CHS NHS - Requirements of Membership

Requirements of Membership

Scholarship

Once inducted, members must maintain the specified grade point average they were inducted under or face probation and possible dismissal. For the purposes of NHS membership, we do NOT round your GPA.
If a member's grades drop below the required minimum, they are placed on probation for one (1) semester. If their grades do not improve and reach the minimum GPA requirement, the student is asked to resign for reasons of academic ineligibility.
Students are only allowed to be on scholarship probation ONCE during their membership in the Crestwood High School Chapter of the National Honor Society. Students who fall below the minimum standard for a second time are asked to resign for reasons of academic ineligibility.

Service

A minimum of twenty five (25) service hours per semester are required to maintain active membership. Five (5) of the service hours each semester must be completed through NHS sponsored tutoring. Students who prefer not to tutor can serve 30 hours per semester. A total of fifty (50) hours of required service (sponsored by our NHS chapter) must be completed by ALL members during each of the school years they are active in our organization. The number of hours required each semester can be increased or decreased by a votes of the CHS NHS Faculty Council.

Service Considerations

Ten (10) summer hours can be used to fulfill either Semester 1 or Semester 2 requirements. You CANNOT split the hours into two (2) different semesters. Summer hours must be used from the previous summer and cannot be stored for subsequent school years.
Hours which are not served the deadlines given for each semester will have the hours they are missing DOUBLED and added to the hours required for the next semester. Students are also placed on service probation. If the required hours are not completed by the following semester, students are asked to resign for reasons of "lack of participation" in society affairs.
Because members are held to high standards, students are only allowed to be on service probation ONCE during their membership in the organization. Should a member fall below the service standards required for membership a second time, their case is brought before the Faculty Council for possible dismissal.
New inductees are required to complete 25 hours between when they become candidates and the end of the school year. New candidates are able to begin their service requirement after their official acceptance but before their formal induction ceremony.
Only projects sponsored by our chapter count toward your required service hours. For example, tutoring a sibling, neighbor, or relative, volunteering at your church or mosque, helping a neighbor shovel their snow, etc. does NOT count. We also do not award service hours for volunteering or participating in political events. We expect you to do civic and charitable deeds because you know it is the right things to o. However, NO NHS credit is given.
You CANNOT "double-dip" when earning service hours. For example, you can't have hours you accumulate with other organizations or classes you are enrolled in be applied to your NHS service requirement. What does this mean? Let's say you are a member of Key Club and you help with a community event that they are assisting with - you cannot count the hours you serve through Key Club for your NHS service requirements.
It is not permissible to ask a teacher or staff member to provide you with service opportunities. If a staff member approaches you about providing service for them, have that individual contact the NHS adviser to see if the service fits the guidelines of what we define service as. We do not give service hours to those individuals who help a staff member out and then alert NHS officers or the adviser that they want those hours counted.

Character - How to Be a Member in Good Standing

The National Honor Society defines a student of "character" as:

Consistently exemplifies positive and desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability).
Cooperates by complying with all school policies and regulations and codes of student conduct.
Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty, academic integrity, and reliability.
Regularly exhibits courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
Complies with instructions and rules, and displays personal responsibility.

The listing above and to the right is not meant to be definitive. NHS students are expected to exercise good judgment at all times. Should a student exercise less than exemplary judgment, a faculty member has the right to submit a "Character Referral" to the NHS chapter adviser if the staff member has been unable to resolve the issue with the student and their parents. A copy of this referral can be found in the appendix of the NHS Chapter Handbook. Staff members are requested to make the NHS adviser aware of all cheating incidents. Failure to comply with our chapter's code of conduct can result in extra service hours being assigned or even the NHS member's dismissal from the chapter.

NHS Code of Conduct:

All National Honor Society students are held to a higher standard of conduct than other Crestwood High School students. All Crestwood National Honor Society students are to consistently conduct themselves as positive role models within the school and community environments. A "member in good standing" is in full compliance with all chapter academic, service, character, and leadership requirements.

NHS students can be dismissed from the chapter for reasons of poor character and/or inadequate leadership. Please consult the NHS definition of what character consists of and what a leader should exemplify. There is much information written about these two topics your NHS Handbook and within this website that can provide additional information regarding character and leadership. A member of the Crestwood High School NHS Chapter complies with all aspects of our school's published "Code of Conduct". In addition, a member of this chapter:

1. Is not tardy for class without a pass or other suitable excuse from a staff member. Does not run to class to be on time, instead plans his or her time carefully to be in class and in their seat in plenty of time to begin for the hour. NHS members do not linger in the hallway in large groups waiting until the last minute to attend class. Instead, they arrive early and ask the teacher if there is any way they an be of assistance.

2. Has excellent attendance and sets an example for others by being certain they go to each of their classes faithfully. NHS members pursue intellectual excellence by challenging themselves academically. Members always go above and beyond when studying and completing class and homework. our chapter members remain alert in class and actively participate in classroom activities. Our members do not do homework for other other classes because they are actively involved in the learning process for the class that is in session. NHS members do not take vacations during the time that classes are in session throughout the school year or leave early at the end of the year because of a planned trip.

3. Does not speak inappropriately to staff members regarding grades or any other issue. Should a problem with a grade or personal issue arise, appropriate measures are taken to resolve the issue in a dignified manner. Whining or emotional coercion are not tactics are not NHS members exhibit. NHS members do not waste class time arguing or trying to persuade a staff member to do something for the NHS member's own gain.

4. Is not involved in public displays of affection within the high school community. This includes, but is not limited to: holding hands, kissing, hugging, and being in close physical contact with another individual. NHS members are discrete and appropriate at all times.

5. Is never disrespectful, argumentative, or insubordinate to any staff member, and is courteous at all times. NHS members never say unflattering things about staff members to other students or CHS staff. NHS members follow instructions the first time they are given and do not question the directive they have been given.

6. Keeps their cell phone put away during class and does not access it unless the activity in class requires it. Knows the different rules for cell phone use in each of their classes and follows the exact guidelines of the teacher. Has the maturity to know how and when to use their cell phone in an appropriate manner. An NHS member never has to be asked to put away their cell phone.

7. Provides positive and constructive assistance to staff members and substitute teachers. Uses initiative to volunteer and sets positive behavior expectations for themselves so that they conduct themselves as role models at all times.

8. Promotes academic honesty at all times. Makes teachers aware of cheating and other acts of academic dishonesty taking place within their classes. An NHS member does not lie, cheat, steal, and instead makes appropriate school personnel aware of what is happening.

9. Does not use profanity or foul language (this includes not using words that are substitutes for profane words). Treats all students and community members with respect and dignity. Our members promote the multicultural climate of our school and promote unity within the student body. NHS members help those who are struggling both academically and socially and would never treat any individual inappropriately (even under the guise of teasing). NHS members do not harass, haze, or bully other individuals.

10. Dresses in a manner that reflects the high standards of the National Honor Society. Does not wear shirts or clothing that have a double meaning or make reference to sexual, alcohol, or drug related items. Avoids clothes that convey negative messages or that are distracting to others. Complies with all aspects of our school's dress code.

11. Immediately reports problems or issues like cheating, illicit drug use, safety issues, bullying, school defacement, to appropriate staff members.

12. Complies with all aspects of our chapter handbook and bylaws.

Leadership

NHS Defines a leader as:

According to the National Honor Society, a student exercises "leadership" when he or she:

Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals and spirit.
Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
Is able to delegate responsibilities.
Inspires positive behavior in others.
Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility; conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability.
Is a leader in the classroom, at work, or in other school or community activities.
Is dependable in any responsibility accepted.

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