Webmistress:

Karen Chinnery

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?                             

Membership in Tri-State

Home School Lingo                                                                   

Homeschooling and the Law                                                         

Umbrella Programs in Maryland                                                          42

Correspondence Schools Contact information                                      44

Helps for Starting to Home School                                                

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 7^th or 8^th 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 9^th through 12^th 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 15^th 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:

1. The family must have been a member previously.
2. There is a limited amount of membership assistance.
3. Membership assistance must be requested in writing.  The treasurer needs this documentation.
4. Partial membership assistance is possible.
5. Any person receiving membership assistance will be asked to volunteer for at least one activity that year; they will only receive newsletters electronically.
6. 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.