SHF FAQ

About Getting Started Charters Inductions SHF Sponsor Info Sample Docs SHF Scholarships & Contests SHF Contacts Élan Archive AATF-Boutique (Merchandise) Annual Report FAQ

Due to the high volume of orders during peak SHF Induction times, order processing can take as long as 5 business days.
All orders must be manually processed to ensure compliance with our order guidelines:
  • SHF Charter status confirmed 
  • SHF Sponsor name confirmed
  • Ensure proper recording of student names for AATF/SHF records
  • Any discrepancies addressed and updated
AATF does not share the list of student names who have been previously inducted because of privacy and safety concerns. 
The SHF Secretary is able to confirm membership on specific students as requested by the SHF sponsor.

To ensure proper recording of the student on the records of SHF and grant official SHF membership.
The following must happen for an SHF Charter to remain active:
  • SHF Charters must induct at least one (1) student every 2 years
  • The SHF Annual Report must be filled out every year by the SHF sponsor

If there is an inactive charter at the school, an SHF Charter Application must be submitted and a $10 fee needs to be paid to reactivate the charter.

  • SHF Charters Reactiviations can be purchased online using credit card, purchase order, or check:
    • Here via our online store [please note: users must be logged in to the site in order to purchase]
      • If you wish to pay via PO or check, please order through the store and select "invoice" at purchase.
      • The invoice can be used to generate POs or cut a check.
        • Please mail payment to 7333 W Jefferson Ave, Suite 240 Lakewood, CO 80235

SHF Inductions can be purchased online with multiple payment options: 

  • Each student name will need to be submitted separately. This is to ensure proper recording of the student on the records of SHF and grant official SHF membership.
  • Click here for purchase  [please note: users must be logged in to the site in order to view and purchase SHF Inductions]
  • Payment options
    • For credit card or ACH payment, please select the applicable purchase option.
    • If you wish to pay via PO or check, please place your order and select "invoice" at purchase.
    • The invoice can be used to generate POs or cut a check.
      • Please mail payment to 7333 W Jefferson Ave, Suite 240 Lakewood, CO 80235
The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) is the only national association devoted exclusively to the needs of French teachers at all levels. Our community of French educators at all levels works to promote and defend French programs, create and disseminate useful materials for the classroom, and provide opportunities to recognize professional excellence and student achievement.
The AATF sponsors the National French Contest, Société Honoraire de Français, Jeunes Amis du Français, and National French Week and publish the French Review and the National Bulletin.
The AATF-Boutique is a third party organization (National Awards) who handles all orders and order fulfillment of items found on their site here. The majority of SHF materials (apparel, graduation regalia, etc.) are processed by the AATF-Boutique.
The purchase of a physical certificate is optional. 
The SHF Induction Fee of $4 per student is for official SHF membership. Student names are recorded when orders are processed. A certificate template is emailed to the SHF sponsor upon processing completion of the SHF Induction Fee order. SHF Induction Fee products can be accessed HERE. (Please note users must be logged into their AATF account to view/purchase SHF Induction Fees)
These certificates are available to be personalized and printed, at your school or local print shop, for students whose induction fees were included in this paid order. Certificates look nice when printed in color on a heavier paper like card stock. 
If physical certificates are desired, click HERE for information on the AATF-Boutique.
According to the National SHF Constitution: The fee for student membership in the Société Honoraire de Français is payable at the time of induction. This fee is payable once, and the inductee remains a member of the Société Honoraire de Français as long as he/she is a secondary school student in good standing. 
Some schools elect to have students be re-inducted each year according to their local SHF Constitution. In an effort to support the local SHF Constitutions of different schools, the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th year induction fees are available.
SHF sponsors must have a current/active AATF membership. AATF membership runs on a calendar year (January 1st through December 31st) and must be renewed annually.
If the SHF sponsor of an SHF Charter does not have a current/active AATF membership, the SHF Charter is considered inactive until AATF membership is obtained.
SHF Charters with an inactive status are unable to have SHF Inductions orders placed, participate in SHF sponsored contests, or place orders for graduation regalia or physical certificates through the AATF-Boutique.
We periodically receive requests for permission to use the AATF, SHF, or JAF logos on T-shirts or other materials. The official AATF/SHF/JAF logos may not be reproduced by entities outside the AATF. We do not grant permission for use of our logos on T-shirts, documents, or other materials.
Sponsors may use the terms “Société Honoraire de Français” on their T-shirts or other materials and are welcome to create their own design. We recommend a fleur-de-lys graphic if one is desired or the school mascot or logo. We strongly discourage the use of the English equivalent, “French National Honor Society,” since this name as well as “National Honor Society” are copyrighted by other associations.
An example of a logo that a school might create could be a fleur-de-lys or the school mascot image with the school name above and “Société Honoraire de Français” below.
For the official logo use policy please click HERE
Yes. 

Different payment options for orders are available:

  • For credit card or ACH payment, please select the applicable purchase option.
  • If you wish to pay via PO or check, please place your order and select "invoice" at purchase.
    • The invoice can be used to generate POs or cut a check.
    • Please mail payment to 7333 W Jefferson Ave, Suite 240 Lakewood, CO 80235
SHF sponsors must have a current/active AATF membership. AATF membership runs on a calendar year (January 1st through December 31st) and must be renewed annually.
If the SHF sponsor of an SHF Charter does not have a current/active AATF membership, the SHF Charter is considered inactive until AATF membership is obtained.
SHF Charters with an inactive status are unable to have SHF Inductions orders placed, participate in SHF sponsored contests, or place order for graduation regalia or physical certificates through the AATF-Boutique.
Requiring SHF sponsors to be logged into their account helps maintain the integrity of the SHF Charters and Membership by only allowing active SHF Charters to induct students.
In 2022, the SHF National Council recognized the need for a better option to support the growing needs of SHF sponsors. It was decided to contract with the AATF-Boutique (run by National Awards) for the fulfillment of SHF merchandise, graduation regalia, and a variety of other products. This allows for a wider selection of items with which to honor the student members of the SHF Charters. The better pricing for these items and the faster turn around time for order fulfillment were also considered to be beneficial to the AATF members.