Christian Home Educators Network Constitution and By Laws
Article 1 Name, Philosopy, Purpose and Location
Section 1 The name of this organization shall be Christian Home Educators Network or CHEN.
Section 2 Christian Home Educators Network (CHEN) is a Christian organization. It shall base all of it policies and actions on Christian principles, taking the Holy Bible as it moral and spiritual guide. We support Christian values, the Biblical definition of a family and home education.
Section 3 CHEN functions as a network in roughly the Newmarket and surrounding area to:
a) To provide encouragement, information, ideas and resources to those who are homeschooling to all it members and adherents through various means.
b) To provide encouragement in our monthly meetings by speakers, panels or various other opportunities.
c) To link home schooling families together, whether in the group as a whole, or in smaller circles within the group.
d) To provide opportunities for outings for homeschooling families of our group.
Article 2 Membership
Section 1 The qualification for membership in this organization are:
• Members must sign a membership form, which states that CHEN is a Christian group as per Article 1 Section 2.
• Membership to the organization is fee-based, requiring dues of $10 per family.
Section 2 Members of the organization shall have the right to one vote on matters submitted to a vote of the membership.
Section 3 If someone does not agree with the Christian principles of this group, they may choose to participate in the group as an adherent with the $10 fee, but they do not have voting privileges at meetings. Adherents are expected to show deference to the philosophy, standards and beliefs of Christian Home Educators Network.
Article 3 Board of Directors
Section 1 The business of the organization shall be managed by a Board of Directors comprised of at least 3 and no more than 9 board members. The Board is responsible for maintaining the overall policy and direction of the organization. The Board shall receive no compensation (other than reasonable expenses) for their service on the Board. They are to represent the interests of its membership.
Section 2 Each board member shall have educated at home for at least three years and must continue to home educate throughout the term of office. Each board member shall be committed Christians, holding the Bible as the infallible Word of God. Each board member shall agree with all parts of this Constitution and the bylaws of CHEN.
Section 3 All Board members shall serve for three year term in one position and can be eligible for re-appointment two times. The positions of the organization shall be Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Webmaster, Email Moderator, Meeting Manager and Librarian.
Section 4 Any Board member may resign at any time by giving notice to the organization.
Section 5 The Chair shall convene regularly scheduled Board meetings and shall preside or arrange for other Directors to preside at each meeting in the following order: Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 6 The Vice Chair will facilitate meetings in the absence of the Board Chair. The vice chair will also chair committees on special subjects as designated by the board.
Section 7 The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of the 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.
Section 8 The Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. The treasurer shall assist in the preparation of the budget, and make financial information available to Board members and the public.
Section 9 The Webmaster will take care of the website and updating events and various other items.
Section 10 The Email moderator will moderate all emails that go through the loop, ensuring that a manner of respect and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ are kept by all involved in the loop.
Section 11 The Meeting Manager will organize speakers or panels or various event for the monthly meeting for encouragement of the members.
Article 4 Meetings of the Board of Directors
Section 1 The date of the regular annual meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors who will also set the time and place.
Section 2 The Board shall meet frequently enough to provide vision and guidance to CHEN.
Section 3 Special meeting of the members can be held at the discretion of the President or when called for by a majority of the Board of Directors or one-fourth of the member groups may petition the Board of Directors with a proposed agenda. If petitioned, the Board of Directors shall call a special meeting within thirty days. A notice of Special Meeting shall sent out by mail or email at least two weeks prior to the meeting date and shall include the topic(s) to be considered.
Section 4 Notice of all meetings shall be provided to each voting member of the Board, by email, at least 3 days prior to the meeting, although preferably one week.
Section 5 A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. If all the directors consent, a meeting of directors may be held by means of such telephone or other communication facility that permits all persons in the meeting to hear each other simultaneously. A director participating in such meeting by such means is deemed to be present at that meeting. Any action normally taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a resolution in writing setting forth the action to be taken is signed by two-thirds of the Board. All questions arising at a Board of Directors meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes unless a greater majority is required elsewhere in this Constitution. The act of a majority of Board of Directors members at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.
Article 4 Amendments
Section 1 These By-laws may be amended when deemed necessary by a 66% majority vote of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Board Chair and sent along with regular board meeting notices.
