This information is for Current NHS Members only.

 

NHS Service Hours Form – Use this form when turning in hours for NHS credit. If your organization gave you a letter of verification, you can attach it to this form and write “See Attached” on the signature line.

 

Bright Futures: If you want to gain Bright Futures Credit, you must follow the new school procedures here.  NHS does NOT turn in your hours to the office for Bright Futures.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Service & Tutoring Requirements

 

How many hours of Community Service do I have to complete as a member NHS?
Ten each semester

 

Do all the hours have to be at NHS sponsored community activities?
No. You can volunteer at any non-profit organization at any time during the semester.

 

Can I use my Interact (or other club/sport) hours for NHS?
No. This is “double dipping.”  NHS hours are above and beyond any hours you’re required to do for other clubs or sports.

 

 If I worked at the Community Service Fair (or other NHS activity at school) can I count those hours toward my 10?
No. Working at an NHS event at school is expected of members, in addition to the community service and tutoring hours.  You can’t earn community service hours for working NHS school events.

 

Which organizations can I volunteer for?
Several opportunities are presented at NHS meetings. In addition, you can volunteer for any non-profit organization, or any organization that serves the environment, children, elderly, infirm, or needy.  Community service is different from volunteering.  Volunteering for neighbors,  in a family business, or a friend’s business is NOT community service. Go to www.volunteermatch.org for ideas!

 

Does working in my church nursery (or teaching Sunday school) count as community service for NHS?
No.  As a member of the church, you are expected to serve the church.  Counting these hours as community service for NHS is not permitted, for the same reason that Interact & other club/sport hours are not permitted.

 

What if my church works at a soup kitchen (homeless shelter/missions trip/program to benefit the needy)?  Do those hours count?
Yes.  You can earn NHS community service hours for the time spent working for those in need.  Hours spent traveling or sleeping while on a trip do not count.

 

Does volunteering for a sport or club count as community service?
Yes, as long as you’re not a member of that club or on that team.  Example: you go to the campus clean up sponsored by Ecology Club on a Saturday – those hours count as long as you’re not in the Ecology Club.

 

What kind of paperwork do I need to prove I’ve done my hours?
You will need to fill out the NHS Service Hours Form which you can download above, or from the Downloads link of this webpage, and have it signed by an official in the organization OR bring a letterhead letter from an official with the total number of hours listed and attach it to an NHS Service Hours Form.  Only an adult who is not your family member may verify your hours.

 

How do I turn my hours in for NHS credit?  Will I also have to turn them in to the office for Bright Futures credit?
At the end of each semester, your documentation of hours is due to the officer in charge of community service. You may also bring your completed forms to Ms. Crabtree in room 204 in the Media Center before or after school.  Keep a copy for your records and see your guidance counselor to submit hours for Bright Futures credit. NHS does not turn your hours in to the office for you.  You must complete that step on your own.

 

How do I find out how many hours I have?
In NHS, we’ll give you updates throughout the semester at meetings. If you’re in doubt, see an officer at any time.  To find out how many hours you have on your permanent record, you can check eSembler.

 

Do I get hours for Locks of Love or another hair donation?  If so, how many?
For NHS we will give you one hour.  This is because you have not really given up your time while your hair grows.  It’s a wonderful gift, but the NHS advisors feel you should be working for these 10 hours, not just letting your hair grow.

 

Who can review my community service hours if I’m not sure I’ve done them right?
Start with asking questions at meetings.  Many people may have the same questions you have.  Next, see an officer.  After that, see an advisor.

 

I have too many tutoring hours.  Can I count them as community service hours?
Yes.  You are helping the needy, so tutoring hours count as community service. See more about tutoring below.

 

I did a lot of volunteering over the summer. Can I count these hours as community service hours?
Yes, but only for the 10 first semester hours.  You can do 10 hours over Winter Break to count for the 10 second semester hours.  NHS wants to encourage a life-long spirit of volunteering.  That’s why we spread the requirements out over both semesters.

 

Tutoring

 

How many tutoring hours do I have to complete as a member NHS? When and where is it? How do I get credit?
Four each semester. Tutoring is in the Media Center at 8AM every school day. Although it only lasts a half-hour, we give you a full hour credit, because this homework help table is our means of providing scholarship help on campus, which is a main focus of NHS. If you work four mornings of the semester, you will earn your credit. Be sure to log the dates you worked in the Service Log binder that is kept at the circulation desk with the tutoring calendar.

 

I have too many community service hours.  Can I count those as tutoring hours?
No. You must tutor a minimum of four hours a semester to promote the NHS ideal of scholarship.

 

How do I sign up to work at the school tutoring sessions?
Sign up on the NHS Homework Help calendar located at the circulation desk in the media center, or sign up at a meeting.

 

What if the school tutoring calendar fills up?
You may find a student (not a sibling or fellow NHS member) to tutor at another time.  This person should be a Mitchell student, preferably.  Also, all tutoring must be in academic subjects, verified by the teacher in the course or the parent of the student you are tutoring.  Students cannot verify hours for other students.

 

Can I tutor students in volleyball, band, color guard (or any other non-academic subject)? Can I tutor non-Mitchell students?
No.  This counts as community service, but tutoring hours must be in an academic subject.  The goal of tutoring hours is to promote academic scholarship on campus. You are permitted to tutor students who do not go to Mitchell (elementary or middle school students, other high school students) but the same rules apply as described above.

 

Penalties

 

What happens if I do not turn in my required NHS hours on time?
If you do not turn in your first semester hours on time, you will be penalized one additional hour for each hour you do not complete.  For example, if you only turn in 8 hours of community service during first semester, you will have to complete 14 hours of community service during second semester (2 hours left from first semester + 2 penalty hours + 10 hours required for second semester).  If you do not turn in your second semester hours on time, the following consequences will occur:
Juniors will be recommended for probation or dismissal to the Faculty Council. Penalty hours may be assessed for senior year.
Seniors will not be permitted to wear the NHS cord and stole at graduation. Refunds of cord/stole money will not be given.

 

What happens if I arrive late or I do not wear my NHS shirt to a meeting?
If you arrive late or you do not wear your NHS shirt to a meeting, you will be penalized with your choice: one extra hour of service or a $1 donation to Relay for Life.