TEACH BY-LAWS
REV 12, Effective 08/01/08
1. DESCRIPTION
We are an inclusive and tolerant group of homeschooling families that have formed this non-profit, support co-operative for the purpose of supporting one another in our efforts to educate our children. We do this by sharing information and experiences as well as participating together in field trips and social activities, some of which expose our children to a multicultural environment. We are open to any homeschooler, regardless of religious or political beliefs, race or creed, or special educational needs. Our support co-operative is informal with all members volunteering of their time and efforts.
2. PHILOSOPHY
- Support each member’s reasons for homeschooling and his/her style of teaching
- Tolerance of any member’s difference of opinion including spiritual and political beliefs
- Commit to emphasizing the diversity of homeschoolers
- Encourage the acceptance of homeschooling as an individualized approach to education
- Affirm the freedom of parents to choose for their children education that is consistent with their principles and beliefs
3. TOLERANCE POLICY
Members of TEACH agree to practice tolerance and respect of fellow members. Tolerance is defined as “…a willingness to let other people do as they think is best; willing to accept beliefs and actions of which one does not approve”.
4. MEMBERSHIP POLICY
Membership is open by invitation to homeschooling families. Membership begins with submitting an application and paying a nonrefundable membership fee.
The application and fee should be mailed to:
A $10.00 fee will be charged for any returned checks. Membership will be held until fees are paid by certified funds. Nonpayment of fees is grounds for immediate termination of membership.
TEACH expects its members to volunteer of their time in order to benefit the group as a whole. Each family must plan and facilitate one educational activity per year. The calendar year begins on August 1 and ends on July 31. Members who do not meet their annual activity obligation are not invited to rejoin the following year. Exemptions to the yearly requirement may be granted at the discretion of the board for extraordinary circumstances. It is strongly suggested that members who find they are having problems fulfilling their activity obligation contact the board no later than May 30 so that there is sufficient time to explore all options and provide a resolution.
Members must comply at all times with TEACH policy and regulations defined within the by-laws. Minor infractions of policy - including, but not exclusive to, negligence or uncivil or unprofessional behavior conducted verbally or in writing - will be dealt with by the board as follows:
- On the first occasion of such an offense, offending member(s) will receive from the board a written warning citing the objectionable activity and the appropriate remedy and/or punitive action taken.
- If the same objectionable activity or another equally objectionable activity were to occur a second or third time, on each occasion the member(s) would also receive from the board a written warning citing the objectionable activity and the appropriate remedy and/or punitive action taken.
- If the same objectionable activity or another equally objectionable activity were to occur a fourth time, the board reserves the right to send a written notice to the member(s) terminating membership.
- Any member’s record of infractions will remain active from the date of the first infraction throughout one TEACH enrollment period.
Major infractions of a serious type including but not exclusive to harassment, verbally or in writing, of a personal, racial, ethnic, religious or sexual nature will not be tolerated. Offending members will receive a written notice of termination. If the complaint is from one member against another member, the board reserves the right to require corroborating evidence.
5. ACTIVITIES POLICY
All Activities such as field trips and social activities are organized by the membership. Each family is expected to be responsible for the planning and facilitation of one educational activity per year. Additional activities are strongly encouraged and should a family offer more than the one required activity, they weill receive a reduction in the membership renewal fee for the following year.
A. Planning an Activity
In order for an activity to qualify as meeting your annual obligation, the following is required:
Educational in nature. Each member is responsible for contacting the Activities Coordinator to confirm the proposed event will meet the annual activity requirements.
At least 2 days prior to the activity occurring:
1. Announce to the Loop: The activity must be announced to the loop; AND
2. Post to the Calendar: The activity must be posted to the Activity Calendar. The organizer’s name and contact information must be included
The day of the activity:
3. Attend or Delegate: The organizer must attend their activity; or, if the activity organizer is for any reason unable to attend their activity, they must send a representative from the TEACH membership.
In the event that you have to cancel an activity (due to lack of interest from the group or any other reason), you must organize another activity that takes place within the membership year.
These additional guidelines for planning a successful activity are recommended:
1. Feeler Post: Several weeks in advance, send out a "feeler" post to the loop, to gauge if there is any interest in a particular activity.
2. Follow-up: after a few days send out some follow-up posts to adjust dates and times according to feed-back when appropriate.
3. Confirmation: Send out a final confirmation post to the loop with date, time, cost (if any) and deadlines. Post this same information to the Activity Calendar.
4. Reminder: it is always thoughtful to send a reminder post to the loop a day or two before your event.
Although activities are the responsibility of each family, TEACH requires that each organizer follow guidelines to assure some conformity. The activities should be organized to coincide with TEACH philosophy; however, TEACH cannot be responsible for the presentation or content.
Activities that promote and/or offer for sale any products or services (i.e. Tupperware, Mary Kay, Discovery Toys) do not qualify as meeting the member's annual activity obligation. Invitations to these types of parties / activities may be posted to the loop as long as the host is a TEACH member, but may not be posted to the Activities Calendar. Invitations to sales parties / activities may only be posted once with instructions for interested members to follow-up with the host off-loop
B. Participating in an Activity:
Members should be aware of the following guidelines when participating in an activity planned by another TEACH member:
- For any activity that entails a cost, payment should be made to the organizer by the established deadline. Fees are non-refundable unless the organizer cancels the event.
- A courtesy call/email is expected if you are unable to attend.
- TEACH Field trips, clubs, classes and activities are for members only.
- Extended family and student friends are welcome on a space available basis.
- Prospective members are welcome to attend two (2) TEACH activities on a space available basis before joining.
- Attendance of a TEACH activity by anyone who is not a member of TEACH must be approved by the organizer prior to the event
- ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED AT ALL TIMES BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT. The exception to this rule are activities with a club or class format where the organizer expects the student to be left under their supervision for the duration of the activity. Organizers of these types of activities may require students and parents to sign a “Participation Contract”
- Use of the TEACH name may be used only for TEACH sponsored events. Any events organized by TEACH members without the knowledge of the Board may not use the TEACH name and may be held responsible for any injuries that may occur.
6. VOTING POLICY
All adult members have one vote on topics brought before the group. All amendments to the description, philosophy, voting procedure or tolerance policy must be proposed by resolution of the Executive Board and passed by a two thirds vote of the members.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
All TEACH members acknowledge that anything discussed at TEACH gatherings or on the TEACH email loop, whether business or personal, shall not be discussed with non-TEACH associates except with the express permission of the involved member. Members may not sell, publish, discuss or distribute membership information without written consent of the member(s).
8. TEACH BOARD
The Executive Board shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Executive Board positions are held for a term of two years. Executive Board members shall be nominated and elected by the Board at large. There is no limit on the number of consecutive terms any Executive Board member may serve. All business discussed at Board meetings are to be held in confidence and not discussed with non-board associates.
Any Board member may resign at any time by giving written notice to the other two board members. Such resignation shall become effective upon acceptance by the Board.
Any Board member may be suspended for cause by a vote of two thirds of the Board members and may be removed by a majority vote of the Board.
Any vacancy on the Board at any time may be filled at any meeting of the Board by consensus of the Board members. Each member so selected shall hold office for the remainder of the term.
Board duties shall include
- Uphold the philosophy and by-laws of TEACH
- Provide information to new members
- Appoint committees and coordinators as defined within the by-laws
- Facilitate communications and provide information to all member
- Call special meetings for the benefit of the organization when notice of time, date and place have been provided to all members two days prior to such meeting.
- Determine who shall be authorized to sign checks, collect funds and make payments of moneys on behalf of TEACH·
- Designate the approved bank of deposit for TEACH funds
- Not sell, publish or distribute membership information without written consent of members.
- Appoint special coordinators from within the membership for a term of one year. These coordinators may include, but not be limited to Activities Coordinator and Webmaster. All coordinators shall be held to the same standards and regulations as Board members.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Board
- Attend 75% of all TEACH Executive Board meetings.
The following board members will perform the duties listed below:
CHAIRPERSON
- Schedule and facilitate all Board meetings
- Coordinate special projects as needed for the betterment of the organization
- Assist and oversee all projects sponsored by TEACH
SECRETARY
- Keep minutes of all Board meetings
- Submit a synopsis of resolutions and policies made by the Board to all TEACH members
- Maintain membership records
- Maintain and distribute current directory of members
- Work in conjunction with the Activity Coordinator to maintain records of individual membership annual activity fulfillment
- Responsible for all written correspondence approved by the Board
TREASURER
- Responsible for all funds
- Keep complete and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements.
- Deposit all assets of TEACH
- Provide financial statements as requested by the Board
- Upon reasonable request, exhibit the books and accounts to any member
The following special coordinators will perform the duties listed below:
ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR
- Schedule and facilitate regularly occurring annual activities such as the “Not Back to School Party”, and the “End of Year” party
- Assist the Secretary in keeping track of activities planned by members
- Offer direction to members that request assistance in organizing
WEBMASTER
- Maintain TEACH web site under the direction of the Board
- Ensure that Board members have access to all pertinent account information – i.e. Host account & domain registrar account user names and passwords.
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