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Policies & Guidelines
- Purpose
- Membership
- Meetings
- Communication
- Events and Field Trips
- Clubs and Classes
- Library
- Graduation
- ERCHA Board
- Problem Resolution
For the purpose of this document, the term parents can be defined as one or both parents and the term child can be defined as a single child or children of one family.
1. PURPOSE
Eagle River Christian Homeschool Association (ERCHA) is a local Christian homeschool support group in the Chugiak/Eagle River area. We offer encouragement, advice and fellowship for families who have made the decision to educate their children at home. We also welcome inquiries from people who are considering the home-schooling option.
We believe the ultimate responsibility for the care, training, and education remains with each child’s parents (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:1-25; 4:1-4). This is an inalienable right given by God, which the State cannot create, destroy, or alter. While others may be delegated to teach at times, the final responsibility and control for education remains with each child’s parents.
We believe that as parents carry out the education of their children, it is their duty to do so in a manner that actively works to produce educational excellence, good citizenship, and godly character. We encourage parents to be familiar with and comply with Alaska State Law regarding home education. Click to download a copy of the law and a concise summary written by the Home School Legal Defense Association).
2. MEMBERSHIP
While ERCHA is based on Biblical principles and conducted with Christian values, membership in ERCHA is for all families who are actively homeschooling or preparing to do so.
Membership forms may be obtained:
- Online
- At ERCHA Meetings
- By mail: ERCHA ~ PO Box 770430 ~ Eagle River, AK 99577-0430
ERCHA membership is $25 per school year (September 1 through August 31). Payments received or postmarked before midnight on September 15, 2008, will receive a $5 “early bird” discount.
Dues will not be pro-rated.
Payment may be made via PayPal, check or cash (see membership form).
ERCHA publishes a directory for members in October. This directory will be mailed to all members and posted on the ERCHA Members Yahoo Group. The information in the directory is only for ERCHA member use and is not to be shared with non-members or used for business or political mailings or solicitations.
If your mailing information or homeschooling status changes during the year, please inform the Membership Chairman.
Policies and guidelines (of which this section is a part) have been established to facilitate the effectiveness of ERCHA as a support group. Failure to abide by these Policies and Guidelines may result in revocation of ERCHA membership.
3. MEETINGS
Group meetings are held each month, August – November, January – May. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at Eagle River Grace (also known as Grace Brethren Church of Eagle River). Any meeting exceptions due to holidays will be noted on the website. Monthly meetings are open to all homeschooling families. Questions about meeting can be directed to the Chairman of the Board.
With enough member volunteers, separate meetings for teens and activities for children may be offered during the monthly meetings.
4. COMMUNICATION
Conscientious efforts are made to alert members of upcoming activities and events through monthly meetings, the monthly newsletter and the ERCHA Members Yahoo Group. If you have questions about ERCHA Communications please contact the Communications Chairman.
ERCHA Newsletter. A monthly newsletter will be sent by e-mail or standard mail (according to member preference marked on membership form) and posted on the Yahoo Group site at the beginning of the month. All submissions to the newsletter need to be emailed to the Newsletter Coordinator by noon on the Friday following the monthly ERCHA meeting.
ERCHA Member Yahoo Group. A Yahoo Group has been established for ERCHA members. While not required, we do encourage members to join as the Yahoo Group is a helpful tool which enables families to stay informed, access messages and newsletters that are archived, and view the online event calendar and ERCHA directory. Members are also encouraged to post information or opportunities that might benefit homeschooling families.
This is a restricted list and the general public does not have access to what is posted. If forwarding a message from another individual or group that includes personal contact information, please obtain permission from the individual to pass on the information. Delete any header information from the email and note that it is a forward from another list. Please have the same courtesy before forwarding an ERCHA Members Yahoo Group message to another individual or Yahoo Group.
ERCHA does not necessarily endorse any class, person or product advertised on the Yahoo Group website.
There are two ways to sign up and use the Yahoo Group:
- Subscribe - Send a blank email to ERCHAmembers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
With this option you will be subscribed to the Yahoo Group. You will be able to post and receive messages through your own email provider, but you will not be able to sign in to or have access to the features of the ERCHA Members Yahoo Group (archived messages, calendar, files, or database).
- Join - Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ERCHAmembers/ and click "Join This Group!" With this option you will JOIN the ERCHA Members Yahoo Group. You will be able to sign in to the Yahoo Group and will have access to archived messages, files (archived newsletters), database (music teacher list; youth resource list; services and products offered by ERCHA families list) and ERCHA event calendar. You can also have messages sent to the email address of your choice and choose how frequently to receive the messages. For detailed instructions on how to set this up, click here.
Yahoo Group Guidelines
Subject line
Please clearly state the content of message in the subject line for ease of use for all members (i.e. "Bowling this Friday", “Ice Skating Day Change", "Prayer Request", “Ballroom Dancing”, etc.).
Activities/events
Members may plan and/or post events. Field trips and activities with on-going participation (class or club) require approval through the ERCHA Board before posting. Please send requests to the Social Activities Chairman for social activities/field trips and the Education Chairman for educational activities.
Replies
By clicking “reply”, your message will be sent to the ERCHA Yahoo Group. Before doing so, please determine if it will benefit the entire Yahoo Group to read your response or if you should reply to the individual privately. Please refrain from emailing group-wide messages containing only words of congratulations, agreement or thanks.
Advertising
Every Friday is "Flea Market Friday" and all emails addressing something to sell or buy may only be posted on that day. As a courtesy, please include the words “for sale” or “want to buy” in your subject line. ERCHA members may list their occupation or home-based business in the “database” section of the Yahoo Group if they would like to make their services known to other members.
Content
Only messages and legislative alerts that directly pertain to home education, with the exception of Flea Market Friday items, are allowed on the list. Forwarded messages from HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) and APHEA (Alaska Private and Home Educators’ Association) are permissible. The ERCHA Yahoo Group is not a venue for promoting a lifestyle or personal agenda. Political campaigning is not allowed.
If you have a question about something you wish to post, please send it to the Communications Chairman. The ERCHA board reserves to right to moderate messages and/or remove a member or message from the Yahoo Group if guidelines are violated or the content of the messages is not for the encouragement of ERCHA members.
For further explanation of the benefits of becoming a Yahoo Group Member please visit our Yahoo Group Page
5. EVENTS AND FIELD TRIPS
Events events and field trips are Board approved but member directed. If you are interested in coordinating an event or field trip please contact the Social Activities Chairman or download the Event Form from the Yahoo Group Files section, fill it out and email it back to the Social Activities Chairman.
Board members are available for ideas, support and consultation. ERCHA sponsored events are for members only unless otherwise specified. Please contact the coordinator of the activity or the Social Activities Chairman if you are in doubt.
Fees. All venue fees are the responsibility of the parent. Advance collection is at the discretion of the coordinator; correct change is always appreciated.
Communication. Coordinators will make a best effort to notify attendees of any changes either by phone or email. When in doubt, however, contact the coordinator.
Good impressions. Do consider that our actions reflect not only on our group, but on homeschoolers in general. Please follow these simple rules of participation:
- Arrive on time - We understand that unexpected events happen. However, please call the event or field trip coordinator if last minute changes to your schedule prevent your family from attending. There may either be a wait-list or the event may have a minimum attendance limit.
- Dress codes are important for the appearance and comfort of members. Please arrive dressed appropriately for the occasion.
- Children must be accompanied by a parent. Parents are responsible to ensure that their child maintains proper behavior: obeying instructions, respecting the facilities being visited, and staying with the group. If a parent is unable to attend, they must ensure that another adult accompanies and accepts responsibility for their child.
6. CLUBS AND CLASSES
The goal of clubs and classes is to facilitate educational experiences in a group setting that would not ordinarily be possible for an individual family to participate in on its own.
ERCHA educational clubs and classes are Board approved but member directed. Length is determined by the parent leader, but generally are six to nine weeks long per session and could continue throughout the school year. If you are interested in forming a club or teaching a class, please contact the Education Chairman or download the Class/Club Form from the Yahoo Group Files section, fill it out and email it to the Education Chairman.
Board members are available for ideas, support and consultation. ERCHA clubs and classes are for members only unless otherwise specified. Please contact the club/class coordinator or the Education Chairman if you are in doubt.
Fees. Parent leaders volunteer their time but may collect a small fee to reimburse photocopy, supply and/or material expenses for the class. All club and class fees are the responsibility of the parent. Payment is due on the first day of the club or class or as directed by the parent leaders; correct change is always appreciated.
Communication. Coordinators will make a best effort to notify attendees of any changes or cancellations either by phone or email. When in doubt, however, contact the coordinator.
Room Staffing Requirements. Two adults must be present in each classroom used by a club or class . A sign-up sheet for scheduling helpers will be posted or the coordinator(s) may assign help as needed. A club/class may be cancelled if there are not enough volunteers signed up.
Participation Guidelines
- ERCHA clubs and some classes are held in a place of business. Courtesy for the working staff is appreciated.
- Be courteous by arriving on time.
- Be respectful of the parent leaders and the facility where you meet.
- Parent leaders reserve the right to ask a family to leave due to disruptive behavior.
- Parents are expected to assist with their child’s club or class.
- Stay in designated instruction areas only.
- The nursery may be available for use with prior arrangement*.
- Church office equipment and supplies and kitchen supplies are not to be used without prior arrangement*. Please do not make photocopies at the church.
- Equipment such as a VCR/DVD player or overhead projector may be used with prior arrangement*.
- Dress codes are important for the appearance and comfort of members. Please arrive dressed appropriately for the occasion.
- Sign-in sheets are requested of all ERCHA clubs and classes. Parents unable to remain in the club/class with their children are asked to designate on the sign-in sheet where in the building they will be or the name of the on-site adult accepting responsibility for them.
- Use of outdoor playground requires adult supervision.
- Leave the area clean. Clean up after activity, vacuuming if needed. Full trash bags can be taken to the shed.
- At least one parent leader will have a church key. Please ensure doors and windows are closed and locked and that the lights are off before leaving the building.
*To make any arrangements, as listed above, contact the Education Chairman.
7. LIBRARY
A collection of homeschooling materials, CDs, DVDs and reference books are available for loan to ERCHA members.
Checking out materials: Loans are for one month. Items are generally checked out during the monthly meetings and returned the following month. You must be a current ERCHA member to check out items. A sign-out clipboard is located at the library table during meetings and in the ERCHA cabinet at other times.
Returning materials: Self-check your items back in by recording the return date for each item on the clipboard and place your items in the return box.
Lost or Damaged Items: Members are responsible for items they check out and will be asked to replace or compensate ERCHA for any which are lost or damaged.
Donations: All donations should be cleared and given directly to the Education Chairman or Librarian. Please do not leave any materials at ER Grace. Contributions to the ERCHA library that encourage or instruct homeschooling parents are welcome. Some teaching materials which can be used in less than one month may be accepted.
8. GRADUATION
Each spring, ERCHA hosts a graduation ceremony for its member families' graduating seniors. The purpose is to honor the graduates and their parents for this milestone accomplishment. The ceremony is intended to recognize the achievements of these students and also to inspire and encourage homeschool families, their extended family, and friends. For more details on how to participate, click here.
9. ERCHA BOARD
The ERCHA board consists of 3-7 members who make an annual, voluntary commitment to serve the needs of ERCHA. Their job is to provide leadership and support to the membership of ERCHA, which exists to strengthen homeschooling families in this community.
Board Responsibilities
The Board has the responsibility and authority to establish and revise policies and guidelines as well as make decisions pertinent to the operation of ERCHA. Changes to existing policies and guidelines will be agreed to by the Board (simple majority) and announced to ERCHA members in the newsletter.
Board Positions
Chairman of the Board
Responsibilities: ERCHA Board Facilitator; monthly support group meetings, teen meetings and children’s activities during monthly ERCHA meetings; Yahoo Group moderator; Eagle River Grace liaison; Board meetings on a monthly or as needed basis.
Membership Chairman
Responsibilities: registration, new members, Trash 2 Cash, new-to-homeschooling, financial reports, curriculum swap.
Communications Chairman
Responsibilities: ERCHA website, Yahoo group moderator, Yahoo calendar
Educational Chairman
Responsibilities: library, classes, clubs, Geography Bee, Great American Night, Project Fair and other educational activities/events
Social Activities Chairman
Responsibilities: field trips, picnics, bowling, ice skating, Moms’ tea, summer hikes, and other social activities/events
Advisory Members
“Retired” homeschool parents who have been active with ERCHA may be invited by the Board to serve as advisors.
Appointing Board Members
Board Members serve a one year commitment (June-May) and may continue to serve the next year with the consent of the other Board members. Board positions are reviewed each spring. Anyone interested in serving on the Board may make his/her wishes known to any current Board member by the April meeting. An interview may be conducted by two current board members. The new Board will be appointed by the current Board members.
A Board member must:
- Be a professing Christian.
- Agree with the ERCHA Statement of Faith.
- Be currently residing in Alaska and an active member of ERCHA for the six months prior to serving.
10. PROBLEM RESOLUTION
Members are invited to address any concerns with policy, procedures, individuals, or a general problem or need within ERCHA by contacting any Board member. A written statement of the concern may be requested if it will assist in achieving resolution.
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