The National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) at SRJC Petaluma

SRJC Petaluma Student Life Bear Logo

Here at the Petaluma Chapter our goal is to create a network of independent student leaders that Love, Believe, and Support one another on their scholastic journeys.  Our aim is to cultivate an environment and support network where students are able to explore what it means to be a leader in their everyday lives and find their own unique hidden leader talents.  Being a leader is not about being rich or famous like many of the Speakers interviewed by our society, but as many of these speakers point out, being a leader is about making a meaningful impact on those around you in a positive way. 

SRJC Petaluma’s Chapter and its members have gained insight and bonded through training days, outings together, and much more!

Enhance your leadership skills and become a future leader and help make a better world. 

About Joining

Find out how you can join the National Society of Leadership and Success by joining the NSLS on the SRJC Petaluma App, or by shooting an email to: NSLS@bearcubs.santarosa.edu.

The National Society of Leadership and Success is a student club and leadership program in the Petaluma Student Life Office.

The staff advisor is Petaluma Student Support Manager, Deborah Ziccone, available at dziccone@santarosa.edu.

Terminology

Now that you have joined the SRJC Petaluma National Society of Leadership and Success, you will start hearing chapter leaders and members alike referring to “Induction” and “Inductees” versus NSLS initiates. Let’s review a few definitions before going over what the next steps are for you after you have joined!

Initiated Members: All students who have paid the cover fee to join the club.

Inducted Members (Inductees): All students who have completed the steps to induction (below) are referred to as inductees.

Induction: At the end of every semester, students who have completed the steps to induction are recognized at a semester's-end awards ceremony that we refer to as the Induction Ceremony or “Induction” for short.

Steps to Induction

After joining the club, you will need to complete these steps to become a fully inducted member and have access to the national job database and scholarships!

  • Attend Orientation.
    • At the beginning of each semester, the NSLS club will host a few orientation dates for all members. This is an opportunity for new and old members alike to meet, mingle, and learn what the society is all about!
  • Attend three speaker broadcasts.
    • Each semester the national society invites three leaders to speak to the NSLS chapters about their journey through leadership, what they learned along the way, and what advice they have for college students like yourself! Past speaker broadcasts have featured both well-known and up and coming stars alike. Some of the most popular broadcasts in the past have featured Trevor Noah, Thaddeus Bullard, Carla Hall, Arianna Huffington, Wendy Williams and Simon Sinek.
  • Meet with your Success Networking Team three times during the semester.
    • Part of NSLS’s goal as a chapter is to provide leadership training to all of its members and to connect them with leadership opportunities on campus. Part of the leadership training provided is a specific emphasis on goal setting, each student will be assigned a “Success Network Team” of a few other students and they will meet with that team 3 times throughout the semester to set goals, update one another on their progress and give each other advice on the next steps. Students will also work with the chapter advisor to discuss their goals online and brainstorm strategies for achieving them.
  • Attend a Leadership Training Day hosted by the club.
    • Near the end of the semester students will come together for a three-hour leadership training day that provides them with comprehensive leadership training. Topics discussed include identity development, leadership qualities, visionary thinking and public speaking.

 

FAQ

Why was I nominated to join the NSLS?

Here at the SRJC Petaluma NSLS Chapter requirements to be nominated are dependent on two things.

1. Have been taking classes at the Petaluma Campus for at least one full semester

2. Have an average GPA of 2.5.

So at the SRJC Petaluma campus we like to recognize those students who have shown to have determination and Success in their scholastic journey and we would like to cultivate their unique skills, into Leadership.  

Why such a "Low" GPA Requirement?

Our philosophy at SRJC Petaluma is that being successful and a great leader is not dependent on having a "high" GPA.  Some of the world's most successful leaders and entrepreneurs had their starts from rock bottom and worked their way up.  We aim to cultivate one's own natural talents and recognize that we all struggle to be successful and sometimes it takes the help and support of a team to bring one's talents to fruition.

I received an invitation and will be transferring to another school, can I still join?  

Yes, you are still able to join the NSLS and can accept your current nomination. Depending on your circumstances you will have one of two options. If the school you are transferring to has an active NSLS chapter, we can simply transfer your membership to that new chapter. If it does not have an active chapter, we can transfer your membership to our online chapter.

What are the benefits of joining the NSLS and what does my membership fee cover?

As explained on the membership application, once you have completed the steps to become an official member of the NSLS, your membership items are sent to your local chapter leaders to present to you during the induction ceremony. Your membership kit includes a t-shirt, certificate, car decal, pin, and plaque (if purchased during registration).When you join some organizations, the information you receive focuses on the material, tangible benefits you receive from membership. The items in your membership kit are nice side benefits, but are definitely not the real value you gain from achieving induction in The National Society of Leadership and Success. The intangibles that you gain from completing induction will drive your future and establish you as a leader among your peers, and include: improved self-esteem, peer leadership skills, sustainable motivation and drive, paradigms that will help you discover and achieve your dreams, real world skills that will help you outperform your peers in the workplace, and an enviable network of movers and shakers that are all a part of the drive to create lasting positive change in the world. You additionally will receive other tangible benefits such as online resources on our website, customized letters of recommendation for prospective employers or graduate schools, graduation accessories that you may purchase and wear at your graduation to display your membership in our organization, access to exclusive scholarships and awards, Success Coaches and our entire Keynote speaker series.

What is the difference between a member and an Inducted member?

Once students accept their nomination to the NSLS they are considered pre-inducted members with limited access to the NSLS's benefits. When students complete all of their induction steps they are considered inducted members of the NSLS with full access to our benefits. The NSLS provides benefits to help members on their own personal success journey. These include opportunities for all members and exclusive benefits for those who achieve induction.

Important Links

NSLS Login

Scholarships and Awards

Society FAQs