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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 chemas-microsoft-com:office marttags" />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 215 chapters in 38 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. Here 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 200 K-6th graders, 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 an officer position. The other Senior High offices are open to students who are in 11th-12th grades or an incoming 10th grade student who has already met the testing requirements. The webmaster interns must be 10th or 11th grade members. Jr. High officer counterparts are elected from the 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.
Treasurer:
1. Collect dues, fees, project funds, etc.
2. Maintains a record of financial accountability.
3. Reports financial status at every meeting.
4. Promotes & reports on fundraising activity such as Eta car window stickers.
5. Works with Advisor to facilitate forwarding of reimbursement requests to MHEA Treasurer.
Service Coordinator:
1. Researches possible individual & small group service projects and maintains a website service page with project information and service philosophy. In this regard, the S.C. works with the Webmaster & Web Interns.
2. Oversees organization of possible small group service projects for personal service hour credits. These projects may be chaperoned by member parents after approval of both advisors.
3. Works with the Project Coordinator; helping where needed to facilitate the success of required large group projects such as Carnival or Field Day. These large group service projects will require diligent effort and positive outlook.
4. Reports on group & individual service project information and updates through email and during monthly business meeting, or introduces Project Coordinator (Carnival/Field Day, etc.) to the members for service info discussions.
5. Provides means of documentation of both individual & group service hours requirements and reports members service activities to advisors for placement in member files. (info given to advisor at end of year- records/files are given back to graduating seniors at the end of the year)
6. Maintains records of personal & group service hour credits and service demerits. Sends warning letters to members as needed and notifies advisors.
7. Recognizes member with most individual service hours at the last meeting of every school year and presents an award to the individual.
8. May consider the Jr. High Service Coordinator as assistant/co-worker & may delegate some responsibility as needed.
Project Coordinator:
1. Oversees organization of the large group service project each semester. The large group service projects will require diligent effort and positive outlook.
2. Meets and maintains contact with committee leaders in order to promote project objectives (troubleshooting, material purchases, etc.)
3. Delegates responsibility in keeping with individual members’ talents.
4. Keeps Service Coordinators, and Advisors informed.
5. May consider both Jr. High & Senior High Service Coordinators as leadership team assistants.
6. Be able to work closely with Advisors & parents, as well as members.
7. Be prepared to give a follow-up reports to the members through email and by sending articles to the News & Views. (may enlist the help of others)
Secretary:
1. Records all proceedings at every meeting. Makes note of every member that speaks during the meeting.
2. Provides minutes to the Media Communications Officer to be included in email to the entire membership within two (2) weeks following each meeting.
3. Maintains copies of all records, minutes, reports, and other handouts for permanent files. Items should be given to Advisors at the last meeting of the year.
4. Sends announcement articles to News & Views as needed
5. May consider the Jr. High Secretary as assistant/co-worker & may delegate some responsibility as needed
Historian:
1. Maintains a scrapbook of honor society activities, member awards, and community interaction & makes the scrapbook available for viewing at each meeting and MHEA events as requested
2. Provides pictures for the yearbook staff and website gallery
3. Must have ability to use digital camera and computer communication
4. Makes necessary displays for MHEA conference, Rally Day, etc.
5. May consider the Jr. High Historian as assistant/co-worker & may delegate some responsibility as needed.
6. Both the Jr. & Senior High Historians take photos during Eta activities to document the events or they assign other members to cover this responsibility.
Media Communications Officer:
1. Assists President, Advisors, and other officers in compiling and sending the monthly meeting agenda & group email.
2. Notifies members of all updates to plans via phone and/or e-mail.
3. Sends out the minutes to all members via e-mail following each meeting.
4. Maintains an accurate roster of members' addresses, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers.
Webmaster:
1. Maintains the www.mheahs.com website.
2. Trains webmaster interns.
3. Assists officers/sponsors/members in communications through website access.
4. Assist various officers with communication through creating web pages.
5. Be creative with the website presentation and update information often.
Webmaster Intern:
1. Must be from the 10th or 11th grade.
2. Assisting the Webmaster and being available for training, with the intent of becoming a candidate for the Webmaster position in the future.
3. Work on communication and posting of photos to the website gallery
4. Be creative with the website presentation and update information often
5. Maintains the www.mheahs.com website
Chaplain:
1. Responsible for the opening and closing prayer during all ETA activities.
2. Prays or will appoint someone else for this honor for all Eta functions.
3. Makes sure that the larger group is informed about member prayer requests.
4. Sends encouragement cards, flowers, or memorial gifts to (for) members and assists by being the contact person for member families in a time of need.
5. Provides updates or short inspirational devotions to the membership through the monthly group email or on the website. (Both Advisors approval required)
6. Organizes appropriate hospital visits to members (Patient, patient’s family, advisor & parent approval required)
Social Coordinators (2):
1. Presents the membership with at least four social event opportunities. One of these occasions may be a cultural or educational field trip.
Examples from previous years: Luau & Swim Party, Fall Game Night, Corn Maze & Cook-out, Christmas Party, Bowling Night, Museum Exhibit,Movie Night & Pizza Party and Sports Event, Laser Tag
2. Encourages friendship and inclusiveness by setting a friendly example, and also providing games or guided discussion during the first ten minutes of the monthly meeting as time permits.
Advisors:
1. Provide leadership and oversite for all honor society activities, enlisting the assistance of member parents.
2. Guide the elected officers in fulfilling their duties.
3. Maintain contact with Eta Sigma Alpha- National.
4. Act as liaisons between MHEA and Eta Chapter.
5. Maintain confidential membership records.
IV. Meeting Rules / Procedures
General Procedures:
1. President and/or Vice-President plan meeting.
2. Officers meet thirty minutes before the general assembly.
3. Secretary begins recording.
4. President calls meeting to order.
5. Vice-President calls the roll if required.
6. Secretary calls for corrections or additions to the minutes of the previous meeting.
7. A motion, second, and showing of hands is necessary to approve the minutes.
8. Treasurer gives report.
9. A motion, second, and showing of hands is necessary to approve the treasurer's report.
10. Meeting continues according to the pre-planned agenda.
11. Discussion period concerning proposed plans and/or actions.
12. Voting period concerning proposed plans and/or actions.
13. Time provided for any guest speakers.
14. A motion, second, and showing of hands is necessary to adjourn.
Rules:
1. A two minute limit on speaking to the general assembly applies to all members unless otherwise directed by an officer or Advisor.
2. When addressing the assembly, members must first stand, state name, and specify grade.
3. All motions must be seconded to go to a vote.
4. Members will be allowed two absences. Any further absences will result in demerits.
V. MHEA, Eta Chapter Service Guidelines
Individual Service Guidelines:
1. At least three (3) hours of documented individual volunteer community service is required each semester.
2. Volunteer community service must be performed without pay, compensation, or school credit.
3. In order to qualify, activities coordinated by a church or synagogue must provide service to the community. Responsibilities related to membership in a religious institution or maintenance of that institution’s facilities are not acceptable.
Acceptable community service activities:
* Assisting with food or clothing drives
* Working at soup kitchens
* Providing community-wide day care
* volunteer tutor or unpaid library assistant
* Volunteer with community nonprofit
* Volunteer at Senior facility or group home
Unacceptable community service activities:
* Singing in the church choir
* Participating in religious education
* Singing Christmas Tree
* Baby sitting at the church nursery
* Missionary & Proselytizing work
4. Activities pursued as a member of an organization or service club such as Key Club, youth group, support group, must provide service to the community. Work related to internal, membership activities (such as recruitment, training, or initiation) does not qualify.
5. Volunteer time at a private business does not qualify for community service.
6. Working for an elected official or a political campaign is not acceptable community service. Nonpartisan volunteer time at the polls would qualify.
7. Hours spent on the group service projects may not be counted as individual service hours, unless approved for special circumstance by both advisors.
8. The same hours which fulfill another organization's service requirements cannot be used to also fulfill the Eta Chapter requirements.
9. Services performed should be recorded accurately on the forms provided and signed by a parent.
10. Individual service hours are not optional. Lack of the required three (3) hours of individual service will result in a demerit.
Group Service Project Guidelines:
1. A two-thirds majority vote from the general assembly is required to approve selection of the group service project.
2. The group service project is not optional, and lack of participation will result in a demerit. Exception: If severe illness or family death prevents participation, a written excuse must be submitted to the Vice-President within the two weeks following the group service project. Members will be required to perform 3 hours of make-up individual community service no later than 4 weeks following the missed service project.
3. Failure to submit a timely written excuse (see above) for absence from a group service project will result in a demerit.
4. An absence from a group service project, other than the exceptions outlined in number 2 above, will be reviewed by the advisors and appropriate student leaders for action, but may result in a demerit. If you know in advance you will be missing the service project, you must contact the Service Coordinator and the Project Coordinator as soon as possible.
VI. MHEA, Eta Chapter Student Transportation Guidelines
If transportation is required for member participation in the service project; and a student driver wishes to help transport members, he/she must:
1. Be a senior student.
2. Have at least one year of licensed driving experience.
3. Have a clean driving record (no wrecks and no moving violations).
Note: Anyone riding with a student driver must have a permission slip/release signed by a parent or legal guardian.
VII. MHEA, Eta Chapter Demerit System
The demerit system was designed to encourage group unity and ensure equal participation of all members.
1. Two (2) demerits constitute placement on probationary status. A student with two demerits will be contacted by one of the Advisors.
2. Three (3) demerits constitute removal from the MHEA Honor Society roll.
3. Demerits are given for the following:
A. Any absence beyond the two free absences given at the beginning of the year, regardless of the excuse.
B. Failure to complete three required individual community service hours and turn them in on time. (See Service Guidelines for explanation.
C. Lack of participation in the group service projects. (See Service Guidelines for explanation.)
D. Neglecting one's duties as an officer. (Negligence to be determined by agreement of both advisors.)
4. Demerits received for service related activities (ie: not turning in your individual service hours or lack of participation in the group service projects) will stay on the student's record for the entirety of the student's Honor Society membership in either the 7th -9th grade or 10th-12th grade society.
5. Demerits received for reasons other than service violations will not roll over into the next year.
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