PATH Home school Support Group


		Parents Are Teaching Hearts (P.A.T.H.) A Christian Home School Support Group in the Van Zandt area

BYLAWS of P.A.T.H. Home School Association

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Adopted May 2, 2005

Article I - Name
The name of the organization shall be P.A.T.H. Home School Association, a non-profit organization. (Not as a tax exempt charity under IRS 501(c)3 Rules)

Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this organization is to provide support to families who educate their children at home and do so with a Christian worldview.

Our goal is to develop a relationship and network between families as we disciple our children in Christ and provide them with the necessary resources to become godly young men and women to serve our communities. Our goal is also to develop the most effective role of each parent in home schooling.

The support services of PATH are provided entirely by unpaid volunteers--its members. Every member is expected to do what he or she can to help others, according to their own gifts, and within the limitations of their own situation. Some important ways for members to serve others include: planning, facilitating, or attending some meetings and functions; and by being generally available to offer certain kinds of assistance on an as-needed basis.

Section A- Support
P.A.T.H. support may include, but is not limited to, field trips, Regular Member Meetings (including guest speakers on occasion), access to the P.A.T.H. electronic bulletin board, special workshops/meetings, and other P.A.T.H. activities.

Section B- Meetings
Dates and times for the Regular Member Meetings will be determined each year by the incoming Leadership Board. These meetings should be held no less than one time per month with a minimum of nine (9) per year. They will be open to all members and will seek to provide educational, academic, spiritual and emotional encouragement for families.

Section C- Newsletter
A regular published newsletter is encouraged and may include, but not be limited to, information on P.A.T.H. activities and field trips, available workshops, classes being offered to P.A.T.H. families, occasional updates on information regarding political and legal concerns, as well as provide an area for members to advertise items for sale or give-a-ways.

Article III - Membership

Section A- Agreement
P.A.T.H. shall be open to home schooling families who concur with this organization's Statement of Faith (Article IV of these Bylaws) and who agree in writing to abide by these Bylaws and the Standards of Conduct.
Section B- Ineligibility
No homosexual or cohabiting parents are eligible for membership.
Section C- Dues
Membership dues will be exacted per family, and will be determined each year by the Leadership Board. Dues will be used primarily to support P.A.T.H. activities and other necessary expenses as determined by the Leadership Board. Dues may also be used to further education and understanding about home schooling and available resources, both among our membership and within our communities.
Section D- Educational Excellence
While it is neither the intent nor purpose of this group to monitor the educational pursuit of any member family, all members MUST be committed to pursuing educational excellence in their children through a curriculum of their choice, whether purchased or self-compiled and be in compliance with current Texas laws regarding home education.
Section E- Character
Member families should exemplify godly character before their families and community.
Section F- Privacy
Members must not distribute any member names, addresses, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and other personal information out of respect for the privacy of member families.
Section G- Meeting Attendance
P.A.T.H. meetings and functions are exclusively for members and those interested in becoming members, unless the Leadership Board announces in advance that the meeting is open to others for purposes of outreach or information.
Section H- Dispute Resolution
Failure to abide by the letter and the spirit of these bylaws, as determined by the Leadership Board, may result in the forfeiture of one's membership after first following a biblical approach to resolution.
Section I- Member in Good Standing
A Member in good standing is a member whose dues are paid, current year signed application is on file, and is in agreement and adhering to the Bylaws, Statement of Faith, and Standards of Conduct.

Article IV - Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God and constitutes His completed and final revelation to man.
We believe God has existed from all eternity in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ was God come in human flesh being fully God and fully man, except without sin.
We believe the central purpose of Jesus Christ was to pay the penalty for man's sin through His substitutive death on the cross, the successful accomplishment of which was attested to by His subsequent visible, bodily resurrection.
We believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God and that salvation is found by faith in Him alone.
We hold as belief and conviction that children are given by God as a stewardship to the parent and not the state. We believe parents have the authority to teach and educate their own children.

Article V - Governing Authority
The governing body of the organization shall be known as its Leadership Board, and it shall have the appropriate powers to do all things necessary and proper to operate and control the organization.

Section A- Structure and Requirements

The Leadership Board shall be made up of five (5) positions (a position may be held by a single member or husband-wife team, see Positions on Leadership Board).

Leadership Board Requirements:

1. One must have home schooled at least one child for at least one year. 2. One must have been a member in good standing of P.A.T.H. for one year prior to the elections.
Section B- Quorum
A quorum of the Leadership Board shall consist of a majority of members of the Leadership Board and their actions must be passed by a simple majority of the quorum. Proxies shall not be allowed for any votes. There shall be one vote per Leadership Board position, not for each person of a husband-wife team holding a Leadership Board position.
Section C- Meetings
The Leadership Board shall meet for Regular Leadership Board Meetings no less than once per quarter. Special Leadership Board Meetings may be called by the President OR any two other positions of the Leadership Board. Members desiring to address the board should make their request to the secretary, along with the topic they wish to discuss, for inclusion on the agenda. The Leadership Board reserves the right to go into Executive Session to discuss matters that may impact the privacy of any member family.
Section D- Nominating Committee
A Nominating Committee of not less than five members shall be appointed by the President at the January Regular Member Meeting. The Nominating Committee shall elect its Chairman from one of its members. This committee shall recommend one person or couple (husband and wife) to each position with the title thereof at the March Regular Member Meeting. The Nominating Committee meeting is open for observation by any member in good standing. The date, time and place of the Nominating Committee meeting will be communicated to the membership fourteen (14) days in advance.
Section E- Election Dates and Guidelines
Elections to fill positions on the Leadership Board will be held at the May Regular Member Meeting. Prior consent of nominee(s) shall be obtained. Nominations from the floor are allowed. Where there is only one candidate for an office, election may be by voice vote. Where there is more than one candidate for an office, election shall be by ballot. A simple majority of the members in good standing present shall elect the Leadership Board positions.
Section F- Leadership Board Positions

President- The President, or in his absence or by his directive the Vice-President or other Leadership Board Member designated by the President, shall preside over all meetings of the organization and speak for the organization. He shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may occur from time to time. The President may establish committees and appoint chairmen of those committees. A Leadership Board position may serve as a committee chairman or committee member.
Vice-President- The Vice-President shall assist the President in the performance of his duties. In the absence of the President or in event of his death, inability or refusal to act, the Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. He shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Vice-President and such other duties as may occur from time to time.
Treasurer- The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds of the organization and shall keep records of all related transactions. All records are to be made available for review by the membership as determined by the Leadership Board. He will provide a treasury report at each Regular Member Meeting. He shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may occur from time to time. The Treasurer shall provide a financial status report at each Regular Member Meeting. The Treasurer or the President are authorized to sign checks.
Secretary- The Secretary will be responsible for keeping a record of all Member Meetings and Leadership Board Meetings. The minutes from the previous Member Meeting(s) will be made available at the following regular Member Meeting. Other duties including, handling correspondence necessary to this position and, in general, performing all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may occur from time to time.
Member-at-Large shall be a voting member of the Leadership Board.

Section G- Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy on the Leadership Board, a majority of the remaining Leadership Board shall nominate a replacement(s) to fill the unexpired term. The nominee will be voted on at the next Regular Member Meeting by the members present.

Article VI - Procedures
Generally accepted parliamentary procedures as established by Roberts Rules of Order shall govern procedures at Leadership Board and Member Meetings.

Article VII-Member Meetings

Section A- Quorum
Members in good standing attending a Regular Member Meeting constitute a quorum. All votes of the Members for electing the Leadership Board and transacting other business matters, except changes or amendments to these Bylaws (see Article IX), shall require a simple majority of the quorum to pass.

Section B- Voting Members
Each member family will be allowed one vote for each adult parent or guardian in the family, not to exceed two votes per family.
Section C- Proxies
Proxies shall not be allowed for any votes.

Article VIII - Dissolution
In the event of dissolution of the organization, all liabilities and obligations of P.A.T.H. shall be paid, satisfied, and discharged or adequate provision made from the organization's funds. Any remaining funds shall be given to another home school association in the local area as determined by a majority vote of the Leadership Board. In the event a vote is not possible or is tied, the funds shall be given to the Texas Home School Coalition.
Article IX - Amendments to Bylaws
The Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of Members in good standing present at any meeting open to all membership and having been announced with the purpose and details in writing at least twenty-one (21) days in advance to all current members in good standing.

These revised Bylaws were approved by a simple majority vote of a quorum of the P.A.T.H. Home School Association membership at the May 2, 2005 Regular Member Meeting.

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