|
Amended September 2007
ARTICLE I
Name and Purpose of Organization
Welcome Homeschoolers (WHS) is an inclusive support group for homeschooling families on the San Francisco Peninsula. Welcome Homeschoolers creates a community whose members offer support, information and encouragement to each other and to those interested in homeschooling. WHS serves to connect members with different homeschool philosophies through park days, field trips and other activities and also to foster connections between members of similar homeschool philosophies and like age groups.
ARTICLE II
Members
Eligibility and Application for Membership
Membership is open to all those homeschooling or interested in homeschooling. Before applying for membership, an interested individual must be either (a) personally known and referred by a current member or (b) have attended a park day or other WHS event open to non-members.
Application for Membership
A potential member must fill out a membership form which is available through the Membership Coordinator. Upon completion, the form and the check for dues should be returned to the Membership Coordinator. Upon receipt, the Membership Coordinator will (1) add the new member to the email list (2) ensure that the member is added to the Welcome Homeschoolers Yahoo group site which will give the new member access to the roster, bylaws, and email list.
On the Membership Form, applicants must provide their family name, the name & birth years of the children, address, phone number and email address. The roster is for personal and WHS use only. To protect member privacy, the membership roster may not be reproduced or distributed to any organization or person outside WHS. Misuse of the Membership Roster will be grounds for termination from WHS.
Dues
Dues are $12 each year and due August 31. Annual membership begins the month one enrolls until the following August 31st, with the exception of summer enrollments. The pay schedule is: enroll in September pay $12; October $11; November $10; December $9; January $8; February $7; March $6; April $5; May $4. Summer enrollments will include dues for the following year: enroll in June, pay $15; July $14; August $13. If dues are not paid by the September annual meeting, the member is considered delinquent and dropped from the rolls and email list.
If a member voluntarily chooses to leave WHS, no dues will be refunded. If the member is asked to leave, prorated dues will be refunded.
ARTICLE III
Officers & Duties
Officers
The officers are
(1) Chairpersons: The Chairperson presides over meetings for twelve months. Chairperson, with input from officers and members, sets and posts the agenda, location and topic of meetings.
The chairperson also protects members’ rights by ensuring bylaws & procedure are followed; represents the organization; keeps a list of which offices and jobs are filled or vacant and encourages volunteers to fill empty offices.
(2) C o-chairperson: The Co-chairperson will assist the Chairperson, as requested, and will take over the Chairperson’s duties, if needed.
(3) Financial Secretary and Treasurer: Receives & disburses the money, gives report at meeting; keeps records available for audit; balances & manages checking account.
(4) Recording Secretary: Takes & records minutes and sends them to members; keeps on file by-laws, minutes, roster and other important documentation.
(5) Membership Coordinator: Receives completed Membership Form from new members; passes on dues to Treasurer; adds new member to roster and email group which gives the new member access to roster and bylaws. Keeps email group current Sends out dues notice via email in August.
(6) Park Day Coordinator & Welcomer: The Park Day Coordinator will (a) make a final decision about at which park the group will meet for the coming months; (b) post the information to the group via email; and (c) propose any rainy or hot day alternatives, if desired and as necessary; (d) keep an eye out for new families and welcomes them; and (e) periodically solicit members’ input on park locations. Ideally is someone who attends park day on a regular basis.
ARTICLE IV
Nominations and Elections
In June, the Chair will determine if current officers wish to continue in their positions. The Chair will then email the membership with a list of which officers are continuing and ask the membership for volunteers to fill any vacancies. The Chair should make every effort to ensure that all officer positions are filled for the coming year.
The final slate of officers will be announced to the membership at least one week before the July meeting. Officers will be voted in at the July general meeting and annual terms will begin on September 1. All positions may serve consecutive terms, but the Chairperson is limited to two consecutive terms.
Any officer who cannot complete her or his term of office should contact the Chair 30 days prior to vacating the position. The officer and Chair will seek an acting replacement, who can be voted in at the next general meeting.
ARTICLE V
Meetings
Membership meetings will be held in January, March, May, July, September and November . Meeting dates for the year will be announced at the September meeting. The annual planning meeting will be at the September meeting.
A quorum shall be four members.
ARTICLE VI
Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order: Simplified and Applied shall govern meetings where they are not in conflict with the bylaws or other rules of WHS.
ARTICLE VII
Dissolution
Previous notice and a two-thirds vote can dissolve WHS. All outstanding bills will be paid. In lieu of returning annual dues, the remaining money will be divided evenly between California Homeschool Network (CHN) and Homeschool Association of California (HSC), which are inclusive California homeschool organizations.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendment of Bylaws
Proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be submitted for consideration at a board meeting and then distributed to the members via email, for a vote at the following scheduled board meeting. Amendments will pass by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
|
