Organization

Deseret Homeschool Association Guidelines

REASON FOR GUIDELINES:

These guidelines provide our organization with consistency and unity.  Guidelines help each incoming board understand the way this organization runs and creates a smooth transition from year to year.  Guidelines help unite the board in a common purpose and allow board members to speak with a common voice. 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Deseret Homeschool Association is to give support to LDS homeschooling families in the Treasure Valley, to facilitate building connections and friendships between members of our organization and with the community around us, and to share resources, information, and learning opportunities that support and motivate us in our homeschooling efforts.  Although most of our members are LDS families in the Treasure Valley, we do not exclude anyone.   Membership is available to all families-regardless of their religion, region or schooling methods. 

ORGANIZATION OF LEADERSHIP:

The presidency is made up of the president, vice-president and secretary.  The entire board is made up of the presidency, newsletter editor and area representatives.

MEMBERSHIP:

Membership in DHSA is free and is simply completed by requesting your name to be added to our contact list.  Members will receive e-mails containing our monthly newsletter, information on DHSA activities/opportunities & community events.  Members may be asked for donations and/or fees to help cover the costs of the website and certain activities.  Our membership lists are to be used to facilitate friendships and network for homeschooling purposes ONLY.  Any other personal use of the information (business, political, etc.) is not allowed.  No one but the secretary is allowed to send out “mass” e-mails to the entire membership.  Members may ask to have information sent out, but the secretary will make the final determination whether it is appropriate or not. 

NEWSLETTER:
The monthly newsletter shall contain the purpose of DHSA, contact information for the presidency and area reps, presidency report, family spotlight and calendar of events.  The newsletter shall be limited to 15 pages with additional pages as necessary with approval from the President.  Advertisements are welcome as long as they support the purpose of our homeschooling endeavor.  We encourage articles, homeschooling ideas, housekeeping tips, recipes, or anything of interest to the general membership to be included.   The Presidency  will determine whether submissions are appropriate. 

REQUIRED MEETINGS:

An opening social will be held at the beginning of the school year.   Location, time and activities will be determined by the board.

The Board Reorganization will be held in May.  The term of the board is from July to June.  Members of DHSA should come together at this meeting to establish or re-establish a board for the coming year.  Volunteers should be encouraged to e-mail the presidency beforehand to let them know of their interest in helping.  If a position becomes vacant during the year, the presidency will ask for more volunteers.

A NEW BOARD

After new volunteers have been appointed, they should meet with the people they are replacing.  Advice, ideas and suggestions should be passed on.  The new board should then meet in order to focus on the coming school year.  Subsequent meetings should be held according to need.

FINANCES

A one-time request for donations may be submitted to the membership in order to pay for the website and for activities that include all of DHSA.  If funds are not available for an activity, a fee may be charged to cover costs.     

      

CHANGES TO GUIDELINES:

DHSA is a growing, changing organization and so it may be necessary to make changes to the guidelines occasionally.  Before guideline changes are instituted, past and present leaders of DHSA (and perhaps other interested members) should meet to discuss the proposed changes. 

BOARD DUTIES:  (Any board member may appoint others to assist them as needed.)

President:

1.   With the assistance of the entire board, create goals for the year, plan meetings and activities to meet those goals and make final decisions for the association. 
2.  Write or assign the presidency report and make sure all articles are ready for the monthly newsletter.

3.  Be in charge of content on website and assign others (if needed) to help maintain and update it.

Vice-President:

1.  Provide assistance and leadership to area representatives.

2.  Work with Area Representatives to create localized activities that help to meet their wants and needs.

3.  Assist president in all of her duties.

Secretary/Treasurer:
1. Maintain and update family contact information.

2.   Send the newsletter announcements out each month and other communication to the group as necessary.

3.  Keep minutes at all Board meetings and accounting of all finances.

Newsletter Editor:

1.  Set a deadline for receiving materials and articles for the newsletter.

2.  Determine the appropriateness of submissions for the newsletter.

3.  Create the newsletter and send to the secretary the beginning of each month.

Area Representatives:

1.  Contact each member of your area to confirm membership and welcome new members.

2.  Work with the families in your area to create localized activities and mothers meetings that help to meet their wants and needs.

3.  Help presidency strengthen DHSA's ability to support their members.

ACTIVITIES SPONSORED BY DHSA MEMBERS/BOARD:

DHSA members have the right to organize/sponsor activities for our families.  If members want to invite others to participate in activities, they can use DHSA to get the word out.  Great activities for members to sponsor could be: P.E. activities, field trips, book clubs, teen activities, fairs (history, science...etc.), co-ops, retreats, mother's meetings, couple's meetings, parties...etc.   Any volunteerism is appreciated.