The ELA Honor Society promotes student leadership within its chapters and encourages engagement from all students in its different activities and programs.
Learn more about our student leadership programs and the ways we recognize active student engagement.
Leadership
For students who wish to take on greater chapter-level leadership responsibilities, the ELA Honor Society offers Chapter Leader roles. Chapter Leaders are elected by their peers to the roles of Chapter President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Students chosen as candidates for Chapter Leader roles should be both dependable and enthusiastic members of the chapter. Each Chapter Leader is elected for a one-year, non-renewable term.
During their tenure, Chapter Leaders will develop key leadership skills such as effective communication, innovation and creativity, decisiveness, strategic planning, and empathy with others. It is key that Chapter Leaders work to involve every student member of the ELA Honor Society in chapter activities: actively involved members are committed and feel a part of the chapter while inactive members can soon become mere observers.
All actions and recommendations made by Chapter Leaders are subject to review by student members, the Chapter Advisor, and other school authorities. All activities led by Chapter Leaders must complement the total school program and serve the best interests of their school community.
President
The President presides at meetings, initiates activities and sees that they are carried out, and makes certain that all jobs are distributed among as many of the members as possible. The President should be aware of the importance of teamwork, and that the distinction of being elected President is an honor not to be treated lightly.
Vice President
The Vice President presides in the absence of the president. This leader confers with the President and Chapter Advisor often and should be kept informed and involved in the activities. The Vice President should provide leadership for projects and activities.
Secretary
The Secretary keeps the minutes of the meetings, both of the business transacted and of the programs and activities. They send out announcements about future meetings and the minutes of previous meetings. Other duties may include acting as a host at a chapter event and leading a particular activity or project.
Treasurer
The Treasurer, working with the Chapter Advisor, handles the chapter’s money matters. They should take an active role in any fundraising projects the chapter designs, administer chapter funds, and keep the other leaders informed of the status of chapter finances.
Engagement
The ELA Honor Society recognizes active student engagement through its pins program.
Actively participating students can earn pins for successfully completing their first, second, and third years as student members; for being elected as a Chapter Leader; and for winning Writing Challenges. They can win official certificates for leading and participating in exemplary community/social projects recognized by the Chapter Showcase program, and for winning the Chapter Showcase Award.
Some pins are easier to acquire than others, but all require hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the ELA Honor Society. We look forward to students becoming eligible for the greatest number of pins possible during their time as ELA Honor Society members.
Complete List of Pins Available to Student Members
Second year pin
Third year pin
Competition Winner pin (not available for purchase)
Graduation Regalia
ELA Honor Society graduation cords
Other Awards Available to Chapters
Official Chapter Showcase certificates
Chapter Showcase Award trophy
