Summer is a great time for NASC, NHS, and NJHS members to develop their communication skills. Once you and your students have developed a plan for the school year, hold meetings with administrators, faculty, and parents where students can share their vision for the planned efforts while creating opportunities for support.
Here are some additional tips:
- Student leaders should detail the annual plan. This approach allows faculty to see the commitment of your group as they hear of efforts and the manner in which students will execute the plan. It is also easier to gain support for new activities when they are presented to the faculty by student leaders.
- Host a summer parent meeting. Use this meeting to share exciting events and discuss expectations for student involvement. Allow your executive committee and respective program chairs the opportunity to present expectations of membership, including participation requirements and opportunities for parent volunteers.
- Student leaders should engage stakeholders as volunteers. Students should issue a call to action that will solicit faculty volunteers as well as parents.
As your student leaders engage with varying stakeholder groups, they begin to cultivate lifelong skills linked to effective communication and build support across constituent groups. We know the importance of these attributes, and we cannot wait to hear what you have planned for strengthening these skills.
Jonathan D. Mathis, PhD
Director of National Honor Societies
Ann Postlewaite
Director of Student Programs