Independent Meeting Pilot Program

The "Optional Meeting" concept was designed in Fall 2014 as a way to break up our large membership into smaller, more productive chunks. This policy change occurred because members observed the theater meetings were unproductive and usually involved listening more than doing. While it is true that the smaller, optional meetings have potential, the concept still needs work.

Take the March 17 "Optional Meeting", for example. It was well attended, with nearly 80 students showing up to participate. Members who were working on Week of Service activities found plenty to do, and the room was abuzz with activity. However, an informal poll revealed that nearly 2/3 of the students there were in attendance simply because they had to be for attendance. That's terrible. That's not why we have meetings.

Meetings are recommended as a way to plan events, practice our leadership skills, and to stay in communication with one another. They are not supposed to separate the students who can get to school early in the morning from the students who can't. They are not supposed to be a chore.

Thus, NHS will be piloting an Independent Meeting Program for the remainder of the year to see if it can effectively replace our current system. In order to test it authentically, any meeting submitted via this program will count. There are lots of opportunities left to use this idea this year.

Here's how it works:

Students can plan and attend their own meetings, provided the purpose of the meeting is clearly stated, matches with NHS goals, and is of an appropriate length and quorum (number of members present). Meeting-goers must record meeting minutes, and submit to the adviser for approval. This flowchart explains the process in detail:

Incidentally, all of our processes now have flowcharts that can be reviewed here or found under the new "Stay Active" sidebar.

The Meeting Minutes Form has been added to the NHS member links. Let's see what happens!

Thursday October 15 Optional Meeting Attendance

I was looking forward to getting back to business with National Honor Society; I really was. However, my morning and my new family had different plans.

It's important to me that members feel like their efforts are being noticed, which is why I'm taking the time to make an extra post about the subject.

For starters, it was one of the goals we set forth last year that I would reduce my presence in order to allow the officers to really be the individuals in charge of the club. Obviously, Henry (my son) made the plan become very real, very fast. I'd like to take a moment to thank Nick, Rachel, Brian, Nikki, and Julienne for staying in touch with me while I've been out, and running meetings in my absence. It was not the intent that I go completely missing!

And secondly, I'd like to assure the members who have been showing to meetings that these officers have been doing their jobs and recording your attendance. I have already checked with Nick today, and I know he has a list of names that he will get to Brian who in turn will add an attendance credit to each of your records.

Finally, as I continue to look for ways to improve the NHS membership experience while maintaining NHS integrity, I would like to put our attendance policies squarely in our sights. Next Thursday, October 22nd is an optional meeting, and the topic of discussion will be attendance. We will work in committee to examine our current system, and we will recommend a change to be voted on at the November 5th mandatory meeting.

For my part, I am still working with the school to get a second adviser so that I am not the sole adult in charge of unlocking theaters and classrooms, answering questions, signing forms, and all the other ways in which I feel I have not been available enough this year because of the changes in my life. That said, I am available R3 in room 341 and R4 in my office for your questions today. Don't hesitate to track me down.

Mr. Ahnert

Attendance Review Complete

The NHS officers have completed their first review of mandatory meeting excuses for the June 4, 2015 meeting. If your excuse has been accepted, your record has been changed to reflect that. If your excuse was not accepted, you will receive an email from Mr. Ahnert.

Optional Meeting Report for 5/14

Today's optional meeting covered some chapter service and individual service opportunities, and scheduled future NHS mandatory/optional meetings.

On May 21st (BHS Silver day) there is a mandatory meeting for juniors and seniors. For any seniors that still need their hours to get that chord make sure you're here!

May 28th (BHS Red day) is an NHS optional meeting.

June 4th (BHS Silver day) is a junior only mandatory meeting with bagels, but seniors are free to come (especially if you need meeting hours). And yes... you can have bagels.

A couple other subjects were covered as well:
Remember your improvement committees! If you have found anything that needed changing, report your findings to Mr. Ahnert.

New chapter and individual service projects were introduced!
Relay for Life, Graduation Parking & Ushers, 8th grade tours, and BBABC all need members to help! Also, NHS is looking for leaders to manage the Grad Balloons Fund Raiser. If you're looking for hours, these are some great opportunities!