Proposed as of September 12, 2003

 

F.O.C.H.E.

FAMILY OF CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS

Support Group By-laws (Enacted November 2003 ) 

I. NAME OF THE GROUP

This organization shall be known as "FAMILY OF CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS" and may be referred to as FOCHE.

II. PURPOSE OF THE GROUP

FOCHE is a Christ-centered organization providing information and support to Christian parents who are, or will be teaching their children at home. FOCHE offers opportunities for fellowship, training and encouragement to better equip its members to accomplish their family’s home education goals.

III. STATEMENT OF FAITH

The Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God (II. Tim. 3:16)

God has existed from all eternity in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, being virgin born, was God in human flesh; fully God and fully man, except without sin, was crucified, died and was buried, and was bodily resurrected on the third day to fulfill the Scriptures(Gen. 1:26; Jn. 1:1-3, 14; Heb. 4:15; Jn. 14:26; Lk 24:33-39; 1 Cor. 15:3-5).

Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrections, His ascension and His return in power and glory.

All men are by nature sinners and under God’s condemnation (Jer. 17:9-10; Rom. 3:23).

Jesus Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross has paid the penalty for man’s sin. Salvation is offered as a gift from God, free to the sinner. This gift must be responded to in individual faith, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, but the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ alone (Tit. 3:5-6; Gal. 3:13; Rom. 6:4-11; Eph. 2:8-9).

Children are gifts from God given to parents who act as stewards for a short time. Parents are responsible to God for each child’s education and training (Ps. 127:3; Deut. 6:6-10; Eph. 6:4; Prov. 22:6).

IV. GOVERNMENT

The organization shall be a representative type of government composed of the elected Officers as set forth in Article X. These officers shall comprise the governing body of FOCHE, hereinafter called the "Executive Board."  The Executive Board shall have the power to act in all matters of FOCHE except revision of these by-laws and removal of an Officer from office. All actions taken by the Executive Board shall be recorded and shall be made available to any member upon request. The membership shall have the exclusive authority to vote for election of Officers, removal of Officers, increases in dues, modification of these by-laws, and on dissolution of this organization, each as provided herein.

This Organization shall not be incorporated.

V. MEMBERSHIP

A. Membership shall consist of families which are or have been actively engaged in or interested in home education which have paid the annual membership dues. Membership shall be classified as Family Membership

B. .A family seeking membership in FOCHE shall apply by completing the FOCHE application and paying the annual dues.

C. Membership in FOCHE is not transferable or assignable.

D. Each member family shall be entitled to one (1) vote in all applicable matters. Except as otherwise provided by these By-Laws, all matters brought to a vote shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present at a duly called general meeting of the members.

E. A membership roster shall be furnished in the fall of each year to every member family, which shall include the names of all family members, address, phone number, children's ages and grades; as well as curriculum used. Any family may elect to have any or all of the previous information withheld from the distributed membership roster. Each family receiving a membership roster shall consider the information contained therein to be confidential and each member shall exercise due care to maintain its confidentiality.

F. Because FOCHE is a self-help group, all members are asked to be willing to serve in some capacities throughout the year.

G. FOCHE is not affiliated with any religious or political organization or any special interest group. While members may participate in any other organizations according to personal interest, no member shall attempt to affiliate this organization with another to advance any cause without the advance approval of the Executive Board

VI. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS

These By-Laws may be altered or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the member families present at a duly called general meeting, and provided that the amendment was submitted to the membership in writing or by electronic transmission at the previous general meeting, or at least twenty days before the duly called meeting.

VII. MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

A. FOCHE shall conduct support group meetings on a regular basis as determined by the Executive Board. These meetings shall be for the education, encouragement and support of the membership, but no voting shall occur unless a general meeting notice has been provided to the membership.

B. From time to time, and no less than once every three months during the time period of August 15 of through May 30 of each year, a duly elected member of the Executive Board shall call a general meeting of the members at which annual elections or other membership votes as provided herein may be conducted. The general meeting may be held as part of a support group meeting. If any member has business which needs to be discussed and acted upon by the membership, such member shall present the item to a Coordinator at least 14 days prior to the next scheduled meeting.

C. A general meeting consistent with Article IV shall be called withing 30 days upon the written request of seven (7) member families of FOCHE. The written request shall state the purpose of the meeting.

D. Notice of a general meeting of the members, either written (including by electronic means) or by telephone, stating the location, the date, and the time of the meeting, shall be provided to the members of FOCHE not less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall also include all business items to be addressed at the meeting. No business items other than those included in the meeting notice shall be acted upon at such meeting

E. There shall be no quorum requirement for general meetings for elections and other business.

F. A simple majority of votes cast is required.

G. There will be one vote per family membership.

H. Elections and amendments will be administered by ballot.

I. Absentee voting shall be permitted for general meetings and considered as a member present at a duly called meeting, but only for those issues specifically addressed in the absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be delivered in writing to a member of the Executive Board prior to the opening of the meeting.

J. Election of Officers.

1. For election of Officers, the ballot shall consist of nominee families who meet the qualifications for Officer.

2. A qualified member family may be nominated for office at any time prior to the general meeting at which the election is to be held by submitting the nomination to the Group Coordinator. Nominations may also be made from the floor at the general meeting at which the election is held. To be a valid nomination, the member family nominated must either accept or decline the nomination.

3. The election of Officers shall be held in the Spring at a general meeting each year or by mail ballot . Said election shall be by secret ballot if there be more than one nomination for any office and by acclamation if there be only one nomination for any or all offices.

VIII. DUES

Annual membership dues shall initially be $20.00 per Family Membership, which dues shall cover membership for a period of 12 months from the date of payment. Membership dues will be reviewed annually by the Executive Board and increases may be recommended the Executive Board. Any increases in the amount of dues shall require approval of a majority of the member families attending a duly called general meeting. Dues shall be non-refundable. Dues may be waived by the Executive Board on a needs basis.

IX. EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. The affairs of FOCHE shall be managed and administered by an Executive Board consisting of the duly elected Officers listed in Article X below.

B. Each Officer position is considered as the parental family unit of married husband and wife. This allows the homeschool father and mother to provide their perspectives on the board. Each family unit will be entitled to one vote on board matters.

C. Responsibilities of the Executive Board include:

1. To act both individually and as a group with virtuous Christian values.

2. To administer the affairs of FOCHE.

3. To hold regularly scheduled Executive Board meetings.

4. To publicly represent the FOCHE views in conformity with the FOCHE’s Statement of Faith.

5. To assign such Standing Committees and/or Temporary Committees as are necessary to conduct the business of FOCHE. Any member regardless of experience or length of membership may serve with a committee.

6. To provide workshops, seminars, or other programs as needed.

7. To help the Executive Board make good decisions in line with Christian principles.

8. To establish, empower, and oversee staff as needed.

D. Quorum and Executive Board Meetings:

1. A majority of Executive Board members (50% plus 1) will form a quorum for the transaction of FOCHE Executive Board business. The Executive Board may hold its meetings at such place or places as it may from time to time determine. No formal notice of any such meeting shall be necessary if all the members of the Executive Board are present, or if those absent have signified their consent to the meeting being held in their absence. An Officer is considered present if one of the spouses comprising the Officer is in attendance.

2. Executive Board meetings will be chaired by one of the Group Coordinators, or in their absence, one of the Co-Coordinators. In absence of the Group Coordinators and Co-Coordinators, their duties may be performed by such other Officers as the Executive Board may from time to time appoint for the purpose.

3. The general membership may attend board meetings and express their views unless the Executive Board meets in Executive Session, which shall be open only to the Officers and those expressly invited. Meeting in Executive Session shall be permitted only when dealing with matters of potential wrongdoing that could lead to the removal or discipline of a member or an Officer. The affected member shall be permitted to attend such Executive Session. No routine business shall be handled by the Executive Board in Executive Session.

4. Executive Board meetings may be held at any time as deemed necessary by the Officers, especially to conduct routine business affairs. Notice of the date, time and location of such meetings shall be posted on the FOCHE website at least seven days prior to such meeting.

5. All meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer.

6. All committees must give an oral or written report as requested by the Executive Board.

7. There shall be at least one Officer on a Standing Committee. Such Officer does not have to serve as chair of such Standing Committee.

8. An Officer shall be appointed to be the contact person and liaison to resolve questions of any committee or FOCHE -sponsored activity that may arise between scheduled Executive Board meetings. Such Officer does not have to be a member of such committee.

9. Questions arising at any Executive Board meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes of the Officers present. No proxy or absentee votes shall be allowed for the Executive Board.

G. Vacancies on the Executive Board, however caused, may so long as a quorum of Officers remain in office, be filled by the Officers from among qualified member families of FOCHE, if they shall see fit to do so. Otherwise such vacancy shall be filled at the next general meeting of the members at which the Officers for the ensuing year are elected. If there is not a quorum of Officers, the remaining Officers shall forthwith call a meeting of the members to fill the vacancy.

H. The members of FOCHE may by resolution passed by a least two thirds of the votes cast at a general meeting of which notice specifying the intention to pass such resolution has been duly given pursuant to Article VII, remove any Officer before the expiration of their term of office, and may by a majority of votes cast at that meeting, elect any qualified member family in their stead for the remainder of their term.

X. OFFICERS

The Officers of FOCHE shall consist of Group Coordinator, Co-Coordinator, Treasurer, Secretary, and Activities Director.

A. Officer Qualifications: Each Officer family shall:

1. Consist of a married husband and wife;

2. Have a minimum of one year involvement in home education;

3. Be willing to work hard and attend scheduled leadership meetings;

4. Be a member in good standing of FOCHE and currently home-schooling; and

5. Agree orally to endorse and support the Purpose and Statement of Faith of FOCHE as set forth in these By-Laws.

B. Each officer term will start June 1 and end May 31. An Officer may resign during their term for any reason by giving written notice to the Executive Board.

C. Duties of each Officer. The duties of each Officer shall be as follows:

1. Group Coordinator

a. Serve as executive officer of FOCHE

b. Schedule and direct the Executive Board meetings and General meetings

c. Make every attempt to attend annual home education conferences.

d. Shall not vote on the Executive Board meeting issues except in all cases where the Group Coordinator’s vote would affect the result; or where the vote is by ballot, the Group Coordinators may vote.

e. Shall be ex-officio members of all committees.

f. Shall be the contact people for FOCHE and shall attend to the overall business of FOCHE.

g. Shall keep and pass records on to newly elected Group Coordinators.

2. Co-Coordinator

a. Assist the Group Coordinator at their request in all aspects of the duties of the Group Coordinator

b. Perform such other duties as requested by the Executive Board.

c. Shall be a regular voting Executive Board member except when acting for the Group Coordinators.

d. During the absence or inability of both Coordinators, exercise any such duty or power of Group Coordinator.

3. Treasurer

a. Collect dues and maintains a record of each member’s payment

b. Maintain an accurate checking account under the name of Family Of Christian Home Educators.

c. Maintain the group checking account, which may not be closed without the approval of the Executive Board.

d. Pay bills as directed by the Executive Board.

e. Prepare a report to be presented to the Executive Board for approval.

f. Keep and pass financial and membership records on to the next Treasurer.

4. Secretary

a. Take minutes at Executive Board and general meetings (this may be delegated) as required for the records of FOCHE and shall present them at the next appropriate meeting for approval.

b. Prepare new-member packets and brings them to the monthly meetings.

c. Responsible for publishing the Family Membership roster to be published annually (based on membership payment records from Treasurer).

d. Shall set up and maintain telephone tree.

e. Keep and pass records onto the next secretary.

5. Activities Director

a. Coordinate and arrange for any presentations to be presented to the membership.

b. Oversee delegating responsibilities to any committee which may be established for the purposes of assisting with meeting presentations.

XI. PROCEDURES FOR DISBANDING THE GROUP

This organization may be dissolved a 75% majority of the membership present at a general meeting, provided notice of a motion to dissolve was given to the membership at least 20 days in advance of a duly called general meeting. In the event FOCHE is dissolved, all funds remaining after the payment of debts and obligations shall be distributed equally among the then member families. This shall be done by the Treasurer with the approval of the other current members of the Executive Board.

XII ENABLING AND GRANDFATHER PROVISIONS

As FOCHE has been operating prior to enactment of these by-laws, the following shall apply. These by-laws shall be effective immediately upon approval of a majority of FOCHE members present at a support group meeting, provided a copy of these by-laws have been made available by electronic means or otherwise to those families who are current in their payment of dues at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. The Officers elected or filling a vacancy prior to the effective date of these by-laws shall serve as the initial officers pursuant to the by-laws, however, the qualifications set forth in Article X, Section A, subsections 1, 2 and 5 shall not apply to such Officers through the end of the current term. All qualifications will apply to any Officers elected or appointed after the effective date of these by-laws. This Article XII shall cease to be a part of these by-laws upon the first election of Officers conducted pursuant to these by-laws.