NJHS at Explorer

National Junior Honor Society is a society that is focused on promoting academics, service, leadership, character, and citizenship throughout the community. Students who are accepted into NJHS are members of the Explorer community who strive for excellence in these categories and go above and beyond to be an active member in our community.

The National Junior Honor Society chapter of Explorer Middle School is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in five areas of evaluation: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Students are selected for membership by majority vote of a five-member principal-appointed faculty council, which bestows this honor upon qualified students on behalf of the faculty of our school each fall.

The 5 Pillars

Leadership

A student exercises leadership when he or she:

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.
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, or in other school or community activities.
Is dependable in any responsibility accepted.

Service

The student who serves:

Volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized assistance, and is willing to make sacrifices to offer assistance.
Works well with others and is wiling to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities.
Enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school.
Is willing to represent the class or school in interclass 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.

Character

The student of character:

Consistently exemplifies positive and desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
Cooperates by complying with all school policies and regulations and codes of student conduct.
Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendation graciously.
Demonstrates the highest standard of honestly, academic integrity, and reliability.
Regularly exhibits courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
Complies with instructions and rules, and displays personal responsibility.

Citizenship

The student who demonstrates citizenship:

Understands the importance of civic engagement.
Has high regard for freedom and justice; respects the US form of government (representative democracy); and respects the law for all citizens at the local, state, and federal levels.
Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, or school clubs.
Students will focus on what citizenship is during their 8th grade social studies class including taking the AZ Civics Test.

Scholarship

The scholarship requirement set by the National Council is based on a student's cumulative grade point average. This refers to the total academic performance as demonstrated by the grades received by the student while in attendance at Explorer Middle School. The minimum GPA to be considered for membership in NJHS is set at 3.80 out of 4.00. This standard must continue in order to maintain membership in NJHS.

Service Hours

Members of NJHS are required to complete 10 hours of service volunteering their time to give back to the community.

It can be through tutoring, volunteering at a food bank, giving you time to church or other community organizations, etc. There will also be times where we will complete service on campus but not enough to cover the 10 hours.
A NJHS Service Time Sheet can be found on Google Classroom.

PARENTS: be advised that students should not complete all hours with you; NJHS members are representatives of the community and the school and should participate in service other than within the family. Babysitting brothers/sister/members of the family in the house does not count as service.

Requirements

Requirements

Be a current 8th grade student at EMS.
Attend the society meetings (meetings will be every month and at other times deemed necessary by the advisor/board; it is your responsibility to check for meeting dates on the NJHS calendar found on the EMS NJHS Website).
Maintain an overall GPA of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale. There will be quarterly grade checks.
Have no disciplinary issues, suspensions or serious referrals.
Reflect P.R.I.D.E on and off campus.
Plan and participate in a digital NJHS Service Project .
Complete 10 Service Hours (Explorer Gives Back, aiding a teacher before/after school, tutoring, community service with church, nonprofits, etc.). This will be discussed in detail during the first meeting. Time sheet must be turned in at the end of the year.

Officer Positions and Duties

Officers will be selected by majority vote of the members of NJHS. This selection will occur after students complete the officer application, speak directly to the society members, and a vote has been counted by the advisor and supporting faculty.

Students must complete the application to be reviewed by the advisor for feedback with THREE DAYS of the election. Even if running unopposed, students must complete the application and give their speech (2-3 minutes) to the group (digitally).

President

Preside with Adviser at all meetings.
Work with Adviser and other officers throughout school year.
Assist or prepare an agenda/meeting notes for each meeting.
Must be able to check email/daily.
Must help maintain NJHS Google Classroom.
Must make true commitment to attend all meetings and all/most NJHS functions.
Research on fundraising and community service ideas.
Communicate with administration and other teachers when needed.
Must be a leader when it comes to amount of service hours completed.
As a leader of NJHS your actions are HIGHLY visible to others. By planning ahead, listening, organizing, and keeping your commitments you will inspire others to do the same.

Vice President

Preside in the absence of the President.
Liaison for the Adviser and President – if a member has problems they can go to Vice President for help.
Work with Adviser and President throughout school year.
Assist or prepare an agenda/meeting notes when needed.
Must be able to check email/website daily.
Must make true commitment to attend all meetings and all/most NJHS functions.
Research on fundraising and community service ideas.
Must be a leader when it comes to amount of service hours completed.

Secretary

Attend events to photograph/record.
Add additional notes and information to agenda/meeting notes.
Read meeting notes prior to each meeting.
Take notes during the meetings and complete other paperwork required for operation of the society.
Manage announcements and emails sent to the society (through the Adviser)
Must be able to check email/website daily.
Must make true commitment to attend all meetings and a good amount NJHS functions.
Must be a leader when it comes to amount of service hours completed.

NJHS Member Committee

(3 Students)

Work with Adviser on all/most community service projects.
Research on fundraising and community service ideas.
Acts as a liaison for the members and the board.
Work with other officers and NJHS members with ideas.
Help members with completing service logs and grade reports.
Report to board and NJHS members all aspects of fundraising and service needs.
Help where and whenever needed, flexible schedule.
Must be able to check email/website daily.
Must make true commitment to attend all meetings and a good amount NJHS functions.
Must be a leader when it comes to amount of service hours completed.

Visit the NJHS Students website