, he or she must meet all the requirements of a two year candidate in one year.  Students who were eligible junior year and chose not to participate in NHS are not eligible for this opportunity. 
• Students who transfer to Belleville West may apply for candidacy in the National Honor Society.  A student who whishes to transfer into the Belleville West NHS must have his or her transcript revaluated by the school Records Secretary and the Director of Guidance.  If the transcript is evaluated as equivalent to Belleville West coursework, then the student will be admitted as a candidate.  The NHS advisers and Faculty Council will design a special pro-rated program for the student.  Transfer students who were inducted as members in their previous school must complete all of the requirements of Belleville West NHS in order to remain eligible. 

How many service hours do I need to complete each year?

• Candidates for NHS must complete a total of fifty (50) service hours over a period of two years.  At least twenty (20) hours must be completed junior year, and twenty (20) hour must be completed senior year.  The balance of ten (10) hours must be completed over the two years at the discretion of the student.  For example, candidates can complete twenty-five (25) hours both years, thirty hours (30) junior year and twenty (20) hours senior year, or any other combination.  All service hours must be completed in one hour increments.  Any partial hours will not be accepted and must be redone next year. 

• As before, candidate must complete one Unity Project each year of their candidacy.  Unity Projects cannot be “banked” junior year or postponed until senior year. 

• If a candidate becomes eligible for the first time senior year, he or she must complete all fifty service hours and two Unity Projects in accordance with senior deadlines.  Transfer students will be given a pro-rated schedule by the Faculty Council based on their service at the previous school.

• For the purpose of NHS paperwork, all documentation will refer to twenty-five (25) service hours, which is the recommended average for each year of candidacy.  Members are responsible for tracking both their individual service hours as well as their cumulative hours. 

Who selects the members?

• The NHS Faculty Council will make the final selection of those candidate who will be awarded membership in NHS.  The Council will review the list of candidates once a semester to evaluate their standing in regard to scholarship, leadership, service, and character.  The advisers will also survey the Belleville West faculty and administration for recommendations and concerns over the candidates.  After each semester review, the Council will publish an updates list of candidates.  The Council reserves the right to remove a candidate from the list without a formal meeting.  If a student wishes to challenge his or her removal from the candidate list, he or she may arrange a hearing from the Council.  The deliberations and considerations of the Faculty Council are confidential, however, students can request a reason for their non-inclusion on the list from the Council.  

• The final list of candidates will be announced in May 2009 by the Faculty Council.  It is important to note that inclusion on the previous lists or meeting with the Council does not guarantee candidacy will be offered.  The Faculty Council will use their professional judgment and the established NHS criteria to produce the final list of candidates.  The Council considers candidacy in NHS a privilege, and not a right, of students. 

• If an issue of scholarship, leadership, service, or character arises for a member who has been inducted, then the Faculty Council can initiate a due process hearing to remove membership. 

How do I know who my adviser is?

• For all candidates the adviser is Mr. Hentze.  Six faculty liaisons will serve as “case managers” for individual students.   

Where do I find out information about NHS?

• All NHS information is included in the Daily Bulletin.  If a student does not have the opportunity to hear the Daily Bulletin he or she can find extra copies posted on the information boards above all drinking fountains.  An electronic version of the bulletin is available at bths201.org.   The burden of responsibility of meeting deadlines and keeping informed is up to the individual student.

Who do I give my completed paperwork to?

• Please do not turn in any documentation to teacher mailboxes or send it to the school.  All documentation must be turned in to a sponsor personally.  If the documentation is not signed for on the log sheet, it is not considered to be valid.  Keep in mind all deadlines and leave plenty of time to compensate for illness, forgetfulness, or poor timing.    Mr. Hentze can be found in B232.

What if I am a day late in turning in my paperwork?

• No exceptions can be made for deadlines for any reason.  If exceptions are made, then the integrity of the system declines.  Turn your paperwork in early to ensure that it is not forgotten on the due date.  You have plenty of notice for the deadlines, please keep these in mind.  He who procrastinates is lost!

How can I be removed from NHS?

• Cheating and plagiarism (of any type) are grounds for expulsion from NHS.  Other issues (such as insubordination, legal troubles, violation of school rules, etc) are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.   Students are reminded that they are supposed to be leaders in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in the community.

What do I do if I encounter a discipline problem after the beginning of the school year?

• Even after a student has been admitted as a candidate or a member, there is still a concern over discipline issues.  Students receiving detentions, suspensions, removal from class (“pink slips”), or any other type of disciplinary action (suspension, detentions) need to report this to their NHS advisor immediately.  The NHS Faculty Council feels that it shows great character for a student to admit to having made a mistake. 

If I do have a discipline problem, doesn’t what I have done in the past help me out?

• Character and past actions were the basis for admittance into NHS as a candidate or as a member.  These strengths are an important part of the application process.  However, in the rare case that a problem should develop, the committee will address only the specific issue at hand.  Students past actions and previous accomplishments do not excuse current problems.

What constitutes community service?

• Community service hours are to be spent working with individuals.  Office work (stuffing and addressing envelopes, cleaning, filing, etc) and concession work do not count as community service.  Travel time does not count towards community service.

Who can I do community service with?

• Community service should be completed with the agencies provided.  They have worked with Belleville West in the past and we know their expectations and time availability.  If you would like to add another agency, please complete the “Outside Agency” form and return it to your sponsor for consideration.  These should be completed at least 2 weeks before the Agency Contracts are due.

Can I do community service with my church or religious group?

• Churches and other religious organizations are acceptable for community service as long as the work is secular.  Religious or liturgical work (Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, missionary work, etc.) are not acceptable activities.  Church activities that have been used in the past are: mission trips for Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Food Pantries, visiting shut-ins, etc.  If you have a question about your hours, please see your sponsor.

I may not have enough time to complete my community service because of my other commitments at school, what can I do?

• A popular misconception is that NHS is simply an honor roll for Belleville West students.  However, this is not the case.  Students who choose to participate in NHS realize the tremendous amount of time and dedication required.  NHS is an organization just like Little Theater, Marching Band, or Athletics.  If a student chooses to “try out” (in other words apply) to NHS, he or she accepts the same responsibility they do for any other activity.  The student needs to work ahead and plan for free time to complete service hours and take into consideration what their other activities demand (for example, Little Theater students know that the Children’s Show is in January and February so they should have their hours completed prior to then).  Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with their parents whether it is practical to take on such a demanding activity as the National Honor Society.  For some students who are overextended, this needs to be seriously considered before they even begin to work at a service agency.

Can I do my service work over the summer?

• This opportunity is open primarily to senior NHS members who have been inducted their junior year.  These students can start their service hours for the next school year as soon as the last day of the current school year is over.  NOTE:  Any work completed by students over the summer does not guarantee acceptance into NHS.  Students must meet (or maintain) the basic standards outlined above.  Any work that is completed and does not meet NHS prescribed guidelines will not be acceptable.  Make sure that all Outside Agency forms are cleared through a sponsor before completing your work!  If you have questions, contact your advisor on their voice mail. 

Can I do my community service for more than one agency?

• All twenty-five hours of service work should be completed at the same location.   This adds to a sense of continuity for the students, a reliability of help for the agency, and cuts down tremendously on paperwork.  Check with your agency before signing up to make sure that you can work out a tentative schedule.

Does work that I do for other school related groups count for NHS?

• If you are required to attend an activity for another organization, then it does not count for National Honor Society.  For example, Student Council members cannot count Freshman Day for both their NHS and Student Council commitments.

What are the upcoming “Unity Projects”?

• There will be only three opportunities to complete a Unity Project this year.  The purpose of the Unity Project is to bring NHS members together in their service and make a showing of leadership in the community.  All students should complete a Unity Project form and turn it in to their adviser as soon as the project is completed.  The Unity Project options for this year are as follows:

Fall Project: Belleville Area Humane Society Poochfest (September 29, 2007)  Students assist with this community event which raises funds for the local humane society.  Students will help set up booths and tables, check in participants, and help with organization of the pets participating.  Students must attend for the entire duration of the event. 

Winter Project: TBD

Spring Project: Belleville West Spring Blood Drive (April 2009) Students will help organize and run the annual school blood drive.  Participants will solicit donations from local businesses, sign up students for the event, and check in donors on the day of the drive.  Students will be excused from school for the day of the event. 

What are the responsibilities of officers?

• The following positions will be the elected officers of the National Honor Society

• President- The president is responsible for overseeing all of the National Honor Society business and running meetings.  This is a very demanding position that required a significant time commitment.  The NHS president is responsible for organizing and running all committee meetings, including the senior t-shirt committee.  The NHS President must be a senior candidate. 
• Vice-President- The vice president is responsible for assisting the president whenever necessary.  He or she will also have a regular role in conducting meetings.  The vice president is responsible for making the arrangements for the NHS Banquet in May.  The NHS vice president must be a senior candidate.
• Secretary/Treasurer- The secretary-treasurer is responsible for overseeing all National Honor Society paperwork and funding.  He or she is responsible for publishing agendas for all meetings, taking attendance at NHS functions, preparing all NHS correspondence, and depositing all NHS funds into the Activity Account.  The NHS Secretary-Treasurer must be a junior candidate.
• Director of Events- The Director of Events is responsible for scheduling all NHS events, including fundraisers.  He or she is responsible for overseeing all of the Unity Projects as well as making arrangements to set up these projects.  The Director of Events must be a junior candidate. 

• It is important to note that NHS officers are no longer prohibited from working on Hy News or Student Council.  However, candidates should remember that officers meet more frequently than does the general membership.  If an officer cannot make these meetings due to other obligations, then he or she may be removed if problems arise. 
• If an officer is no longer eligible for NHS or resigns his or her commission, the advisers will select a pro tempore officer to fill that position for the rest of the year.