*** PURPOSES AND PHILOSOPHIES***

 Johnston County Home Educators (JCHE) is a Christian organization formed in 1994 to
 strengthen and encourage homeschooling families in and around Johnston County,
 North Carolina. Membership is available to all homeschooling families who pledge to
 uphold the ideals of JCHE.

PURPOSE

The purpose of JCHE shall be:
    * To bring glory and honor to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 
        by offering ministry, support, and encouragement to one another as
        homeschool families.
    * To serve as a resource, support, and communication network to 
        the homeschool community.
    * To provide academic, social, and ministerial opportunities.
    * To promote homeschooling in our community as an educational alternative.
    * To preserve freedom of choice in education.

 
PHILOSOPHIES

JCHE holds that the ideals of home education are:
    * Parents have God-given authority and a constitutional right over 
        their children, and responsibility for their education and discipline
        Deuteronomy 6:5-9).
    * Educational excellence.
    * Diligence in moral and ethical instruction.
    * Responsible citizenship.

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*** MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS ***

A. Membership is offered on a household basis to homeschool families.  
     We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational 
     institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to
     one another by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is the uniting
     of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.

B. Membership is available on two levels – Full and Honorary

C. To qualify for Full Membership, applicants must:
    A. Live in Johnston County or any bordering county AND
    B. Have one or more children:
        1. Pre-compulsory school age and demonstrating an active, 
            supportive interest in Home Education OR
        2. Currently enrolled in a homeschool that is registered with   
            DNPE and/or in full compliance with North Carolina
            homeschooling law OR
        3. Graduated from homeschooling.

D. Honorary membership is available at the discretion of the board to
    those who do not qualify for Full Membership.

E. Each member family must pay a non-refundable annual
    membership fee unless other arrangements are made through
    the Membership Secretary with the approval of the Board. Dues are  

    payable in July, and apply only through the next July.

F. Members must submit all required forms and applications and
    provide signature to appropriate documents.

G. Each family will contribute to the work effort for at least two
     activities during the year. To simplify the delegation of these tasks, 
     each member will be asked to complete a questionnaire indicating  
     your preferences. This requirement may be waived or altered with 
     permission from the Board due to family crisis or hardship. Each
     year members will be asked to list the previous year's services on 
     the membership application.

H. Members have a responsibility to access the communications made 
     available by JCHE, such as, but not limited to, newsletters, email 
     group/databases, website, membership directory, etc.

I. Families must operate their home school in compliance with N.C. law.

J. The JCHE membership roster is for member use only.

K. Membership signifies willingness to respect and defer to JCHE
     policies and philosophies.

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 *** COMMITTEE and SERVICE AREA DESCRIPTIONS ***

Below are JCHE service opportunities.
    * Each family is required to participate in at least two services per 
        year.  Applicants will indicate on your membership form the top
        three committee and/or service group areas where your family is
        willing to serve (3 total, not three from each category)

EVENT COMMITTEES

FALL KICK-OFF 2010
Volunteers needed for THIS YEAR’s Kick-Off . Set up, clean up, lead activity or game, serve food, decorate, invitations, brainstorm event schedule.  Set for August 28, 2010

FALL KICK-OFF 2011
For next year’s Kick-Off (planning ahead!) Set up, clean up, lead activity or game, serve food, decorate, send invitations, brainstorm event schedule.  Held mid-late August, 2011.
   
WELCOMING COMMITTEE
For returning members only.  Help with welcoming new members by serving as a point of contact for any new members with questions regarding Yahoo, website, or our group in general. Also help plan and coordinate a New Members Reception.

CLOTHING EXCHANGE
Set up, clean up, sort clothing and other materials, assist during sale. To be held in October.

QUARTERLY WORKSHOPS
In lieu of monthly Mom’s Motivators.  Three to four meetings per year, based on popular topics. Committees needed for each session to plan, secure building, set up, clean up, etc.  Target months:  early November, January, early May, July (in conjunction with bookfair)

HOLIDAY VARIETY SHOW
Collect registrations, set up, MC, run sound, stage hand duties, clean up, supervise refreshments, design programs, decorate, etc.

THANKSGIVING FEAST
Plan meal, communicate menu to membership, set up, clean up, programs, etc.  May be combined with the Holiday Variety Show.

INTERNATIONAL FAIR
Set up, clean up, prepare certificates, etc..  Tentatively set for February.

SCIENCE FAIR
Set up, clean up, prepare certificates, line up judges, review & share guidelines/eligibility rules for advancing to additional competitions. Tentatively set for January.

2011 JCHE GRADUATION
Help with graduation ceremony planned for June 4, 2011. Duties will include: Helping to plan, setup and clean up, decorate, coordinate reception and student project displays

BOOK FAIR 2011
For next year’s Bookfair / Conference.  Set up, clean up, signs/programs/ flyers, goodie bags, workshop assistants, registration table, advertising, etc.  July 9, 2011


SERVICE GROUPS, ETC.

     Active participants in these programs, clubs, and activities
     will be expected to lead and/or provide services.

YEARBOOK/SCHOOL PICTURES
Take and collect pictures for events, help with layout (14 years to adult), sell yearbooks and/or ads, schedule and register families during school pictures.                                                                                                                                                   

EARLY HOMESCHOOLERS
Plan or co-plan field trips, park days or activities geared for children birth–age 7.  Help with the Holiday or Valentine’s Party (i.e. man a craft table, decorate, clean up, etc…)

FIELD DAY
Set up, clean up, assist children, help lead stations. Usually held in May. 

GROUP TESTING
If you plan to test your child with JCHE, you will have a job at testing.  Sign up for specific jobs closer to testing dates which are typically two weekday mornings in mid-April

FIELD TRIPS
Plan, co-plan or lead a field trip, park days or activities for ages 8 and up

CLERICAL DUTIES
Data entry, publishing, copying, etc. to assist with JCHE clerical duties.

OTHER
An area that you would like to serve not already listed.

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*** CODE OF CONDUCT ***

A. We believe it is the parents' responsibility to shape the Godly   
character and guide the Christian education of their
child/children. In accordance with that belief, all parents and   
students are expected to represent our Lord, and JCHE, with
the highest standards of integrity and Christian character. In   
accordance with this belief, all members must,
    • Demonstrate behavior above reproach;
    • Be courteous, considerate, cooperative and respectful.

B. Therefore, at all JCHE related functions we require the following   
rules to be observed:
    • No Profanity
    • No Smoking
    • No Drugs or Alcohol
    • No Fighting
    • No Slander
    • No Coarse Jesting or Hurtful Language

C. Knowing that each student is an image-bearer of the Lord, we  
would like to stress modesty in dress and appearance.
Our members are asked to avoid extremes in clothing. Parents are   
encouraged to teach students how to look their best and how their
appearance affects others and honors Christ.
    - No bare midriffs; No low-cut necklines; No short shorts or skirts;   
      keep your underwear under your wear.

D. We ask that our young men and young ladies treat each other with 
respect and refrain from all flirtatious behavior.  Although each   
family has the right and responsibility to address the “Dating Issue”
according to their own convictions, we do not promote or allow any
public display of affection at any JCHE related functions.

E. When we are attending activities as a group, our behavior reflects  
not only on the individual families, but on JCHE as well. We ask that
you adhere to these rules of etiquette.
    Children’s Responsibility:
    • Be responsive and respectful to leadership.
    • Sit quietly and listen when you are a part of the audience.
    • Do not run when you are inside a building or in a crowd.
    Parent’s Responsibility:
    • Call to cancel if you can't make it. Fees are non-refundable 
       except at the discretion of the Event Coordinator.
    • Take responsibility for your children during the field
       trip/activity. If you are unable to accompany your child, you
       must make specific arrangements with another home    
       schooling parent to be responsible for your child.

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*** PRIVACY POLICY ***

The information collected by completing the JCHE membership application and questionnaire is to be used for JCHE homeschooling support purposes only. Under no circumstances should the personal information of JCHE members or prospective members be shared with any non-member(s), used for solicitation, or sold without the express written consent of the JCHE Board of Directors.  By completing a membership application form, you agree to these terms and to uphold this policy.