Membership

With over 30,000 members, Texas HOSA is the largest State HOSA organization in the world. Texas HOSA draws its membership through affiliated chapters from middle school, high school and post-secondary/collegiate chapters. Every year, new schools learn of the benefits of joining HOSA and add to the membership ranks of Texas HOSA.

Texas HOSA members support their schools and communities throughout the year. From the Panhandle to the Valley, you can find HOSA chapters supporting the Leukiema/Lymphoma Society, participating in school events, hosting blood drives and positively impacting their communities in countless other ways. Texas HOSA members pride themselves on making a difference across the Lone Star State.

In addition to making a positive impact on their community, Texas HOSA chapters also work diligently to recruit new members, keep existing members active and participate in area, state and national conferences. Members start the year running with Fall Leadership Conference, chapter planning and fundraising and the fun does not end until National Leadership Conference each June.

Having a HOSA chapter at your school provides students with a sense of community and a place to belong. Texas HOSA allows students interested in the healthcare professions a place to grow and develop with like-minded individuals. Students involved in HOSA are dedicated to helping their fellow students and community members. Texas HOSA truly embodies the kind, giving spirit of the Lone Star State!

The Secondary Division shall be composed of secondary students who are or have been enrolled in a Health Science or an organized health career awareness program or are interested in, planning to pursue, or pursuing a career in the health professions.

The official definition for secondary members of HOSA for the purposes of Competitive Events is:

A secondary student is one who, (a) is enrolled in a state-approved Health Science program or is planning to pursue a career in the health professions; (b) has not received a high-school diploma (or its equivalent) prior to the state’s annual conference; or (c)  has been within the continuous, sequential educational system for two or more years prior to the current year’s HOSA National Leadership Conference.

The Middle School Division shall be composed of middle school students who are in grades 6-8 and are interested in or planning to pursue a career in the health professions.

The official definition for middle school members of HOSA for the purposes of Competitive Events is:

A middle school student is one who: a) is enrolled in a state-approved health science program or is planning to pursue a career in the health professions; and b) has not been promoted to a secondary institution (grades 9-12) prior to the state’s annual conference.

The Post secondary/Collegiate Division shall be composed of students enrolled in Health Science programs at the post-secondary/collegiate level as specified in Article III, Section 4 in the HOSA Bylaws.

The official definition for post-secondary members of HOSA for the purposes of Competitive Events is:

post-secondary student is one who (a) is enrolled in a state-approved post-secondary program or college level program; (b) has received a high-school diploma (or its equivalent) and/or has been out of the continuous, sequential educational system prior to the current Health Science enrollment for two or more years prior to the current year’s HOSA National Leadership Conference.

Even though adult students may be enrolled in a secondary program, they may not compete in secondary competition at the HOSA National Leadership Conference.  When students satisfy one or more of the criteria of being postsecondary/collegiate students, they are to be classified as members of the postsecondary/collegiate division of HOSA.

The official definition for collegiate member of HOSA for the purposes of Competitive Events is:

A collegiate student is one who is seeking a baccalaureate degree.

Advisor – The person(s) responsible for advising students on health science activities that relate to HOSA. They shall pay affiliation fees, but may not vote, hold office or compete for HOSA member awards.

Professional – (Other than HOSA Chapter Advisor) – These shall be health professionals and other adult members of the community who wish to assist and support the HOSA program of activities.  They shall pay affiliation fees, but may not vote, hold office or compete for HOSA member awards.

AlumniAs specified in Article III, Section 5 in the HOSA Bylaws, the Alumni Division shall be composed of persons who have been enrolled in Health Science programs and were members of HOSA, or former members of a HOSA chapter who no longer meet the requirements of regular chapter membership. Alumni members shall pay no affiliation fees, and may not vote, make motions, hold office or compete in events.

 

IMPORTANCE OF BEING A MEMBER

Being an effective member involves more than simply having one’s name on a HOSA Chapter membership roster. With the rights and privileges of membership come responsibilities. Those responsibilities are to oneself, others, and the organization. To carry these responsibilities, each member needs to communicate effectively
and to be able to work with others.

Followership in itself is an art, the art of contributing in a group, to the achievement of common goals under the guidance of someone in a lead role. Followership skills can be developed. The Advisor needs to stress the importance of each member in the overall operation of the HOSA Chapter. Each member has a role to perform. Every time a member voices an opinion or takes part in a vote, he/she is exercising his/her role and developing skills needed to be a good follower, as well as a good employee.

If the teacher/Advisor had to select one ingredient for success, whether it be in education, career, or personal life in general, it would be  attitude.  A good attitude toward whatever task is at hand will always make a lasting impression on the students and on employers and fellow workers.

Thus, in being a member of a HOSA Chapter, each student has numerous responsibilities, including to:

  • Become familiar with and knowledgeable about HOSA;
  • Attend and actively participate in all Chapter meetings and activities;
  • Volunteer services and talents to the benefit of the HOSA Chapter;
  • Accept responsibility, leading (e.g., a committee chair) and/or following (e.g., as a committee member) as may be necessary in various Chapter activities;
  • Represent HOSA in a positive manner, projecting a good image to the school and community;
  • Communicate effectively with other team members;
  • Take full advantage of the opportunities offered by all levels of HOSA;
  • Promote HOSA to the school and community.