HELP!! Appealing my dismissal from NHS

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Just a disclaimer: I know that a lot of this is my fault, but please hear me out. Also, sorry for the super lengthy post.

So our first NHS meeting was on May 26th…and I was definitely there at the meeting! I got an exit slip (which is how our advisors know who is there) and a t-shirt order form. My friends saw me there and we all sat by each other.

However, I later received a letter informing me of a “missed meeting” on the 26th. I shrugged it off at the time, figuring this would be the one strike and that was it. (Yeah, I know. I was really dumb.)

Then over the summer, I had a volunteer shift at the library on June 19th from 9-11 am. I went and fulfilled all of the requirements, but I forgot to sign in on the sign in sheet because I was in such a hurry when I arrived at the library (I had to leave my summer gym class early).

I received a letter informing me of my absence at the library for that volunteer shift (which I understood, because I hadn’t signed in, so it seemed as if I wasn’t there). Almost immediately after receiving the letter, I emailed the librarian overseeing all the volunteers and told her about the situation (cc-ing one of the NHS advisers, so she read all the emails). The librarian told me that no one else had signed in that day to volunteer so I must have been the only volunteer that day and that next time, I should look for a bright pink sign in sheet. I sent her a thank you message, relieved that everything was cleared up.

The last volunteer shift at the library that I missed (on November 17), however, was entirely my fault. In my AP Spanish class, we were asked to create an infomercial about nomophobia. We were given two days to memorize or film the presentation, and we chose to film it. Unfortunately, one of our group members was sick on Wednesday (the first day) and so we had to film it on November 17 instead of on November 16. I asked a few of my friends if they could have subbed in for me, but no one was available, and I realize now that I should have sent a mass email to all the members of NHS.

I decided to appeal to the faculty council at my school, and I went through with the entire process (including a written letter and a meeting with them where I explained everything such as the fact that I was at the first meeting and that I showed up to the library shift), but they didn’t lift my dismissal and told me it was because of a lack of follow up with the advisers about the “misunderstandings”.

I really, really want to stay in NHS. I know that a lot of people on here say it’s worthless, but I have a genuine interest in the club itself and I want to make my parents proud and be able to wear the stole at graduation.

I’m only a junior. Should I try to appeal to my principal (who sees me in a pretty good light, considering I planned a school-wide jean drive last year by myself and presented it to him), or should I just wait until next year to try to get in again? :((

2

I’m one of them.

However, if it’s important to you, go ahead and appeal. The worst they could do is deny your appeal.

3

Your school’s NHS sounds stuck up and lacking in trust and the benefit of doubt. It doesn’t sound like an organization I’d personally want to be in anyway, with such a stringent (and stupid) regulation process.

Honestly, I’m in NHS at my school and although it doesn’t sound as bad as yours, I think it’s a pretty uppity club myself where kids parade around feeling superior to other students and also just assume that everyone has tons of money to spend on the club. I’m not even talking about dues. Last year they tried to force us to buy 10 candy canes for this scholarship at my school, and while it’s for a great cause, it’s problematic to assume that every member has the means to spend on candy canes and that they should be required to do so. That’s NOT volunteering. That’s getting an hour because you (or your parents) have money.

Sorry. Sort of went on a rant.

I agree with @skieurope. Appeal if it’s important to you, but then again, think about the type of organization you’re trying to be a part of, one that doesn’t even believe you when you’re honest and dismisses students on minuscule (and false) infractions.

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There’s absolutely no harm in trying to appeal to the principal, especially because he seems to know you better than the other NHS staff do. I think you should go for it.
But even if it falls through, you should not let that bother you. As others have said already, if your school’s NHS is this indefatigable about the fine print, perhaps it is not an organization one should bother investing their time in. Your parents will be proud either way, and the stole is just a piece of fabric you will wear for one day in your entire life. You can continue to tutor independently, if you wish. There are so many possibilities you can indulge in outside of the confines of NHS.
Best of luck to you.

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@MissSuzyQ that sucks. actually, the NHS at our school is pretty fair and I like the advisors because they’re nice people, which is why i was so confused when my dismissal wasn’t lifted. i have one of the advisors as my homeroom teacher, and i have previously had 3 of the teachers on the faculty council and they know me very well as a student and a person. it is pretty important to me, so i think i will appeal…thanks so much for the advice, though!

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@Wolfgangbread trust me, my parents would definitely be much less proud of me if i didn’t graduate as a member of NHS…i think i will appeal to my principal, though; thank you for your advice!

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BUMP - anyone else willing to offer their 2 cents?

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you can tell the NHS adviser to go dig his own hole if you want my two cents. you being a member is a positive for NHS, not a privilege. i personally didn’t put down NHS even though I’m in it. all you get for graduation is some fancy bowtie or something. makes you look like a snot if you ask me.

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@bhavyad2018 I am one of those who find the whole NHS to be worthless but what matters is it is important to you. This situation is not about your school. They will go on with NHS students passing through year after year. This is about you.

In your post you state you were told they didn’t lift the dismissal because of a lack of follow up with the advisers about the misunderstandings. They did not say because you didn’t honor your obligations your dismissal stands. They said your dismissal stands because you did not seek out an adviser to discuss the situation which they are graciously referring to as “misunderstandings”.

You acknowledge that this situation is self inflicted. You state the advisers all know you and the person that you are. Maybe that’s the point? Maybe they have started to see a pattern and are concerned about some of the decisions you are making. You didn’t communicate with the advisers, you didn’t communicate with the librarian. You are creating additional work for them without regard for their time because you are so busy that you have to leave and don’t have time to sign out. They can’t be expected to have to keep chasing down every student who simply can’t follow instructions. I have no doubt you are a fantastic person but that doesn’t mean you should get a pass on being irresponsible. I suspect you know this but are stuck on wanting to wear the stole at graduation.

You said you like the advisers because they’re nice people, which is why you were confused when the dismissal wasn’t lifted. I think you were confused because you were expecting special treatment. Something to consider is if this were so important to you why did you not treat your commitments with the respect they deserved? They’ve done you a favor because they got your attention and I imagine you won’t have these issues in the future.

You have already appealed and your appeal was denied. Let it lie and re-apply next year. Perhaps in a few weeks after the holiday break, and further reflection, you will write the advisers a letter of apology for the lack of respect you have shown the club, taking ownership for your neglect. Include what you have learned from the experience without including excuses for your neglect. If your letter is sincere, t will go along way and will assist with your being re-admitted next year. Your life isn’t going to be defined by NHS or a stole. A demonstration of character and leadership will carry you further. Unless it’s prohibited, there is nothing stopping you from continuing to attend meetings and participate in volunteer opportunities with the club. You just won’t get the designation. Your parents with be beaming with pride at your graduation stole or no stole. Good luck!

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@paveyourpath i appreciate everything you’ve said (because it’s true!!) but i definitely wasn’t expecting special treatment going into this whole ordeal. my only complaint is that although i didn’t talk to either of the advisers about the first “missed” meetings, i did try to let one of the advisers know about the missed library shift by cc-ing her on those emails … plus that specific adviser is my homeroom teacher who sees me for at least 50 minutes a day. i tried talking to her but she was always busy preparing for her next class or talking to another student!

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BUMP - I’m going to be emailing one of the advisers tonight. Any last minute advice?