|

Newcomer’s
Packet
Contact Information:
P.O.
Box 7193
Newark, DE 19714-7193
Phone:
(302) 456-3545
Website: tristatehomeschoolnetwork.org
Revised 07/20/08
TRI-STATE HOME SCHOOL NETWORK, INC.
NEWCOMER’S PACKET
Tri-State
Home School Network, Inc. is a support group whose purpose is to further the
cause of homeschooling, especially from the viewpoint of Christian families.
This packet has been put together to answer some of the most frequently asked
questions regarding homeschooling, and to introduce you to information,
resources and services that we hope will assist you in getting your home school
started. As you contemplate taking on this responsibility of your child’s
formal education, we hope that we can help you gain insight into the day-to-day
workings of homeschooling. Welcome to the exciting adventure of homeschooling!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tri-State Home School
Network: What Is It?
|
Introduction, Statement of Faith |
4 |
|
Benefits of Tri-State Membership |
5 |
|
Activities at-a-Glance |
6 |
|
Directory of Activities |
7 |
Membership in Tri-State
|
How to
Join |
11 |
|
Delivery of the Newsletter |
11 |
|
Newsletter Information |
11 |
|
Discount Membership in HSLDA |
12 |
|
Membership Assistance |
12 |
|
How to
Obtain a Newcomer’s Packet |
12 |
|
Contact Information |
12 |
|
The
Tri-State By-Laws |
13 |
|
Tri-State Policies |
22 |
|
Used
Book Sale Rules |
25 |
|
Rules
Regarding Animals |
25 |
|
Using
Tri-State’s Library
Tri-State’s Policy on
Cheating
|
26
27 |
|
Policy
Regarding Hiring Instructors |
27 |
|
Policy
on Eligibility for Participating in Tri-State Competitions for High
School Students |
27 |
|
Newsletter Submission Guidelines |
28 |
|
Newsletter Advertising Rates |
28 |
|
Other
Support Groups |
30 |
Home School
Lingo
|
Common Acronyms |
32 |
|
Common Terms |
32 |
Homeschooling and the
Law
|
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey |
36 |
|
Umbrella Schools in Delaware |
37 |
Umbrella
Programs in Maryland 42
Correspondence
Schools Contact information 44
Helps for Starting to Home
School
|
Getting Started |
45 |
|
Choosing Curriculum |
48 |
|
Factors to Consider in Choosing
Curriculum |
48 |
|
Curriculum Types |
51 |
|
What to Look for in a Curriculum |
51 |
|
Curriculum Sources |
52 |
|
Recommended Reading List |
59 |
|
Elements of Successful Schooling |
63 |
|
Checklist for Starting a School Year |
65 |
|
Getting the Most Out of Home School
Conventions, Conferences, and Book Fairs |
67 |
Enclosures:
Tri-State Membership Form
Tri-State Mentor Form
HSLDA Brochure & Application
TRI-STATE HOME SCHOOL NETWORK, INC
Tri-State
Home School Network, Inc. is an organization that was formed in December, 1986
to promote homeschooling and to provide support to the families that home
school. Tri-State was founded by Christians on Christian principles but is not
exclusively Christian in membership. Anyone who is currently homeschooling may
join Tri-State regardless of faith, as long as the family agrees to abide by
Christian guiding principles. (Board members must be Christian and agree with
the Statement of Faith included in the by-laws.) All decisions within Tri-State
or made by Tri-State leadership are made in accordance with Christian
principles. When forming Tri-State, the Tri-State leaders adopted the
statements of faith found in The Teaching Home magazine under “We
Believe.” Tri-State’s statement of faith is included below.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We Believe
-
God has
existed from all eternity in three persons: God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was God come in human flesh being
fully God and fully man, except without sin.
-
All men
are in violation of God's righteous requirements and His holy character,
both by nature and act, and are therefore under His wrath and just
condemnation.
-
The
central purpose of the coming of Jesus Christ was to pay the penalty for
man's sin through His substitutionary death on the cross, the successful
accomplishment of which was attested to by His subsequent visible, bodily
resurrection.
-
The Bible
is the inspired and infallible Word of God and constitutes His completed and
final revelation to man.
-
The
Bible, in its original autograph, is without error in whole and in part,
including theological concepts as well as geographical and historical
details.
-
Salvation
is offered as a gift, free to the sinner. This gift must be responded to in
individual faith, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, but in the
sacrificial death of Jesus Christ alone.
BENEFITS OF TRI-STATE MEMBERSHIP
Tri-State
does not fulfill any legal obligations for the homeschooling family and does not
serve in any legal capacity as a school or intermediary to the state. Rather,
Tri-State is a support group that offers encouragement, training, and
extra-curricular activities for homeschooling families. Tri-State is
specifically geared to minister to Christian homeschoolers. Tri-State’s
activities are listed on the next page. Following the list of activities, brief
explanations of each activity are given in alphabetical order.
An activity
in Tri-State exists if, and only if, someone volunteers to lead it.
Consequently, available activities change from year to year. The list on the
next page summarizes the typical activities of Tri-State in a typical year. If
no one volunteers to head up an activity, that activity will cease to exist.
Likewise, this list is not exhaustive. Members are encouraged to think up and
coordinate new activities. The volunteer who leads or coordinates the activity
is called a PICOS (a Person In Charge Of Something). Activities are advertised
in the monthly newsletter.
Activities At-A-Glance
Ongoing / Monthly Activities
·
Bowling
·
Choir:
o
Elementary,
Concert, Chorale, Joy Unspeakable
·
Cinematography
·
Ice-Skating
·
MEK, TEK
·
Rhetoric
League
·
Roller
Skating:
o
Morning
Skate, Afternoon Skate
·
Science
Olympiad:
o
Elementary,
Junior and Senior High Teams
Annual Tri-State Activities and Events
·
Around the
World Geography Fair
·
Field Day
·
Math Olympiad
·
National
Mythology Exam
·
National
Geography Bee
·
Science and
Social Studies Fair
·
Spelling Bee
Non -Tri-State Activities, Competitions and Events
·
ACSI
Competitions
·
Blue Rocks
Reading Incentive
·
Book-It
Tri-State Services and Programs
·
Discounted
HSLDA membership
·
Family Nights
·
Mentor
Program
·
Mom’s
Meetings
·
Monthly
Newsletter
·
Newcomer’s
Meetings
·
Tri-State
Library, located at Delaware City’s Library (834-4184)
** See following pages for a more detailed listing of
events.
Important Notice: Tri-State
parents/guardians are responsible for their children’s behavior and for all
items their children bring to Tri-State events and activities. Tri-State will
not be held responsible for the behavior of a Tri-State member’s child or for
the misuse or loss of any personal belongings of a Tri-State family at a
Tri-State event or activity.
DIRECTORY OF TRI-STATE ACTIVITIES
Please note:
The following activities exist if, and only if, someone volunteers to lead them.
ALL-SKATE: Two All-Skates are available on a monthly basis, at
a location in Newark, Delaware. There is a small fee for all skating events
although parents skate free. These all-skates are for the whole family and are
one of our most attended activities.
MORNING SKATE: This all-skate is designed especially
for those families with young children who need a nap in the afternoon.
OLDER KIDS SKATE: This skate also takes place in Newark,
DE, and is for children in the 10 and up age group so they can skate without
worrying about the younger kids. There are chaperones available so that Moms
with younger children can drop off the older kids and not have to stay.
Permission slips with a medical release will be required in order for
unaccompanied children to be allowed to skate. Because this skate is geared
especially to our teenagers, we play Christian rock and contemporary music at
the older-kids skate. For those who are uncomfortable with this type of music,
the all-skates remain open to all Tri-Staters.
AROUND THE WORLD DAY: This is a Tri-State Event where families
or co-ops study a country and present it at a fair with posters, food, music,
costumes, and articles from that country. It is a very fun and creative day.
Tri-Staters who do not make a display are invited to come to the fair and take a
trip “around the world.” Everyone gets a passport to fill out for his or her
portfolio. This is a very popular event and is typically held in February.
BAND:
The Home School and Community Band is available for children (ages 8 and up) and
their parents. There is a participation fee. Instrument rental is available
through a local music store. The band performs at least 2 concerts per year.
BOWLING: Home school bowling is available for all
ages. There is a small fee for each game. Bumper lanes are also available for
specific ages of children. Meets monthly.
CHESS CLUB: Gives your kids a chance to improve their chess
skills. Meets monthly.
ELEMENTARY AND CONCERT CHOIRS AND SENIOR CHORALE:
Meets weekly in the evenings at a local church. The Elementary Choir is for
3rd-5th grade. Concert Choir is for 6th to 8th grade. Senior Chorale is for
9th-12th grade. There is a participation fee. The chorus performs 2 concerts a
year- one around Christmas and one in the spring.
COMPETITIONS: Tri-State has become involved in a number
of academic competitions. These include the Math Olympiads (grades 4-6),
National Geography Bee (grades 4-8), St. Jude’s Math-a-Thon (all
ages), National Spelling Bee (grades 4-8), Science Olympiad
(grades 4-12), and the ACSI Arts Competition. Every year our
teams bring home medals, certificates, and awards from these events.
Rhetoric: For high school students to learn the
techniques and principles of logic and debate. Meets monthly.
DIRECTORY: Each year Tri-State Home School Network attempts
to put out a directory with the names, addresses, phone numbers, and children’s
names and ages for the use of the membership. This directory is intended to be
used to reach other members only and is not for solicitation purposes. We are,
however, allowing businesses to advertise in our directory for a fee. If you
wish to or know someone who wishes to advertise his or her business, please
contact Tri-State’s ad manager. If you do not wish to be included in the
directory, please indicate this on your registration form.
DRAMA CLUB:
There is one
drama group for elementary through middle school and another for high school
students. Information is in the newsletter. Each stages performances
throughout the year.
FAMILY MEETINGS: Throughout the year we hold some
meetings that are geared for the entire family. Some of these meetings feature
a speaker; others may be a social/educational event. Everyone is encouraged to
attend. There may be a fee involved depending upon the event.
FIELD DAY:
In the fall or spring each year, the dads organize a field day for five-year-old
kindergartners through grade 9. There are various track and field events. A
certificate and ribbon are awarded to each child who participates.
FIELD TRIPS: There are usually field trips
advertised in the newsletter for Tri-State members. Some field trips
accommodate everyone, and some are geared to specific age groups. Much effort
goes into the planning of the field trips, and we ask that everyone be prompt,
courteous, and respectful to others. Only official Tri-State field trips may
use the Tri-State name. Please remember that everyone on these field trips is a
representative of homeschooling in general and Tri-State in particular, and we
ask that you make every attempt to leave a good impression.
HERITAGE ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR: This is an opportunity for your
family to display crafts it has been learning such as carving, woodworking,
needlework, beadwork, or whatever creative endeavors your family enjoys!
LIBRARY: Teaching your children at home can seem quite
overwhelming, especially if you are just beginning. Tri-State’s library
currently has curriculum, reference, and resource books that are useful for
homeschoolers of all experience levels. Some titles are: How to Home School:
A Practical Approach by Gayle Graham, The Big Book of Home Learning
by Mary Pride, and the Christian Home Educator’s Curriculum Manual:
Elementary Grades by Cathy Duffy. Also available are E.D. Hirsch,
Jr.’s What Your (1st-4th) Grader Needs to Know and The Yellow Pages
Guide to Educational Field Trips by Gregg Harris. (These are both EXCELLENT
reference books.)
The Tri-State
library is on loan to the New Castle County library system and is being housed
at the Delaware City Public Library. Every Tri-State member, whether a New
Castle County resident or not, has free borrowing privileges. For complete
details on how to access the library, look in the handbook at the section on
library policy.
MOMS MEETINGS: Our Moms Meetings are held on the second
Tuesday of the months. See the newsletter for dates and times. These are for
homeschooling moms and nursing infants. These meetings are the mainstay of
Tri-State as moms share with one another, enjoy fellowship and refreshments, and
especially strive to encourage each other in our homeschooling endeavors.
MEK:
Mu Sigma Kappa consists of those students who are in 7th or 8th
grades. MEK holds 2 meetings a month during the school year; one is a
“business” meeting at a church, and the other is a field trip. During the
“business” meetings they play games, have snacks, work on the Talent Night
presentation (in the fall) and the yearbook (in the winter). Some fun field
trips have included canoeing, skiing, Blue Rocks game, Frisbee Golf, swimming,
and an Alka-Seltzer Shoot-Out. MEK’s purpose is to provide an identity group
for homeschoolers during their adolescent years and to help them make friends
with other homeschoolers.
MENTOR PROGRAM: Tri-State's mentor program is designed to offer
support and encouragement for the first or second year homeschooler. Each
person who requests a mentor will be matched with an experienced homeschooling
parent. The mentor will encourage the new homeschooler and will be available to
answer questions when needed. The mentor will also make an attempt to meet the
new homeschooler at a Tri-State function and introduce the new member to others
in the group. This program was started in order to give a “personal” flavor to
a large group and to decrease the attrition rate of new homeschoolers who often
feel overwhelmed and isolated.
NEWCOMERS MEETINGS: Currently Tri-State provides three
Newcomer’s meetings a year to prepare those considering homeschooling or simply
to remind all of us of things to make our homeschooling and life easier. These
meetings take place in June, August, and January.
NEWSLETTER: Tri-State’s newsletter is distributed monthly August
through May. The newsletter is the main form of communication and contains the
calendar of events for Tri-State.
PHYSICAL FITNESS INCENTIVES: Tri-State participates in both
the President’s Challenge and the President’s Physical Fitness programs.
PLAYS:
Tri-State has been participating in the Children’s Series at the Playhouse
Theatre in the Hotel DuPont, Wilmington, DE, and other local theaters. There
are usually four to five plays offered each year at a reduced cost for school
participation. Plays center on well-known literature, persons, or events and
are very well presented.
READING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS: Tri-State is involved in both The
Book-It program from Pizza Hut and the Blue Rocks reading incentive program.
SCHOOL PICTURES: A photographer (a Tri-State member) has
agreed to photograph our children in the fall. Look for more details in the
newsletter.
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES FAIR:
This is a
non-competitive event where your children can display projects, unit studies, or
subject areas they have studied over the year. It usually takes place in mid to
late January. Past entries have included: the history of coins and money, the
history of Pennsylvania, Vikings, Horses, water pressure, how sound waves
travel, and flags. This event is great to visit and get wonderful ideas for
future studies. It may get your own creative juices flowing (which is very
helpful in January)!
STANDARDIZED TESTING: Tri-state members who are not served by
another school may be permitted to join Old Capitol Trail Academy for
standardized testing. There is a fee to cover the cost of the testing service.
TALENT NIGHT:
This is our
November event where our children get a chance to learn poise and
self-confidence in front of a group as they perform a song, skit, recital piece,
and poem--whatever.
TEK:
Theta Sigma Kappa is our group for teens who are in 9th through 12th
grades. TEK will meet once per month for “business” and will also have a
monthly field trip. In TEK, the students are encouraged to take on more
responsibility for running the group (under the supervision of responsible
parents, of course!).
WORKSHOPS: A number of workshops are made available through the
year for Tri-State members, some for a small fee. Workshops may include a
kindergarten workshop and/or two Scope and Sequence workshops. The kindergarten
workshop offers a practical, developmentally sound approach to teaching
kindergarten. The Elementary Scope and Sequence gives guidance in planning an
academically sound elementary education. The High School Scope and Sequence
offers guidelines for completing requirements for a high school diploma as well
as preparation for college.
VOLUNTEERS:
Without Tri-State’s many volunteers we would be unable
to provide these programs. First year members should guard against
over-committing themselves but are encouraged to volunteer for some of the less
stressful positions. We have found that those who volunteer make friends more
quickly and feel comfortable in the organization much more quickly than those
who do not become involved. Many of the volunteer opportunities also provide an
opportunity for the volunteer’s children to become involved with other
homeschooling children. Listed below are the positions that we feel are most
appropriate for first-year homeschoolers. Most of the following are short-term,
project-based positions that allow some socializing with other homeschoolers:
Newsletter
distribution: Spend an afternoon assembling, stapling and labeling newsletters
in preparation for mailing.
Picnics: Make arrangements for a picnic in your area.
Refreshments: Contribute refreshments for a workshop or Mom’s meeting.
Skating: Sign people in and collect money at skating.
Talent Night: Set-up or clean-up.
MEMBERSHIP IN TRI-STATE
HOW TO JOIN
Membership in
Tri-State is for one year, from August to August. Dues are currently $20.00 if
you opt for an electronic newsletter, and $30.00 if you choose to have the
newsletter mailed to your home. To receive the newsletter electronically, you
must join
www.yahoogroups.com, then join Tri-StateHomeschoolNetwork groups (exactly as
it is spelled). Our Yahoo! Groups PICOS will confirm your membership. The
newsletter will then be available under the “Files” section.
To join
Tri-State, a family must be currently homeschooling at least one of their
children for that school year, or if joining during the summer, planning to home
school one of their children for the upcoming school year. Activities are for
the homeschooling child(ren) only, unless the activity specifically includes the
whole family (such as Family Night).
To join, a
family should fill out a membership form (included with this packet), include
the appropriate membership fee, and mail the form and fee to: Tri-State Home
School Network, Inc., P.O. Box 7193, Newark, DE 19714-7193. There will be no
further notification that membership forms have been received, except that
receipt of the monthly Tri-State newsletter (usually by the end of the first
week of the month) has verified your membership. We do not issue membership
cards. In order to receive the next month’s Tri-State newsletter after you have
joined, your membership forms must be received by Tri-State by the 15th of the
previous month. If your membership form arrives after the 15th, you may not
receive next month’s newsletter until the month after that. If a newsletter was
not received but should have been, notify Tri-State’s secretary by calling
302-456-3545 (voice box #3) or
email her at
secretary@tristatehomeschoolnetwork.org. If there are any other problems or
concerns about your membership, missing newsletters, change of address, or other
incorrect data, please contact Tri-State’s secretary as well. Membership
privileges will begin as soon as the membership form and dues are received.
DELIVERY OF THE NEWSLETTER
The goal of the Newsletter Editor and
Newsletter Distributor is to have the Tri-State newsletter in member homes by
the first of the month and certainly no later than the end of the first week of
the month. Because newsletters are sometimes mailed using bulk rate, the post
office cannot guarantee when the newsletters will be delivered. However, the
post office can be fairly prompt with their delivery. If your newsletter
arrives after the first week of the month, promptly notify the Tri-State
secretary at 302-456-3545 (voice box #3) or
you
may
email her at, and we will try to track down
the problem and remedy it.
If you change your mailing address or your
email address, you must notify the Tri-State secretary before the 15th
of the month in order to receive the next month’s newsletter. Because the
newsletter is sometimes mailed bulk rate, the post office will not forward the
newsletter to the new address and will not notify Tri-State that your newsletter
was undeliverable. It is very important the Tri-State secretary receives any
address changes promptly so that you can continue to receive your Tri-State
newsletter in a timely manner. If by chance you have not received your mailed
newsletter because you have moved, please contact the Tri-State secretary.
NEWSLETTER INFORMATION
The opinions expressed in the Tri-State Home School
Network Newsletter are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the
Tri-State Organization. We do our best to edit or eliminate questionable
material.
The newsletter is
published ten months each year, August through May. The deadline for each
newsletter is the 15th of the preceding month. Please note that photos
submitted to the editor (and at the editor’s discretion) will appear in our
e-newsletter, which is posted on the Tri-State Home School Network Yahoo Group
and only accessible to Tri-State members. Members may email submissions to:
thethseditor@yahoo.com no later than the 15th of the preceding month. All
classified notices or questions about advertising in the Tri-State Home School
Network Newsletter are to be directed to the Advertising Manager at:
tristateadmgr@ yahoo.com — email submissions only — no phone calls please. Also,
please do not send any classified notices to the editor.
DISCOUNT MEMBERSHIP IN HSLDA AVAILABLE
Membership in
the Tri-State Home School Network allows you to join the Home School Legal
Defense Association (HSLDA) at a discounted price. Some umbrella schools also
offer the same discounted HSLDA membership. Tri-State’s HSLDA group number is
listed in the monthly newsletter in the “Board Members and Information” section.
MEMBERSHIP ASSISTANCE
Every year,
through the generosity of our members, Tri-State is able to assist with the
membership fee for some families who are experiencing financial difficulty. The
assistance does not come out of the general membership dues but out of the money
donated to our membership assistance fund. When families renew their
membership, some donate to the membership assistance fund. When the money in
the fund is used up for the year, no more membership assistance is given out.
The membership assistance fund is for membership in Tri-State only. We
cannot provide assistance for individual activities or children’s participation
in any events. The membership assistance fund has a few rules:
-
The
family must have been a member previously.
-
There is
a limited amount of membership assistance.
-
Membership assistance must be requested in writing. The treasurer needs
this documentation.
-
Partial
membership assistance is possible.
-
Any
person receiving membership assistance will be asked to volunteer for at
least one activity that year; they will only receive newsletters
electronically.
-
A
particular family cannot receive membership assistance for more than 2 years
in a row.
HOW TO OBTAIN A NEWCOMER’S PACKET
If you know
someone who is just starting out or thinking about homeschooling, please let
this person know how he or she can get a Tri-State Newcomer’s Packet. The
packet is available for $12.00 (to cover photocopying and postage costs). Send
request and check or money order payable to TSHSN, Inc. to this address:
Tri-State Home School
Network
P.O. Box 7193
Newark, DE
19714-7193
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR TRI-STATE
Located in
the monthly Tri-State Home School Network Newsletter under “Board Members and
Information” is the most current contact information for the officers of
Tri-State.
Tri-State Home School Network
P.O. Box 7193
Newark, DE
19714-7193
Phone:
302-456-3545
Website:
www.tristatehomeschoolnetwork.org
BY-LAWS
OF
TRI-STATE HOME SCHOOL NETWORK, INC.
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE AND MISSION
Section
1. Purpose. Tri-State Home School
Network, Inc., a Delaware non-stock corporation (the “Corporation), is
organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary
and/or educational purposes as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (hereinafter referred to as
the “Code”), and the Corporation may do and engage in any and all lawful
activities that may be incidental or reasonably necessary to any of these
purposes, and it shall have and may exercise all other powers and authority now
or hereafter conferred upon non-stock corporations in the State of Delaware,
including, but not limited to, the following:
a. to distribute funds and make contributions to other organizations
organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, educational,
literary or scientific purposes, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of
Code;
b.
to take by bequest, devise, gift, grant, purchase, lease or otherwise
and to hold, manage and use for the purposes herein set forth, any property,
real or personal, tangible or intangible, or any undivided interest therein; and
to convey, sell or otherwise dispose of such property and to invest, reinvest
and manage the same, including, but not limited to, the right to vote any stocks
so held, in such manner as in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation will best promote its purposes;
c. to engage in any other charitable, religious, scientific, literary or
educational activity with the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Code; and
d.
to do and perform all acts and things which are legitimate and are
reasonably calculated to promote the interests and carry out the purposes of the
Corporation.
Notwithstanding any other provision of these By-laws, the Corporation shall not
carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on: (i) by a
corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code;
or (ii) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under Section
170(c) of the Code.
Section 2. Mission. The Corporation was formed on August 12, 1993 to promote home schooling
and to provide support to the families that home school. Field trips, monthly
meetings, moms' meetings and publishing a newsletter are some of the support
services provided. The Corporation was founded by Christians on Christian
principles but is not exclusively Christian in membership.
The Corporation believes that the Bible is
the inspired and infallible Word of God and constitutes His completed and final
revelation to man. The Bible, in its original autograph, is without error in
whole and in part, including theological concepts as well as geographical and
historical details.
God has existed from all eternity in three
persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ was
God come in human flesh being fully God and fully man, except without sin. All
men are in violation of God's righteous requirements, and His holy character
both by nature and act, and are therefore under His wrath and just condemnation.
The central purpose of the coming of Jesus Christ was to pay the penalty for
man's sin through His substitutionary death on the cross, the successful
accomplishment of which was attested to by His subsequent visible, bodily
resurrection. Salvation is offered as a gift, free to the sinner. This gift must
be responded to in individual faith, not trusting in any personal works
whatsoever, but in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ alone.
ARTICLE II
OFFICES
Section 1.
Principal Office. The location of the principal office of the Corporation
shall be in Delaware, or such other place as the Corporation’s Board of
Directors may from time to time determine.
Section 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such
other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the
Corporation’s Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The Board of
Directors of the Corporation is hereinafter referred to as the "Board" and its
members as "Directors".
ARTICLE III
MEETINGS OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.
Place of Meeting. All meetings of the Directors for any purpose, including
the annual meeting of Directors for the election of Officers, may be held at
such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated
in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section 2.
Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of directors shall be held in the month
of March, on such day and at such time as the Board shall designate, at which
the Directors shall elect the officers and transact such other business as may
properly be brought before the meeting.
Section 3.
Notice of Annual Meeting. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given by
mailing, not more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days prior
thereto, a written notice stating the time and place thereof, directed to each
Director at his address.
Section 4.
Special Meetings. Special Meetings of the Directors, for any purpose or
purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), may be
called by the Board, the majority of the Directors or the President. Such
request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
Section 5.
Notice of Special Meeting. Written, telegraphic or electronic notice of a
special meeting of Directors, state the time, place and object thereof, shall be
given to each Director, not more than ten (10) nor less than two (2) days before
the date fixed for the meeting.
Section 6.
Waiver of Notice. Notice of any meeting, if required, need not be given to
any Director who signs a waiver of notice before or after the meeting. The
attendance of any director at any meeting without the director protesting prior
to the conclusion of such meeting the lack of notice thereto shall constitute a
waiver of notice by such director.
Section 7.
Business Transacted at a Special Meeting. Business transacted at any
special meeting of Directors shall be limited to the purposes stated in the
notice.
Section 8.
Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of any business at all meetings of the
Board shall consist of not less than a majority of the current Directors.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws, action by a majority of those present at any duly organized meeting
shall constitute lawful action by the Board. If a quorum is lacking, a majority
of the Directors present may adjourn any such meeting from time to time until a
quorum is acquired. Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board by
means of conference telephone or similar equipment through which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation at a meeting in
this manner shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. No action of
the Board shall be valid unless taken at a meeting which a quorum is present,
except that an action which may be taken at a meeting of the Board may be taken
without a meeting if, prior or subsequent to such action, a consent in writing,
setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all Directors entitled to
vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.
Section 9.
Action without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by
the Board or by a committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if, prior to
such action, all of the Board or committee consent in writing to a resolution
authorizing the action. Such written consents may be executed in counterparts,
and shall be filed with the minutes of the Corporation.
Section 10.
Voting Rights. Each Director shall be entitled to one (1) vote upon each
matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of Directors.
ARTICLE IV
DIRECTORS
Section 1.
Number and Election of Directors. The number of Directors which shall
constitute the whole Board shall be not less than three (3) nor more than
fifteen (15) Directors. The Board, upon adoption of this Section, shall consist
of five (5) Directors, and thereafter the number of Directors as shall
constitute the whole Board may be increased or decreased by resolution of the
Board, but shall in no case be less than three (3) Directors. Directors must be
in concurrence with Corporation's Statement of Faith and must be a member in
good standing of a local Christian church.
Section 2.
Term. The term of office of each Director shall be staggered so that each
year approximately one-third of the Directors are appointed. Each Director
shall hold office for three years or until his successor is appointed and
qualifies.
Section 3.
Vacancies. If the office of any director becomes vacant for any reason,
such vacancy shall be filled by a majority vote of the Directors remaining in
office.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Section 1.
Standing Committees. Upon adoption of this section there shall be no
standing committee(s) of the board, but the Board may, from time to time,
establish such committee(s) as required. The resolution appointing such
committees shall designate its purpose, authority, and functions. Each
committee shall limit its activities to the accomplishment of the purpose for
which it is appointed and, unless otherwise specified, shall have no power to
act except to recommend action to the Board.
Section 2.
Membership. Unless otherwise provided, a majority vote of the Board shall
appoint the members of all committees, and the President shall appoint the
chairs thereof. Each member of a committee shall hold office until the term for
which he was appointed expires and until his successor is appointed and
qualified, unless he shall sooner resign or be removed.
Section 3.
Resignation, Removal, Vacancies. Any member of any committee may resign at
any time by giving written notice to the President or the Secretary of the
Corporation. A member of a committee who is a Director, shall automatically
cease to serve in such position if he shall cease to be a Director unless the
Board approves his continued appointment. Any member of a committee may be
removed at any time by a majority vote of the Board of Directors without
assigning any cause. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of any committee
and any membership to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of
committee members shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 4.
Meeting. All committees shall meet at places, dates, and hours selected by
each committee and special meetings may be called by the Board, the President or
the chair of the committee when necessary. The chair of each committee shall
preside at meetings thereof, unless otherwise provided, each committee shall
appoint a secretary. Minutes of all committee meetings shall be accurately kept
by the secretary of the committee so appointed or designated as such by the
chair of the committee and shall be submitted to the Secretary of the
Corporation. In the absence of the chair, a temporary chair shall be appointed.
Section 5.
Notice. Written notice of committee meetings stating the place, date, and
hour shall be given to members, under the direction of the committee secretary.
Such notice shall be mailed at least five (5) days prior to any meeting. In the
alternative, notice may be given by telephone at least three (3) days prior to
any meeting. Notice may be waived by a committee meeting in writing or by
attendance at the meeting without protesting the lack of notice.
Section 6.
Quorum. At a committee meeting, a quorum for the transaction of any
business shall be a majority of the members of the committee. Action by a
majority of those present shall constitute lawful action of a committee.
Committee members may participate in a meeting of the committee by means of a
telephone conference or similar equipment through which all persons can hear
each other and participation at a meeting in this manner constitutes presence in
person at the meeting.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers.
The Corporation’s officers shall be a President, a Vice President, a
Secretary, a Treasurer and, if desired, one or more Vice Presidents. The
officers shall be elected by the Board at its regular meeting following the
annual meeting of Directors or at any other meeting of the Board. Officers
shall be parents who are educating their own children and shall be members in
good standing of the Corporation for at least two (2) years. Each candidate for
election to the Corporation must affirm before the Board his or her concurrence
with the Corporation's Statement of Faith, must be a member in good standing of
a local Christian church and must profess by credible testimony his or her faith
in Jesus Christ.
Section 2.
Election Term; Removal. The officers shall be elected at the annual
meeting of Directors by the majority vote of the Directors, except as provided
in Section 10 of the Article. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office
until their successors are chosen and qualify. The Board may remove any officer
at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors at any
meeting of the Board at which there is a quorum, without the necessity of
specifying any cause therefore and without any prior notice of such action to
the person removed.
Section 3.
President. The President shall, subject to the control of the Board,
supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. All
other officers shall be subject to the authority and supervision of the
President. The President may enter into and execute in the name of the
Corporation contracts or other instruments not in the regular course of business
which are authorized, either generally or specifically, by the Board. The
President shall sign and execute in the name of the Corporation duly authorized
deeds, leases, mortgages, bonds, obligations, contracts and other instruments.
The President shall present a written report of the conditions and affairs of
the Corporation at the annual meeting of Directors.
Section 4.
Vice Presidents. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents, each of
whom shall perform such duties and possess such powers as shall be assigned him
or her by the Board.
Section 5.
Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge and
custody of, and be responsible for, all funds of the Corporation, shall keep or
cause to be kept regular books of account for the Corporation and shall perform
such other duties and possess such other powers as are incident to the office of
treasurer of as shall be assigned to the Treasurer by the Board or the
President. The Assistant Treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the
Assistant Treasurers, in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence
or disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of
the Treasurer set forth herein and as the Board or the President from time to
time may prescribe.
Section 6.
Secretary and Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall cause notices of all
meetings to be served as prescribed in these By-laws or by statute, shall keep
or cause to be kept the minutes of all meetings of the Board and shall have
charge of the corporate records and seal of the Corporation. The Secretary
shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as are incident to
the office of the secretary or as are assigned by the Board or the President.
The Assistant Secretary, or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant
Secretaries, in the order determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or
disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the
Secretary set forth herein and as the Board or the President from time to time
may prescribe.
Section 7.
Subordinate Officers and Agents. The Board may elect or appoint such other
officers and agents as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable, who shall
hold their offices for such term and shall exercise such powers and perform such
duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.
Section 8.
Dual Positions. One person may hold two or more offices except that one
person may not hold both the offices of President and Secretary.
Section 9.
Resignation. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to
the President or the Secretary of the Corporation, and unless otherwise
specified therein, such resignation shall be effective immediately and shall not
be dependent on acceptance by the Corporation.
Section 10.
Vacancies and Absences. Any office which becomes vacant may be filled by
the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board. When the incumbent of
an office is unable to perform the duties thereof or when there is no incumbent
of an office, the duties of the office shall, unless otherwise provided by the
Board, be performed by the next office in the following sequence: President,
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
ARTICLE VII
MEMBERS
Section 1.
Membership. There shall be only one (1) class of membership. Membership in
the corporation shall be available to home schooling parents or guardians who
are currently educating their own children. A current membership form along with
the yearly membership fee must be submitted in accordance with the membership
dues statement or policy as amended from time to time. All powers, obligations
and rights of members provided by law shall reside in the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS
Section 1.
Commercial Paper and Contracts. All checks and notes, drafts and other
commercial paper of the Corporation shall be signed by the President or
Treasurer of the Corporation or by such other person or persons as the Board may
from time to time designate.
Section 2.
Other Instruments. All contracts, deeds, mortgages and other instruments
shall be executed by the President, any Vice President or any such other person
or persons as the Board may from time to time designate, and, if necessary, by
the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.
ARTICLE IX
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year
of the Corporation shall be in the calendar year.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENT
Section 1.
Bylaws. These By-laws or any part thereof, may be altered, amended or
repealed, or new by-laws may be adopted by the Board at any regular meeting of
the Board or at any special meeting of the Board.
Section 2.
Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation may be altered, amended, restated or repealed by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Board present at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering and voting upon the proposed amendment. Upon adoption, a
certificate of amendment shall be filed with the Secretary of State as provided
by law.
|