Establishing the Chapter Faculty Selection Committee

Each chapter needs a Faculty Selection Committee that is responsible for selecting new members, and removing members if warranted. The Faculty Selection Committee shall consist of the chapter advisor and other faculty members within the school.

Enrolling New Members

Membership in Rho Kappa is an honor bestowed upon students for their accomplishments in the field of social studies and overall academic achievement. Each local chapter assembles a faculty selection committee in the school where the chapter resides to select the memberships.

Selecting Members

The following is a list of criteria that all Rho Kappa members must meet:

• Have been in attendance at the school for at least one semester;
• Have completed two core social studies courses and be prepared to complete at least three courses;
• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00 or the numerical equivalent;
• Have participated in activities that demonstrate civic engagement in their school or community;
• Provide a letter of recommendation; and
• Desire to be a member of Rho Kappa.

The chapter advisor, faculty selection committee, and the high school administration shall determine selection of eligible students and their election to the organization. Candidates must meet the GPA, social studies course completion requirements and the application requirements listed above. Other criteria can be implemented and created at the discretion of chapter advisors.

The Rho Kappa National Advisory Council will not review anything regarding the selection of individual members to local chapters.

Inducting New Members

Each local chapter may design and execute an appropriate ceremony for the induction of new members.

Students are officially inducted into Rho Kappa when presented with a Rho Kappa Induction Certificate. These certificates are available in the Rho Kappa store for $6. Purchasing a Rho Kappa Induction Certificate also supports the Rho Kappa Scholarship Fund, which offers a scholarship towards College or University education.

Rho Kappa Advisors can purchase Rho Kappa Honor Cords and Lapel Pins for their students for use in a graduation ceremony. Rho Kappa students wear these items with pride knowing that they are graduating as a member of an exclusive national social studies honor society. Lapel Pins may be purchased in the Rho Kappa store and Honor Cords can be purchased through our manufacturer, Maryland Scholastics, LLC.

In the event that a particular individual qualifies for membership after the date of the induction ceremony, he or she may be inducted at a regular chapter meeting provided the membership forms and fees are submitted to NCSS.

Chapters are forbidden to initiate, haze, blackball, or do anything similar, as any part of the Rho Kappa process. Any chapter found engaged in any of these shall lose its charter. 

New Chapter Advisors can follow a Sample Induction Ceremony to induct new members.

Induction Fees and Form

Each chapter pays a fee of $6 to NCSS per student inducted into Rho Kappa. Please use the Membership List Template to complete an induction list and send it to rhokappa@ncss.org before the end of the school year. You may submit more than one induction class. 

Click here to place student names on certificates: Member Certificate Type-In Template