APPLICATION PROCESS

Introduction:  The Regional Membership Committees determine the priorities of the region and the number of YRS Members that can be accommodated in their respective regions.

I.              CRITERIA FOR YOUNG ROUND SQUARE (YRS) MEMBERSHIP

a.      The School demonstrates a commitment to the IDEALS through its programs and activities.

·         Internationalism

·         Democracy

·         Environmental stewardship

·         Adventure

·         Leadership

·         Service

b.      The School pays membership subscription. Provisionally (to be decided by the finance committee) at the full Regional Membership rates. Schools affiliated to a Regional or Global member are provisionally exempt from further membership fees.

c.       The School has a designated Round Square Representative who is the primary contact.

d.      The School has a designated Round Square Governor.

e.      The School has a student Round Square Committee.

f.        The School attends the Regional YRS Conference

g.       The Head or Deputy (or equivalent) attended the most recent Young Round Square Conference.

h.      The School completes reports  for the Young Round Square Regional Coordinator to submit at the Regional Conference

i.         Young Round Square is reflected on the School’s website.

j.        The School uses the Young Round Square logo in other areas.

k.       The School displays an honor board  on which the recipients of the Kurt Hahn award are posted.

l.         The School has been in operation for a minimum of five years unless founded as a Round Square School, in which case, two complete years of operation are sufficient.

m.    The School’s curriculum, composition of students, staff and culture predominantly reflect that of the Region.

n.      The School embraces the IDEALS of Round Square philosophically.

o.      The School shows evidence of an active commitment to the IDEALS of Round Square.

p.      The School articulates the goals for further growth in support of the IDEALS.

q.      The School’s Chair of the Board, the Head, a Round Square Representative designate and a student sign the application in which they endorse the IDEALS, the responsibilities and the opportunities of YRS Membership.

r.        If the applicant school is part of a senior school, than the senior school must first apply for Regional Membership.

II.            Inquiry Phase

The School that is interested in YRS Membership contacts the Regional Director of Round Square to discuss Round Square and YRS Membership.

If a preliminary visit is felt necessary, the cost of the visit is assumed by the interested School.

III.           Application Phase

The School submits an application for Membership to the Regional Director, copy to the Executive Director (brian@roundsquare.org) and a copy to Jane Howison (jane@roundsquare.org). The application includes signatures of endorsement and understanding of the responsibilities and opportunities of Round Square from the School’s Chair of the Board, the Head, a Round Square Representative designate and a student.

The Regional Membership Committee designates one person from the region to visit the School. The cost of visit is assumed by the Applicant School.

The person who visits the School will summarize the site visit with the Regional Membership Committee and this Committee makes the decision regarding approval of the Applicant School as a YRS Member after consultation with the Executive Director.

IV.          Outcome Phase

If YRS Membership is approved, the Round Square Regional Director advises the Membership Committee of the Region and Round Square Board of Directors (at its March or October meeting) of a new member, registers the School with the Round Square Secretariat, and subsequently sends a congratulatory letter to the School.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF YOUNG ROUND SQUARE MEMBERSHIP

YRS Members the Regional Membership subscriptions annually by the due date.(see earlier note)

The School designates a Young  Round Square Representative who is the primary contact.

The School designates a Board liaison.(Where applicable)

The School develops a Round Square Committee.

The School may participate in exchanges with other YRS schools

The School attends YRS Conferences.

The School may participate in school hosted service projects should they be available.

YRS Members are listed on the Round Square Web site.