Chapters are encouraged to hold periodic meetings that members are urged to attend. Chapters elect officers and discuss old and new business, which usually centers on fun chapter activities.
Chapter Activities
Volunteer Work
Community
- Adopt a nursing home. Read with the residents, put on skits, and send holiday cards. Spend time with the residents listening to their stories, and then have your students write the stories down and present them to the nursing home residents at the end of the semester.
- Volunteer at the local library.
- Hold a book drive and donate books to an abuse center or homeless mission (former winner of a Chapter Activity Award).
Primary Schools
- Adopt a remedial reading group and have the primary school students read to your members (former winner of a Chapter Activity Award).
- Adopt a local NEHS high school chapter and get involved in their activities.
- Volunteer tutoring services.
College
- Volunteer tutoring services.
- Hold résumé writing workshops (former winner of a Chapter Activity Award).
- Adopt a section of your campus for cleanliness and beautification (plant green and gold!).
Field Trips
- Writer’s Conferences (community or other schools—check out Sigma Tau Delta Regional Events)
- Plays (former winner of a Chapter Activity Award—combined with a “discussion with cast and crew” and dinner discussion)
- Arts Festivals
- Writer’s Homes/Graves
Campus-Wide Discussions
- Advertise a Common Reader and host writing competitions, open mic sessions, movies, dances, or discussion forums all under the common theme.
- Host a marathon reading. One chapter reported 5 hours of Edgar Allan Poe—non-stop!
Recycling Initiatives
- Place recycling containers around campus for paper, aluminum, plastics—remember to empty on a regular basis.
- Old books (sort through for donation and recycle)
Attend Convention
- The English Honor Societies Convention is held annually.
- Visit the convention website for information on submissions, registration, and programming.
Fundraising Activities
- Become a vendor and sell items (food, books) at a local festival
- Hold a community yard sale on campus
- Host a writer on campus
- Sell merchandise
