IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS

     1. SERVICE to both school & community
     2. LEADERSHIP
     3. CHARACTER

What happens now?
If interested in pursuing membership, you should immediately download the appropriate Junior or Senior application & evaluation forms below and get your necessary forms completed RIGHT AWAY!!   

Out of respect for your advisers, coaches, and employers, you should give them ample time to complete the forms and return them to you.  Do not have the forms sent/emailed to the school or the NHS advisers. You must arrange to pick up each of the sealed* forms because they need to be included in the submission envelope, along with your application. Do not wait until the last minute, because if forms come back after the deadline, they will not be accepted.
*To ensure privacy, students are not permitted to read adult verification forms.  They must be submitted in your application packet in signed and sealed envelopes.  

Applicants may pick up a 9"x12" submission envelope for the application packet in the school library when we return to school.  We do not provide regular letter envelopes for the evaluation forms. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Most importantly, leadership must be appointed or elected. Many of you possess "leadership skills"; that is not disputed. However, in order to apply the same criteria to all applicants fairly and consistently, the CBW Faculty Council requires a more tangible demonstration of leadership. Many students have leadership roles in class council, sports, scouting, religious organizations, and at their places of employment. Making an ongoing commitment to teaching Sunday School, coaching Little League, or being a Camp Counselor have been considered leadership roles by the Faculty Council in the past. See Section II of the Application for more examples.  If your leadership position is questionable, see an NHS adviser for advice.

8. 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 3PM on the due date will not be considered. Considering eligibility letters were sent in June, nearly three months should be enough time to adequately complete the application and procure all documentation.

9. 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 3PM on the due date. Letters are sent out early enough to provide you with almost 3 months to get all of your forms collected and the application completed.  Perhaps not waiting until the last minute to turn in your application will eliminate the worry of missing the due date.

10. How does the Faculty Council determine whether I meet the requirement for "good character"?
Good character is one of the four tenets of National Honor Society members. The Council gauges this by checking the discipline record of each applicant. Any record of cheating, plagiarism, intentional dishonesty, suspensions, violations of school rules and policies during the previous school year would disqualify a student from membership in NHS. This applies to criminal & civil offenses in the community as well. Additionally, any dishonesty in completing this application would disqualify a student from membership.  However, if the infraction took place during your sophomore year, and now you are a senior, the Faculty Council will consider your application as long as you include the CHARACTER ESSAY in your application packet.  Students who have not had a discipline referral or character infraction do not need to complete this essay.

11. Can I get my parents, or a relative, to write a letter verifying leadership or community service?
Because of the obvious conflict of interest, unfortunately, the Council cannot consider activities that are only verified by parents and/or relatives. Usually, an outside person can be asked to verify your participation. It is rare that there is no one else affiliated with an activity that would necessitate a family member writing the letter. If you encounter this situation, see Ms. Micucci or Ms. Graney for suggestions.

12. How does the Council 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 exists beyond family and school, and represents not-for-profit organizations. For example, a student who volunteers to address envelopes at a realtor's office, or does non-compensated work for a business, is not serving the needs of the larger community, but benefiting a group of for-profit individuals.  A student who does landscaping for a neighbor is doing a kind deed, but is not benefiting the greater community.  There are many not-for-profit organizations in the Central Bucks community that would benefit greatly from having our students volunteer to help them. If you're not sure if your service is for a nonprofit organization, ask them!  Of course, any activity for which you receive compensation, or have paid to participate will not be considered under this section.

13. I cleaned out my closets and/or cupboards and donated the contents to a charitable organization/food bank. Can this count as 'Service to Community'?
The Faculty Selection Council believes that community service should be an ongoing, participatory activity. Donating clothes, toys, or food is a charitable activity, but does not fit the description of ongoing, participatory involvement.  

14. I just joined a new club this year. Can I count it under Section 1 - In-School Service?
Unless you have already participated in activities with this club by the time of the application due date, the Council will not consider clubs that you have just joined; or clubs or sports that you intend to join this year. Likewise, if you have been newly appointed the leader of a club or sports team, unless you have actually served in that position prior to the application due date, the Council cannot consider that leadership position until the following year.

15. As a junior, I don't think I meet all the requirements for membership this year. Can I reapply next year?
As long as your GPA remains a 3.7000 or above, you will be invited to apply again as a senior. Every year the NHS inducts both juniors and seniors in the fall. The advantage to waiting until your senior year is that you can spend your junior year working on whatever area you need to enhance. 

16. What about babysitting or lifeguarding? Can I count those as leadership or service to community?
The Faculty Selection Council does not consider babysitting or lifeguarding to be appropriate leadership or community service activities.

17. To whom can I direct any questions about the application? I would like advice on completing it.
Ms. Micucci and Ms. Graney are the advisers of the West chapter of NHS. They act as liaisons between the prospective members and the Faculty Selection Council. They do not choose the members, but know what the Council is looking for. It is in your best interest to direct any questions to them. You should even have them look over your application before you submit it. Advisers can offer helpful tips and advice. You can find Ms. Micucci in room C106 and Ms. Graney in the library.  Or you can send either adviser an email at cmicucci@cbsd.org or cgraney@cbsd.org.

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