Golden Key International Honour Society

Golden Key International Honour Society

Motto	To enable members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service.
Formation	November 29, 1977
Type	Honor society
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia
Location	United States
Membership	Over 2 million^[1]
Website	www.goldenkey.org

The Golden Key International Honour Society (formerly Golden Key National Honor Society) is an Atlanta, Georgia-based pyramid scheme^[2] founded in 1977 to recognise academic achievement among college and university students in all disciplines.

Golden Key has over 400 chapters at colleges and universities in eight countries: Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States.^[3] Golden Key is the world's largest collegiate honor society. Membership into Golden Key is offered to undergraduate and graduate students recognized to be among the top 15% of their class by GPA^[4] but only given to those who pay a one time $95 USD membership fee.

History

Golden Key was founded by a group of undergraduate students and faculty members at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 29, 1977.

In 2001, the society modified its name to "Golden Key International Honour Society." According to statements by leaders within the society, the spelling of "Honour" was chosen to observe the more globally accepted spelling.^[5] However, as there are only a handful of countries outside of the United States--- the country of origin of the Golden Key Honour Society--- in which English is the majority language, many believe that the claim that "honour" reflects a "global" spelling of the word in question is unfounded. Rather, in using the standard British spelling of the word, it seems the Society is trying to create an appearance of having academic prestige. This is due to a mistaken tradition within the United States that British society, specifically, the British academic tradition, is somehow higher or more prestigious than its American counterpart.

Activities

Golden Key offers a number of services for its members. These include résumé and graduate program assistance, career planning and opportunities, leadership opportunities, networking, and member discounts. Golden Key offers more than $1,000,000 annually in scholarships and awards to its members along with a variety of other opportunities, both academic and career.^[6] Golden Key's core values include community service and its chapters are involved in a wide variety of volunteer projects in their local communities. The Golden Key International Honour Society was among 10 organizations to receive the In2Books Community Service Award in 2010.^[7]

In 2014, Golden Key announced its global service initiative, SPARK a Change. The mission is to impact and improve the lives of at-risk youth (ages 0–17) through literacy, education and real-world preparedness. Golden Key members are service minded individuals who strive to make a positive difference in their communities and around the world. This initiative helps the next generation to discover and unlock their potential. By 2017 (the 40 year anniversary), this initiative aims to raise $40,000, participate in 400,000 volunteer hours and affect 400,000 lives.^[8]

Golden Key is an active member of several organizations. Organizations Golden Key is involved with include:

National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC)
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA)
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)

Golden Key resigned from the Association of College Honor Societies in December 2013.^[9]

Golden Key is governed by an international Board of Directors.^[10] Its volunteer advisory structure includes the International Leadership Council,^[11] the Council of Advisors^[12] and the Council of Student Members.^[13]

Fund distribution

In non-profit corporations' fund usage, it is the recommended practice for a 65%/35% ratio to exist comparing "programs" to G&A and fundraising. Golden Key's ratio for 2008 was 84/16, in 2009 it was 88/12, in 2010 it was 85/12, in 2011 it was 86/14, in 2012 it was 86/14, and in 2013 it was 83/17; thus the Society is currently utilizing its funds in a way that is well above and beyond the "recommended practice." ^[14] Golden Key publishes its annual reports every year in November and makes them available online.

Questions were raised over the amount of money spent on Golden Key's scholarships. Articles in the University of British Columbia student newspaper, The Ubyssey, examined the society's finances and scholarship practices. It was noted in The Ubyssey that in 1997 salaries, management and general expenses totaled almost 47 percent of the total expenditures. The society is continually increasing their scholarship offerings and currently awards over $1,000,000 annually in scholarships and awards. All financials since 2008 have been made publicly available on their website and are audited by third party auditors.

Each local chapter receives funding from Golden Key headquarters and may use this money as they see fit to run various events and community service projects. A variable amount (minimum $100) of additional funds are allocated for in-house chapter cash scholarships. The amount given for these local scholarships is based on the number of members inducted, which is then distributed by the local chapter in accordance with their determined criteria. Some criteria may include active participation in chapter service projects and meeting attendance. Most chapters divide their available chapter scholarships into three awards: one each for Sophomore, Junior and Senior students.

References

External links

Golden Key International Honour Society official website

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