CJSF | FAQ for ADVISERS

Question:              WHAT IS CJSF?
Answer:                 The purpose of the California Junior Scholarship Federation, a statewide organization of over 600 chapters, is to foster high standards of scholarship, service, and citizenship on the part of students of California’s public, private and charter junior high and middle schools.

Question:              WHAT IS THE CJSF CONSTITUTION?
Answer:                 The Constitution is the official California Junior Scholarship Federation document governing CJSF which contains vital information for advisers.

Question:              WHAT ARE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CJSF ADVISER?
Answer:                 The CJSF adviser’s responsibilities to his/her chapter and school are:

1. To publicize the requirements for membership so that eligible students may apply;
2. To plan for the election of CJSF chapter officers;
3. To assist in planning and evaluating the academic year’s activities;
4. To review with the chapter members the chapter’s Standing Rules;
5. To assist committees’ and officers’ efforts to obtain outside resources such as speakers, films, programs, etc.;
6. To recognize, encourage, and stimulate creativity and excellence;
7. To open avenues of service to students;
8. To acquaint the entire student body with the functions and service of CJSF;
9. To recognize scholarship and award students through awards, assemblies, and school and community press;
10. To acquaint Honor members with associate membership in High School CSF chapters;
11. To select Marian Huhn Memorial Award candidates;
12. To be responsible for annotating on cum folders Honor membership and purchase honor pins, gold seals;
13. To be responsible for placing the Honor Award gold seal on certificates;
14. To maintain an updated CJSF file of all pertinent information concerning the chapter;
15. To offer assistance to new advisers.
16. To purchase appropriate jewelry from the official CSF/CJSF supplier.

Question:             WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CJSF MEMBERSHIP?
Answer:                 Requirements for membership are explained in the CJSF By-Laws, Article IV. Chapters may not deviate from these requirements or add any additional requirements.

Question:              CAN A STUDENT WHO QUALIFIES FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE BASIS OF COURSES LISTED UNDER ARTICLE IV, BE OTHERWISE DEBARRED FROM MEMBERSHIP?
Answer:                 Yes.  A D or F earned in any subject (including P.E.) automatically debars one from membership.

Question:              HOW DO STUDENTS EARN MEMBERSHIP?
Answer:                 First, students apply for membership through the appropriate school-designed procedure.  Then, the adviser analyzes the semester/trimester report card of the applicants. Membership is based on grades earned during the preceding semester/trimester, or within a time specified by school by-laws within the first four weeks of each semester/trimester.  Seventh grade students may apply after the first semester/trimester of their seventh grade year.

Question:              WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL CHAPTER TO THE STATE?
Answer:                 Each chapter pays state dues based upon total school enrollment in those grades qualifying for CJSF membership when requested by the state Treasurer. Delinquency in payment of dues may result in delinquency fees. Failure to pay chapter dues shall result in the suspension or revocation of a chapter’s charter.

Question:              ARE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS REQUIRED TO PAY DUES TO THEIR CHAPTERS?
Answer:                 Payment of local dues is left to the discretion of the chapter. No qualified student shall be denied membership due to an inability to pay dues.

Question:              WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP RECORDS ON MEMBERSHIP?
Answer:                 Spreadsheets are helpful. They are an easy source for checking total semester memberships and community service hours.

Question:              WHAT IS AN HONOR MEMBER?
Answer:                 In a school with grades seven and eight, an Honor Member is a student who has applied and qualified for membership in:

(a) Three semesters, or
(b) Two trimesters in seventh grade and two trimesters in eighth grade.

In a school with grades seven, eight and nine, an Honor Member is a student who has applied and qualified for membership in:

(a) At least four semesters, including one in the ninth grade, or
(b) Three semesters with two in the ninth grade, or
(c) Two trimesters in the ninth grade and four trimesters in the seventh and eighth grades combined.

The official Honor Membership pin must be given to qualifying students. All other types of recognition are optional. [Honor pins can be ordered by advisers’ accessing in the Shop.]

Question:              WHAT IS THE GOLD SEAL?
Answer:                 The gold seal is gummed and embossed with the CJSF emblem. The gummed seals are obtained from the official CJSF website, and may be applied to an Honor Member’s diploma, school document, or CJSF certificate.

Question:              WHAT DOES THE CHAPTER NUMBER MEAN?
Answer:                 The state is divided into five regions. The number is the numerical order of membership (345) followed by small letters (345jcc). The j indicated CJSF affiliation (rather than CSF which is high school), and the other letters signify the region of the individual chapters: c = Central; cc = Central Coast; n = North; sc = South Central; s = South. It is imperative that the adviser know the chapter number and use it on all correspondence.

Question:              WHAT DOES THE ADVISER ANNOTATE ON THE CUM FOLDERS OF MEMBERS?
Answer:                 Have a very small stamp (CJSF Honor Member) made. Once Honor membership has been achieved and grades are verified, cum folders can then be stamped. Stamp the permanent record card. This is very important when transcripts are sent to high schools. Schools with computerized permanent record cards can have this information added to student records.

Question:              WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CJSF MEMBERSHIP?
Answer:                 CJSF prepares the student for CSF membership. Membership offers the opportunities to participate in activities, which benefit the school, the community, and the student.

Question:              IN WHAT SERVICE ACTIVITIES DO CHAPTERS PARTICIPATE?
Answer:                 CJSF encourages chapters to initiate and participate in community service. These service projects may vary according to the needs of the community and chapters’ desire to serve. A list of service project ideas is available on the website.

Question:              WHO ARE THE STATE OFFICERS AND WHAT ARE THEIR DUTIES?
Answer:                 (See Article V of the Constitution.)  The State Board is charged with the responsibility of maintaining the CSF/CJSF organization throughout the state. Elected from CSF/CJSF advisers, State Officers fulfill two-year terms.

Question:              WHAT IS THE ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE?
Answer:                 The annual meeting of chapter advisers and student leaders of the state is usually held on the fourth Saturday in October, alternating between the northern and southern part of the state.  All advisers are encouraged to attend this meeting as often as possible. This gives advisers and student leaders an opportunity to exchange ideas and gain information about CJSF. Immediately prior to the Annual Fall Conference, the State Board meets to conduct official business.

Question:              WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF REGIONAL CONFERENCES?
Answer:                 The purpose of regional conferences is to bring the student members of local chapters together. Conference activities are designed to enhance leadership skills and provide opportunities to network.  At this time, the Marian Huhn Memorial Award nominees for the region are introduced and the five nominees selected for the Marian Huhn Award are announced at the conferences.

Question:              WHERE DOES THE ADVISER OBTAIN CJSF MATERIALS?
Answer:                 A variety of materials can be ordered from the product line at the official CJSF Shop website:  www.cjsfbalfour.com/adviser.

Question:              WHAT INFORMATION WILL THE ADVISER RECEIVE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR?
Answer:                 Numerous mailings are sent during the school year.  Advisers will receive CSF/CJSF bulletins, conference invitations, annual dues notifications, newsletters, Marian Huhn Memorial Award nomination applications and election ballot.  The CJSF website contains valuable information and photos of past events.