Société
honoraire de français
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Do we need a local
constitution?
A:
It's always a good idea to add to the by-laws of the SHF national constitution
which purposely remains vague in certain areas to accommodate so many different
schools. If membership will be forfeited should certain standards not be met,
then the process must be described in the local by-laws. When parents contact
the national office to ask about selection or dismissal criteria, they are
referred to the particular school and sponsor in the case.
Q:
When do most schools hold initiation?
A:
Initiations are held most often In the spring (April and May) and usually in
level III (another reason for a by-law, because the national constitution allows
membership in the second semester of Level II). SHF is for high school students
only, there is no middle school honor society at this time.
Q:
Can we initiate foreign exchange students?
A:
We encourage you to do so. You might want to establish at the local level
associate (for the exchange period) and honorary (for guests and administrators)
memberships.
Q:
Does the SHF have an
emblem I could use on
invitations?
A:
Yes, a fleur-de-lys with the symbol of France, a rooster, overlaying the fleur-de-lys
with the name of our society above and laurel wreaths surrounding it all. A
small gold foil seal is available. A blazer patch is in process of being
produced.
Q:
What can SHF members wear at graduation?
A:
At the AATF meeting in Quebec, sponsors chose braided blue/white/red cords
available from Graduate Sales, P.O. Box 333, Conway, AR 72033.
White cords, representing the humanities, are usually available from the
company that supplies the school's caps and gowns. Some school administrators
have permitted only National Honor Society students to wear cords. SHF abides by
the decisions of local schools.
Q:
Can a student who discontinues the study of French wear a cord at graduation?
A:
As was decided by former President Pearl Chiari and supported by the current
President Sharon Rapp, as long as he/she has not been involved in any incident
which would damage his/her honor status, there is no clear reason in the
national document to deny the honor cord at graduation.
The chapter policy should appear in the local constitution/by-laws.
Q:
What can be worn at initiation?
A:
Graduate Sales in Conway, AR is the current supplier of pins, cords, and tassels
which can be worn at graduation. The AATF also has appropriate pins as do a
number of national vendors. Many sponsors create their own ribbon symbols of
initiation, and SHF is working to develop those items.
Q:
What about
seals?
A:
There are two seals: A graduation diploma seal, ¾” round, a fleur-de-lys
overlaid with the French rooster, the name of the society and laurel wreaths
surrounding it; a certificate seal, 1” round, gold-foil seal with fleur-de-lys
at north, south, east, and west points and centered with Special Recognition of
Excellence surrounding the centered fleur-de-lys. Teachers can affix the small
gold foil sticker to diplomas, invitations, plain buttons, and the newly
designed 8 1/2" X 11" certificate. The smaller one is centered in the
graphic on the SHF certificate, and the larger one fits completely over the
graphic.
Q:
What's the competition for
study/travel scholarships?
A:
In 2006 we gave seven $750 travel awards after studying about 20 completed files.
Q:
Anything new from the recent meetings of SHF sponsors?
A:
Yes, participation in events outside of class, including the AATF's
Grand
Concours, is now an important part of the travel/study award
application.
Q:
Who selects the winners?
A:
The SHF president (Sharon Rapp) makes the final selection, which usually is very
difficult because of the quality of applicants.
Q:
Who chooses the winners in the
Creative Writing Contest?
A: The Executive Secretary of the SHF and a committee picked from his colleagues at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette.