EAST COAST HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATION

BYLAWS

Article I- Name

The name of this organization is East Coast Homeschool Organization, referred to as ECHO.

Article II- Purpose

ECHO is a non-profit organization.
Distributes homeschool materials vital to home educators.
Organizes programs, activities, seminars, workshops, and other educational services that will help families interested in home education.
Protects the freedom of home education in our community and the state of North Carolina.

Article III- Vision

ECHO was founded on the vision of the president, Valerie L. Cifuentes, under the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The vision of ECHO is to be a part of a growing mainstay in education that allows parents to make personal choices for their children and to uphold individual preferences in religion, curriculum and methods of instruction. As a homeschool support group, ECHO hopes to provide a place of encouragement, intimacy, fellowship and information for parents and guardians that choose to teach their children at home.

Article IV- Mission Statement

Section I- Statement

Echo is a Greek word that means "to hold." We, the parents, recognize that we are our children's primary educators. We hold to our right to educate our children at home within the guidelines of North Carolina State Law. We hold to our individual Family Identities, Christian Heritage and Values as we educate our children in Christian Spirituality; Good Citizenship and Patriotism.

Section II-Creed
1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
  the Creator of heaven and earth,
  and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
2. Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
  born of the Virgin Mary,
  suffered under Pontius Pilate,
  was crucified, died, and was buried.
3. He descended into hell.
4. The third day He arose again from the dead.
5. He ascended into heaven
  and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
  whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
6. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ (the Church),
  the communion of saints,
  the forgiveness of sins,
  the resurrection of the body,
  and life everlasting. Amen

Article V- Goal Our goal is to see that families are empowered for home education and to allow them to have a social structure conducive for wholesome education. Article VI- Membership

Members of ECHO must be registered with the State of North Carolina, Non-Public Education as required by law.
Members that hold Governing Positions must be Christian.
It is expected that families support ECHO with annual dues and support each other as home educators.
All members are encouraged to discuss homeschool related ideas and concerns with the Governing Body.
All members are responsible for underwriting their share of the cost of activities in which they may participate, (i.e. field trips, picnics, sports activities, crafts etc.).
All members are encouraged to represent themselves as members of the homeschooling movement to the media and to the community in general.
Membership ratio will be no less than 2/3 active duty/retired and no more than 1/3 civilian

Article VII- Governing Body

Section 1-Description

There shall be six offices in the Governing Body. They shall be President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Collateral Duty Officer and Resource and Media Officer.
The President will appoint the Governing Body.

Section II-Meetings

The Governing Body shall meet at least four times a year. Meetings will held in August-September, October-November, January-February, April-May.
All Members are welcome to attend regular Governing Body meetings.
A Governing Body Meeting may be held with 2/3 of the board present.
The President may call Special Meetings within a 24-hour notice.
Special meetings of the Governing Body may be held behind closed doors.

Section III- Eligibility

Governing Body Officers must be homeschooling for at least one year and a member of ECHO. The President is the only officer to makes exceptions.
The Governing Body may not have memberships within other homeschool support groups, serve on any other governing boards, steering committees or board of directors, or be an elected official in another homeschool support groups.

Section IV- Tenure and Terms of the Governing Body

The President shall have Tenure.
If the President must resign from the Presidency, the President must submit a letter of resignation no less than 60 days prior to the effective date of resignation.
The Membership must elect a new President in not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of the resigning President's resignation.
On the effective date, the new President will assume Tenure.
If for some reason a person cannot fulfill their duties in the Governing Body, they shall turn in a written resignation to the Secretary.

Section V- Duties of the Governing Body

President- Responsible for the over all function of ECHO; presides over meetings of the Governing Body, oversees the coordination of the dates of all activities and functions sponsored by the organization, oversees work done by any individual or organization that are rendered by ECHO and works with the Treasurer in the disbursement of funds. Appoints the Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Collateral Duty Officer. Assigns jobs to the Collateral Duty Officer.
Vice President- Shall execute the duties of the President in his/her absence, will have duties assigned by President, and works with the President to oversee all activities and functions including the Treasury. Shall assign jobs to the Collateral Duty Officer when residing as President.
Treasurer- Responsible for maintaining financial records, paying approved bills of this organization, providing financial reports, and proposing an annual budget and collecting annual dues and providing reimbursements.
Secretary- Responsible recording all the minutes of the regular and special board meetings and must present written records of such meetings to all Governing Body members. Is responsible for collecting membership applications, maintaining a list of all member's addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, advises Governing Body of new members. Distributes information and ECHO Handbooks to all Members.
Collateral Duty Officer- works with the residing President. Fulfills jobs at the request of the President. Jobs such as, but not restricted to, researching ideas, run errands for the President, and at the President's request, may assist the Governing Body, as needed, for special events.
Resource and Media Officer-works to keep ECHO's resources such as books, magazines, pamphlets, donated media and book clubs in order, also may develop and oversee the newsletter when applicable.

Article VIII- Budget - This is being updated (April 2010)

Article IX- Expectations of Members

Will focus on support and friendship among families
Have respect for our differences in the religious beliefs, backgrounds, and methods of homeschooling.
Members are expected to be courteous and keep their religious beliefs to themselves or to be tasteful and polite when asserting them.
Members shall not insult other members.
Each family is responsible for their safety and well being during ECHO activities.
Use of obscene gestures or obscene language when attending ECHO activities and meetings is prohibited. Members are expected to display good character.
Proper attire is essential. Clothing is to be modest. No logos with lewd languages, images or anti-religious statements allowed.
Members shall not bring guns, knives, or other weapons to our group activities and meetings.
Members are to help their children with conflict resolutions within the group.
Children in ECHO Childcare must have fingernails clipped short.
Children are to be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times during ECHO activities or meetings.
If a member or child of a member or a guest of a member damages properties belonging to ECHO or a sponsor for ECHO, then the member is solely liable for replacement or purchase of damaged property.
Members that have a grievance are required to turn in Grievance Form for review.
All Members must sign a written waiver for MCCS Operations.
All Members must sign a written waiver for ECHO.
Members are encouraged to attend Governing Board Meetings.
Members are encouraged to give input on ECHO's organizations and ideas.

Article X- Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended by 2/3 majority vote of the Governing Body.
Voting method used is "show of hands."

Articles that may not be amended are as follows:

Article I Name
Article III Vision
Article IV, Section II:Creed
Article VII Governing Body
Article X Amendments
Article XI Dissolution.

Article XI- Dissolution

This organization may be dissolved and activities closed upon the recommendation of the Founder. After all payment of bills and claims are distributed, all cash shall be donated to the Home School Legal Defense Association, which is a non-profit, incorporated organization. All supplies will be auctioned and the money will be donated to the Home School Legal Defense Association. What is not auctioned will be donated to the Stone Street Youth Pavilion, Camp LeJeune.

Article XII- Non-Liability of Governing Body

ECHO's Governing Body shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or obligations of the organization. All of the before mentioned are the liability of the East Coast Homeschool Organization itself.

Article XIII- Equal Opportunity

All meetings are open to homeschoolers; we do not discriminate against race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin as well as method of homeschooling. Though we welcome all religious backgrounds, please let it be known that the fundamental basis of ECHO's structure is the Christian belief. Any families that choose to become a member of this organization must acknowledge the nature of the group and in doing so, not undermine any of the principles set forth in our Creed.

Once the "Budget" portion of the By-laws is updated, THIS will be a link to download the FULL PDF version of the ECHO By-Laws

The above "East Coast Homeschool Organization Bylaws" is from the original copy, dated 2001 December, except where noted above

ECHO 2010