Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

• We already have a Spanish Club at our school. Why do we need a chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica too?
• How to start a chapter of the SHH at our school?
• What is the AATSP?
• Do all sponsors have to be members of the AATSP?
• How do we keep our chapter of the SHH "active"?
• Our chapter is "inactive", how can we reactivate it?
• What are the minimum requirements for students to join the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica?
• How to determine which students are eligible?
• What are some activities our Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Chapter can do?
• Where to purchase SHH honor cords and other official merchandise to recognize students at graduation?
• When should we hold the initiation ceremony?
• How to run the Ceremonia de Iniciación?
• How to print student names, etc. on the certificates?
• What is the SHA (Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad)?
• What is the NSE (National Spanish Exam)?
• Where do payments need to be sent?

 

We already have a Spanish Club at our school. Why do we need a chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica too?

The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is different from a Spanish Club.  While anyone can join the Spanish Club, the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica recognizes student academic achievement in Spanish and/or Portuguese. 

 

How to start a chapter of the SHH at our school?

To start your school's chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, follow these simple steps:
1)  Become a member of AATSP. - As the Chapter Sponsor you must be a current AATSP member.  You will need your AATSP membership number to complete the process.  To become a member on-line or to download the membership form, visit:  www.aatsp.org
2)  Fill out the "New Charter Application Form". - This form can be found on the Order/Apply page.  You will need to complete the form and  include membership guidelines for your chapter (GPA, entry requirements, etc.).  You will also be asked to select up to eight possible chapter names.  No two chapter names can be the same in any state, so the more names you provide, the more likely you will get one of them.  For your chapter name, think about Hispanic people, places, celebrations, etc.   Along with the completed application, remit a one-time payment of $35.00 to establish the chapter.  Once the payment has been received and the Charter Application has been approved, you will receive your "Official Chapter Charter" and the advisor's binder containing useful information.
3)  Order memberships for your new initiates. - Once your charter has been approved, you are ready to register your new members with the SHH.  Students pay a one-time fee of $5.00 to become members of the SHH.  Each membership includes an official SHH member certificate and a plastic cover.  To “order” student memberships, provide a completed "Membership Order Form," the membership fees of $5.00 per student (DO NOT send each individual $5.00 payment - provide a single payment to the SHH), and a list of the students to be initiated to the National Office.  Your students are not official members of the SHH until the National Office sends the official membership certificates.  Please order AT LEAST 2-3 weeks prior to the date of your initiation ceremony to allow enough time for processing and mailing.

 

What is the AATSP?

The AATSP is the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, founded on December 29, 1917 as the American Association of Teachers of Spanish (The name was changed to the present one in 1944 when the association decided to include Portuguese.).  It is a non-for-profit professional association and serves as the parent organization for the SHH, SHA and NSE.

 

Do all sponsors have to be members of the AATSP?

Yes.  All Chapter Sponsors must be members (in good standing) of the AATSP, for the school’s chapter to be considered active.

 

                AATSP membership run from Jan. 1 until Dec. 31 of each year.

 AATSP accepted payment types: credit cards and checks (NO purchase orders please).

To join the AATSP or renew your membership, visit them on-line at:
http://www.aatsp.org
Or contact at:
The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese
900 Ladd Road
Walled Lake, MI 48390
Phone: 248-960-2180
Fax: 248-960-9570

 

How do we keep our chapter of the SHH "active"?

To remain "active," each chapter must pay for at least one official SHH student membership from the National Office and hold an annual initiation ceremony.
Chapters that fail do so, become inactive.

 

Our chapter is "inactive."  Can we reactivate?

Yes, you can reactivate your chapter if it has become "inactive."  Enclose the $5.00 reactivation fee, along with your current year's official SHH membership order form, payment and initiate list.  Remember to check “REACTIVATION FEE AT $5.00” on the form.

 

What are the minimum requirements for students to join the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica?

In order to become members of the SHH, the National Headquarters establishes the minimum requirements as follows:  "Students must have maintained an honor average in the study of Spanish or Portuguese for a minimum of three semesters".  In other words, all students must be in the second semester of Spanish 2 or higher.  Membership is open to students in grades 10, 11 and 12.  Furthermore, students should meet their own chapter's guidelines for membership. 

 

How to determine which students are eligible?

The minimum requirements for a student to join as set forth in the Bylaws and Constitution of the SHH are at least three semesters of Spanish and/or Portuguese and currently enrolled in a Spanish or Portuguese class.  
Your chapter will determine eligibility for membership.  Please keep in mind that this is an honor society and only those top students in your Spanish and/or Portuguese classes should be recognized by membership.  Here are some ideas to help determine the criteria for student membership:

1)  Grades in Spanish and/or Portuguese classes. - Most chapters allow students to join the SHH if they have earned grades of B+ or above in all of their Spanish classes.  You could also set the grade at A- or above in all classes to become a member.
2)  Honors / AP students. - If your school has an honors or AP track, maybe you prefer that membership be open only to these students.
3)  Overall G.P.A. - You may want to ask that all students becoming members have a certain G.P.A. to join:  ie. overall G.P.A. of 3.0.
4)  Grade course level. - You may determine membership by grade level:  ie:  open to junior-level students and above.

5)  Service. - You may want to require/include School and/or Community Service.

 

What are some activities our Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Chapter can do?

Many chapters enhance their membership by providing students with school/community service activities and/or authentic cultural activites.  (The only requirement to stay "active", however, is to hold an annual initiation ceremony.)

 

Where to purchase SHH honor cords and other official merchandise?

Honor cords, graduation stoles, tassles, as well as other SHH items (mugs, caps, shirts, keys, etc.), can be ordered from our official online store, or by mailing in an official (current year) print version of the order form.  An on-line order form, as well as a list and photos of available merchandise for purchase can be found at the official Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica Online Store.  Or you can download the official (current year) print version of the order form to mail-in your order.  The official merchandise is distributed through our partner National Awards, not directly from the SHH National Office.  National Awards accepts checks, credit cards and purchase orders.  You can reach them at: (601) 366-0800 for details.

 

When should we hold the initiation ceremony?

You can hold the initiation ceremony anytime during the school year. 

 

How to conduct the Ceremonia de Iniciación?

The Ceremonia de Iniciación is the only required activity (other than ordering official memberships from the SHH National Office) to maintain "active" status.  The ceremony script is available in your advisor binder or visit the ORDERS/APPLY page...
Students are required to recite the oath in Spanish, but the remainder of the ceremony may be adjusted to fit your situation.  Below are some basic suggestions to help you decide what type of ceremony to hold.  Choose the style that best fits your time and financial commitment.
1)  Where should we hold the ceremony? - A classroom, an auditorium, the school cafeteria, a Mexican or Spanish restaurant...
2)  Should we invite guests to the ceremony? - Your school’s principal, other important administrators, parents of initiates, past members, other Spanish classes (so they can see what they can accomplish with hard work), the Spanish Club.  These are all guests you may wish to invite to the ceremony.
3)  When should we hold the ceremony? - During a lunch period, after school, in the evening or on the weekend (so parents can attend too)...
4)  Do we serve food or light refreshments after the ceremony? - Yes, if it fits into your situation.  You could have the event catered by a Mexican or Spanish restaurant, organize a pot luck, have the school kitchen, or your SHH officers prepare a special lunch...
5)  Why is there an English and Spanish version of the ceremony script? - If you are inviting parents and guests, you may wish to include a copy of the English version, however the cermony is conducted in Spanish and the students must recite the official oath in Spanish.  (The remainder of the ceremony may be adjusted for your particular situation.)

 

How to print the names, etc. on the students' certificates?

Our "Order/Apply" page has a template for printing the names using Microsoft WORD.

 

What is SHA (Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad)?

SHA - Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad is an Acivities-based Spanish Society for Elementary and Middle School Students.  Information regarding SHA can be found at: Sociedad Hispánica de Amistad

 

What is the NSE (National Spanish Exam)?

NSE -is the National Spanish Examination.  All National Spanish Exam information can be found at: www.nationalspanishexam.org