Amended September 2, 2011
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
Applicants must agree to abide by the WHS Community Values statement.
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 names & birth years of their
children, city of residence, phone number and email address. The
information provided on the Membership Form is for members' personal
and WHS use only. To protect member privacy, the information may not be
reproduced or distributed to any organization or person outside WHS,
except that some or all of it may be included in the Membership Roster and posted
to the members-only Welcome Homeschoolers group site. Misuse of
the Membership Roster or the Membership Form information 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 November 1st, 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) Co-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.
(7) Co-Park Day Coordinator & Welcomer: Assists the Park Day Coordinator, as requested, and will take over the Park Da\y Coordinator's duties, if needed.
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 terms will begin on September 1 and
continue for 1 year or until a replacement is elected, whichever comes
first. 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.
The Chair may call a special meeting with 5 days notice to the group.
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.
