CONGRATULATIONS PROSPECTIVE
MEMBERS!
If you are reading this page, it is because you
received a letter this summer from Ms. Graney inviting you to apply for
selection to the C.B.
West chapter of the National Honor Society. This letter was
delivered to all juniors and seniors who possess a cumulative, weighted GPA of
3.5. Be aware - there are other honor societies out there who purport to
be the National Honor Society. Only students receiving a signed letter from
Ms. Graney, delivered in the summer, are eligible for potential membership in
West's chapter of the National Honor Society.
What happens now? You should
immediately download the application & evaluation forms below and begin
getting
your necessary forms completed RIGHT AWAY!! This can be a time-consuming process, and
out of respect
for your advisors, coaches, and employers, you should give them ample time to
complete the forms
and return them to you. Do not wait until the last minute, because if
forms come back after
the deadline, they will not be accepted. Applications can also be picked
up in the High School Office. All applications and forms are due in the
Principal's Office by 4pm Friday, September 26.
Additionally, you are expected to
attend an informational meeting held in the school auditorium after school on
Thursday, September 4. At this time Ms. Graney will be going over the
application and membership responsibilities, and answer any questions you may
have.
DOWNLOADABLE FORMS (PDFs)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I count my Graduation Project hours towards Service to School or Service
to Community?
2. I participated in the Relay for Life. Can I count the full 24
hours I was at the track?
3. I participate in lots of activities for my sports booster club.
Can I count these as service hours?
4. I am a member of Key Club. Can I count those activities towards
my service hours?
5. What does
the Committee consider leadership?
6.
Can I count my Choir/Concert Band class for section I - Service to School?
7. What if I can't get one of my Activity Evaluation forms back before the
application deadline?
8. What if
I'm absent the day the application is due?
9. How does the Committee determine whether I meet the requirement for
"good character"?
10. Can I get my parents to write a letter if I can't reach the adult
supervisor?
11. How
does the Committee define "Service to Community"?
12. I just joined a new club this year. Can I count it under Section
1 - Service to School?
13. As a junior, I don't think I meet all the requirements for membership
this year. Can I reapply next year?
14. To whom can I direct any questions I have about the application?
I need advice on completing it.
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1. Can I count my Grad. Project hours towards Service to School or Service
to Community?
No. Your Graduation Project is
required for school credit. It may not be used as "service".
2. I participated in the Relay for Life. Can I count the full 24
hours I was at the track?
You may count the time spent
gathering donations, and actually walking/running around the track. For
most students this comes to two hours. You may not count 24 hours for
Service to Community.
3. I participate in lots of activities for my sports booster club.
Can I count these as service hours?
Many sports teams require their
athletes to participate in one or more Booster Club activities. Since this
is a requirement of membership in the team, you may not count the hours spent on
Booster activities toward Service to Community. The Committee considers
this "double-dipping". You are already getting credit under Section 1 -
Service to School for the team membership. You cannot get double points by
counting required activities under Section 3 - Service to Community as well.
4. I am a member of Key Club. Can I count those activities towards
my service hours?
You have a choice. You can
count Key Club under Section 1 - Service to School, OR you may count your
service hours towards Section 3 - Service to Community. Where do you need
the credit? You may not "double-dip" and use the same activity under two
sections. Be sure to attach your service slips signed by the Key Club
advisor(s) verifying your hours.
5. What does
the Committee consider leadership?
Most importantly, leadership must be
appointed or elected. Many of you possess "leadership skills". That
is not disputed. However, the C.B. West chapter requires a more tangible
demonstration of leadership. Many students have leadership roles in
student government, sports, scouting, religious organizations, and at places of
employment. Even teaching Sunday School or coaching Little League have
been considered leadership roles by the Committee in the past. If your
leadership position is questionable, see Ms. Graney for advice.
6.
Can I count my Choir/Concert Band/Orchestra class for section I - Service to School?
Any class you take for CB West
academic credit may not be counted as service to school. Even the hours after school and the concerts are
requirements. However, there are exceptions. For example, the choir trip is
not a requirement for class credit and students have used that as service to
school in the past. If you have any questions, please discuss them with
your teacher or Ms. Graney before listing them on your application.
7. What if I can't get one of my Activity Evaluation forms back before the
application deadline?
The deadline is set in stone.
Any form not received by 4PM on the due date will not be considered.
8. What
if I'm absent the day the application is due?
The deadline is set in stone.
Absent or not, the application is due by 4PM on the due date. Perhaps not
waiting until the last minute will eliminate the worry of missing
the due date.
9. How does the Committee determine whether I meet the requirement for
"good character"?
Good character is one of the four
tenets of National Honor Society members. The Committee gauges this by
checking the discipline record of each applicant. Any record of cheating,
plagiarism, or intentional dishonesty would disqualify a student from membership
in NHS. This applies to criminal offenses in the community as well.
Additionally, any dishonesty in completing this application would disqualify a
student from membership as well.
10. Can I get a family member to write a letter if I can't reach the adult
supervisor?
Unless your parent is the only adult
supervisor who is organizing and involved with the activity, the Committee
will not consider
letters from a parent or family member.
11.
How does the Committee define "Service to Community"?
Service to Community is seen as
volunteering in meaningful activities that serve the needs of the general
community. The general community is seen as existing beyond family and
school, and represents not-for-profit organizations. For example, a
student who volunteers to help address envelopes at a realtor's office is not serving
the needs of the larger community, but benefiting a small group of for-profit
individuals. There are many not-for-profit organizations in the Central
Bucks community that would benefit greatly from having our students volunteer to
help them. Of course, any activity for which you receive compensation will
not be considered under this section.
12. I just joined a new club this year. Can I count it under Section
1 - Service to School?
Unless you have already participated
in activities with this club by the time of the application due date, the
Committee will not consider clubs that you have just joined; or clubs or sports
that you intend to join this year.
13. As a junior, I don't think I meet all the requirements for membership
this year. Can I reapply next year?
As long as you keep your weighted
GPA up over a 3.5, you will be invited to apply again as a senior. Every
year the NHS inducts both juniors and seniors in the fall.
14. To whom can I direct any questions I have about the application?
I need advice on completing it.
Ms. Graney is the advisor of the West
chapter of NHS. She acts as the liaison between the prospective members
and the Faculty Selection Committee. She is not the one who chooses the
members, but she knows what the Committee is looking for. It is in your
best interest to direct any questions to her. You can find her in the
library everyday, or you can send her an email at
cgraney@cbsd.org.
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GOOD LUCK!!