NCHE Bylaws
How does NCHE do business?
NCHE is operated on the basis of Biblical principles and living faith, welcoming members of all races, nationalities, and religions who subscribe to the NCHE ideals.
NCHE Bylaws
Home education is a growing movement in North Carolina and our nation. Homeschooling is not new, but old as history. In Deuteronomy 6:5-9, God clearly makes parents responsible for the education of their children. America's own educational heritage is rooted in both home and church sponsored schooling. Many of our nation's greatest leaders received their education at home. National studies continue to show superior academic performance and social skills among homeschoolers.
North Carolinians for Home Education has grown from a small group of concerned parents into an ever-strengthening statewide service organization. The following bylaws are adopted to clarify our purpose and to unite homeschoolers in North Carolina for the common good of home education.
The ideals of home education are educational excellence, parental authority and responsibility for education, protection and promotion of the family, diligence in moral and ethical instruction, responsible citizenship, freedom of choice among educational alternatives, and defense of constitutional rights.
Article I - Name
The name of this organization is North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE), Inc., a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina.
Article II - Purpose
- A. NCHE is an organization whose Board is made up of Christians and is an organization of families who are committed to protecting the right to freely home educate in North Carolina. We affirm the right and responsibility of parents to direct the education of their children. Our purpose is to protect the freedom to educate at home, to provide encouragement and support to families choosing home education for their children, and to promote home education as an excellent educational alternative. NCHE is operated on the basis of Biblical principles and living faith, welcoming members of all races, nationalities, and religions who will subscribe to our ideals.
- B. NCHE shall promote the positive aspects, and excellent quality of home education. There shall be no public statements or any materials distributed that denigrates other organizations, religious affiliations, or any governmental officials or agencies. However, NCHE shall defend home education against specific policies, which jeopardize the freedom to homeschool.
- C. NCHE shall work to establish and maintain a professional working relationship with other educational and homeschool organizations.
- D. As parents have the freedom to choose the methods and materials with which to educate their children, NCHE will not develop or endorse any specific curriculum or methodology for use in homeschooling. NCHE does encourage individual members to share their curricular and method experiences with other homeschooling families.
Article III - Membership
- A. Classes of Membership: There is one class of membership.
- B. Eligibility for Membership: A family or household member homeschooling in compliance with existing North Carolina law may join NCHE, each family having the privilege of membership and one (1) vote per family. Anyone over eighteen (18) years of age residing in North Carolina who is not currently operating a homeschool, but who supports homeschooling, may join NCHE, having the privilege of membership and one (1) vote per family. The Board of Directors has the authority to require a minimum level of contributions or dues for membership.
- C. Qualifications to vote: All families who have been enrolled at least six (6) weeks prior to any election or ballot may vote.
- D. Membership roll: The names, addresses and telephone numbers of members shall not be sold, published or distributed for use outside of NCHE.
- E. Annual meeting: There shall be an annual meeting of the general membership of NCHE for the purpose of hearing reports of the activities of the organization and installing newly elected officers and regional directors.
Article IV - Board of Directors
- A. Authority of Board: The control, administrative, and judicial authority of NCHE shall be vested in the Board of Directors (Board). The Board shall have the authority to engage and dismiss such employees as necessary for the operation of NCHE
- B. Officers: There shall be seven (7) officers elected annually by the general membership: the President, Administrative Vice-President, Conference Vice-President, Education Vice-President, Legislative Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
- C. Voting Members: The Board of Directors shall have as voting members the seven (7) generally elected officers, the twelve (12) Regional Directors, and up to three (3) advisory members. Advisory members shall be elected annually by the Board at the last meeting before the installation of officers, and shall have served previously on the Board for at least three (3) years. The (3) Advisory Board members, elected by the Board, shall serve as members of the Executive Committee. Advisory Board members shall have no other required duties than attendance at Board meetings, and serving on the Nominations and Elections Committee and Executive Committee. Voting members shall be actively homeschooling at least one child in their home except in cases where all school age children have graduated.
- D. Nonvoting Members: Nonvoting members of the Board shall be: 1) the spouses of the officers; 2) the spouses of the Regional Directors, except when in the absence of the Regional Director they shall have the right of vote; 3) the Alternate Regional Directors and their spouses, except when in the absence of the Regional Director and his/her spouse they shall have the right of vote.
- E. Members Ineligible: An individual who is a salaried officer or employee of NCHE is not eligible to be elected and may not serve as a member of the Board, and a former salaried official or employee is not eligible for one (1) year after ceasing to be employed by NCHE. No individual shall become or continue as a member of the Board if he/she is a director, officer, or employee of any other homeschool organization providing services similar to that of NCHE (This shall not apply to local support group leaders.)
- F. Vacancies on the Board: The position held by a member of the Board of Directors shall automatically become vacant in the event such member 1) is convicted of any felony while holding office, 2) is declared legally incompetent, 3) is absent from regularly called Board meetings for six (6) months without an excuse satisfactory to the Board, 4) submits a written resignation to the Board, or 5) is removed by 3/4 majority of the Board. A vacancy of the office of President shall be filled by the succession of the Administrative Vice-President to that office for the duration of the unexpired term. Should the offices of President and Administrative Vice-President be vacant concurrently, the office of President shall be filled by the succession of the Legislative Vice-President, the Education Vice-President, or the Conference Vice-President, in that order. A vacancy of all other offices or advisory member positions shall be filled by appointment by the Board of a qualified NCHE member to that position for the duration of the unexpired term. A Regional Director (R.D.) vacancy shall be filled by the Alternate R.D. until the next election of officers, when the affected Region shall elect a Director for a regular two (2) year term or for one (1) year if the vacancy occurred during the first year of the term. If there is no Alternate R.D. to fill the vacancy, the board shall appoint an NCHE member to fill the R.D. vacancy, who, in turn, will nominate to the board his/her Alternate R.D.
- G. Meetings: The Board shall meet at least quarterly and otherwise as needed to carry out the business of NCHE. Meetings may be called by the President or by four (4) voting Board members who communicate their request to the Secretary, and notice of such meetings to all Board members is required at least one (1) week before the meeting.
- H. Quorum: A quorum shall be declared when at least fifty percent (50%) of voting Board members are present, and adjournment of a meeting is effected if less than fifty percent (50%) of voting members are present after the meeting has been called to order.
- I. Order of Business: The order of business for each meeting shall be determined by the President and delivered to each Board member at least one (1) week prior to the meeting. The first action of the Board at each meeting shall be to approve the order of business. The order of business may be suspended or ordered by a simple majority of those present and voting. A closed session of the Board (consisting of voting board members and whomever the board determines needs to be present) may be ordered by a simple majority of those present and voting.
- J. Rules of Order: The Board at its first meeting after the installation of new officers shall appoint from among its members a Parliamentarian who is or will become knowledgeable of a standard code of parliamentary procedure (such as Robert's). Such standard code shall stand as the rule of order except when in direct conflict with these bylaws, and will control all parliamentary proceedings of the meeting of the Board. Rules of order may be suspended by a simple majority of those present and voting.
- K. Passage of Motions: A two-thirds (2/3) majority of those voting members present shall be required to pass motions of general business and policy before the Board.
Article V - Regional Representation
- A. Regional Directors: For organizational purposes, the state shall be divided into twelve geographical Regions, each having a Regional Director elected by members of NCHE residing in that region. Regional composition shall be determined by the Board. Regional Directors shall serve two (2) year terms, with odd numbered Regions electing in odd years, even numbered Regions in even years.
- B. Duties: The duties of the Regional Director shall be to represent homeschoolers in the Region at Board meetings; to work with the Legislative Committee in coordinating legislative contacts in the Region; to act as a liaison between support groups in the Region and the Administrative Vice-President; and to encourage new membership in NCHE and the development of new support groups in the Region.
- C. Alternate Regional Director: An Alternate Regional Director shall be nominated by the Nominations and Elections Committee upon the advice of the appropriate Regional Director and appointed by the Board for a two (2) year term concurrent with the Regional Director's. He/she shall represent the region when the Regional Director is unable, and shall assist the Regional Director in all other duties of that office.
Article VI - Election of Officers and Directors
- A. Nominations of Officers: Recommendations for consideration for those offices shall be called for from the membership at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting. The Nominations and Elections Committee shall review all qualified candidates and nominate at least one (1) NCHE member for each generally elected office and Regional Directors at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual membership meeting. No nomination shall be made by the Committee without stated agreement by the nominee to serve in the office if elected, and agreement of the nominee with the ideals and principles of NCHE.
- B. Election of Officers and Directors by Balloting: If there is only one nominee for an office, that office will not be listed on the ballot and the election will be performed by the Board of Directors. If all offices have only one nominee, a ballot will not be sent out. If there is more than one nominee for an office, the Nominations and Elections Committee shall ensure that the applicable biographical sketches of the nominees and ballots are mailed to all NCHE member families eligible to vote at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. To be counted as valid, ballots must be marked for no more than one (1) candidate per office and returned to the Nominations and Elections Committee at least fifteen (15) days prior to the annual meeting. A majority of valid ballots elects a candidate. Results of the balloting shall be announced at the annual membership meeting.
Article VII - Duties and Qualifications of Officers and Regional Directors
A nominee for any NCHE officer or director position shall be a member of NCHE in good standing for 1 year, and have at least 3 years of homeschooling experience.
- A. President: The nominee for President shall be serving on the Board of Directors at the time of nomination. The President shall chair all meetings of the Board of Directors, the annual membership meeting, and the Executive Committee meetings and shall determine the order of business for those meetings; shall vote only when necessary to constitute a 2/3 majority; shall serve as an ex-officio member of all standing and ad hoc committees; shall act as the spokesperson for NCHE and as the liaison between NCHE and the Department of Non-Public Education; shall be responsible for enacting the directives and policies of the Board and ensuring that officers are fulfilling their duties; shall report at the annual membership meeting on the state of homeschooling; and shall oversee the activities of any employees hired by the Board.
- B. Administrative Vice-President: The nominee for Administrative Vice-President shall have a minimum of one (1) year experience on the NCHE board. The Administrative Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence and succeed to that office in the event of vacancy; shall coordinate activities of the Regional Directors ensuring they are informed as to Board actions and aid them in working to strengthen support groups; shall be a member of the Executive Committee; and shall chair the Nominations and Elections Committee.
- C. Conference Vice-President: The Conference Vice-President shall present for Board approval options for speakers and sites for future annual conferences held in conjunction with the annual membership meeting; shall report to the Board at each meeting the progress of arrangements for upcoming conferences; and shall chair the Conference Committee.
- D. Education Vice-President: The Education Vice-President shall keep the membership abreast of studies related to home education and provide to them information helpful to homeschooling; and shall chair the Education and Publications Committee.
- E. Legislative Vice-President: The Legislative Vice-President shall ensure that NCHE is kept abreast of legislative trends and bills that might affect home education; shall ensure that members are informed as to public issues and concerns affecting homeschooling; and shall chair the Legislative Committee.
- F. Secretary: The Secretary shall ensure that minutes of the Board meetings are recorded and promptly distributed to Board members; shall provide abridged minutes of the Board meetings for the NCHE newsletter (The Greenhouse Report); shall serve as historian of NCHE submitting annual history updates to the Board within three (3) months following the annual membership meeting; shall keep current the operations and procedures statements of the Board, and maintain a current indexed journal of past actions of the Board; and shall ensure that a current membership roster is maintained.
- G. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be a member of the Executive Committee; shall keep an account of income and expenses to NCHE, reporting monthly and annually to the Board; shall handle correspondence regarding dues, donations and other contributions; shall provide projections helpful to financial planning; shall make deposits and write checks; and shall chair any ad hoc Finance Committee when formed.
Article VIII - Committees
- A. Standing and ad hoc committees: NCHE shall have the following standing committees: Bylaws, Conference, Executive, Education and Publications, Legislative, and Nominations and Elections. Ad hoc committees may be appointed by the Board with the period of existence and goals and objectives of such committees determined by the Board.
- B. Bylaws Committee: The Bylaws Committee shall be chaired by the Parliamentarian with three (3) other members of NCHE approved by the Board. This Committee shall make an annual detailed, careful review of the Bylaws and propose to the Board revisions necessary to update the Bylaws. This Committee will give consideration to any proposed amendments, and will advise the Board of their merit.
- C. Conference Committee: The Conference Vice-President shall chair this Committee, and appoint members with approval from the Board. This Committee shall handle arrangements for publicity, registration, vendor services and accommodations for speakers, meetings and workshops, and all other conference needs. The Committee through its chairperson shall report at each Board meeting on the plans and progress for upcoming conferences.
- D. Education and Publications Committee: The Education Vice-President shall chair this Committee, and shall appoint members with Board approval. This Committee shall arrange for workshops as needed to educate and inform the membership on topics useful to home education; shall oversee publication of materials used for informing NCHE membership and potential members of resources for initiating and continuing a homeschool; and shall provide resource assistance for publication of The Greenhouse Report. The Board shall appoint or employ an Editor of The Greenhouse Report, who shall have the responsibility of preparing NCHE's newsletter for printing and distribution on a timely and regular schedule. The Editor of The Greenhouse Report shall be an ex-officio member of this Committee. An editorial board made up of the President, the Education Vice-President, and the Legislative Vice-President shall directly review the content of each issue before publication.
- E. Executive Committee: There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the President (who shall chair the Committee), Administrative Vice-president, the (3) Advisory Board Members, and the Treasurer. This committee shall be formed at the first meeting of the Board following the installation of new officers. The Executive Committee, by majority vote of its members, shall have full authority to act for and on behalf of the Board of Directors whenever the business of NCHE demands prompt action in the interim between Board meetings or when it is impractical or impossible to convene the Board of Directors. A report of its actions shall be given by the President at the next Board of Directors' meeting, for Board approval.
- G. Legislative Committee: The Legislative Vice-President shall chair this Committee and appoint members with the approval of the Board. This Committee shall keep current a network of legislative contacts, ensure that NCHE is apprised of pending legislation that might affect home education, and inform the membership of issues raised publicly which have impact on homeschooling.
- H. Nominations and Elections Committee: The Nominations and Elections Committee is composed of the Administrative Vice-President (who shall chair the Committee), the advisory Board members, and one (1) Committee member elected by the Board from among its other members. This Committee shall make nominations for officers as provided in Article VI of these Bylaws. This committee shall oversee the mailing, receiving and counting of ballots for officer elections and votes for bylaw amendments.
Article IX - Amendments
Any five or more member families may propose amendments to these Bylaws by submitting same to the Bylaws Committee at least ninety (90) days prior to the date set for election of officers. If the Board shall approve, the Nominations and Elections Committee shall publish such proposed amendments along with the Board of Directors' recommendations for adoption or rejection, and submit them to the membership eligible to vote for vote by mailed ballot at the time of officer election. Affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members returning ballots by the election closing date shall constitute adoption.
Article X - Adoption
These Bylaws shall be adopted after review by the Board of Directors and presentation to the membership for approval by mailed ballot. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of families returning ballots within thirty (30) days shall effect adoption. The provisions for electing officers shall take effect immediately, and all other provisions shall take effect at the following annual membership meeting when those officers are installed.
Adopted March 1992
Amended May 1998
Amended May 2002
Amended May 2007
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Appendix A
The make-up of the geographical regions of NCHE is as follows:
- Region 1 Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, and Transylvania counties;
- Region 2 Avery, Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Polk, and Yancey counties;
- Region 3 Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, Wilkes, and Watauga counties;
- Region 4 Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, and Union counties;
- Region 5 Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Person, Rockingham, Stokes, and Surry counties;
- Region 6 Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Randolph, Rowan, Stanly, and Yadkin counties;
- Region 7 Anson, Chatham, Harnett, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, and Scotland counties;
- Region 8 Durham, Franklin, Granville, Orange, Wake, and Vance counties;
- Region 9 Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson counties;
- Region 10 Beaufort, Dare, Greene, Hyde, Johnston, Martin, Pitt, Tyrrell, Washington, and Wayne counties;
- Region 11 Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pender, and Onslow counties;
- Region 12 Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Edgecombe, Gates, Halifax, Hertford, Nash, Northhampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Warren, and Wilson counties.
