BYLAWS OF:
JACKSON AREA HOME EDUCATORS SUPPORT GROUP
ARTICLE I — NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1 — Name: The name of the organization shall be Jackson Area Home Educators Support Group Inc. (JAHE). It shall be a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan.
Section 2 — Purpose: We desire to cooperate with and encourage area home educators in matters of common interest, including legal information, educational resources, and motivation and training for both parents and their children. However, we specifically support families who educate their own children from a Christian perspective. We believe it is our responsibility to train and educate our children in accordance with God’s will and with His Word, the Bible. JAHE is committed to nurturing smaller support groups defined by geographical, curricular, or philosophical considerations. JAHE will facilitate communication between these groups and between homeschoolers and the larger community through their programs and services.
Section 3 — Statement of Faith: We believe in the Bible as the authoritative, inspired, inerrant Word of God; one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the vicarious death of Jesus Christ for our sins, His virgin birth, His bodily resurrection, and His personal return; the necessity of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration and the building of the Body of Christ; the power of prayer; the sanctity of life; the belief that each child is a gift from God and that marriage is established by God as a monogamous, heterosexual relationship between one man and one woman.
ARTICLE II — MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 — Eligibility for membership: Membership in JAHE is open to anyone who is supportive of the mission of the organization, understands that the organization operates from the statement of faith, submits to the governance of the organization when participating in JAHE activities, and is invested in or advocates for the general success of the homeschooling efforts of member families. The organization's activities and events are directed towards homeschooling families that live in Jackson County, Michigan and surrounding counties who have read the Membership handbook and agree in principal with the aims and expectations of the organization. Membership is granted after completion and receipt of a membership application and annual dues.
Section 2 — Annual dues: There is an annual membership fee that will be determined by the Board of Directors each year. The Membership runs concurrent with the school year from June 1st through May 31st of the following year. Under certain conditions the membership fee may be waived, at the discretion of the JAHE Board, and a scholarship membership granted. For families that join after March 1, the JAHE Board may allow a "partial-year" membership fee at a percentage of the annual fee to run for the remainder of the membership year. The Board of Directors must determine this percentage annually.
Section 3 — Behavioral Expectations at Sponsored Activities: We seek to mature the character of our children and represent Christian values to others. Colossians 4:5-6 states: “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Consequently, both parents and children should respect the following standards while attending any JAHE sanctioned event. If unwilling to do so, they may be asked to leave by the event coordinator or a member of the Board of Directors.
- To respect their bodies – dressing modestly and appropriately and abstaining from the use of tobacco, alcohol and all illegal drugs. I Cor. 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”
- To speak carefully – honoring the name and character of God by avoiding profane and vulgar speech. 2 Tim. 2:16: “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”
- To act appropriately – Practicing courtesy and respecting the property and regulations of others. Any behavior that is threatening, or can reasonably be received as threatening, shall be subject to disciplinary action by the JAHE Board. Consequently, any object considered to be a weapon, or which may reasonably be perceived as such, is prohibited except with prior consent of the Board. Exclusions: Pocket knives with blade of three inches or less may be carried by adults without prior consent. Law enforcement officers may carry weapons as may be required by their department. Eph. 5:15-16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Section 4 — Resignation and termination:Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the secretary. Resignation shall not relieve a member of unpaid dues, or other charges previously accrued. A member can have their membership terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III — BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 — Board role, size, and compensation:The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the association, and delegates the responsibility of day-to-day operations to the applicable Organizational Unit or Activity Coordinators. The Board shall have up to 6 married couples, but not fewer than 3 married couples. The Board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses.
Section 2 — Terms:All Board members shall commit to serving a minimum two-year term but are eligible to remain on the Board, by mutual agreement, until they resign.
Section 3 — Meetings and notice:The Board shall meet at least semiannually, at an agreed upon time and place. An official Board meeting requires that each Board member have written or electronic mail notice at least two weeks in advance.
Section 4 — Special meetings:Special meetings of the Board may be called upon the request of the president, or one-third majority of the Board. The Secretary shall send out notices of special meetings to each Board member at least two weeks in advance.
Section 5 — Quorum:A quorum must be attended by at least fifty percent of Board members and at least two officers for business transactions to take place and motions to pass.
Section 6 — Officers and Duties:There shall be three officers of the Board, consisting of a President, Secretary and Treasurer. Their duties are as follows:
The President shall convene regularly scheduled Board meetings, shall preside or arrange for another officer to preside at each meeting in the following order: President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Secretaryshall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all Board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.
The Treasurershall make a report at each Board meeting. The Treasurer shall assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, make financial information available to Board members and the public, and prepare materials for submittal to the IRS annually in accordance with Federal Law.
Section 7 — Resignation and termination:Resignation from the Board must be in writing and received by the Secretary. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a three-fourths vote of the remaining directors.
Section 8 — Vacancies:When a vacancy on the Board exists, the Secretary should receive the vacancy information, pass the vacancy information on to the full Board, and schedule it as an action item for the next Board meeting or schedule a special meeting to handle the vacancy. These vacancies will be filled as soon as possible while following the election procedure. It is strongly encouraged that the Board members leaving and the new Board members attempt to efficiently transfer responsibilities as smoothly as possible. If Board vacancies result in fewer than 3 married couples remaining, the Board and organization can remain viable for up to one year with 2 married couples until the vacancies are filled and the minimum number of 3 married couples restored.
Section 9 — Board qualifications:The following requirements are applicable in the selection of candidate Board of Director members; candidates must:
- Be a married couple that either currently homeschools their children or has in the past;
- Be a member of JAHE for at least one (1) year;
- Be recommended by at least one other director;
- Provide a written testimony of their Christian faith; and
- Affirm and live a life consistent with the JAHE Statement of Faith.
Section 10 — Election procedures:The Board of Directors shall be responsible for identifying potential Board members, ascertaining their availability for a Board position, evaluating the couple in accordance with the aforementioned qualifications, and appointing them with the full consent of Board members.
ARTICLE IV — ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS
Section 1 — Organization Units: The Organizational Units are groups of members who gather and meet with some regularity for a common purpose, focusing on interests such as academics, athletics, arts, faith, or fellowship. These units, called "small groups" operate under the administrative and fiscal authority of JAHE.
Section 2 — Authority:The JAHE Board of Directors has ultimate authority over each of the Organizational Units. This provides protection for each of the Organizational Units and ensures that all activities reflect the identity of JAHE.
Section 3 — Membership:Membership in JAHE is required to participate in any of the Organization Units’ programs.
Section 4 — Meetings:The leadership of each individual Organizational Unit shall meet at least annually with the JAHE Board of Directors.
Section 5 — Special meetings:Special meetings with the JAHE Board of Directors with any of the individual Organizational Unit shall be completed in a timely manner to resolve issues and concerns. Notices of special meetings shall be sent out by the secretary to each of the applicable Organizational Unit member at least two weeks in advance.
Section 6 — Budgetary Requirements:Each Organizational Unit shall prepare an annual budget, prepare an annual financial statement and provide a monthly statement that includes: Beginning Balance, Income, Receipts, Expenses, and Ending Balance. Each Organizational Unit shall provide an Annual Financial Statement to the JAHE Board of Directors within 45 days after the end of the Fiscal Year. The information contained in this Annual Financial Statement must supply the necessary information for annual submission of Form 990 to the IRS. This information shall be specified and approved by the treasurer.
ARTICLE V — ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT OFFICERS
Section 1 — Board role, size, and compensation:Each Organizational Unit shall operate under the authority of the JAHE Board of Directors. Each Organizational Unit leadership shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of their respective organization. Each Organizational Unit’s leadership shall have at least 3 members. Compensation for the Organizational Unit’s leadership, other than reasonable expenses, should be approved in advance by the JAHE Board.
Section 2 — Terms:All Organizational Unit leadership members shall serve terms within the guidelines of each individual Organizational Unit.
Section 3 — Resignation and termination:Resignation from the Organizational Unit’s leadership must be in writing and received by the applicable Organizational Unit Secretary. An Organizational Unit leader may be removed for other reasons by a three-fourths vote of the JAHE Board of Directors.
Section 4 — Vacancies:When a vacancy on any of the Organizational Unit Leadership exists, that individual Organizational Unit Leadership is responsible for identifying potential candidates and recommending them to the JAHE Board of Directors for consideration and schedule it as an action item for the next board meeting or schedule a special meeting to handle the vacancy. These vacancies will be filled as soon as possible while following the election procedure. It is strongly encouraged that the Organizational Unit Leadership member(s) leaving and new Organizational Unit Leadership member(s) attempt to efficiently transfer responsibilities as smoothly as possible.
Section 5 — Leadership qualifications:The following requirements are applicable in the selection of candidate Organizational Unit Leadership members; candidates must:
- Be a member of JAHE for at least one (1) year;
- Be recommended;
- Provide a written testimony of their Christian faith;
- Be approved by the JAHE Board; and
- Live a life consistent with the JAHE Statement of Faith.
Section 6 — Election procedures:Organizational Unit Leadership shall be responsible for identifying potential Organizational Unit Leadership members and recommending them to the JAHE Board of Directors to be considered for an Organizational Unit Leadership position, evaluate the candidate with the Organization Unit qualifications, and a simple majority of the JAHE Board of Directors voting to affirm them to an Organizational Unit leadership position.
ARTICLE VI — ACTIVITY COORDINATORS
Section 1 — Activity Coordinators:JAHE Board of Directors shall, at their discretion, delegate specific responsibilities to members of JAHE to oversee the efficient operation of programs that provide significant benefit to JAHE members. The list of Activity Coordinators may include the following but are not limited to:
Box Tops for Education, Fall Kick-Off Picnic, Field Day, Field Trips, Graduation, JCC Theater, Library, Spelling Bee, and Used Curriculum Sale
Section 2 — Activity Coordinator qualifications:The following requirements are applicable in the selection of an Activity Coordinator; coordinators must:
- Be a member of J.A.H.E;
- Be recommended by a JAHE member;
- Be approved by the JAHE Board; and
- Live a life consistent with the JAHE Statement of Faith.
ARTICLE VII — FISCAL YEAR
Section 1 — Fiscal Year:The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of June and end on the last day of May in the following year.
ARTICLE VIII — AMENDMENTS
Section 1 — Amendments: Changes to bylaws should be proposed to the Board during a regular or special meeting. The vote to make the change must take place at a subsequent meeting. The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors, and changes in the bylaws during a fiscal year must be publicized to the general membership at the next Annual Meeting.
CERTIFICATION
These bylaws were approved at a meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds majority vote on May 8, 2009.
Kathleen Rubio, JAHE Board Secretary