The National Honor Society acknowledges the hard work and contributions to the community of outstanding high school students. With chapters in high schools in all 50 states, the society recognizes sophomores, juniors and seniors for their achievement in scholarship, service, leadership and character. After you become a member of the National Honor Society, you must fulfill certain responsibilities to remain in good standing.
Chapter Responsibilities
As a National Honor Society member, you have responsibilities to their local chapter, which consists of your school's National Honor Society club led by a staff adviser. You may be required to attend meetings, and must support any decisions made by your local chapter and follow its bylaws. These may include paying dues and raising funds for special functions. The society's national constitution limits yearly dues to $20. Your local chapter may also offer you the opportunity to run for an office such as president, vice president or secretary, and you have a responsibility to do the best job you can in any position you hold. Also, once a year, all members must participate in the induction ceremony for new members.
Personal Responsibilities
The National Honor Society inducts only students who carry at least a 3.0 grade point average, participate in volunteer service, demonstrate leadership and exemplify good character. After you become a member, you have a responsibility to maintain those high standards. A local chapter's staff adviser should monitor members to ensure that their grades, volunteer work and character reflect the National Honor Society's ideals. Your local chapter should also communicate these responsibilities to you when you become a member.
Service Responsibilities
According to Article XIV of the national constitution, each local chapter should sponsor at least one project a year to benefit the school and its students, and all members have a responsibility to participate fully in that project. School projects might include aiding office staff, participating in campus beatification projects or tutoring other students. Members should also engage in personal service projects that fit their talents and interests. Local chapters can decide how to monitor these personal service projects, and may require members to log their service hours. For service projects, your chapter can require up to 16 hours of service, including four hours of service to your school. Personal service projects might include helping the Girl or Boy Scouts, volunteering with a church group or helping at a homeless shelter or nursing home.
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Writer Bio
Rebecca Bagwell is an educator with a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Trinity Baptist College. She has taught in China and the United States. While overseas she started writing articles in 2006 for bilingual trade journals. Now, she lives in the South where she homeschools and writes freelance articles encouraging creative approaches to education.