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Why start a

Jeunes Amis du Français/

Société Honoraire de Français?

Introducing:

Lisa Bartels, SHF President

With:

Kimberley Bryant-Harter, Teacher Representative

Henriette Sindjui, Teacher Representative

« Avoir une autre langue, c'est posséder une deuxième âme »

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To introduce French educators to the benefits, purpose, and process of establishing these AATF-sponsored student organizations in their schools.��By the end of the webinar, participants will understand how these organizations can strengthen their French programs and will have practical next steps for establishing a chapter at their own school.

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Webinar Objectives

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Today’s Agenda

Welcome & Introductions
Understanding the Two Programs
Why Start a Chapter?
Scholarships, Awards & Contests
Bringing Your Chapter to Life
Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter
AATF Boutique and Student Recognition
FACEBOOK and L’Elan
Q&A, Resources & Call to Action

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Who Are We?

Lisa Bartels

SHF President

Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School

Kimberley Bryant-Harter

Teacher Representative

Mexico High School retiree

Henriette Sindjui

Teacher Representative

Baltimore International Academy

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Understanding JAF and SHF

What is Jeunes Amis du Français?
What is Société Honoraire de Français?
What are the key differences and intended student populations?
How do you build a pathway from younger French learners to SHF?�

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SHF/JAF Benefits

Recognize and celebrate student achievement
Increase student motivation
Promote leadership, service, & culture
Expand program visibility
Strengthen community connections
Extend learning beyond the classroom

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Understanding JAF and SHF�Key differences and intended student populations �

Jeunes Amis du Français (JAF)

Elementary and middle school
Choose from Cultural or Academic focus
Encourage interest & awareness
Contests, activities, membership

Société Honoraire de Français (SHF)

High School
Achievement & Continued Study
Scholarship, leadership, service
Contests, activities, membership
Graduation regalia,
College applications

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Understanding JAF

Established in 2015, JAF is an honor society for elementary, middle, and junior high school students sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF).

“Purpose: to stimulate interest in the study of the French language and Francophone cultures, to promote high standards of scholarship, to reward scholastic achievements, and to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all learners.”

What is Jeunes Amis du Français?

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Understanding JAF

Introduction to French study
Pride in learning French
Service
Cultural engagement
Continued French study
Preparation for H.S.
Mentoring
Tradition

Value of Jeunes Amis du Français

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Understanding SHF

Established in 1949, SHF is an honor society for high school students sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF)

“Our vision is to become a leading organization in the promotion and appreciation of the French language and francophone cultures. We aspire to cultivate a community of lifelong learners and culturally aware individuals who contribute to a more connected and inclusive world.”

What is Société Honoraire de Français?

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Understanding SHF

Excellence in French study
Recognition of achievement
Leadership
Service
Cultural engagement
Advanced proficiency
Scholarship opportunities
Lifelong engagement with French

Value of Société Honoraire de Français

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Why Start a SHF / JAF Chapter?

Reward committed students
Increase Visibility
Recognize and celebrate
Increase motivation & retention
Leadership & Service
Strengthen connection to French and Francophone cultures
Community of French learners
Awards, scholarships, contests

Benefits of a JAF or SHF Charter

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Scholarships, Awards & Contests

Participation Requirements
JAF Concours de récitation
SHF Concours d’éloquence
SHF Francophone Studies Scholarship
SHF Andégo

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Scholarships, Awards & Contests

JAF Concours de recitation
SHF Concours d’éloquence
SHF Francophone Studies Stipend
SHF Andégo Internship Abroad

Teacher is a JAF/SHF sponsor
Teacher is a current AATF member
School has active JAF/SHF Charter.
Student is an inducted member of SHF ($4 Induction Fee was paid to AATF when student was inducted).

Participation Requirements

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Scholarships,

Awards & Contests

Creative expression through French poetry

Build confidence and language skills
Celebrate student voice and imagination

Deadline: February 24, 2027
Winners earn prizes & Élan publication

JAF Concours de récitation

JAF Concours de recitation

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Deadline: February 24, 2027

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Scholarships,

Awards & Contests

SHF Concours d’éloquence

Creative French speech reinterpretation

Showcase pronunciation, fluency & expression

Deadline: October 21, 2026
Cash prizes & publication in Élan

SHF Concours d’éloquence

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Scholarships, Awards & Contests

SHF Francophone Studies Stipend

Stipend award for continued francophone studies

Student transcript, letters of reference, essay, and program prospectus will be submitted

Essay writing prompt & scoring rubric given

Due Date: January 20, 2027

SHF Francophone Studies Stipend

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Deadline: January 20, 2027

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Scholarships, Awards & Contests

SHF Andégo Internship Abroad

Supports a gap year abroad

Helps offset program costs

Encourages cultural immersion

Promotes personal growth

Opens global opportunities

SHF Andego Internship Stipend

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Bringing Your Chapter to Life

Ceremonies
Leadership
National French Week
Cultural celebrations
Service-learning
Peer tutoring and mentoring
Field trips
Cultural Experiences
Student-led Activities

Chapter Activities

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SHF students run French club for elementary kids

Chapter Activities: Vertical Alignment

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SHF members and teachers honored by the North Carolina State Board of Education

Chapter Activities: Program Visibility

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Cultural Activities

African fashion show / Making Croques Madame

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More Cultural Activities

National French Week
schoolwide activities
cultural festivals & performances
Student music, poetry, art, & presentations.
Community partners & guests
Peer tutoring
SHF to JAF mentoring
SHF-led French Clubs

Include la francophonie
Partner with local organizations like Alliance Française
Games, crafts, music, food
Field trips to museums, French-themed events
Recruitment events

Student leadership & service

A Year of Cultural Activities Shared by Rebecca Fortgang

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Celebrate National French Week through school wide activities that promote French language and culture.
Organize Francophone cultural festivals, performances, and themed events.
Showcase student talents through music, poetry, art, theater, and presentations.
Engage students in exploring the diversity of French-speaking countries and communities.
Invite families, community partners, and Francophone guests to participate.
Encourage JAF and SHF members to lead activities and serve as cultural ambassadors.
Increase the visibility of French and strengthen schoolwide appreciation for multilingualism.
Celebrate National French Week through schoolwide activities that promote French language and culture.
Organize Francophone cultural festivals, performances, and themed events.
Showcase student talents through music, poetry, art, theater, and presentations.
Engage students in exploring the diversity of French-speaking countries and communities.
Invite families, community partners, and Francophone guests to participate.
Encourage JAF and SHF members to lead activities and serve as cultural ambassadors.
Increase the visibility of French and strengthen schoolwide appreciation for multilingualism.
Celebrate National French Week through schoolwide activities that promote French language and culture.
Organize Francophone cultural festivals, performances, and themed events.
Showcase student talents through music, poetry, art, theater, and presentations.
Engage students in exploring the diversity of French-speaking countries and communities.
Invite families, community partners, and Francophone guests to participate.
Encourage JAF and SHF members to lead activities and serve as cultural ambassadors.
Increase the visibility of French and strengthen schoolwide appreciation for multilingualism.

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Steps for establishing a chapter
Membership and eligibility considerations
Chapter Constitution
Developing an Annual Calendar
Inductions
Placing orders for Charters or Student Induction Fees
Maintain Active Charter Status
Check Active Charter Directory

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Become an AATF member
Establish a school charter
Induct eligible students
Maintain “Active Charter” status

Steps for Establishing a Chapter

experiences

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Grades 8 and below
Academic Charter:

Full Year French Enrollment
A- academic standard
1 Service project

Cultural Charter:

2 community/school service projects

JAF Membership and Eligibility Considerations

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Four semesters of French

Grades 10-12 eligibility

Early eligibility for qualified Grade 9 students

A- average for three consecutive semesters

Current A- standing at induction

SHF Membership and Eligibility Considerations

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

National SHF/JAF Constitution
Membership Eligibility
Special Circumstances
Local Constitutions
National vs. Local Requirements
Chapters Without a Local Constitution

Chapter Constitution and Membership

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Student input
Student leadership
Annual calendar
Cultural events & contests
Service projects
Inductions & recognition
JAF/SHF collaboration
Regular review

Developing an annual calendar

Student-Led Planning & Engagement

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One of the best ways to sustain an active chapter is to involve students in planning.

Gather student input and encourage officers and members to help shape activities throughout the year. Build a calendar that includes cultural celebrations, National French Week events, contests, service projects, inductions, and recognition opportunities.

Student leadership and ownership help keep chapters active and ensure activities remain meaningful and engaging. Review plans regularly and adjust based on student interests and participation.

Student leadership and ownership help keep chapters active and ensure activities remain meaningful and engaging. Review plans regularly and adjust based on student interests and participation
Gather student input on interests and priorities
Empower student officers to shape activities and events
Create an annual calendar aligned with student interests and chapter goals
Include cultural celebrations, contests, service projects, and social activities
Schedule inductions, recognition events, and scholarship deadlines
Establish student-led committees to coordinate activities
Encourage collaboration between JAF and SHF members
Review and adjust plans based on student feedback and participation.

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Celebrate achievement
Welcome new members
Recognize excellence
Involve families
Build traditions
SHF at Your School - American Association of Teachers of French

Induction and recognition ceremonies

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Induction ceremonies are an important tradition and one of the highlights of the year.
They celebrate student achievement and commitment to French language study while welcoming new members into the organization. Ceremonies provide an opportunity to present certificates, pins, and other recognition items.
Many schools invite families, administrators, and community members, helping increase the visibility of the French program and establishing traditions that students remember long after graduation.
Celebrate students’ achievement and commitment to French language learning.
Welcome new JAF and SHF members through a meaningful induction ceremony.
Present certificates, pins, or other membership recognition.
Highlight student accomplishments in academics, leadership, service, and cultural engagement.
Involve families, school leaders, and the French-speaking community.
Establish annual traditions that build pride and strengthen the French program.
Celebrate students’ achievement and commitment to French language learning.
Welcome new JAF and SHF members through a meaningful induction ceremony.
Present certificates, pins, or other membership recognition.
Highlight student accomplishments in academics, leadership, service, and cultural engagement.
Involve families, school leaders, and the French-speaking community.
Establish annual traditions that build pride and strengthen the French program.

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Inductions must be ordered & paid for through the AATF Website

Log in to frenchteachers.org
Navigate to Honor Societies
Select JAF or SHF at Your School
Access inductions through the Store
Enter students individually
$4 per student induction fee
Receive certificate template
Personalize certificates for each inductee

Placing orders for Charters or Student Induction

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Once you're ready to induct students, everything is handled through the AATF website. Simply log into your account, go to the Honor Societies section, and select either JAF at Your School or SHF at Your School.

From there, you'll access the store and enter each student's name individually. The official induction fee is $4 per student.

After payment is processed, you'll receive a certificate template via email. The PDF can then be personalized for each student, making it easy to prepare certificates for your induction ceremony.

Log into your frenchteachers.org account
Honor Societies in Navigation Bar
JAF at your School tab or SHF at your school tab
Access from Store in Navigation Bar and search
Enter name of each student separately
$4 per student/Official JAF/SHF membership
Paid inductions come with emailed certificate template.
PDF document can be personalized for each student whose Induction Fee was included in order.

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Maintain AATF membership
Induct students regularly
Schedule inductions as needed
Submit annual chapter reports

Maintain Active Charter Status

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Getting Started & Sustaining Your Chapter

Check Active SHF Charter Directory
Check Active JAF Charter Directory
If active, update sponsor information with SHF Secretary

If inactive or no charter, submit SHF Charter application and pay $10 Charter Fee via AATF Store

Check Active JAF/SHF Charter Directory

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Before starting a new chapter, it is important to determine whether your school already has a charter on record.

The Active SHF and JAF Charter Directories on the AATF website allow you to search for existing chapters by school. Sometimes a chapter already exists but has become inactive because the sponsor retired, transferred, or changed positions.

If your school appears in the directory, contact the SHF Secretary or the appropriate AATF contact to update the sponsor information and reactivate the chapter if necessary.

If your school does not have an active charter, you can establish one by completing the charter application and paying the charter fee through the AATF Store.

Checking the directory first can save time and help ensure that you follow the appropriate process for your school's situation.

These directories are also helpful tools for connecting with nearby chapters and seeing how other schools participate in JAF and SHF activities.

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AATF-Boutique Recognition Items & Merchandise

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Optional Awards & Regalia

available for SHF/JAF members

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Student Recognition

National Awards fulfills SHF/JAF merchandise orders
Boutique purchases require separate payment from AATF fees
Orders ship after payment is received
JAF and SHF merchandise available through the Boutique
More information on AATF-Boutique tabs (JAF & SHF)

AATF Store

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The AATF Boutique offers a variety of JAF and SHF merchandise and recognition items. Orders are fulfilled through National Awards, a third-party vendor. It's important to remember that Boutique purchases require separate payment from AATF fees such as memberships, charters, or induction fees. Merchandise is shipped only after payment has been received. Additional information and product catalogs are available through the JAF and SHF Boutique pages on the AATF website.

This company (National Awards) is a 3rd party vendor that handles the order and fulfillment of SHF & JAF merchandise.
Any orders placed through the AATF-Boutique will need to have separate payment from orders placed with AATF (Student Induction Fees, AATF membership, etc.).
Order will be shipped only after payment has been received.
More information on AATF-Boutique tabs (JAF & SHF)
If active, update sponsor information with SHF secretary
If inactive or no charter, submit SHF Charter application and pay $10 Charter Fee via AATF Store

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SHF Graduation Regalia

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Certificates and Covers

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JAF & SHF Branded Clothing

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Merchandise

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L’Elan

Élan Archive - American Association of Teachers of French

Fanny Clonch, Editor

Official SHF/JAF publication
Student publication opportunities
Creative expression in French
Chapter news and member highlights
Recognition of student achievement
Connection to the national AATF community

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AATF SHF & JAF Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/aatfSHF

Share ideas and resources
Connect with chapter sponsors
Discover student activities
Ask questions and get support
Celebrate chapter successes
Learn from colleagues nationwide

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One of the best ongoing resources available to chapter sponsors is the AATF SHF & JAF Facebook Group. This community allows sponsors from across the country to share ideas, exchange resources, showcase student activities, and ask questions. Whether you're starting a new chapter or looking for fresh ideas for an established one, the group provides practical support and inspiration. As you leave today's webinar, we encourage you to join the Facebook group, explore the resources shared by fellow sponsors, and become part of this active community of French educators.

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The AATF SHF and JAF Facebook Group is a helpful networking resource for chapter sponsors. Members can share ideas, exchange resources, ask questions, and receive support from colleagues across the country. It's also a great place to discover successful student activities, celebrate chapter accomplishments, and learn from the experiences of other sponsors.

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Questions?

Lisa Bartels, SHF President

Email - honorsocietypresident@frenchteachers.org

Heidi Stutz, SHF Secretary

Email - shf@frenchteachers.org

AATF office phone - 815-310-0490

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Thank you for joining us today!

Merci!