MHEA Sponsored Eta Sigma Alpha Homeschool Honor Society

ESA Handbook

Eta Sigma Alpha
National Homeschool Honor Society
12701 Fugua St. #101
Houston TX, 77034
(291) 992-0478
Click here to visit the ESA national site
Joanne Juren, President
Barbara Gorman, National Coordinator

ETA SIGMA ALPHA

National Home School Honor Society

Eta Sigma Alpha was founded by Joanne Juren in 1999.

ESA Mission Statement:

"The purpose of Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among home school students. To achieve this purpose, Eta Sigma Alpha National Home School Honor Society shall provide opportunities for the development of leadership and service. Eta Sigma Alpha shall encourage the development of an intellectual climate that will stimulate the exchange of ideas and ideals, foster scholarship, and promote academic excellence. Eta Sigma Alpha shall also advocate homeschooling as a viable and successful educational methodology and act as a liaison for homeschooling to the general public, colleges/universities, and the media."

Eta Chapter is the Memphis-area Home Education Association's (MHEA) sponsored chapter of E.S.A.

The ETA Chapter of E.S.A. National Home School Honor Society was founded in 2001 by Karen Johnson and Sheila Moore. Working with seven chapters in Texas, the ETA chapter made this organization truly a national organization. Working together with national, by-laws were written, and the national organization has now grown to 259 chapters in 42 states.

In Fall of 2006, and after serving one year as junior advisors, Lena Clay and Sharron Baker became the new advisors for Eta Chapter as Eta founders, Sheila Moore and Karen Johnson moved on to other areas of service. After five years of service, Mrs. Lena Clay retired as an ETA Chapter advisor in spring, 2010. Mrs. Sharron Baker and Mrs Molly Matheny are the current advisors of our honor society chapter.

In Tennessee, the ETA chapter has gained interest and respect for their high ideals and requirements. It is a highly regarded academic and service oriented Honor Society, recognized by colleges for its integrity. Members have opportunities to gain leadership experience by carrying out the responsibilities of a chapter officer and also through the member organized service opportunities such as, MHEA Field Day held for approximately 150 K-6th graders while raising funds for MDA and Haiti relief, Memphis ALS Walk fundraiser, Fall Carnival fundraiser for local charities, Baptist Children's Home parties for kids, yearly Food Sort, MIFA, and King's Daughters & Sons Home. Members have also been involved with a variety of small group and individual service activities in the surrounding communities. Members are able to interact with community leaders through the Eta Speakers Program. Many networking and social activities are offered during the year, creating the opportunity for our diverse home educated student body to learn from each other while developing lasting friendships. Following the ideal of being student-led, advisor guided, our Honor Society members have a great opportunity to have a tremendous amount of input in their service projects and the direction of the society, making Eta Chapter a recognized leadership promoting organization.

EtaChapter , Eta Sigma Alpha

I. Statement of purpose

II. Eta Chapter & Eta Sigma Alpha national membership requirements:

III. Officer Roles

1. Holding Office

2 President

3. Vice-President

4. Treasurer

5. Service Coordinator

6. Project Coordinator

7. Secretary

8. Historian

9. Media Communications Officer

10. Webmaster

11. Webmaster Intern

12. Chaplain

13. Social Coordinators

14. Advisors

IV. Eta Chapter Meeting Rules/Procedures

V. Eta Chapter Service Guidelines

VI. Eta Chapter Student Transportation Guidelines

VII. Eta Chapter Demerit System

I. Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the MHEA Honor Society, Eta Chapter is to recognize academic excellence, to foster exemplary character through community service, and to enhance the leadership skills of home-educated students.

The chapter at all times honors the mission of Memphis-area Home Education Association in its support of Home Education and member families.

While we follow the ideal of being student-led, advisor guided, for the purpose of promoting leadership qualities in our members, we view the involvement of our members� parents as both valuable and welcome.

II. MHEA Eta Chapter Membership Requirements

1. Must meet at least one of the following requirements as established by E.S.A.:

A. ACT composite score of 26 or higher.

B. PSAT score of 180 or higher.

C. SAT score of 1800 or higher.

D. National Percentile Rank of 90% or above on one of the following standardized tests: Stanford, Iowa, or California Achievement Tests.

2. Must provide two letters of recommendation from non-family members (teachers, coaches, ministers, employers, etc.)

3. Must perform at least three hours of documented individual community service each semester.

4. Must participate in the group service project each semester.

5. Must attend monthly meetings.

6. Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.

7. Must pay yearly dues.

8. Must be a member of MHEA

III. ETA Chapter/MHEA Officer Roles

Holding Office:

The office of President is open to senior students who have previously served in a Senior High officer position. The other Senior High offices are open to students who are entering 10th, 11th, 12th grades. The webmaster interns must be 10th or 11th grade members. Jr. High officer counterparts are elected from the entering 8th & 9th grades. Members may not run for office, if they have received two or more demerits.

President:

1. Plans agenda for each meeting with the assistance of the Advisors and the Vice-President

2. Presides over all meetings & follows Rules of Order

3. Leads the group by keeping contact with fellow officers and assisting if needed

4. Inspires inclusiveness and promotes active membership (servant leadership)

5. The Vice-President will notify the President of any unexcused absences. The President will contact the member(s) with a reminder of attendance rules from the handbook, and a warning. The President will report activity & results to the advisors.

6. May consider the Jr. High President as assistant/co-worker & may delegate some responsibility as needed.

Vice-President:

1. Assists the President

2. Acts in the President's place if the President must be absent.

3. Facilitates members signing in & out of the monthly meetings on time sheet. Calls roll if required.

4. Maintains a current membership roster and records contact information changes. In order to keep the membership up to date with contact information, the VP sends all corrections made to the roster to the Media Communications Officer in a timely manner.

5. Reports unexcused absences to sponsors & and President.

6. Maintains records of attendance and attendance demerits. Notifies advisors & President when a member is in danger of receiving an attendance demerit.

7. Researches guest speakers from the community & schedules guest speakers for the Speakers Program. Acts as the contact person from Eta Chapter to the community in this regard.

8. On the day of the meeting, VP greets guest speaker, gives a short speaker introduction when recognized by the President, and presents the guest speaker with a thank-you gift on behalf of the members following the program.

9. The VP will follow-up within the first week after the meeting, by contacting the guest speaker with a written thank- you business style note or email.

10. May consider the Jr. High Vice-president as assistant/co-worker & may delegate some responsibility as needed.

Last Modified: 05/19/11 18:09:00

MHEA Sponsored Eta Sigma Alpha Homeschool Honor Society

Scholarship, Leadership, and Service

ESA Handbook